eating table dinners with a 2 year old.

[honkytonkmama]

So where should we NOT try to eat at with a 2 year old? There are a few places I really would like to try (like Le Cellier, looks good!) but I am not sure if it is a adults only kinda place. It will just be my hubby my son and I, so we have to bring him with us. I just dont wanna get stuck eating mc'ds all week ya know.

Thanks!!

 

[Wildflowerz]

V&A's is the only adults-only type place. I'd feel comfortable taking a 2yo to most any other place. If you're worried, maybe just stay away from the Signature places too.

 

[DizzDoll]

V&A's is the only adults-only type place. I'd feel comfortable taking a 2yo to most any other place. If you're worried, maybe just stay away from the Signature places too.

I'd agree with this. I believe everywhere else, for sit-down meals, would be appropriate for your toddler. I would also think about character buffets. Nothing cuter than seeing a little "tater tot" cuddling up with a fuzzy character ! Damn, I wish my kids were little again

 

[dvcdisney]

We've taken young children for dinner in all the restaraunts we've eaten and not one had the "only adults" atmosphere:
Here is our list:

Cape May Cafe
Spoodles
Ohana's
Le Cellier
Nine Dragons
1900 Park Fare
Grand Floridian Cafe
Whispering Canyon
Tony's Town Square
Gullivers
Mama Melrose
Hollywood and Vine
Sci Fi Diner
Crystal Palace
Kona Cafe
Princess Storybook Dining (Norway)
Boma
Tusker House

I think there is a few more but I can't remember them.

I will however say that we have not chosen to eat at Signature restaurants such as California Grill, Narcossees, Jiko, or Victoria and Alberts. I know some of these have children's menus but we have had no desire to eat at any of them.

 

[honkytonkmama]

Hehe, I think we are gonna do one character meal, I think the CP, there food looks good. I am not so worried about how he will act, im more worried that I will try to go somewhere that kids are.....frowned upon, ya know?

Its really hard for me to plan this, never having been to a place like this.

thank you for your replies and your help!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I understand your question but don't worry! All of the places we ate at were family-ish. Seriously, it's Disney World! Don't sweat it at all, just go where you want and enjoy the food. The only place that "frowns" on children is Victoria & Alberts. Have a great time, we LOVE the food at Disney, especially table service restaurtants

 

[honkytonkmama]

Yeah, I just looked at the menu for Victoria & Alberts and that is not the kinda place I would enjoy, let alone my kid, lol!

 

[Disneychix]

Although each restaurant might have a theme they they aren't that much "nicer" than going to say Olive Garden or Outback Steakhouse. The signature restaurants are nice and much more spread out. We don't have plans to take our 20month old to any signature places this year. But I would take him to Yatchsman's or Artist Point without worry.
Remember the TS places in the parks are just that, restaurants in theme parks where thousands of people pass through everyday. They are nice but not THAT nice.

 

[Tinks Girls]

We have been taking our DD's to Disney from the age of 18mos. We took them to all of our TS. The only time we did not take them was when my DM watched them so that my DH and I could go out to Artist Point just the two of us!

Like the PP have stated - It is Disney. The kids are a big part of the Magic.

 

[Pakey]

DH and I eat all over the place while there are have never been bothered by children dining. I even think most of the signatures are fine with young children and we see plenty families dining at them.

The only in-park restaurant I would not recommend for children is Bistro de Paris at Epcot. They have no children's menu and I just can't see that the quiet intimate atmosophere would be very much fun for a child.

There are so many place to choose from, you will find plenty to enjoy with your child.

 

[JMD]

Kids are welcome in all restaurants, except Victoria & Albert's. Considering its Disney, you will find kids just about everywhere you go, even the signature restuarants.

I took my 15 month old son to the California Grill last week, and he was fine.

 

[Abharmagic]

As others have said- anywhere but V&A- WDW is a family place- they fully expect kids at the restaurants.

 

[tomu570]

I posted a very similar thread today. I hope this helps.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1839107

It's also been suggested to me that the best time to bring the really younger children is when the restaurant first opens. It's less crowded and more children tend to go to the earlier seatings.

 

[crisi]

I personally wouldn't take a two year old to a signature place. It isn't that you'd get the fish eye - there would very likely be other two year olds there and a kids menu - its that the meal at a signature place usually is much slower paced - that is a lot to ask a toddler to sit through. And if I'm going to pay signature prices, I'd really rather not eat my steak out of a styrofoam box in the hotel room because Junior had a meltdown.

 

[pumba]

we have dined with many kids near us at Le Cellier and other restaurants......I would just have things to entertain your child until the food comes......have some little tidbits for him to munch on like cherrios ......

 

[srdipert]

We are doing 21 Ts meals on our upcoming trip all with a 6 yr old and a 2 yr old. I think as long as your child can eat out at meals at home you should have no problem at Disney. Like others have said all places welcome children some may be more designed for children.

 

[honkytonkmama]

Thanks so much for all the replies!!!

 

[Minniemouse07]

We were at WDW in December w/ our 6.5yo dd and our ds who turned 2yo while we were there.

Here is where we ate (on the dining plan)..

Chef Mickey's (d)*
Akershus (b)
Boatwrights (d)
Tusker House (l)
Crystal Palace (d)*
1900 Park Fare (d)*
Hollywood & Vine (l)*
Le Cellier (d)
Whispering Canyon Cafe (d)

I starred all the character meals.

For a two year old I would try and book as many buffets as possible. They are free and offer the widest variety for them to graze at. I know my son (and my dd at that age) can be picky at times so the buffet was nice when he didn't feel like one thing there were tons of other things to choose.

I would also try to do as many character meals as possible. Both of our kids ADORED them and it gives them tons of time w/ the characters (and you don't have to wait on line!).

We introduced the characters to both kids the first time at a character meal. I prefer this because it allows the child to be sitting & comfortable (and eating) then have the character come to them.

Both kids weren't thrilled w/ various characters at home (Sesame Place, etc) but were just fine once introduced to Mickey at friends at Chef Mickey's.

We also like to start our trips off w/ a meal at Chef Mickey's. We get to see the big man himself and relax w/ all the characters.

Our two favorite character meals were Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Fare. We enjoyed Hollywood & Vine but really disliked Crystal Palace. I know that isn't a popular view of CP but we felt the food was just okay, the character interaction was the least interactive of our entire trip and the service was bad.

Hope that helps some?

 

[everylastbreath]

As a previous poster stated "It's Disney" there are kids all over, but if your afraid of meltdowns, you can do what we did last year when we brought my 2 yr old GS, we planned dinners late, and most of the time he fell asleep and slept thru dinner or we went and had a really nice lunch when he fell asleep, served 2 purposes, he was out of the heat in a nice cool restarant, and we got a nice quite meal out of it.

Either way, I wouldn't worry -if people did not expect to see kids they shouldn't be at disney!