F&W Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining...Kids?

[The Duchess]

Just booked a Culinary Adventure in Signature Dining for our October trip...without even thinking booked for three which includes my 12-year old son...has anyone done one of these with kids?
I did not see an age limit noted anywhere and he loves watching Top Chef-type shows with me so I know he will love it.
Also, is there a dress code? I'm assuming business casual? It's at Portobello Italian Trattoria.

 

[redzinner]

I don't think Disney comes out and says children are not allowed. It will be a long 3 hour dinner so he may get bored by the end. Of course, he will not be poured the alcoholic beverages.
The signature dinner is not a demonstration of any food preparation like Top Chef. It's a sit down, served dinner where the chef may speak about the food choices and a wine rep will speak about the labels and pairings.
The dress can be resort or business casual but not park casual.

 

[TDC Nala]

Please read the above post. There is no age limit, but these events are adult-oriented and are not recommended for children. Although your child is not a very young child, and if he likes hearing adults talk about food and wine (there won't be any cooking demonstration, just talking) he might be okay with it, and if you're okay with having him attend a dinner that will be mostly if not all adults, all of them drinking a good bit of wine. However, there won't be any reduction in price because he isn't old enough to drink alcohol. Water will be available, you'd need to ask if you want him provided with a soft drink, though.

I think it's already decided he's going, though, because once you sign up the F&W events are nonrefundable.

I've never seen a child at any of the dinner events. I've seen a couple of older teens, they just are not served alcohol.

 

[tony67]

One other comment, it is quite likely you will be at a table with others.

This is assumed to be an adult atmosphere so I would not expect people to change their behavior because your 12 year old is sitting with them.
If that would be an issue for you make sure you arrange a table by yourself if possible or adjust your plans.
I would call the restaurant a day in advance and let them know so they can plan for that.

I would be very annoyed that I have to watch everything I do because there is a 12 year old, many people may not care that he is with you.

I only mention this because I have seen posts where people bring their kids into a bar at Disney and then get upset when people act as they might in bar.

 

[The Duchess]

Wow. Now I feel stupid.
I'm wondering why the concierge at YC didn't say something. They know we are traveling with a 12-year old and they made the Reservation.

 

[drew2wdw]

My friend and I did a Signature Dining experience during F&W last year. We did the Wolfgang Puck dinner and is was fabulous! We were sat at a table with a family of four. The two parents plus their two sons. Over dinner they confessed that they felt a little "out of their comfort zone", they weren't wine drinkers (they served A LOT of wine with the meal) and this was not the type thing they usually did BUT they were doing it as a birthday present for their oldest son who was hoping to go to culinary school! I'm not positive of their sons ages but the oldest was probably around 18 and the younger around 14. The older son was very interested in all the food and loved that you could see into the kitchen where the chefs (Wolfgang included) were preparing dinner. He was really soaking it all in. The younger son was not so into it all but was still well behaved. My friend and I were not at all uncomfortable having them at our table -- we thought it was awesome of the parents (who again, were obviously not doing this for themselves!) to expose their son to such a wonderful event.

I think that if you think your son would enjoy the meal and could comfortably sit through a fairly long evening of food and wine and enjoy adult conversation, then there is no reason you shouldn't bring him. It all depends on how mature he is for his age. I see no reason why a POLITE, WELL BEHAVED 12 year old should bother anyone else.... this is Disney World!