Fine Dining with a 1 year old

[neoscarecrue]

My wife and I usually frequent some of WDW's best restaurants but we have not been back since the birth of our daughter. Which restaurants would you not recommend taking a 1 year old other than Victoria and Alberts?

 

[FireflyTrance]

I probably wouldn't go to any that were quiet or slow. At that age I preferred quick service or buffets.

 

[neoscarecrue]

That's what I figured, thanks.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Almost all WDW restaurants are kid friendly, but when we went when our daughter had just turned 2 she still had trouble sitting through meals. I found it more fun to go to buffets, especially character ones. That being said we did also go to BOG, which she did fine at, the noise volume there is fairly high. We also did Crystal Palace and Akershus, both of those worked well because of the character aspect.

 

[neoscarecrue]

Almost all WDW restaurants are kid friendly, but when we went when our daughter had just turned 2 she still had trouble sitting through meals. I found it more fun to go to buffets, especially character ones. That being said we did also go to BOG, which she did fine at, the noise volume there is fairly high. We also did Crystal Palace and Akershus, both of those worked well because of the character aspect.

It's interesting that you wrote this since we will be going to BOG so thanks.

 

[BabyPiglet]

We've taken our son at 14 months and 19 months to many many table services. Obviously all you can eat or character meals are probably the MOST family friendly, but I would say almost all restaurants are suitable. The only restaurant we had a negative experience at was Captain's Grille - our server was extremely snooty and acted like he had better things to do than wait on a table with a toddler.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

It depends on your kid really. I have always preferred table service because all you have to do is sit there and the waiter brings everything to you. Counter service is... order with baby... no, just order me xyz!, while I find a table with baby, spouse is waiting for food and has to schlep it all himself while trying to figure out where The table is. Then he forgot my mayo which is just proof that he doesn't love me and now there is a squirrel trying to eat my fries.
But if your little one screams in restaurants and hates to stay at the table you may be better off sharing your fries with the squirrel who is making your baby smile.
I would avoid anywhere you know has slow service or where they travel with sizzling plates or pointy skewers.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Other than V&A, I think you could go to any of them IF you go early, around 5 pm or so. Also, maybe look at the menu and pick what you want so you can order right away when you are seated.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Well behaved children are welcome everywhere

The question is can your child handle the long meals?

 

[Babsy]

It depends on your kid really. I have always preferred table service because all you have to do is sit there and the waiter brings everything to you. Counter service is... order with baby... no, just order me xyz!, while I find a table with baby, spouse is waiting for food and has to schlep it all himself while trying to figure out where The table is. Then he forgot my mayo which is just proof that he doesn't love me and now there is a squirrel trying to eat my fries.
But if your little one screams in restaurants and hates to stay at the table you may be better off sharing your fries with the squirrel who is making your baby smile.
I would avoid anywhere you know has slow service or where they travel with sizzling plates or pointy skewers.

LOL!!! Totally agree!
That has been our experience as well. (OK, except the mayo part - for me he forgot the tartar sauce for my fish! And it was a duck, not a squirrel, but still, the similarity is amusing!).

We often enjoy table service in restaurants where the service is efficient, preferable with characters. Family style all you care to eat with characters are very nice, IMO. The revolving one in the Land in Epcot works well for our little ones (Grand children ages 1 - 7), for example.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Well behaved children are welcome everywhere

1) Yes.
2) The key words are "well behaved".
3) I expect some minor disruption from kids - after all, this is Family-Friendly-Disney.
4) But. some young kiddies just howl during dinner, and this spoils it for others.

NOTE: We have taken our young kids to table service eateries at Disney as well as other places. As long as they behaved, we were pleased, as well as others were. But, if or when they started to "Act Up" we removed them from the dining hall. You can tell the other patrons were pleased with this move.

 

[kastoney]

As others have said, it depends on your child. We've been taking our daughter to signatures in the world since she was 2, but she was used to eating out with us at home so Disney wasn't much of a shift. Kids certainly aren't as prevalent at some of the signatures, but as well as they are behaved then we've never been anything but welcomed!

 

[gharter]

As most have said, it really depends on your child. We have taken our kids when they were young to many very nice restaurants Disney and other places and never had a problem. As long as you have something to keep them entertained, they were fine. Many of the restaurants have enough going on, that the kids don't have a problem. Disney restaurants are family friendly, and you expect some noise in the restaurants. Often, the problem is the parents. Our last visit to California grill, several of the parents let their 2-4 yr olds go running and screaming through the restaurant. Kind of ruined the setting. Next to us was a table with 2 similar aged kids who were golden.

 

[North of Mouse]

Well behaved children are welcome everywhere

The question is can your child handle the long meals?

This! You know your child best - just remember to be considerate of other diners. We had three, so we understand.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

We just got back yesterday and we took our 14 month old to many TS meals (we don't really do any QS) including 3 signature. We ate at Cali Grill, Yachtsman and Tiffins as well as Spice Road Table, character buffets, Sci-Fi, 50's PT, Ohana, Skippers Canteen and Via Napoli. She was welcome and treated well everywhere; especially at Cali Grill and Yachtsman. I wouldn't hesitate to bring a baby to any Disney restaurant (except V&A of course).

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

Someone mentioned making your reservation early, around 5pm. There's no need to do that, unless you eat that early at home. If you are planning afternoon breaks at your resort, you may want to consider eating dinner a little later. Our family tends to sleep in as our week wears on (even when the kids were little) and our afternoon break ended up later. Getting to a 5pm dining reservation means leaving your resort around 3:30 or 4pm, unless it is within walking distance. You'll have a lovely meal where ever you go, and your kids will be welcomed too. Enjoy!