Flying Fish Chef's Table (taboo??)

[brea]

So DW and I are planning our first trip for next year with DD(18mo) and my wife is in love with the Chef's Table dinner. Her question for any and all that have been to FF or this experience is would it be taboo to bring a Baby to it?

 

[TDC Nala]

I can't figure out why anyone would want to bring a baby to this. Not sure it would be taboo, but if one had to get up and leave with the baby, one might miss the presentation of a dish or whatever. Especially with a child who is old enough to walk, and will probably get restless.

Disney recommends the event for adults only, although they don't say it HAS to be adults only. What I am not sure about is whether or not you would have to make a reservation for the baby or just show up with her. Since it's prepaid, you'd have to find that out before you book it.

 

[plutolovr]

I'm not sure if it's a good idea. I believe seating for the Chef's Dinner is at the counter, not sure how you would manage a baby there. I could also be totally wrong about that though.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I don't think it is a good idea. The restaurant staff might let you, but I am sure that baby paraphernalia in a kitchen could get in the way. Plus, it would be hard to pay attention to the educational aspect when you have a little one to tend to.

ETA: Yes, it is at a counter. It is also for 21 and up only. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/10/04/guest-review-flying-fish-cafe-chefs-counter/

 

[TDC Nala]

Disney's website (which isn't always right of course) says it is recommended for 14 and over only, so I don't know what they will say about those between 14 and 21. Obviously you have to be at least 21 to drink the wine.

 

[pixiechick]

We did it last June. Our teenage son was with us. He loved it by the way.

Originally, we paid for his wine pairings, but that night they refunded the difference. The cast at FF loved working with a teen who was willing to eat anything!

 

[brea]

Basically the thoughts were that I would manage the baby and DW would enjoy the wine. She does enough for me that I wouldn't mind not having the wine.

Seeing some of these notices about age has us second guessing it now though.

 

[TDC Nala]

You will need to check and see if you are required to reserve space for the child. On a regular restaurant reservation, you would be required to reserve a space for her. If you've done this before you know you will be seated at the counter, and there may be other guests who signed up for the same chefs tasting. You might have to decide if trying to handle your child at the counter may disrupt their experience as well.

 

[si-am]

I don't know the official rules, but if I were signed up for this experience, it would be quite unexpected to find myself seated with a child that young.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Unexpected for me too---

 

[chartle]

As new parents you should by now know that you are just not going to be able to do what you want anymore.

You are just going to have to wait until the kid gets old enough so that you can:

• leave them alone with someone else, in room sitter or bring a relative.
  
• let them tour the parks alone
  
• be mature enough to eat with you

Or DW dines alone.

ETA: I hope this didn't sound too harsh I just couldn't come up with a better way to write it.

 

[skunk]

Basically the thoughts were that I would manage the baby and DW would enjoy the wine. She does enough for me that I wouldn't mind not having the wine.

Seeing some of these notices about age has us second guessing it now though.

An option to consider is the Chef's Tasting at The Bluezoo, as you are seated at your own table, and the wine pairing is optional.

 

[purple figment]

If your wife has her heart set on this dinner you could use the Disney in-room baby sitting service or she could attend by herself. Or you could wait for a future trip when your child is old enough for the Kids' Club. Another idea - it's limited to 6 people so you could buy all 6 seats.

 

[FredQc]

It's clearly not a good idea: the space is not designed to accommodate a baby or a young child; you will pay a premium price without having the opportunity to fully enjoy the experience; and it is likely that people around you - who paid a premium price too - will not appreciate his presence. Also note that you may have to spend about 2 hours for a regular meal at the FF, probably more for Chief Table.

 

[MartDM]

For what it's worth, DH & I dined at BlueZoo with our DS when he was quite young (I think he was about 9 months old though; not a toddler like yours). He slept in the stroller the whole time but, even when they didn't know he'd be unconscious for the duration of our meal, the staff welcomed us and were very pleasant about it, so I think the BlueZoo option the previous poster offered was a good one!

Mind you, we did make our reservation for the first seating available (I think 5pm), so the restaurant was virtually empty when we got there & the adult diners were just starting to fill in as we departed about an hour & a half later. Not sure what your toddler's "shelf life" is in a restaurant, but if they can hold it together for more than an hour without disrupting the other diners, it's worth considering!

If your wife is dead set of Flying Fish, you should get a babysitter; chef's tables are an adult experience people shell out significant $$ for. They aren't going to want your toddler to be in attendance. My guy is 4 now and does very well in restaurants, but I would only bring him to FF if we were dining at a table alone.

Hope you can figure something out; enjoy whatever you decide to do!

 

[Bob NC]

As new parents you should by now know that you are just not going to be able to do what you want anymore.

You are just going to have to wait until the kid gets old enough so that you can:

• leave them alone with someone else, in room sitter or bring a relative.
  
• let them tour the parks alone
  
• be mature enough to eat with you

Or DW dines alone.

ETA: I hope this didn't sound too harsh I just couldn't come up with a better way to write it.

Totally understandable you couldn't come up with a better way to write it. Point is, you didn't 'have' to write anything at all.

 

[chartle]

Totally understandable you couldn't come up with a better way to write it. Point is, you didn't 'have' to write anything at all.

Sorry you feel that way but he asked for options I gave them to him.

 

[Bob NC]

As new parents you should by now know that you are just not going to be able to do what you want anymore.

Honestly don't believe this was the type of opinion OP was looking for.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Her opinion is perfectly acceptable and valid.
carry on nicely please

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

So DW and I are planning our first trip for next year with DD(18mo) and my wife is in love with the Chef's Table dinner. Her question for any and all that have been to FF or this experience is would it be taboo to bring a Baby to it?

Looking at the blog posted a PP linked and thinking about a similar dinner we went to I would say your toddler should not be in attendance. Our experience was one that we really enjoyed because we could focus on the food and discuss what we were eating. We were seated with others and really enjoyed getting to discuss the food in an adult manner.

I would either get a sitter for the evening or not go to this particular dinner. As fun as it sounds the experience definitely seems oriented towards adults. I hope you are able to get a sitter or find another experience you really enjoy!