Help me narrow my dinner reservations!!!

[jrt1176]

I'm thinking about taking Tutto off. I hear good things and want to try it, but I'm Italian myself...so it would have to be really good to rate high with us. It might be that good, but I get Italian alot, so its something I may cut and just walk around Epcot and pick at things around the world showcase!

She is a pretty good kid and does well at restaurants. I could always cancel. I have a feeling we will play it by ear, regardless of the PITA ADR's!!!

I'm glad to take my niece! She is like my own...minus the major responsibilities! I love taking her places and showing her new things!

Next time I might take my cousin's kids. They are 10 and 13, so if I take them in a year or two they wont be much bother.

I would take off the italian , Tutto. Whatever works for your family. We can take my older kids to a fancy restaurant and still have a good time but would rather stick something in my eye than take my youngest preschooler to one every night. I think we have one signature ressie picked while we are at WDW.

But, it really depends on the child and the situation. I would try to make earlier reservations, so you don't have a sleepy, cranky child though. Service at WDW can be slow, so you are looking at 2 hours meals probably for each one of those nights. All the rides, shows etc, take it out of some kids even if they happen to be usually well behaved night owls.

Kudos for going with your brother and niece. We haven't gotten any of the relatives to go us yet not even the aunt who promised she would take my kids when they were 7, uh, the oldest are like 10!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

A couple of the restaurants on your list don't have a kid's menu. They're probably not prepared for kids. Personally, I wouldn't take a 3 yr. old to a restaurant not prepared to accommodate her. You've chosen wonderful restaurants for an adults only trip. I'd choose differently w/ a 3 yr. old though. I totally understand what your saying about her being used to fine dining. My DS was eating escargot by the time he was 2. He too was very good in restaurants. That doesn't mean he didn't prefer the character meals at that age. He did! IMHO, that many fine dining meals in a row is asking too much for a 3 yr.old, even if they are well behaved.

 

[jrt1176]

I'm planning on feeding her ahead before a few places.

Then getting her some ice cream while we eat, etc.

A couple of the restaurants on your list don't have a kid's menu. They're probably not prepared for kids. Personally, I wouldn't take a 3 yr. old to a restaurant not prepared to accommodate her. You've chosen wonderful restaurants for an adults only trip. I'd choose differently w/ a 3 yr. old though. I totally understand what your saying about her being used to fine dining. My DS was eating escargot by the time he was 2. He too was very good in restaurants. That doesn't mean he didn't prefer the character meals at that age. He did! IMHO, that many fine dining meals in a row is asking too much for a 3 yr.old, even if they are well behaved.

 

[jenseib]

I know that sounds good in theory, but if I fed my 4 YO beforehand, who is also pretty well behaved at resturants, she would be antsier. Nothing for her to do and no food to eat on top of that. Of course we try to always have crayons and stuff ,but after too long she would just become annoying. Icecream only lasts so long too.
Maybe look into one of the kids clubs for a night or two. I'm not sure of the age requirtement, but it might make you all happier.

 

[tatajess]

First, I just wanted to say that I wouldn't worry about taking your niece out to eat with you, as I'm sure you're planning other breakfast and lunch meals centered around her

I think your choices look good, but I do have a few suggestions/comments.

Have you considered Narcoossee's? We ate there last May and enjoyed the meal so much that we cancelled another ADR and went back a few nights later! It's right on the water at the Grand Floridian, so the view is amazing as well.

We ate at California Grill and, while the food was good, it didn't compare to the filet and the whole lobster we had at Narcoossee's. The nice thing about the CG was that we ate around 6pm before the crowds showed up, so we had a quiet meal. It was almost like a private dining experience as we were one of two tables seated in the wine room (facing Epcot) and had 2 servers.

After our meal, we wandered around the different monorail resorts until a bit before Wishes when we were able to return after showing our receipt. The view of the fireworks from the outdoor walkway was amazing!

If you are thinking of changing any of your picks, I would highly recommend Narcoossee's.

Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!

 

[jrt1176]

I had started another thread, but I should have placed it here!

I'll be bringing some activities for her to restaurants. If she doesnt like the meal options, we can always get her a side or two...she loves them more! And ice cream is a soother when we get our entrees!

I did look at Narcoose's. It was between there and Citrico's. I picked Citrico's because of the better reviews from professional critics... Regardless, I ended up dropping both for my ADR's...although, as you will read, I may still end up at one or the other.

Thanks!

Heading to WDW in May for my 3 y/o niece's 1st visit. My mother, brother and myself are taking her and getting 2 rooms at the CR.

After reading the board, poster replying to my threads and much consideration I have scaled back from 7 sit down dinners to just 3 sit downs with options for more.

We are going to play it by ear some days and see how my niece is doing. Plus, we are not certain what/where we will want to eat, so it leaves us some freedom. Most of the places we will decide on are not on the DDP, so it shouldnt be a problem to get a reservation while we are there.

I did get dinners at Cali Grill so we can see Wishes, Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room and Shula's. Plus, 2 character breakfasts for my niece.

Mother's Day brunch we are going off-site to a very elegant brunch. So, we will probably eat in the park that night...not that we will be too hungry!

The 1st night we arrive we will eat some place in Epcot depending on our mood.

And 2 other nights we will play it by ear. We may pick at things around the park and then have a CS or decide on a TS that day.

I really like having the freedom of where to eat, rather than having the ADR's all spelled out for me. We can find some TS places in the park if we wish or get reservations at Blue Zoo, Il Mulino or some fine dining off-site. We could also just go back and get room service!

It's nice to have options depending on how we feel!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[DISDANCEMOM]

We're going for 7 nights...so 7 dinners!

We're staying inside WDW for dinner because this with be 3 y/o niece's first trip! So, we thought it would be easier with her...

We've narrowed it down to these 8 places:

Bistro de Paris
Blue Zoo
California Grill
Citrico's
Il Mulino
Shula's
Tutto Italia
Wolfgang Puck's Dining Room

Please give me any opinions or if you think there are is a much better place than one on the list!

Thanks!

Sounds like some great places you've chosen there! One of my concerns though would be with Shula's. It is not a child friendly resaurant...they don't have a kids menu and I'm not sure they even allow children. They certainly discourage it...they offer 2 hours of free child care in the Kid's Club "Club Dolphin" with each adult entre purchased. My dh and I are going there to celebrate our anniversary on our next trip and we are not taking the kids. I don't want to be mean or anything but to be quite honest, I would be a little ticked if I got to the restaurant and found people there with young children. Even if your neice is well behaved, she can't possibly be perfect and I wouldn't want to be seated next to you. I don't mean to be harsh...just trying to be honest. There are so many choices that would be both family friendly and yet "classy", I would look more towards those.

 

[septbaby]

reviews from professional critics...
Thanks!

Who are these critics and where have you found their reviews of WDW restaurants? Sounds like some interesting reading.

 

[jrt1176]

Scott Joseph posts from time to time and has a blog. He was formerly with the Orlando Sentinel.

You can also try travel mags or books.

Who are these critics and where have you found their reviews of WDW restaurants? Sounds like some interesting reading.

 

[jrt1176]

Well, that's your opinion and get ready to be ticked because we're definitely going there!

They dont have a kids menu, but she will love the side dishes.

If she was really acting up, screaming and being fussy, then of course I would take her outside, etc.

But, if she is just being a kid and talking to us, then I see no harm. I'm not going to let her run around or anything. I know it's a nice steak house, but it's still Disney World!

If I was in NYC, I wouldnt take her to a place like this...but, I wouldnt take a 3 y/o to NYC anyway...

I understand your position, but it's the one place I am really looking forward to going and my niece has to start going to these type of restaurants eventually.

What better place to start than WDW?

Sounds like some great places you've chosen there! One of my concerns though would be with Shula's. It is not a child friendly resaurant...they don't have a kids menu and I'm not sure they even allow children. They certainly discourage it...they offer 2 hours of free child care in the Kid's Club "Club Dolphin" with each adult entre purchased. My dh and I are going there to celebrate our anniversary on our next trip and we are not taking the kids. I don't want to be mean or anything but to be quite honest, I would be a little ticked if I got to the restaurant and found people there with young children. Even if your neice is well behaved, she can't possibly be perfect and I wouldn't want to be seated next to you. I don't mean to be harsh...just trying to be honest. There are so many choices that would be both family friendly and yet "classy", I would look more towards those.

 

[JennSaint]

I'm just curious if you have any meals planned for her that would be fun? Like any character meals?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Shula's was the only place we found totally child unfriendly. We took our kids here once and never again. The restaurant was totally unwilling to amend anything...you either ordered what was on the menu, in the size they offered or it was TS. They also were very outwardly put out that we brought kids there (and ours were 10 & 12 at the time). We haven't gone back since, but not because of the child issues...just simply because we thought it wasn't THAT good that it warranted a return visit. You have a good selection of places on your list and I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose. The dining is half the fun for us when we are at WDW.

 

[winterman]

We're doing a few character breakfasts for her.

To be honest, the trip is all about her...but, the dinners are for us!

Depending on the restaurant we may feed her before, etc.

Three may be a bit young for some places, but you gotta start them some time...

I hope that you plan to eat fairly early. I've seen lots of kids taken to TS restaurants, far more casual than your list, at 8:00 and later and it is clearly much too late for the kids.

 

[winterman]

If I was in NYC, I wouldnt take her to a place like this...but, I wouldnt take a 3 y/o to NYC anyway...

I believe that many of your fellow diners will not share that opinion.

 

[septbaby]

Are you staying on site? Why not just put the 3yo in a kids club for the night? You will still get to really enjoy your meal and she'll have a good time with people "her size". As much as it is a blow to our egos, reports are most kids don't want to leave at pick up time and they usually ask to go back. They also feed the kids dinner there, so that's one step you won't have to worry about either.

If Shula's will give you this service complimentary there must be a good rationale for doing so. Even if you only do this for Shula's it will be nice treat for mom to have a great dinner with "her boys". Maybe book something like the castle for Grandma and her little princess.

 

[jrt1176]

We are taking her to 2 character breakfasts later in the trip. I wanted her to see the characters in the park and get her acclimated before doing the dining. This way she may be more into it when we eat and they come to the table.

I dont really see a problem going to Shula's. From browsing the menu I think we'd order her a side dish for her to eat and then a dessert. We'll bring some kind of activity book and crayons, etc. I wouldnt go to dinner too late here, probably around 7pm or so.

She's been to Morton's Steak House several times, once after a play, and there hasnt been a problem. Morton's is a much more intimate setting than Shula's at WDW.

 

[GoodFairies]

Wow OP you just don't want to hear it, do you?

Everything on your list is fine except Shula's and Bistro de Paris. No, they don't have a written policy excluding children but clearly patrons are expected to read between the lines and use common sense. No children's menu at either place and one place offers free childcare for the duration of the meal. Not sure how much clearer it can be.

I guess they may soon have to spell it out like V&A.

 

[jrt1176]

If you actually read through the thread you would see that I eliminated Bistro. I'm actually only making dinner ADR's for CG, Shula's and Wolfgang Puck's. The other dinners we will play it by ear...

Why are you assuming a child cant handle Shula's?

My niece had actually been to Morton's several times! Morton's is more elegant than Shula's. She has been to The Palm, Ruth's Chris, etc. And there have been no problems!

If, for some reason, she had a tantrum, I would take her outside...like any parent would.

Every child is different. Just because one child cant eat out, doesnt mean another one couldnt...

Wow OP you just don't want to hear it, do you?

Everything on your list is fine except Shula's and Bistro de Paris. No, they don't have a written policy excluding children but clearly patrons are expected to read between the lines and use common sense. No children's menu at either place and one place offers free childcare for the duration of the meal. Not sure how much clearer it can be.

I guess they may soon have to spell it out like V&A.

 

[jrt1176]

Well, opinions vary.

I'm about an hour flight from NYC and I just wouldnt take my niece there yet for a vacation for her. I think there are places like WDW, the beach and islands she would enjoy more.

She has been to other cities that are closer, etc.

I'd rather wait until she was in school probably, maybe 7-8. I think she would enjoy it more then...but, that's just my opinion.

I believe that many of your fellow diners will not share that opinion.

 

[GoodFairies]

If you actually read through the thread you would see that I eliminated Bistro. I'm actually only making dinner ADR's for CG, Shula's and Wolfgang Puck's. The other dinners we will play it by ear...

Why are you assuming a child cant handle Shula's?

My niece had actually been to Morton's several times! Morton's is more elegant than Shula's. She has been to The Palm, Ruth's Chris, etc. And there have been no problems!

If, for some reason, she had a tantrum, I would take her outside...like any parent would.

Every child is different. Just because one child cant eat out, doesnt mean another one couldnt...

I'm not assuming she can't handle the meal. I'm assuming that the restaurant doesn't want her, well-behaved or not. That is what I meant by "reading between the lines."