How appropriate are these for small children?

[bangzoom6877]

How appropriate would the following restaurants be for dinner for 2 boys, ages 3 and 5, who are used to eating out at least once a week (and very well-behaved, frequently receiving compliments from others on their behavior), who have taken an afternoon napping break from the parks (or not gone to a park at all that day), and who are eating their meals at their normal mealtimes just as they would at home?

1. Les Chefs de France
2. Le Cellier
3. Yachstmans Steakhouse
4. Spoodles
5. Captain's Grille
6. The Wave
7. Maya Grill
8. Narcoossee's

Thanks for any input!

 

[Brian Noble]

You're in walt disney world---family vacation capital of the universe---so any restaurant other than V&A's (where they are not allowed) will have small children.

That said, from a kid's perspective, every single one on your list is boring. Why not throw 'em a bone or two with something a little more entertaining? There are a ton to pick from, and you might even enjoy them too.

 

[Lynne M]

No problem at all. The only ones that would be considered fine dining would be Yachtsman's and Narcoossee's, and neither one is extremely formal, though the meal runs a little longer (in the 2 hour range). If the boys are used to dining out, I think they'll be just fine.

 

[bangzoom6877]

You're in walt disney world---family vacation capital of the universe---so any restaurant other than V&A's (where they are not allowed) will have small children.

That said, from a kid's perspective, every single one on your list is boring. Why not throw 'em a bone or two with something a little more entertaining? There are a ton to pick from, and you might even enjoy them too.

We are going to be doing the more lively fun kid-oriented meals, like Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Biergarten (my kids loved this in July!), 1900 Park Fare, H & V Breakfast at DHS, Cape May Cafe breakfast, maybe Ohana, and maybe either Mickey's Backyard BBQ or Hoop Dee Doo. We also wanted to mix things up with some more low-key regular restaurants, and maybe one nicer one. So I was trying to figure out which ones would be the best, and the ones on my above list come to mind as places we would try. Not all of them in one trip but a couple of them (10-night trip).

 

[kirrrby]

Just don't ask for Ketchup at WCC.

 

[M&M Princesses]

Just took our two 5y/o DDs to Narcoossees last night and it was absolutely wonderful. They had their crayons and menu to color; they enjoyed the quieter atmosphere - so far it seems as though the crazier the venue i.e Chef Mickey's / CP the crazier the kids seem to act. There is so much energy at the character meals - don't get me wrong it should be - but my girls seemed to enjoy the quiet meal. There were plenty of kids there and certainly welcomed. We timed the fireworks just as we finished our entree and it was wonderful. Kids meals were excellent - great little steak for one and the other had a nice cheeseburger. They subbed pasta for potato and it was great. Wish we could go back!

 

[OKW Lover]

Well behaved children are welcome at all the WDW restaurants, with the exception of V&A's. Of the ones you listed, only YSH & Narcoossee's are considered to be more "up-scale" and I suspect that people who frequent them appreciate a quiet atmosphere. But even so, as mentioned above, if your children are well behaved then there isn't any problem there either.

 

[jenb1023]

We just took my DD who recently turned 5 to Le Cellier for lunch. There were plenty of other kids there as well. She loved the breadsticks that were served prior to the meal especially the soft pretzel ones. Service was quick and efficient. I think that would be my main question with each of the restaurants on your list. My DD is very well-behaved in restaurants too but even she gets restless at the ones that take forever until you are waited on, served, eat and pay the bill.

I have not been there but from some things I have read I would probably rule out Les Chefs de France.

I did not see Coral Reef on your list but we just had a very good experience there too - the food was good and the atmosphere was not as loud as character meals. The fish tank kept DD occupied throughout the meal.

 

[webray]

Congratulations on receiving compliments for your children's behavior in restaurants. Hubby and I often did when the kids were little.

We looke at the nicer Disney places like this...when we take our grand daughters. We know that kids can have a bad day, just like adults, so our son's and their wives know if the little ones act up in a restaurant (because we all like the finer dining experiences) that one of them will leave the restaurant with the child acting up so as not to disturb other diners.

Our granddaughters are used to eating in the nicer places and are very well behaved, but, like I said, everyone has a bad day and we would never, ever interrupt other adult diners in the nicer restaurants.

 

[Brian Noble]

We are going to be doing the more lively fun kid-oriented meals, ... We also wanted to mix things up with some more low-key regular restaurants, and maybe one nicer one.

Super! I just mis-understood. I think of your list, Yachtsman's might be the one that's the biggest stretch, but again---it's Disney. Except for V&A's, you'll find kids in any of them.

 

[inkkognito]

We eat at the signature and upscale WDW restaurants quite frequently and there are always tons of kids, anywhere on the scale from well-behaved to hellions (of course, I've seen some hellion adults too so I by no means mean to pick on kidlets in general). It's Disney World so take 'em anywhere you want except V&A (even if they weren't banned, would you really want to pay $135 a head for each of 'em anyway?).

 

[mmmears]

Our DD was like that at 2 -- people would worry when we walked in & then come over and compliment when they were leaving.

We've taken her to any restaurant at WDW that we wanted to go to, from dinner at California Grill to character meals and stuff in between.

It's WDW after all! The only restaurant where kids are not welcome (under 10) is Victoria & Alberts at the GF.

It sounds like you wont have any problems! Have a great time!

 

[Tricia1972]

I think that you'll be fine at any of them with your children. Looking at your updated post I see that you have mostly fun meals planned and are looking for just a filler or two so mom and dad have some fun too.

Our sons are also well behaved, and we ate at many of your choices when we were there in October 2007. At that time the boys were 2 and 4 (almost 5). Looking at your picks I rearranged the numbers so they'd fit with our first to last choices if we were looking to go back with our sons at about that age. The food is good at all of your choices I was looking at them from a 'good food most fun for the kids' perspective.

1. Spoodles
2. Le Cellier
3. Narcoossee's
4. The Wave
5. Captain's Grille
6. Maya Grill
7. Les Chefs de France
8. Yachstmans Steakhouse

 

[fairestoneofall]

We ate a Narcoossees in November with the kids (DD is almost 7, DS is 4). The atmosphere is more quiet, but in no way is it too formal for children. Of course, both of my kids fell asleep before dessert.

They did wake up in time for Wishes though.

 

[borntoshop96]

I prefer eating at Yachtsman...

 

[onelilspark]

I was always well behaved as a kid when my parents took us out to dinner. Then other diners would come over and compliment her on how well behaved we (me & my brother were) and she'd get feisty. "Yes, it's nice to know you appreciate it, but if she didn't interupt your dinner, why are you interupting ours?!" Of course she never would say that to their face, but would always complain

Anyways, I'd think you'd be fine in any of them. Anything that isn't considered "signature" I wouldn't even hesitate to bring them in. I can understand the concern on the signature restaurants like Narcoosee's and Yachtsman. I have yet to eat at Yachtsman, but what I've gathered is that it's the least romantic signature, just really good, so I would take them there over Narcoosee's for that reason.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We've eaten at all of them and you'll be fine.

The only problem we've had out is because some of the ones on your list are quiet, my DD will "crash and burn" and fall asleep. You never see it coming but she has slept through Yachtsman and Narcosee's.

 

[Inkmahm]

You're in walt disney world---family vacation capital of the universe---so any restaurant other than V&A's (where they are not allowed) will have small children.

That said, from a kid's perspective, every single one on your list is boring. Why not throw 'em a bone or two with something a little more entertaining? There are a ton to pick from, and you might even enjoy them too.

We just had my niece and nephew to WDW last week, ages 12 and 10. They called the fine restaurants "slow dining" and moaned when we went to them. They liked the food but not the length of time it took to eat at them because they were bored.

My niece DID fall asleep at Yachtsmen, too.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Just don't ask for Ketchup at WCC.

Haha, I did that and I will never do it again. I never knew asking for ketchup could be such a bad idea. I ended up getting 32 bottles of ketchup!!


I think all of those restaurants are fine, I would also consider some of the character buffets because small children usually love them. You can also go to allears.net and look at the children's menus for all the restaurants.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I have 5 boys an when they were little they ate in every resturant. It's Disney ! We would walk in an people would look at us like r u kidding me cause they are all very very close in age. Well they were always well behaved and respectful no matter where we went and they sure told us that when we left. So go and have fun .