I'm Torn........any opinions

[OurMsBrooks]

I completely agree that children should be taken to nice restaurants to learn about manners and civility. We take our three out all the time, and often get compliments on their manners.

On the other hand, I agree with a previous poster who pointed out that WDW is not a place ONLY for families with children. WDW is intended for everyone. With that in mind, I don't think it's unreasonable to have a selection of places that are reserved for adults. For example, I don't believe children can receive services in the spas, and I think that's perfectly reasonable for that environment. On Disney Cruise Line there are numerous locations reserved for adults, including a pool, bars, exercise facility, and restaurant. I don't think it's discriminating against children to have SOME places that are for adults only, even at Disney.

 

[TheDWord]

As a parent of 3 little ones, I have been in those situations many, many times. For me, I'd just rather not go to a "fine dining" type of place with my kids for the following reasons:

1. I want to enjoy my food and take my time. With little kiddies, I am always rushing to finish the meal so that I can focus on them completely.

2. Most likely, fine dining restaurants will not be "kid-friendly" that is, it will have candles on the tables, maybe soft quiet music, expensive artwork for decor, alot of glass, not alot of space between tables, and patrons who for the most part, are not expecting kids.

3. Small children usually don't appreciate the menu at expensive restaurants (think your 4-yo will choose arugula and foie gras over pizza and fries?)

Even though Disney is for the whole family, I would not mind at all if signature places had age requirements. It is a place for adults to enjoy a quiet, relaxing meal after a hectic day of crowds, noise, and kids. Personally, when we go next month, the wife and I are going to eat out a couple of nights by ourselves and get babysitting during those nights (3 kids are $21 per hour, 4 hour minimum.. ouch! but that's another story.)

Having said that, I wouldn't mind at all if there were children at these places where we were eating- even if they were misbehaving, because I've been there- many times. Sometimes, parents can do all they can, and kids will just be rowdy. Infants will cry. That's a fact. Do I expect parents to discipline their kids? Absolutely. Does discipline get you the results you want? Not all the time. Therefore, if I see that the parents are indeed trying, I will not be bothered one iota by rowdy and loud children. Furthermore, taking them outside every time they get antsy is not the answer either. I wouldn't want a family to have their meal completely ruined out of their fear of disrupting patrons. The fact that you are in Disney, as a patron, you take the risk of a tantrum-filled atmosphere, regardless of the class of restaurant you're in. If the parents are not trying and just letting their kids take over, it would be annoying, but I still wouldn't say anything to them. I don't know what their circumstances are. Who am I to judge how anyone raises their children? What works for one, may not for another. The only circumstances where I would interject and say something is if the kids are running around and are posing a danger to themselves or someone else, or if they are directly harassing me repeadtedly i.e. screaming in my ear, playing with my belongings, hitting, etc. Otherwise, I'd just keep it to myself.

In summary, it's a give-give by all parties. For other guests, it's Disney! what do you expect? and for the parents of children, hey it's supposed to be a more adult-oriented atmosphere even though it's Disney, so let's step up the noise / tantrum control a notch.

 

[Emagine]

IMO anyplace WDW or not that has a kids seat and menu is an invite for kids. I also dont expect all kids to act like mini adults and seen and not heard. Kids are kids and are unpredictable.

 

[Colleen27]

As a parent of 3 little ones, I have been in those situations many, many times. For me, I'd just rather not go to a "fine dining" type of place with my kids for the following reasons:

1. I want to enjoy my food and take my time. With little kiddies, I am always rushing to finish the meal so that I can focus on them completely.

2. Most likely, fine dining restaurants will not be "kid-friendly" that is, it will have candles on the tables, maybe soft quiet music, expensive artwork for decor, alot of glass, not alot of space between tables, and patrons who for the most part, are not expecting kids.

3. Small children usually don't appreciate the menu at expensive restaurants (think your 4-yo will choose arugula and foie gras over pizza and fries?)

Even though Disney is for the whole family, I would not mind at all if signature places had age requirements. It is a place for adults to enjoy a quiet, relaxing meal after a hectic day of crowds, noise, and kids. Personally, when we go next month, the wife and I are going to eat out a couple of nights by ourselves and get babysitting during those nights (3 kids are $21 per hour, 4 hour minimum.. ouch! but that's another story.)

It has been our experience that kids rise to meet expectations. I'd absolutely be disappointed if there were a minimum age at signature restaurants because our whole family does enjoy them.

I haven't yet met the toddler than chooses foie gras, but my older two (the baby doesn't count yet - she's still on pureed veggies & cheerios ) have developed some pretty surprising preferences from being exposed to real food. They were 4 & 7 when they discovered sushi; both liked it and it quickly became DS's favorite food. They both love shrimp cocktail and crab cakes, and DS enjoys trying wild game. DD hasn't met a fruit or veggie she doesn't like. But we never really gave them a chance to get set in their ways with typical kids' menu foods because we didn't want to eat those things.