Is Jiko a place for a 2 1/2 year old?

[missmun52]

I really want to go to Jiko but I dont want to take my DS if it would not be appropriate. He is well behaved in resturants but he likes to talk and laugh. He does not run around and does not cry.

What do you all think? Have you seen children there? Would it be ok maybe for an early dinner when maybe its not crowded?

 

[pozey]

If you would normally take him to a nice, upscale restaurant in your hometown, I would take him to Jiko.

We have dined at Jiko once before. We took our 2 (at the time) children with us. They are well behaved, and they go with us to just about any restaurant we go to. They were fine. They have a children's menu, and our kids were fine there.

 

[vancesmom]

It's Disney - you'll be fine. I think as long as your child(ren) can sit and enjoy a dinner then they are welcome all over the "World".

 

[Treacle44]

I asked this question a while ago and the general consensus was that people that have eaten there said there aren't many children there at all. WE've decided to wait until our next trip in 2009.

 

[webray]

There have always been a few children at Jiko when we are there, all different ages.

A full meal at Jiko..appetizer to dessert/coffee takes a good 2-3 hours.
Talking and laughing, isn't a problem. Unless it is yelling?? We have taken our grandaughters to Artist Point and Yachtsman Steakhouse. Same lengthy dining..especially with larger party. We know that if one of them isn't in the mood to behave (not usually the case..but we are always prepared), their mommy or daddy leaves the restaurant with them so as not to disturb other diners.

You have options if the little guy gets restless, just ask for you meal to go.

 

[Keokagal]

Like others have said, it is Disney . BUT, it IS a LONG meal. Very enjoyable for adults. Something to be ENDURED by children I'm afraid. Another poster mentioned you could scoop up your meal and take it to go if your little one poops out.
Have fun whatever you decide.

 

[amshowers]

First time we went with a 2 1/2, 4 and 9 year old. We were seated in a large booth and my youngest went to sleep after a few bites of app. I found the meal flowed very nicely, we never waited very long for the next course, but never felt rushed. We had an excellent waiter,this is an upscale resturant, but never felt like our children did'nt belong. We will be returning this trip and dd so looking forward to this, as the children's filet is delish.

 

[Golden Rose]

We're planning on taking our two year old son there during free dining in September. At the time I made the reservation, I was on the phone with the Boardwalk Concierge who asked rather incredulously "Jiko? For all _four_ of you?"

She hadn't seemed at all concerned about any of the other reservations - (including Chefs de France, California Grill, Marrakesh, Coral Reef, and Brown Derby, none of which I consider particularly kid-oriented) but really seemed to balk at Jiko.

I've been assuming that if our son really gets impatient with the meal, my mother can take him out to look at some animals. Does anyone know if this is a realistic plan? Are there spots near Jiko that are good for public animal viewing?

 

[amshowers]

Jiko is on the bottom floor and you walk out to the pool, but the animal viewing area is only a short elevator ride away. Don't worry if your son acts up your mom can take him for a walk, it will be fine.

 

[Maggi May]

Jiko is on the bottom floor and you walk out to the pool, but the animal viewing area is only a short elevator ride away. Don't worry if your son acts up your mom can take him for a walk, it will be fine.

Actually, if you walk past the pool there are a couple of spots to observe the savannah and a pool with ducks and flamingos.

We're planning on taking our 2.5 year old DS to Jiko next month. He's a good sport when we go to restaurants in town, and we plan on taking a short walk if he gets antsy during the meal.

 

[Hopefully]

As others have said, this is Disney. When we went in April we took our 3 and 5 year old grandchildren and they did fine. They are very accoustomed to eating in good restaurants and they behave to within an inch of their little lives.
That said, it is one of the more "adult oriented" restaurants at WDW. There are fewer children here than in most restaurants. Many tables are Adults only, looking for a special evening.
Only you can decide whether your little one will be happy (and behave) in an adult oriented environment with a slower pace than most restaurants.
Good Luck with your decision.

 

[WeRblam]

There have always been a few children at Jiko when we are there, all different ages.

A full meal at Jiko..appetizer to dessert/coffee takes a good 2-3 hours.
Talking and laughing, isn't a problem. Unless it is yelling?? We have taken our grandaughters to Artist Point and Yachtsman Steakhouse. Same lengthy dining..especially with larger party. We know that if one of them isn't in the mood to behave (not usually the case..but we are always prepared), their mommy or daddy leaves the restaurant with them so as not to disturb other diners.

You have options if the little guy gets restless, just ask for you meal to go.

I agree. I would not want to disturb the other guests who came for a more quiet meal so if my children were getting restless, I would ask for the meal to go. However, it sounds like your DS enjoys eating out with you and is behaved so I would give it whirl!

 

[Dis Ohana]

A full meal at Jiko..appetizer to dessert/coffee takes a good 2-3 hours.

2-3 hours for a meal?? Forget the kids, I don't think I could sit through a meal that took 3 hours .

 

[Uncleromulus]

Always kids (some that age) at Jiko each and every time we've dined there.

 

[shellybaxter]

We took our 4 year old niece to Jiko once. She was pretty well behaved (had to ask her to sit up in her seat from the floor once or twice) and the staff treated her very well. They even brought the phone to her and told her she had a call. It was Goofy. She liked that.

However, when we were planning our next trip the only restaurant that she asked not to go back to was Jiko. She apparently did not enjoy the long meal where she had to behave. We honored her request and took her to the kids club (simba's cubhouse) while we ate at Jiko (our favorite).

As a preschool director I would not take a 2 year old to Jiko, but I wouldn't take a 2 year old to any of the signature restuarants. This opinion isn't based on whether the child would upset the other customers, but rather on whether the child would enjoy the expirience.