Jiko appropriate for kids?

[Ardenne]

Would it be reasonable to take a 2.5 and 7 year old there, or is that one where we should leave the kids with their grandparents?

Thanks!

 

[ducklite]

If they are used to fine dining, can sit through a 90+ minute meal quietly and not be in the least bit disruptive to other diners, then go for it. If they haven't eaten anyplace but Mc D's and Friendly's, then perhaps they would be better off with the grandparents.

Anne

 

[John's Mom]

Although we have seen children at Jiko when we have dined there, I would suggest a quiet, romantic dinner for just the two of you.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I would say make it a dinner for the 2 of you. The 7 yo might be okay, but a 2.5 yo would grow restless quickly in most cases. Only you can judge your kids, so if they're used to situations like that you would be fine, but it's not a place that is set up to entertain small kids, it's geared more for adults.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Depends entirely on your children. From the day she was born, my oldest DD was excellent in any restaurant we took her too. The youngest, on the other hand, couldn't sit still for more than 15 minutes. She's now 8 and has learned to appreciate a slow, relaxed meal. Jiko's is a great restaurant and while it may be a nice excuse for you and your DH to sneak out alone together, it's also Disney and kids are welcome. Whenever and wherever we dine, we always inform our waiter/waitress if we are planning on taking our time, or if we need to be on our way in an hour.

Tammi

 

[MEM]

We took DS9 and DD8 there several times for dinner and the server was very, very attentive to them - special phone calls from characters, Mickey head sprinkles on ice cream, treated DD like a Princess.

With regard to noise, my kids were much quieter and better behaved than some of the adults there. I agree, though, that the 2.5 year old might get restless.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

With regard to noise, my kids were much quieter and better behaved than some of the adults there. .

hahahaha
It's funny because it's *true*. Some kids are much better behaved than some adults. And it speaks volumes about their upbringing! Good for you!

 

[Uncleromulus]

It would be reasonable if they can sit thru that long a meal w/o becoming--how shall I put it?? --agitated.
We always see kids at JIkos, but unfortunately, not all are well-behaved. You know your kids, so if you have any qualms about their sitting thru a long dinner, I'd suggest the kids stay with the grandparents.
And by well behaved I don't mean sitting still with their hands folded w/o saying a word. Normal kid" chatter" is certainly expected. But not the running around the restaurant yelling and screaming, throwing food at each other, walking to other tables just so other diners can see how "cute" they are, crawling on top of the table, etc etc All of which I've seen any #of times at WDW restaurants and would certainly be inappropriate at a place like Jikos.

 

[Pete W.]

Jiko's is a great restaurant and while it may be a nice excuse for you and your DH to sneak out alone together, it's also Disney and kids are welcome.

I would agree with this statement. We were just there on friday with our kids aged 10 and 6 and we saw plenty of families there and plenty of adults dressed very casual. I would not classify this as an adult-only restaurant -- and certainly not one which caters primarily to adults. They wouldn't have a kids menu if they didn't want kids there.

 

[robinb]

If grandparents are available then I would go as a couple.

 

[Ardenne]

Thanks, all. They're *usually* pretty well behaved (certainly NEVER climbing on tables or throwing food -- I'm amazed that *anyone* lets their kids get away with things like that!), but I'm not sure how long the 2.5yr old can sit still patiently waiting for his food by the end of the day. A friend had told us that it was a buffet and they had a kids' buffet too, and if that was the case the toddler would probably be fine, but the allears menu and the reviews I've seen seem to suggest otherwise.

I could use at least one 'nice' date dinner out, though, so that just might be the one Do they still do the drumming in the lobby, and let you watch animals through night-vision goggles? (Those were other things that my friend had mentioned about Jiko that really piqued DH's interest.)

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Boma at AKL is a buffet. I think perhaps that is what your friend meant. In that case, a 2.5 year old might be more amenable to the situation. If you do a search on Boma you will see that it has mostly very favorable reviews.

 

[Ardenne]

I just looked at the Boma description and it really does sound a lot more like what she was talking about. I'll ask her if that might have been what she had in mind. And it'd only be one dining credit, instead of 2 Thanks so much!