Jiko with a 16-month-old?

[photoj]

We are spending the night at AKL before our Disney cruise next month and want to eat on the property to make it easier. I was going to do Boma, but I just can't stomach $40 for a buffet. I figure for a bit more we can have an amazing dinner at Jiko.

We have a reservation for 5:30. Do you think it will be okay with a toddler? I wouldn't normally take him to a fancy restaurant, but figured it's ok at Disney. He's pretty good in restaurants as well.

Thoughts?

 

[kwdw]

Since that is pretty early in the evening - I think it's okay to take a 16 mo. The meal can be long, so be sure to take things to entertain him. Not sure what is on their kids menu.

People do go there to have NICE, romantic dinners - so if he decides to throw a fit - you might want to take him to the lobby until he calms down. But it sounds like you think he should be fine.

 

[LilyWDW]

We are spending the night at AKL before our Disney cruise next month and want to eat on the property to make it easier. I was going to do Boma, but I just can't stomach $40 for a buffet. I figure for a bit more we can have an amazing dinner at Jiko.

We have a reservation for 5:30. Do you think it will be okay with a toddler? I wouldn't normally take him to a fancy restaurant, but figured it's ok at Disney. He's pretty good in restaurants as well.

Thoughts?

My normal answer to this is: It depends on the kid.

Disney is child friendly and kids are allowed at all restaurants (except Victoria and Alberts). That being said, most diners would still expect the child to behave well. They shouldn't be allowed to run around the restaurant or allowed to scream. If they are acting up and negatively impacting the experience of other diners, then they should be removed from the restaurant. IF you think your child can handle a longer signature meal AND you are willing to do what needs to be done if they start to act up, then there is no issue going to any restaurant (expect Victoria and Alberts).

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

My normal answer to this is: It depends on the kid.
I agree Lily!

This is my answer as well. My DD is (usually) very well behaved in restaurants - she loves to eat- so as of her second birthday I would take her almost anywhere - at an earlier hour like you are planning.
Now I think I can already tell this new little guy is not going to be like that.
So just use your discretion and be prepared with distractions and be ready to take him out if needed!
Have a great vacation!

 

[glk2009]

We took our DD when she was 16 months old and it was fine. I think she actually liked it because it was one of the quieter restaurants we had been to during our trip and she was able to relax (and so was I!).

And if you need to take your LO out for a walk, there is a lot to see outside of the restaurant.

Bon appetit!

 

[MelissathePooh]

We've taken our kids to Jiko many times. We had to take dd out once, but you'll find several other families their with children. The majority of signature dining are family friendly to some degree - not that kids go crazy or that people aren't spending top dollar for a calm dining experience, but that families are common. California Grill tends to be the one where I see the fewest young children. Haven't been to Yachtsman, but never see too many small kids in the window seats when we've walked by, but the others usually have several families when we've dined.

You know your child best, bring a toy or activity if you think you need to, but go and enjoy!

 

[Maus]

We have a signature restaurant planed every evening of our stay, around 7pm, 7.30pm. Our ds is usd to eat in good restaurants and we like to eat in nicer places. I don't know how he will be after a long day in the park, but hope he will still be well behaved. We never let him run around in any kind of restaurant and if he would throw a tantrum I would sort that out outside of the restaurant. Enjoy, parents deserve a nice restaurant as well.

 

[Belle5]

We are spending the night at AKL before our Disney cruise next month and want to eat on the property to make it easier. I was going to do Boma, but I just can't stomach $40 for a buffet. I figure for a bit more we can have an amazing dinner at Jiko.

We have a reservation for 5:30. Do you think it will be okay with a toddler? I wouldn't normally take him to a fancy restaurant, but figured it's ok at Disney. He's pretty good in restaurants as well.

Thoughts?

I would just make sure he is is extremely well rested before attempting dinner at Jiko. Regarding my sons (six of them), I made a mental note that I didn't like to dine out with them or even go to WDW with them when they were around the age of 18 months...that seems to be when I had more trouble with tantrums, etc. (took several of them at 3 months with no problems) Some of the boys were great, others...not so much. One of my sons who has never given me a moments trouble, melted down during the CP one year (at around 18 mos. of age) and I had to miss the whole thing. I did NOT make sure he was rested enough and he just couldn't handle it! While children are "welcome" at all WDW restaurants except V&A, the truth is...not all WDW restaurants are the same. We have dined at Jiko a few times and you will see couples who are really dressed up, perhaps celebrating a very special occasion. It is a quieter atmosphere than the average WDW restaurant. I love children, but if I am spending $$$ to dine at a signature restaurant, I would be extraordinarily unhappy and disappointed to have a fussy child in the restaurant. I would hope that if you feel your child is tired or not displaying his usual control, that you would not risk it and would choose a less subdued restaurant to dine in that night. I was often put in the position of leaving DH to dine alone or with older children while I ended up leaving a restaurant so my fussing, whining child would not disturb others. I think if you do make the call to dine at Jiko, you or your DH just have to be mentally prepared for one of you to walk away from the meal should your son start acting up. Please don't take this as "insulting"...you may be thinking, "Of course, I would not let my child disturb others." But, you would be surprised at how many people really DON'T think that way. They think it's ok for others to have to deal with it since "Disney is for kids" or something like that...Anyway, I truly do hope your child is in the best of moods that day and you will end up dining at Jiko! It is a real favorite of ours and our sons!

Edited to say: I wanted to add a reminder, that any signature meal can be a longgg experience. I think above posters mentioned it but I wanted to emphasize it again, in case you had not realized that you might be talking about your toddler sitting for two hours.