Jiko with toddlers?

[imortalcandy]

We will be going here in Dec with our DS(2), our DD (3), and our DD (12)
for the most part they are well behaved, DS may or may not act out while there, if hes in a bad mood and were there for a long time and nothing for him to do he may act like a 2 year old.
Is this the type of place for them? Do they have booths he can just walk around in?

 

[Lynne M]

Jiko is signature dining....upscale, quiet and expensive. Your meal will probably take a couple of hours. There's really no place to walk around inside the restaurant without disturbing your fellow diners, you'd have to take them out of the restaurant to go for a walk.

Personally, I wouldn't bring little ones to a signature restaurant until they were old enough to understand the concept of inside voices, and were able to stay quietly in their seats for a couple of hours. I don't think it'd be fun for you or the toddlers, if you felt that you had to spend the entire meal keeping them settled down.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree completely. IF your DS acts out, your only option is to take him out of the restaurant.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I agree completely. IF your DS acts out, your only option is to take him out of the restaurant.

There are other options, but they are probably not legal.

Seriously though you will have been in a Park most of the day, the two smallest will be overtired but enthusiastic and trying to keep themselves awake so they can eat. Jiko is paced for about a two hour meal. And Jiko does tend to be one of the quieter signature restaurants. And there is no booth seating.

 

[Allison]

There really wouldn't be a place for him to walk around and Jiko is one of the quieter restaurants in relation to other Disney restaurants that have a lot of small children in attendance. I would pass on Jiko if I were in your situation.

 

[blanq]

I agree with what everyone else has said. You will fork out a pretty penny to eat at Jiko, and although it is worth every one of those pennies, it would not be if you had to cut your dinner short due to tired and cranky toddlers.

 

[Hopefully]

I have to agree with the others. Jiko is the quietest of all the WDW, in my opinion. It is a special meal and takes a couple of hours.
A tired or cranky toddler will be very noticed, and bother other diners.
Maybe this can be something special for your next trip. (There always is a next trip)

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Only you know what your child can handle. I would be happy to take my toddler to any retaurant as she is used to eating in many different situations.

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree with the majority of the other posters, it's not the friendliest experience for a toddler. Other signatures, such as Narcoossee's and California Grill lend themselves to more of an atmosphere that would be friendly for a toddler who may act out a bit, but is quickly redirected.

While dining at Jiko on our March 2008 trip there was a young toddler who was acting up a bit. Both the server and the restaurant manager quickly went to the table to see if there was anything that they could do to "help" the situation and quiet the young toddler. Which lends me to believe that the Jiko standard of behavior is different than other Disney restaurants.

 

[gilsan]

We ate at Jiko with my DD who turned 4 while at Disney. She was probably the youngest dinner there. We eat out frequently and she is very well behaved at restaurants. It was a very quite and subdued dinning experience so if you think your 2yo will act out I wouldn't dine there.

 

[itchin2go]

I think Jiko is one of the least kid-friendly signature restaurants. It's dark, upscale and mostly kid-free. For older kids, I think it would be fine. For toddlers, I wouldn't do it.

What do you mean by "booths he can just walk around in"?

 

[Belle5]

Trust me, if you do decide to dine at Jiko (and you're anything like me) you will be a nervous wreck trying to keep your little boy happy the whole time so he won't have a meltdown. I would so rather go somewhere where my child's noise won't even be noticed (you know, one of those places where you have to yell to be heard across the table). My now 12 year old had a serious meltdown during the Candlelight Processional performance when he was two. It was absolutely horrible trying to control him! I had to get up and take him out of the performance kicking and screaming and I never got to see it. I ended up teary-eyed and trembling myself from the incident. That is literally the only tantrum he ever threw in his life. There is something about WDW that is very exhausting and overstimulating to a toddler. You just never know when they will act out because they've had enough.

If you just must dine at Jiko and are willing to throw all caution to the wind I would suggest a very long nap for your children before the meal. I think a rested child tends to be a happier child.

When all else fails, there are always the Fairy Godmother's to babysit in your own WDW resort for you so you can go out and enjoy this meal. (I would rather not have the meal than do this, but many are comfortable using this reputable service)

 

[Elmo888]

We took a 3 yo to Jiko. She was well behaved, and I didn't feel that she was out of place in any case.

Just eat early (we had the first seating, around 5:30). And if you have to take him out of the restaurant, you can take him into the lobby (or even to the AKL lobby). There isn't any place to let him run around in the restaurant. I don't think that there are booths. We were seated at the windows which was a good distraction.

 

[TillyMarigold]

The one thing that seemed to make Jiko not as good for kids was that they bring out the kids' meals first, so there's a lot of time where the kids have eaten and are waiting for the adults to get their food, then eat. There was a family at the booth next to us when we were there with kids who were maybe 3 and 6, and they were very well-behaved for awhile, but then at about the time the adults' entrees arrived they started to fuss, because they'd eaten their own entrees while the kids were having appetizers. The kids seemed to really like looking around, though, and the servers really made a fuss over them.

I think if your kids can be kept quiet with something like coloring books or a portable DVD player, and the adults don't order appetizers, then it might be okay.

There are booths on the upper level across from the windows under the flying bird art, they're sort of circular (C-shaped, I guess).

 

[imortalcandy]

Thanks everyone! I just canceled our ressie. maybe le cellier?

 

[Belle5]

Thanks everyone! I just canceled our ressie. maybe le cellier?

If you are lucky enough to get a reservation at Le Cellier, I do believe it is a better option for you. It is louder. There will be many children eating there. Most importantly, the meal will come very quickly as Le Cellier likes to get you in and out.

 

[itchin2go]

If you are lucky enough to get a reservation at Le Cellier, I do believe it is a better option for you. It is louder. There will be many children eating there. Most importantly, the meal will come very quickly as Le Cellier likes to get you in and out.

It is louder (way louder), and it's inside a theme park which means more kids, BUT the tables are VERY close together. It may work fine for you, but lots of people (not necessarily with kids) complain about how close the tables are to eachother.

 

[1971DBday]

Okay...I may not even look back at this thread in fear of being flamed about what I am about to say...but isn't WDW a family destination, thus, equals children of all ages? I am all about getting some quite time away from the kids and not allowing my children to be disruptive to those around us and if that means I miss the meal I paid for then so be it. However, I am not cancelling my reservation for Jiko's because what my 3 year old may or may not do.

Now keep in mind overall she is a well behaved child, but we are in WDW and you never know when a meltdown could happen. I plan on letting her get in a afternoon nap before dinner, but I cannot make any promises. However, if she did become disruptive I would take her for a walk while the rest of my party finished their meal.

Again, however, I ask this with the gentlest tone...does everyone not expect to hear children on a dining experiece to WDW??? I don't think there should be any off limit restaurants unless WDW decides to make it that way - thus no choice to the family and roll of the dice for Disney (decrease in business aka Pleasure Island).
By the way I've been that parent with the screaming child on the airplane expecting someone to hand us a parachute and tell us where to go. Even though we over prepared as a parent. There was nothing we could do - restaurant a little bit different of a situation. However, this will be my DD(3) 4th trip to WDW. First time was beautiful and the last two times challenging (terrible twos lasted a LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG time), but she is behaving much better and understands a LOT more. But that shouldn't matter....

If we as a family choose to try a signature restaurant we should be respectful of others enjoyment, but they should be respectful in not telling us where to or where not to eat. I am sure most of your comments are just suggestions, but I am not feeling that. I will not be cancelling our families reservation, but I will be respectful of those around us if any of us become disruptful (any age can become disruptful). Thank you for letting me vent - I hope no one takes it the wrong way.

 

[LilyWDW]

Now keep in mind overall she is a well behaved child, but we are in WDW and you never know when a meltdown could happen. I plan on letting her get in a afternoon nap before dinner, but I cannot make any promises. However, if she did become disruptive I would take her for a walk while the rest of my party finished their meal.

Then you and your child are not the problem. However, not every parent would be willing to get up and take their child out of the restaurant when they start fussing... or even screaming. Instead, they allow their kids to keep making noise or allow then to run around (and under) other people's tables.

Most people here realize that Disney equals children being around. It's a part of the territory. However, parents need to realize that some restaurants are a bit nicer and don't really cater to children as well. In these situations it is up to the parent to decide if their child can handle a 2 hour dinner without disrupting those around them. If they can't, then they should make other arrangements.

 

[shellybaxter]

Okay...I may not even look back at this thread in fear of being flamed about what I am about to say...but isn't WDW a family destination, thus, equals children of all ages? I am all about getting some quite time away from the kids and not allowing my children to be disruptive to those around us and if that means I miss the meal I paid for then so be it. However, I am not cancelling my reservation for Jiko's because what my 3 year old may or may not do.

Now keep in mind overall she is a well behaved child, but we are in WDW and you never know when a meltdown could happen. I plan on letting her get in a afternoon nap before dinner, but I cannot make any promises. However, if she did become disruptive I would take her for a walk while the rest of my party finished their meal.

Again, however, I ask this with the gentlest tone...does everyone not expect to hear children on a dining experiece to WDW??? I don't think there should be any off limit restaurants unless WDW decides to make it that way - thus no choice to the family and roll of the dice for Disney (decrease in business aka Pleasure Island).
By the way I've been that parent with the screaming child on the airplane expecting someone to hand us a parachute and tell us where to go. Even though we over prepared as a parent. There was nothing we could do - restaurant a little bit different of a situation. However, this will be my DD(3) 4th trip to WDW. First time was beautiful and the last two times challenging (terrible twos lasted a LOOOOOOONNNNNGGGG time), but she is behaving much better and understands a LOT more. But that shouldn't matter....

If we as a family choose to try a signature restaurant we should be respectful of others enjoyment, but they should be respectful in not telling us where to or where not to eat. I am sure most of your comments are just suggestions, but I am not feeling that. I will not be cancelling our families reservation, but I will be respectful of those around us if any of us become disruptful (any age can become disruptful). Thank you for letting me vent - I hope no one takes it the wrong way.

Yes - WDW is a destination for all ages - meaning that all ages can enjoy what is offered. However, some things are designed with younger children in mind (Hollywood and Vine Playhouse Disney meal, Playhouse Disney show, Pooh's playground, the kiddies pools at the resorts, etc) and some are more adult in nature (most of the signature restaurants). Just as it would be inappropriate to sit at Hollywood and Vine and get totally drunk (kids atmosphere) it is also inappropriate for children to scream, run around, be distracting, or even kick (happened to my Dh) a patron in the back because they want to get down.

Parent's that are willing to make sure their children aren't disrupting other diners in a quiet, romantic, special restaurant are more than welcome to bring them. However, the OP was kind enough to realize that her 2 year old isn't going to be able to behave appropriately and she has decided not to upset herself or other diners.

WDW is not just for families. They advertise to brides and grooms, honey mooners, empty nesters, conventioneers, and many other adult only groups.