Kid Friendly Signature Restaurants

[bweagle]

We'll be heading to WDW in June with our 4 year old DS and 2 year old DD. Right now we're considering the dining plan and would like to go to a few of the signature restaurants. Any advice on which of the restaurants are the most kid-friendly. Of course, I realize it depends on children's behavior, but I haven't encountered any real problems with their behavior in restaurants so far. It seems that at a place like WDW kids would be welcome at most any restaurants, but I just want to make sure. Thanks in advance.

 

[chamonix]

every signature restaurant at WDW is fine for well behaved children. With the exception of Victoria and Albert's.

The only way for them to learn how to behave in nice places is to take them out and teach them. Good for you! (and brave with 2, lol) My dd is 10yo now and she has been fine dining for many many years now, thanks in part to her wonderful experiences learning at WDW. Just make sure to bring them things to entertain them, be prepared to order right away (key at that age, I think) dine early-ish, and to make sure they don't bother other diners too much, be ready to take them out if need be. (major meltdowns)

A trick we used when she was young was to either:
1) made sure she was really hungry so she wanted to be there eating at that time
OR
2) had her eat before we went and ordered her a really yummy decadent dessert that she is served when our entrees are served.

WDW is a great place to take kids out for fine dining experiences, there are always kids in the signature restaurants. (except V&A)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yep--except for V&A, they are all kid friendly.

 

[Maggi May]

Our 3 year old DS really did well at Jiko. We found the service there to be very professional but welcoming of children. The only caveat is that unlike many other WDW restaurants, service is a bit slower paced. While that's enjoyable (as opposed to having your appetizers and entrees come out within 2 minutes of each other) it may be hard for children to sit for the whole meal. We didn't have to do it, but we were prepared to take him out for a quick walk around the resort if he got antsy at the table.

The kids menu had good selections, too. We liked it so much that we are going back again.

 

[Lynne M]

Maggi May made a very good point - meals take longer at signature restaurants. Sometimes, in the 2 hour range.

As long as your kids are used to fine dining and are able to sit and be very quiet for a couple of hours, you'll be OK at nearly any signature restaurant. As the cost of the meal goes up, the tolerance of your fellow diners for fussy kids, or even happy squeals and loud voices, goes way down, though. You'll need to be willing to take the kids out of the restaurant if they get noisy. If you're OK with that, then you'll be just fine at the signature places.