Kids at Shula's?

[Happy99]

just about every WDW restaurant (except Victoria and Albert's). .

not true - they just have to be a minimum of 10 years old

 

[North of Mouse]

Not all kids run around and yell. So if a 2 year old was siting there coloring and eating goldfish (like many of the sign places put out for kiddo's) you would ask for another table? Ya i can see if the kid was running around ur table I would be upset too, but the whole point is not all kids are the same and if ur kid is able to sit there and eat in a restaurant then why shouldn't they be welcome? there are adults that i have been around in restaurants that are worse behaved then kids I know. It's all how u teach ur children and proved them with opportunities to practice proper behaviors such as in a restaurant.

It 'should' be obvious that you were not the one that has been targeted! Well behaved children are not a problem, and I think you know that!

We too, as some others, started bringing our children to nice restaurants as infants, never just went to fast foods (or similar) just because we had kids. They learned to behave there just like they were required to be at home - had to stay at the table and learn manners - surprising what children learn to do when you start early. We didn't have to 'brow beat' them, actually it wasn't that hard - just required consistency and a little firmness - makes for happy kids.

 

[jimim]

It 'should' be obvious that you were not the one that has been targeted! Well behaved children are not a problem, and I think you know that!

We too, as some others, started bringing our children to nice restaurants as infants, never just went to fast foods (or similar) just because we had kids. They learned to behave there just like they were required to be at home - had to stay at the table and learn manners - surprising what children learn to do when you start early. We didn't have to 'brow beat' them, actually it wasn't that hard - just required consistency and a little firmness - makes for happy kids.

Sorry sometimes I quote away when I have a thought and if that thought is when I read someones post they get pulled in to the quote! lol

Maybe it's cause I work with children for a living and I know the only way for a child it learn is through opportunity and practice so you got to take em out. Or maybe we just always take them with us at night for dinners cause we always feel guilty asking my parents to watch them cause we both work and they have them all day 5 days a week so we just always but them in tow or we would never get to go anywhere.

 

[nkereina]

This is why i find this whole kid discussion as funny. It is a chain and not like it's a place like the Gramercy or Il Gattopardo in New York.

jimi

20 years ago I went to WDW with my parents for the first time. My parents love to sit at a bar with a cocktail, watch sports, etc after dinner while on vacation. With 10 year old me in tow, they were hesitant to do this. An attentive CM realized this and took them aside to ensure that all bars/restaurants are kid friendly at WDW. Granted, that was a long time ago but with that sentiment in mind plus the fact Shula's is a chain, I would do it.

Plus if restaurants at WDW started restricting kids, some of them would rarely get any patrons!

 

[North of Mouse]

Sorry sometimes I quote away when I have a thought and if that thought is when I read someones post they get pulled in to the quote! lol

Maybe it's cause I work with children for a living and I know the only way for a child it learn is through opportunity and practice so you got to take em out. Or maybe we just always take them with us at night for dinners cause we always feel guilty asking my parents to watch them cause we both work and they have them all day 5 days a week so we just always but them in tow or we would never get to go anywhere.

No problems I wasn't trying to be snarky, but well behaved children in restaurants seem to be few and far between. Most parents seem to have the mind set that well, they 'are' kids, and that's the way they are supposed to act - not! Sometimes I think that a lot of parents don't want to take the time to teach and be consistent - it's easier at home to just let them go.

We just got back from Disney, and when I saw parents with well behaving children (not talking/screaming at the top of their lungs, running around, etc.) I tried to take the time and tell them how good they were, and how much we appreciated them. We've had three little ones, I know exactly how much effort and time it takes to teach them.

Actually, lots of times the parents were screaming back at them, which made for *very* happy children and parents, also us diners that had to endure it.

 

[meredith1]

Shula's is a chain and I know at other locations, such as the Cleveland one, kids are welcome.

I'm not sure why people put so much emphasis on this. I agree-I'ts a chain steakhouse at Disney...come on people. It's not a five star restaurant.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I don't think most people have a problem dining by well behaved kids. Our DS grew up in an adult world & started dining at nice restaurants around 2. IMHO, a baby is way too unpredictable, & can't be held responsible for any disruptions. By the time they hit the toddler stage, they're old enough to understand they need to sit still & speak with an inside voice. Like another poster I've been know to compliment parents, when a child is behaving well. The fact that we feel compelled to do this shows that most parents think their kids are behaving acceptably, when in reality they're being disruptive. If you think they're doing something cute, odds are they're bothering fellow diners. They're only cute to others, when they blend in with everyone else who is behaving as you should at a nice meal.

As for Shula's being a chain. All chain restaurants are not created equally. That's like saying going to McDonald's, Applebee's, & Morton's will give you the same experience. After all, they're all chains. The fact that Shula's happens to be a chain restaurant shouldn't factor into the decision. It's the restaurant's atmosphere & menu prices that matter, when deciding who would feel comfortable there.

I feel similarly about the "it's Disney" reasoning. Disney is for everyone, & each guest should be able to enjoy their experience. WDW isn't any more for a child than it is for a child at heart. If a child is being disruptive in one of the more expensive restaurants, they shouldn't be there. The same goes for the more kid oriented restaurants. If an adult wants to eat at a character meal, they shouldn't complain about noise or kid behavior. It's really common sense. The location of the restaurants is irrelevant. TBH, the "it's Disney" reply just sounds like an excuse to justify behavior that wouldn't be accepted outside Disney. If a child can behave in a manner that would be acceptable in a nice restaurant in any major city, parents should feel free to take them to the nicer restaurants at WDW. If they wouldn't take them to an expensive restaurant at home, they shouldn't take them to Disney's either.

One thing parents don't seem to realize is kids grow up in the blink of an eye. It may seem like you'll never get to eat in a nice restaurant again. Before you know it, you'll be wishing your kid was still begging to go to character meals. I speak from experience.

FWIW, it's just as easy to teach a child proper table manners at one of the many casual restaurants as it is at signature restaurants.

 

[Ansky]

My question to someone who would be upset if a kid was next to them at Shula's would be what are you doing in Disney World to begin with then? It’s one thing if kids are misbehaving. Then obviously they should be removed from the restaurant. That should be the case in any place, whether it is Shula's or 50's Prime Time Cafe. If a child is behaving and the restaurant allows children then I see no problem with them being there. If they aren't acting up you shouldn't even know they are there. I would suggest going early though when it isn't as busy. That is what we have always done with our kids at nicer places. It is much quieter then and less chance to disrupt anyone if your child does begin to act up. I do think kids should be on a much shorter leash in a place like Shula's though as opposed to a less fancy place.

To the OP though, you know your kids. If they behave I wouldn't worry about bringing them to Shula's. You are in Disney World. Kids are everywhere. As long as your a mindful of those around you there should be no problems.

 

[labst60]

I realize this is an old post, but I just wanted to post our recent experience at Shulas.

We live local and the girls (2, 5, and 8) and I decided to take Dad to Shula's for Father's Day.

I chose the earliest seating (5 or 5:30, cant remember which) and we enjoyed a lovely meal.

As we were leaving, I noticed there were at least 4 other kids under 4 in our immediate area - so I thought "oh, we must be in the "kids section"" but on our walk out through the restaurant there were kids sprinkled throughout the whole restaurant. It IS dark...but I knew it would be going in.

THe kids menu servings are LARGE. DD5 started with the kids chicken noodle soup while DD8 had a 1/2 Ceasar Salad (it isn't marked on the menu that you can order a 1/2 size for kids but when I asked if there were any kids salads our waiter told me about that option). DD2 shared my wedge salad with me. For the meal, I ordered DD5 the chicken breast (very tasty, but not boneless) AND the mac and cheese. For DD2 I just ordered her a mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was large enough they could have just had that without the chicken! (But they are both girls and not huge eaters and had soup or salad to start). For DD8, she and I shared the porter house. (Extra plate brought out without having to ask) We had actually waay to much food b/c we ordered mashed potatos, broccoli and mushrooms also! For dessert I had pre ordered a molten lava cake and we also ordered a key lime pie and carrot cake to share. Again, MORE than enough for how stuffed we were at that point!

I would encourage others who are comfortable with their kids dining behavior to not rule Shula's out because it seems "too adult". My girls are used to eating out frequently and the only problem we had was my 2 year old wanting to sit on my lap while we ate (but that is a problem I usually have at home, anyway ) But, she was content and it was an enjoyable meal. As for the other kids there - I think the fact that I didn't even realize there were so many others speaks to the fact they weren't disruptive.

And (final point), I would have to respectfully disagree with the previous poster who said the same things can be learned at a moderate restaurant as a signature. I will contend that you should be very comfortable with your children's behavior in a moderate-type restaurant before tackling something more expensive/"fancy", but going to Applebees or CHilis or the equivalent isn't the same experience as Shulas or a "signature" restaurant. I, for one, look forward to exposing my kids to these type of experiences and look forward to them being "of age" for Victoria and ALberts!

 

[Anthony1971]

On many nights the majority of people at Shula's are in Disney for a convention and paying with Corporate $
Don't forget the drinks they buy as well.
You are far more likley to find loud mis-behaving adults at Shula's then you are children.

The children who are there are likley to have parents who can afford to eat at such places and have done so frequently.

 

[JimmyV]

This entire discussion is rather odd, with people staking out all sorts of "absolute" positions. Let's apply common sense.

• This is Disney World. No restaurant other than V&A prohibits or even discourages children.
• During early dining hours, (5:15-7:00), you will see children everywhere, even at all of the signatures.
• If you are one of those people who would feel "put upon" by dining in an upscale restaurant with children, then WDW is not the optimal place for you to do your fine dining. But if you think that it is, then make reservations for 7:30 or later.
• If you are parent with young children and you are concerned about the restaurant's tolerance for children, or for your children's ability to sit through a signature meal, then try to be seated before 6:00. Odds are, your meal will not take any longer than a stay at 'Ohana. Shula's is almost always dead empty at 5:30. If there happen to be conventioneers there at that hour, ask to be seated in a different room. Shula's is broken up into many small rooms and at 5:30, there will always be one that is empty.

While some may think that fine dining and children do not mix, the fact is that at WDW they do and should. I have never been anywhere on any continent that mixes fine dining with a child-friendly atmosphere the way WDW does. Indeed, it is arguably the BEST place to introduce young children to fine dining because both the staff and fellow diners are among the most forgiving anywhere. That said, there is an optimal time and place for everything. If I want a child-free environment on a date night, I go at 8:00 and pray that folks with young children have used some common sense and left by then. If I want a child-friendly environment, I go at 5:30 and hope that the date-night crowd has used some common sense and booked later. I don't think any adult has any legitimate basis to complain about the presence of children from 5:30-6:30 and I don't think any parent should be surprised by raised eyebrows if they bring in a two year old to eat at 8:00. But using some common sense, we can all enjoy the same restaurants.