Kids at WDW bars and lounges--are they allowed??

[TeresaWen]

I don't mind a family eating at the bar - it is first come first served. Drives me nuts when a family of five takes five stools and one adult nurses a beer, the other orders a coke while the kids drink water & color waiting for their table!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

they are allowed. By law and by WDW.

1) Just be aware, that it s A BAR.
2) Sometimes adults can say things kids should not hear.
3) Family place or not, people can act differently in bars and around booze.
4) Unless really rowdy or boisterous, those guests can remain in the bar.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Scupper--the bars in WDW that might be like that are probably at the Springs and at Swan/Dolphin. Now I've seen kids at the bar in several Springs restaurants but so far as I can remember never at Shulas or Blue Zoo.

I wonder how those 2 places would feel about kids sitting at the bar??

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I can remember never at Shulas or Blue Zoo.

I have seen kids in the bar area and at the bar in
. . . Il Mulino's
. . . Shula's (in the bar area to the far Right)
. . . Blue Zoo
. . . Lobby Lounge

 

[Uncleromulus]

That answers that question!!

Those bars -since they get a lot of conventioneers who tend to drink a lot after that days boring meetings--are more likely to have more "adult" language than most other spots.

Next time out I think I'll ask the bartenders we see how they feel about kids sitting at their bars. Not sure if they'll feel free to respond--but we'll see!!

 

[21stamps]

There are so many choices of adult only resorts all over the world.

I know I've been to quite a few before I had a child!

If you don't want to be around kids at a restaurant/lounge/bar..then probably WDW isn't the best vacation destination lol

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry--but at a bar I don't want to be around kids period!!

WDW or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[21stamps]

Sorry--but at a bar I don't want to be around kids period!!

WDW or anywhere else for that matter.

That's why there are 'adult only' options. If you pick one of those then you are safe. i.e. Trader Sam's at night.

Trust me, I went to WDW for several years for F&W, no children on trip. We hung out in WS most of the day, stayed on the Boardwalk, chose dinners at Downtown Disney..Disney Springs, whatevs lol... and had a great time. The nicer restaurants will typically never be overrun with children, and if there are a few there hopefully they are well behaved and used to dining at those types of places.

I have no problem taking my kid to a Shula's location, sure there are a lot of people on a date night, but my kid isn't wrecking their time. And I don't think that is an appropriate place to use foul 'adult' language, and haven't really experienced it at any of their locations. If there is an adult there using that kind of language- they are a bigger problem than a child would be.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I gather you speak of Shula's restaurant and not the bar?? If so, that does not matter to me one way or the other.

You misunderstand tho--I eat a full meal at restaurant bars precisely to be AWAY from misbehaving kids. A place like Trader Sams holds no interest to me.

And as Scupper suggests, take a kid to a bar at your own risk--bad language can easily crop up and you will be in no position to be offended.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I often wish that kids were not allowed to sit AT the bar. I'm ok with them being in the bar but I don't like walking in, wanting a quick drink and there is no place but tables to sit at.
Happened to me Jock Lindsey's and I just left - I didn't want to take up a table and wait for a server just for a quick drink.

 

[JerseyJanice]

On the Swan Dolphin website, it states that you can get a complimentary voucher for 2 hours at the child care facility if you dine at Shula's, Bluezoo, or Il Mulino. To me, that is like stating that children are not welcome there, and they are talking about the restaurant, not even the lounge.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I wouldn't say not welcome--but certainly not encouraged.

But essentially you are correct--in fact, Shula's does not even publish a childrens menu--you have to ask for it when you get to the restaurant.

 

[21stamps]

On the Swan Dolphin website, it states that you can get a complimentary voucher for 2 hours at the child care facility if you dine at Shula's, Bluezoo, or Il Mulino. To me, that is like stating that children are not welcome there, and they are talking about the restaurant, not even the lounge.

I wouldn't say not welcome--but certainly not encouraged.

But essentially you are correct--in fact, Shula's does not even publish a childrens menu--you have to ask for it when you get to the restaurant.

Really, you have never seen a child there or think they would be unwelcome? There is not one other Shula's location that offers child care. Maybe that is Disney exclusive to give parents the option of a nice meal alone- at their own table. It won't guarantee that another child will not be in the restaurant.

Not every child eats off of a child's menu, I definitely do not take my son to an upscale restaurant to order a hamburger or Mac & Cheese. When we go to a sushi restaurant- we order sushi...does not make a difference if child's menu or not. At Shula's he doesn't order steak, he does get oysters and scallops.

Regardless of if it is a child or an adult ordering it does not alter the tip in the least. And not everyone drinks like a fish. If I am with my son or another adult I will never have more than 2 drinks-max. Typically I have wine with dinner, and a cocktail before or after. And my child not placing an alcoholic order shouldn't be a concern with a waiter- plenty of people do not drink.

As far as WDW- my biggest complaint with them is the lack of child menu offerings. When we are at Tangierine Cafe I order shawarma for him bc I would never make my child eat a hamburger at a Moroccan restaurant..etc. And I've gotten used to the fact that I have to order off an adult menu at many places.

If you want to be totally away from children then pick a place that is 21+, or go to an all inclusive adult only resort...or any other adult only resort. There are plenty of them in existence.

I'm surprised that a child being in the same restaurant as you, a restaurant that does not have an age limit, would bother you at all.

Just wondering- should pregnant women also not go to a restaurant who serves alcohol? Because the server could receive less of a tip than someone with a higher alcohol bill?

 

[wilkeliza]

I gather you speak of Shula's restaurant and not the bar?? If so, that does not matter to me one way or the other.

You misunderstand tho--I eat a full meal at restaurant bars precisely to be AWAY from misbehaving kids. A place like Trader Sams holds no interest to me.

And as Scupper suggests, take a kid to a bar at your own risk--bad language can easily crop up and you will be in no position to be offended.

We made a full meal at Trader Sams no problem. Yes they are smaller tapas style foods but 2 each and we were done for the night. I was there at midnight after my flight and it was the only thing not quick service in the Poly. Food was great, drinks were great, and no kids.

Also for "misbehaving kids" I've been around just as many "misbehaving" adults in adult only places at Disney. I was actually shocked when I heard Trader Sam's would be adult only after 8 because it was so opposite of Disney's everything is family friendly stance.

 

[SarahPerry]

I travel alone as a single parent with my 8 year old daughter - we have travelled extensively across Europe and are taking our first trip next week to WDW. I will happily take her into a bar to have a drink before dinner...most of our ADRs are at signature restaurants as my daughters food tastes extend beyond burger and chips sorry fries..we get dressed up and enjoy a lovely evening and she's been going to nice restaurants since she could walk so knows how to behave and enjoys it.... however....I wouldn't sit at the bar with her. In England we don't do that - we would find a table. However...it's WDW a family location so I guess the rules are a bit different. I would like to go to Trader Sams for a cocktail before dinner but again we won't sit at the bar. In Manchester where I live sitting at the bar is where all the blokes sit to drink pints and watch sport on TV swearing loudly so not something that appeals!

 

[JerseyJanice]

The Swan Dolphin website says that you can get one free childcare voucher for each adult entree purchased. My interpretation of that policy is that those restaurants are meant for adults. For the prices they charge, I agree. Nobody wants to pay $100+ for a night out and hear someone's overtired kid crying.

 

[21stamps]

I travel alone as a single parent with my 8 year old daughter - we have travelled extensively across Europe and are taking our first trip next week to WDW. I will happily take her into a bar to have a drink before dinner...most of our ADRs are at signature restaurants as my daughters food tastes extend beyond burger and chips sorry fries..we get dressed up and enjoy a lovely evening and she's been going to nice restaurants since she could walk so knows how to behave and enjoys it.... however....I wouldn't sit at the bar with her. In England we don't do that - we would find a table. However...it's WDW a family location so I guess the rules are a bit different. I would like to go to Trader Sams for a cocktail before dinner but again we won't sit at the bar. In Manchester where I live sitting at the bar is where all the blokes sit to drink pints and watch sport on TV swearing loudly so not something that appeals!

Same here. I think a child of a single parent is used to these places. If said parent is one who travels and likes nice dinners. My son enjoys getting dressed up with me and going on our "fancy nights".

The Swan Dolphin website says that you can get one free childcare voucher for each adult entree purchased. My interpretation of that policy is that those restaurants are meant for adults. For the prices they charge, I agree. Nobody wants to pay $100+ for a night out and hear someone's overtired kid crying.

But since no other Shula's offers anything like that, and since there is not a minimum age limit, it makes more sense to read it as - hey you're on a vacay we'll watch your kids while you have a date night.
My child isn't sitting at your table, so isn't having any bearing on that date.

 

[TeresaWen]

I don't mind kids in the bar area, but I really dislike when they are sitting at the bar. I can't tell you how many times we've gone to the bar at 50s Prime Time looking for a place for a relaxing drink, only to find the bar stools taken up by kids who are, obviously, not drinking. Meanwhile, we have to stand with our drinks.

this! The stools in the lounge should not be taken up by children waiting with their parents for a table in the restaurant. Disney or not. They should be for people who want to eat and / or have a drink. Just because you can does not mean you should.

The bar in the AK (Dawi I think) was a great place to relax overs cocktail. Now it ha become the waiting area for Tusker house. Last time I was there the majority of places by the bar were taken by children playing waiting for a table.

 

[conandrob240]

In WDW, I think a bar is fine for a kid especially if it's also a restaurant.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Really, you have never seen a child there or think they would be unwelcome? There is not one other Shula's location that offers child care. Maybe that is Disney exclusive to give parents the option of a nice meal alone- at their own table. It won't guarantee that another child will not be in the restaurant.

Not every child eats off of a child's menu, I definitely do not take my son to an upscale restaurant to order a hamburger or Mac & Cheese. When we go to a sushi restaurant- we order sushi...does not make a difference if child's menu or not. At Shula's he doesn't order steak, he does get oysters and scallops.

Regardless of if it is a child or an adult ordering it does not alter the tip in the least. And not everyone drinks like a fish. If I am with my son or another adult I will never have more than 2 drinks-max. Typically I have wine with dinner, and a cocktail before or after. And my child not placing an alcoholic order shouldn't be a concern with a waiter- plenty of people do not drink.

As far as WDW- my biggest complaint with them is the lack of child menu offerings. When we are at Tangierine Cafe I order shawarma for him bc I would never make my child eat a hamburger at a Moroccan restaurant..etc. And I've gotten used to the fact that I have to order off an adult menu at many places.

If you want to be totally away from children then pick a place that is 21+, or go to an all inclusive adult only resort...or any other adult only resort. There are plenty of them in existence.

I'm surprised that a child being in the same restaurant as you, a restaurant that does not have an age limit, would bother you at all.

Just wondering- should pregnant women also not go to a restaurant who serves alcohol? Because the server could receive less of a tip than someone with a higher alcohol bill?

Believe me--children at Shulas are NOT encouraged. Not unwelcome--just not encouraged. And my good guess is that any misbehaving child there--unlike most WDW spots--would have his parents asked to remove him/her until the kid settled down. Amazing what you can learn after several conversations with an Assistant Manager---

And in all my visits I think I remember one child--brought in by his parents and when they saw the childrens menu (or lack of it) they walked out!!!

And this has nothing to do with women or loud adults--it's about kids sitting at a bar. Those are topics for others to write about.

I do applaud Sams for the no kids after 8 policy--now why in the world would they do that if kids sitting at a bar are so neat???