Kids Dining Without Adult Supervision

[MissionMouse]

There was a thread on the boards that I could not locate again. It discussed personal experiences at Disney tables service restaurants where kids were allowed to dine without adult supervision. One group of kids were checked in by an adult only to have the adult leave and return at the very end. Guest next to this table paid the price as the kids behavior was wild The other experience was at Citrico's were adults wanted the kids to dine at a separate table. Not next to them but on the other side of the restauant. They argued with the staff and got their way. The guest next to the kids paid the price as these kids too were out of control.

I don't doubt these events took place...it sort of fits Disney's bending of the rules so specific pushy guest can have their best Disney vacation ever at the expense of ...well other guest. After all the insiders say that is the key phrase to use these days to get what you want at Disney...just don't say you won't be back.

Anyway, I made an inquiry to Disney and here is there response they provide as their policy (guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com):

"Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

We appreciate your interest of learning can children under age of 9 to
dine by themselves in a table service restaurant. Standard of practice
all children must be accompany by an adult to dine in our restaurants
with the following exception.

Currently there is a children event being held at the 1900 Park Fare at
the Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. It's the Wonderland Tea
Party only children ages 4 to 12 may attend.

A tea party for children, hosted by characters from Alice in Wonderland.
Children will decorate and eat cupcakes, eat lunch, and have tea with
the characters.

Parent or Guardian must sign a waiver for child's participation, for the
safety and welfare of the children, the person signing children in must
also be the person signing them out at the end of the experience.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

xxxx
WDW Online Communications "

The policy appears to be a guideline based upon some of the posters on this site.

 

[asmit4]

I read these posts and all I can say is what my family has done. Growing up we used to travel as a large family with my cousins. There were 6 of us- all kids, grade school/high school age. All over age 11 when we traveled together.

We used to go to restaurants and the kids would get a table right next to the parents table. We were expected to act appropriately and we were all in 5th grade and above- with most being in the age 13-15 range. It worked out fine if I remember.

The idea of putting several kids across the restaurant alone is insane and should NEVER have been allowed. DW needs to get this under control or there will be he ll to pay at the restaurants if this becomes common place. I totally GET having a kiddos table- but IMO- if the kids are in the preteen/teen years and they sit right next to the parents that makes sense. Putting 7yos across the restaurant is ludicrous.

 

[pigletto]

My family is large (6 children) and I am the oldest. We do travel together often (cruises e.t.c) and I can assure you that there is NO WAY our parents would have ever let us eat alone on the other side of the restaurant to get peace and quiet at the expense of another guest
I certainly understand when I am out and children are being impatient or rowdy.. they are kids after all.
But that is why they have parents.. to deal with them and sit with them at dinner.
I agree with you. If that is their policy then they should be sticking to it.

 

[kaffinito]

I wouldn't let my two kids eat alone at a TS place, but I do let my oldest wander and eat at CS places by himself.

When I was a kid my family always traveled on vacation during the summer to my dad's conventions. He would take us to the restaurant when we checked in, speak to the manager, call a waitress over, and tell her that we could order whatever we wanted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My brother and I knew that we had better be on our best behavior, and that we had better use our best table manners too.

Boy, times sure were different in those days! Now days very few people would ever leave their kids alone in a restaurant!

 

[swift]

It is interesting that the email refers to children under 9. Does that mean that if there is a child over 9 at the table he is regarded as an adult and therefore it is OK to leave them alone?

 

[bumbershoot]

I can't find inkkognito's original post about her experience at Citricos, but her blog post was here: http://celebrationfl.blogspot.com/

 

[Freyja]

It is interesting that the email refers to children under 9. Does that mean that if there is a child over 9 at the table he is regarded as an adult and therefore it is OK to leave them alone?

As amazing as it be may, I think that´s the case. Just like kids at that age are allowed (by Disney rules) to wander through the parks alone.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Notice the response says "dine by themselves in our restaurants". And then childern must be "accompanied by an adult". And then it talks about a Tea Party where only children can get in.
But it dosen't say the adult must actually be sitting with the kids. Nitpicking I know, but that's the actual question. The response sounds to me as tho the question was can kids just show up to eat w/o an adult.

 

[Sugardimples]

The response from WDW is barely understandable! It sounds as though it was written by someone who does not have fluency of the English language. I'm not sure that the person writing the letter really understood the reason for the communication.

 

[MissionMouse]

It is interesting that the email refers to children under 9. Does that mean that if there is a child over 9 at the table he is regarded as an adult and therefore it is OK to leave them alone?

That might be my faught since I inquired about ages 4-9 as an example. I did asked them today to define what Disney considers to be an adult and child...noting it is hard to tell with their pricing structures.

I also asked: (1) for them to clarify if the adult needed to be at the same table or could they be somewhere else in the restaurant; (2) if an adult could check them in and leave the table and not return until the meal is over since their were reports of this happening at Chef Mickey's.

I'll post when I receive their response...

 

[disnut8]

If anyone is bothered by an unsupervised child at any time in any restaurant, the very simple solution is to speak to a manager and calmly explain the situation. It's not worth raising your blood pressure about it. The manager's job is to manage the restaurant. If things are getting out of control, it's his job to deal with it, not yours. If you can't find your server to get the manager, go to the hostess desk.

 

[Tricia1972]

Notice the response says "dine by themselves in our restaurants". And then childern must be "accompanied by an adult". And then it talks about a Tea Party where only children can get in.
But it dosen't say the adult must actually be sitting with the kids. Nitpicking I know, but that's the actual question. The response sounds to me as tho the question was can kids just show up to eat w/o an adult.

I agree, the letter of the law, or in this case the Disney policy, is ambigious. Even if the intent is that there must be an adult at the table, any manager can allow a 'kids table' and still be following Disney policy.

I don't think it's right, but I do agree that it's too loosely worded.

 

[Sunshine36616]

If anyone is bothered by an unsupervised child at any time in any restaurant, the very simple solution is to speak to a manager and calmly explain the situation. It's not worth raising your blood pressure about it. The manager's job is to manage the restaurant. If things are getting out of control, it's his job to deal with it, not yours. If you can't find your server to get the manager, go to the hostess desk.

The lady telling the story on the blog said someone did complain, but to no avail.

 

[MissionMouse]

The response from WDW is barely understandable! It sounds as though it was written by someone who does not have fluency of the English language. I'm not sure that the person writing the letter really understood the reason for the communication.

The second response I received from Disney's Online Communication group was even worse than the first. Here is a sample, "I regret and dissapointment with our responses."

Mind you these are individuals they designate to communicate with guest on-line and appear to be cutting and pasting scripts together. They clearly lack an understanding in formulating a proper sentence. Did he answer me question? No. They appear hesitant to answer the question, "At what age is a person consider to be an adult at a Disney restaurant?"

Still waiting for them to answer this...it most likely conflicts with their pricing structures.