Kids/No Kids Restaurants

[RC Fan]

I am putting on my suite personally I dont see the need to go to disney if you dont have young children or grandchildren.

While you are certainly are entitled to your opinion, I suppose I should be denied entrance because I have no kids? Is that your idea of fair?

I think some adult-only restaurants would be great. Why not?

Additionally, P.I. should be for those 21 and over only. Why they decided to let kids in, I will never understand, other than of course the monetary aspect.

 

[MadToad]

We are kid-less, so I'll try not to comment on the raising of other's families. 'Tis easier to watch and criticize than to maintain a family thinks I.

We like WDW, and we kinda like it as-is. When we eat at Disney (and we usually eat well), sometimes I expect rambunctious children, and sometimes I go out of my way to avoid them. When I eat dinner at 6:30, I expect kids. Kids are sometimes loud, sometimes silly, and sometimes just plain funny. We'll eat dinner this year at Liberty Tree just to watch your families interact. It can be the best dinner show if you have the right mindset.

But then sometimes I want something different. Dinner without the show. So I'll eat at a signature restaurant at 9:30pm or the latest seating possible. I shouldn't see any 6 year olds, never mind 2 year olds at that hour. And yet I do. Lots of 'em. And no, they're not all from California. And no, they're not happy to be in a formal restaurant at 10pm.

So, maybe Disney could offer a "suggestion" when the ADR's are made. Something like "We don't recommend seatings with small children after 7pm at this restaurant". Something simple, using common sense (or at least suggesting some common sense to those who have lost theirs).

A kid/no-kid section sounds like something I'd see on Saturday Night Live. Funny for the first 30 seconds, and then just plain sad.

And here's the thing...
To you WDW might be "just for kids". Maybe the magic doesn't hit you, or you'd prefer Aruba over EPCOT, and you're there just for YOUR kids. That's great, and I understand (I love Aruba also). But I (and many like me) have been going since WDW was just a theme park with a monorail and 2 hotels. I'll be visiting until I pass on, which should prove that kids come in all sizes, shapes, and ages.

In the interim, I think I'll bring a small squirt bottle. It works on cats, so maybe... we'll see. Late at night, if your child(ren) return(s) to your table at the Flying Fish after a noticeable absence and is slightly soggy, I apologize in advance

 

[robinb]

So, maybe Disney could offer a "suggestion" when the ADR's are made. Something like "We don't recommend seatings with small children after 7pm at this restaurant". Something simple, using common sense (or at least suggesting some common sense to those who have lost theirs).

That won't work because of the popularity of the dining plan. My DH and I wanted to try Narcoossee's on our last trip and called for an ADR a couple of days in advance. The earliest seating we could get was 8:50 PM. We brought my 6-year old DD and our friend's 13-year old DD to keep her company. My 6-year old zonked out before her appitizer was served and I ate with her head in my lap. I knew that she probably wasn't going to make it but I was hoping she would anyway. I am sure that most parents feel the same ... especially those who don't know to make ADRs before their trips and find the only times available are before 5:00 or after 9:00.

Even if you make ADRs in advance you may still be in trouble. I just booked my New Year's Eve dinner for 8 people at Teppanyaki. I could not get my first choice of 7:00 even 5 1/2 months in advance and had to settle for 7:45.

 

[KimR]

So, maybe Disney could offer a "suggestion" when the ADR's are made. Something like "We don't recommend seatings with small children after 7pm at this restaurant". Something simple, using common sense (or at least suggesting some common sense to those who have lost theirs).

I guess we are in the minority, but we have 3 kids (14, 8, and 5) and like to eat late - we always have. Our kids are accustomed to this and are very well-behaved. I would be upset if I was discouraged from making an ADR at our preferred time. It seems to me that most people object to disruptive children at restaurants, not children in general, so why should the rest of us be penalized? I like the suggestion that has been mentioned before....if a party is being disruptive they are politely asked to either quiet down or leave, regardless of age.

 

[ducklite]

KimR--

What do you think of an "adult only" section of a restaurant so that everyone could be accomodated during the times of their choice?

I can understandsome people not wanting to be stuck in the "kids section" but I'd like some feedback on having a general "open seating" area, and then a smaller adult only area.

Thoughts?

Anne

 

[Leanne1977]

I think that WDW does employ people who look after children while their parents are elsewhere. In this case, the parents just wouldnt have to do a seperate drop off/ pick up.

All parents would have a pager given to them on arrival, incase the child was tantruming out of control, sick, or in need of a change. The childrens area could have food available for them. So they could eat dinner, just like mom and dad are doing. Just with other kids, allowing for a calmer dining room situation.

If a parent could not get their child to calm down (tantrum, or dangerously wild/ violent)They would have to leave, sad but true. In *that* restaurant, there would be no unruly children in the dining room.

I am not saying that these restaurants will haappen, I just said I'd like to see it. It wouldnt be for *everybody* just for families who this set up worked out for. I would do it, provided that I had children of the appropriate age to do it. (Not this time for me. I wouldnt count on my 2y old being left w/out me/ DH/DD14 for an hour or longer while I ate dinner. But Id take advantage, esp for a nice break for a late lunch, when she was ready (maybe 3, or even 5... Every family is different)

Now as for disruptive adults, thats a whole other can of beans involving *man-cribs*, to give naughty adults a T/O

Thank you for your clarification. Now i understand.

I think your idea is one of the more intelligent posts as apposed to the "if you have a young family go counter service" posts.

Whilst i would not use this on a daily dining basis as we like to eat together as a family, i could see DH and myself using this for a meal together maybe once during our vacation.

I am uncomfortable with using one of the sitter services like Fairy godmothers (and i do realise that lots of you do and it works great for you and that is excellent). But, personally, for us i would feel uncomfortable leaving my children with a sitter at our room, a stranger in a different country. I would not enjoy the evening as i would be worrying about them all the time.

However, if they had like a creche facilty within the restaurant, maybe in an adjacent room, with toys for the children and entertainment and snacks i would consider using this. Myself and DH would be able to have some couple time and i would know my child were close to me still.

So while i don't think Disney would do it, i think it is a good idea.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Pleased to see this discussion is still on an even keel...

 

[DepCor0311]

Something to ponder....

Walt himself took many vacations (cruises, trips to Europe, road trips) without his children. He also designed an "adults only" area in the original plan of Disneyland (Club 33). I don't think he would spin in his grave (or cryogenic chamber ) if he knew there were a few adults only areas in WDW.

 

[MJMcBride]

You're kidding, right?

I am kidding to some extent. First of all, PI should not be over run with kids but I know it can be especially during the busy seasons. I tend to go during the "off" times when its not so crowded.

I just think maybe a club or a restaurant could be "no kids" but anything more than that is silly. Disney is for the young and the young at heart. Not for people who don't want to be around kids.

 

[ducklite]

I just think maybe a club or a restaurant could be "no kids" but anything more than that is silly. Disney is for the young and the young at heart. Not for people who don't want to be around kids.

Then why did Walt build Club 33--an adult only restaurant--in Disneyland?

He did it because sometimes adults would prefer to not be around kids. There's nothing wrong with adults wanting some adult time without children around, particularly at one of the largest resorts that includes families in the mix in the world.

I'm not advocating shutting kids out of all restaurants. I do believe that having "adult only" seating areas in signature restaurants is a very fair and equitable solution. I haven't seen anyone yet give me a logical reason for Disney to not implement this solution.

Anne

 

[Mackey Mouse]

"In the interim, I think I'll bring a small squirt bottle. It works on cats, so maybe... we'll see. Late at night, if your child(ren) return(s) to your table at the Flying Fish after a noticeable absence and is slightly soggy, I apologize in advance."

I thought this poster was pretty funny and I took it in the spirit I am sure that he/she wrote it.

And I must say we are doing quite well with our posting...thanks for that..

One more thought here, I do think Disney does a decent job of trying to meet everyone's needs...I also know that Disney reads our boards and maybe they will pick up on the need to have some adult restaurants or adult sections...I also agree with one of our previous posters that we should not lock out children because of few that are misbehaving....there has to be some sort of middle ground....also I think it has to come from Disney as well. They need to handle it if a child is having a meltdown or whatever we have been calling it.

 

[Laura]

Naturally, it is unreasonable not to expect kids in most WDW restaurants, but many park visitors want to get away from them in the evening after traipsing through a park with them all day. And locals don't want to have to drive out of their way to dine in peace with other adults. I think the powers that be at Disney could figure out a way to give adults a little breathing room, if they want to keep advertising themselves as fun for all ages.

 

[KimR]

KimR--

What do you think of an "adult only" section of a restaurant so that everyone could be accomodated during the times of their choice?

I can understandsome people not wanting to be stuck in the "kids section" but I'd like some feedback on having a general "open seating" area, and then a smaller adult only area.

Thoughts?

Anne

My only concern would be that parents might be inclined to consider it a green light to allow their children to run amok. I can hear the rationalization now: 'well, this is Disney, kids will be kids and if people don't want to be around children they can always sit in the adult section'. I think it could work, though, and I believe the key here is to keep the adult-only section small enough so that the general make-up of the open-seating area would be approximately the same as it would be otherwise. Then it's a nice compromise, allowing adults to have kid-free evening without spoiling it for families.

Some restaurants around here have areas where it seems they try to segregate parties with children. I always refuse a table when they try to seat us there (much to the aggravation of the hostess) because it's impossible to enjoy a meal in the 'kid's section' - even my girls hate it. It seems that whenever you get a bunch of families with kids together in one place, it is assumed that since everyone has kids, noone minds rambunctious behavior.

 

[NMW]

I don't think signature restaurants should become children-free. I especially don't like the segregated dining with children on one side adults on the other, but that's just me. When I go on vacation, I want to actually EAT with my family and talk to them, not wave at them across the dining room wondering if my kids like their meals, need something cut, have to go to the bathroom, etc.

When we go to Disney we expect to see children at signature restaurants, and we are not disapointed. Even on our honeymoon we made a 9:30 reservation at PYC on Pleasure Island thinking both its location and the time of night would give us a romantic quiet dinner. Guess what...there were numerous children there. We just kind of looked at each other and said "Well, it is Disneyworld." If we wanted quiet and romantic, we could have gone to Bermuda or Aruba.

Probably 98% of the time people's children do not bother me at restaurants, even later in the evening. It may be because we have three children and can tune things like laughter, loud talking, etc. out and just focus on our family. The other 2% of the time, I think the family should just take the child out of the restaurant. My kids eat out on a regular basis and have since birth. I have never had an issue with one of them at a Disney restaurant, except one time when my DD was under 2 at Cape May Cafe's Clam Bake. We were staying at the BC and DH just took her up to the room while my sons and I finished. Maybe some people don't normally eat out at home and then expect their kids to behave in a restaurant? I'm not sure, but I don't think making restaurants child-free is the answer. They already have V&A for that.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

It seems that whenever you get a bunch of families with kids together in one place, it is assumed that since everyone has kids, noone minds rambunctious behavior.

I agree with you. This is what I don't understand. Just because a restaurant is "loud" doesn't mean it's a playground. I was fully expected when I was a child and we went to meals at Disney (even character ones) to remain quietly in my seat unless I'm getting food or the character has come to our table. There was always time to "be a kid" when we got back out in the park and it was never time during a meal. I don't expect a restaurant to be deathly quiet or for people not to have a good time, but I don't understand the "we're in a noisy place so the kids can run wild and scream" mentality (not saying anyone here is like that just a few of the families I've witnessed).

I'm all for "adult only" seating areas. I probably wouldn't ask to sit there on every meal but if it's my anniversary or I want to have a romantic meal it's a wonderful option.

But I also agree with KimR that it might encourage people in the non-adult section to feel like everyone in there is perfectly fine with misbehaving kids and can let kids run wild (once again, not everyone would do this but some would).

Just my $.02.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Probably 98% of the time people's children do not bother me at restaurants, even later in the evening.

I completely agree with you. I have seen more "children gone wild" at restaurants around home (but then again I live in a tourist area) than I ever have at Disney. I can only vividly remember two times in our six trips (2-3 TS meals per day) that any kids were screaming/running around. With as many kids that are in the restaurants, that is really good. I've had just as many annoying adults talking on their cell phones at the top of their lungs through the whole meal and doing other obnoxious behavior eating at Disney, than I've ever seen out of kids there. But it would be nice to have an adults only meal from time to time.

Ok, enough out of me on the subject.

 

[hedwig]

I would like if Disney enforced behavior in restaurants like they are starting to do with dresscodes. Anyone that is disrupting other guests dinner, such as screaming children, drunk adults, vulgar language, cell phone usage will be warned and then asked to leave.

And Anne, I like your idea of an adults only section, set aside from general seating, for certain restaurants. It doesn't make families feel like second class citizens- yet gives adults some peace ( as long as the couple next to them doesn't go crazy on the wine!)

Just a little common sense and courtesy is all that is needed.

 

[PatriciaH]

I am putting on my suite personally I dont see the need to go to disney if you dont have young children or grandchildren.

Then most likely there will be NO WDW to go to since most CM's would not work there without the entrance benefits Most CM's are college program, young adults or empty nesters. Also WDW would close without the huge amount of income from honeymooners, locals and convention-ears.

 

[CheshireVal]

I am putting on my suite personally I dont see the need to go to disney if you dont have young children or grandchildren.

That's a very closed-minded attitude, actually, not to mention an extremely perplexing one. Are all the adults you know old fuddy-duddies? Do you and your husband not like to have fun?

I don't get it. I have had the pleasure and privilege of experiencing WDW as an infant, toddler, young child, preteen, teenager, college student, young single, and now married adult. And it's a different experience at every age.... a great one!

*shrugs*

I think what most people are talking about when they mention annoying kid behavior is the kid at the buffet grabbing stuff with his hands. Or the girl running around the restaurant bothering other patrons while the mom just grins because "isn't it the cutest thing ever?" Or the toddler pitching a screaming fit in the middle of a crowded restaurant while the parents are too tired to really deal with it or either don't want to take the kid out of the room because they'll miss out on their expensive meal.

Mostly, it's the parents I have a problem with. Not the kids.

 

[traviesojmt]

My only concern would be that parents might be inclined to consider it a green light to allow their children to run amok. I can hear the rationalization now: 'well, this is Disney, kids will be kids and if people don't want to be around children they can always sit in the adult section'. I think it could work, though, and I believe the key here is to keep the adult-only section small enough so that the general make-up of the open-seating area would be approximately the same as it would be otherwise. Then it's a nice compromise, allowing adults to have kid-free evening without spoiling it for families.

Some restaurants around here have areas where it seems they try to segregate parties with children. I always refuse a table when they try to seat us there (much to the aggravation of the hostess) because it's impossible to enjoy a meal in the 'kid's section' - even my girls hate it. It seems that whenever you get a bunch of families with kids together in one place, it is assumed that since everyone has kids, noone minds rambunctious behavior.

This would be my concern as well. I am not opposed to an adults only section in theory. My children are very behaved in restaurants and I still wouldn't dream of taking them to V & A's. They have never been allowed to run around (they are required to sit in their seats the entire meal), they must use their "indoor voices" at all times, and they will be removed immediately if their behavior becomes unacceptable (this rarely happens, because they know the consequences). I personally would not enjoy my meal if I could only be seated in the family section of a restaurant. My family doesn't want to be disrupted by the undisciplined behavior of others. I see this less as a child issue than an overall courtesy issue. Last summer at Hollywood and Vine, we had a very unpleasant meal due to the children sitting next to us. The couple had two girls (appeared between the ages of 7 and 9). The girls were throwing food at each other and doing handstands in the booth. Our tables were close so I got hit a couple of times. The waitress keep telling the girls to sit down. They were practically sitting on the back of the booth seats. I cannot tell you how quickly I would have yanked my child out of there if he had pulled a stunt like that. The parents did nothing. Completely ignored those children. Sorry for the length, but my point is that it is not only those without children who get annoyed at the actions of some children in restaurants. I just wish (ideal world) that there was a solution that did not punish those parents who work hard to install manners and good discipline in their children.