Kids/No Kids Restaurants

[BensMom]

Park hopping creates a long day for kids and adults alike. If your kid gets whiny, you know you're taking a chance, so you have to put some thought into it. If kids aren't fussy, it's okay to sit next to them at Jiko, etc. I've seen adults get out of hand! However, Disney did think of alternatives. Simba's, Cub's Den, Mickey Mouse Club, Neverland Club and Sandcastles, as well as some wonderfully staffed in-room babysitting services. I would like to think parents have enough consideration to take their convulsing, screaming kid out of the restaurant. I know, I've been there--I have a 7-year-old boy....

 

[BensMom]

and...

If you can afford to drop $300 at V&A, you can cut loose with the $10 an hour at Mickey Mouse Club! Dinner for the kids is included!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, I'm 56 and I love going to WDW with my 'grown-up' friends...we try to do it at least once a year. And yes, I also love going with my dh and my almost 13 y/o dd, who's been going since she was 5. I realize that kids can be loud, no one is arguing that point. It's those hissy fits that come from going all day long, in the hot sun, being overstimulated and frazzled, and now overtired. I do understand that parents want a nice meal. I have to say it would be wonderful if each resort (since this is where you'll find most of the really good, adult type restaurants) had a child care room. It wouldn't have to be on a par with Neverland Club, but it could provide kids with less stimulation, yet keep them occupied while their poor parents had a good dinner. A great idea!!

I just don't get the mentality though, that says if you don't have kids with you, then don't go to WDW. I'm sure the 'powers that be' at Disney would die if they heard that one! Nope, WDW is for all of us..young, old, married, unmarried, 18, 8 or 80...doesn't matter. I know there will be children eating at the same restaurants as I am, and I know they aren't going to be silent. Truth be told, I have actually enjoyed interacting with another family and their kids while eating...thanks Karen for showing me how much fun that is.
But, I do not enjoy it when I am there with my dd, we are at Crystal Palace, interacting with her very most favoritest character, Tigger, when some youngster dashes up, steps in front of her and starts talking to Tigger. Yes, I realize they are just kids, and they get excited..I had a 5 y/o at WDW once, but when the parent looks at you and says, "Oh, they'll be done in a sec."...well, it gets the old dander up...wait your turn, like everyone else. Thank heaven for decent character handlers. Anyway...I digress. It just goes to show that parents are in charge of their children....they need to realize where the kids are and how their behavior is impacting other guests..be it at Citricos, Chef Mickey's or Cosmic Rays!!!!

 

[grgich]

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.[/QUOTE]

At the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal, one of their restaurants (NOT Tchoup Tchoup) is kind of set up like this. There is this "kid's room" off the main dining room which houses the kids buffet, and IIRC it had some kind of sofa-like thing and small, kid-size tables in the middle surrounded by TV's playing cartoons. And at various times, Olive Oyl and Popeye characters came out and interacted with the kids (and their families as well). I/m pretty sure that parents were seated in that room as well though, in tables around the perimeter. The kids could sit at the regular tables with their parents or sit together in the "center-area" at smaller kid-size tables. I don't know if you could leave your kids in that room alone, and have parents eat in the main dining room.

 

[Lewisc]

Most of the adults are only looking to make 1-3 additional restaurants less child friendly.

I think you can follow the example of the other adult restaurants. Don't offer a kids menu. Require all guests order an entrée or order from a price fixed menu. Kids would be required to order an adult meal. Allow parents to use the kids club for free or at least subsidize the price so it'll cost less than a meal in the restaurant. Disney might even consider waiving the cancellation fee if the family shows up at the CG and one or more of the kids is having a meltdown.

It would be nice if this could apply to at least one moderate priced restaurant such as the Yacht Club Gallery but realistically we're talking about Citrios, Jiko and maybe a restaurant in the EPCOT resort area.

Maybe the best we can hope for is to have one of the apply the "child unfriendly" policies to late seatings.

 

[hmp2z]

I am putting on my suite personally I dont see the need to go to disney if you dont have young children or grandchildren.
bottom line if you dont want to be bothered with kids, then dont go to a family park. If you do then be ready for tired cranky and excited kids.

I don't think that anyone said kids shouldn't be allowed in the parks (except for PI, and I would hardly classify that as a family park). The discussion here seemed to focus on restaurants.

I'm awfully glad that Disney doesn't see it your way, though; they definitely market to us happy DINKs who LOVE the resort, even (gasp!) while glorying in our childfree status. Take a look at some of their marketing efforts to adults - no targeting to children there whatsoever:
http://www.disneyweddings.com/site/gate/index.jsp
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[rkujay]

I live in Tampa and stay at Disney very often...like over 100 times. I often think to myself that Disney would be fun if it weren't for the kids, but then I remember that I am being a kid, enjoying all the Disney stuff. Then I scold myself for just being selfish. Of course it is for kids. Little kids and big kids. All of us kids. I like to think that Disney is one of the places where kids CAN get a little loud. I know from personal experience with my children, and now grandchildren, that the parks are full of parents. I know we parents look after all children, not just our own. Even in this post 9/11 world we live in I believe it is the safest place on earth for us kids. I do believe in discipline, but I remember what my Dad said..."Never apologize for your children. They are God's gift."

 

[cinjoe22]

It all comes down to simple courtsey and respect. It doesn't matter if you are at Disney, a local eating place or even the grocery store. There will always be children raised with respect and those that are not. Those that follow it some of the time and those that don't. I don't think we really want to live in a society that says children (or adults or anyone) are invited at certain time. This would be a segration and a time gone past. I have seen intoxicated adults and adults with no respect berate both servers and those sitting next to them for very little provocation. As adults, it is up to them to monitor a situation with a child acting up or even a spouse. Look deep within yourself and ask it you always have acted perfect. Don't throw stones at glass walls and don't desire bringing back segration. Just pray you are sitting in a quiet corner.

 

[crisi]

Most of the adults are only looking to make 1-3 additional restaurants less child friendly.

......

It would be nice if this could apply to at least one moderate priced restaurant such as the Yacht Club Gallery but realistically we're talking about Citrios, Jiko and maybe a restaurant in the EPCOT resort area.

I think I would like:

V&As to be 18 and up, like Palo on the cruise (note I have never been to V&As and don't really intend to - at least not for many years - we do that sort of restaurant occationally at home and I don't want to pack for it on vacation - but I think the option should be there).

Two restaurants (perhaps Citricos and Yachtman - one in the Epcot are and one in the MK area) to be - say 10 and up. Most kids can handle a fancy dinner by 10.

Signature restaurants to enforce "dining standards" - bring your toddler, but if your toddler throws a fit, your infant cries, or your seven year old starts a foodfight (or your Uncle Bob gets drunk and starts telling loud and not appropriate stories about "his vacation in Bangkok") you should be asked to leave.

All restaurants to kick out families who engage in behavior experienced by an earlier poster at H&V. Repeated physical contact with other diners not in your party because you are doing handstands in the booth is not acceptable at McDonalds.

I wouldn't mind if Jiko, Flying Fish, California Grill, etc., made an effort to use their architecture to seperate out adults only from parties that had young (younger than 10) kids.

 

[Emmo]

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

I feel the need to go to a Disney park and I don't have young children or grandchildren. I am 26 y/o and my husband is 31 y/o and we have been going to Disney parks for a few years together and whilst I don't have a problem with children, as someone else said, they learn from their parents and if they don't tell them the behaviour is wrong then they will continue to do it. On the other hand I have never had to take a child to Disney and whilst I am looking forward to the day, to see Disney through their eyes I don't look forward to having children moaning and whining for every pretty thing and sweety they see, tiny Kids also don't understand waiting for things etc which is where the parents come in again!

On reflection If Disney is just for those with kids why bulild ToT and RnR in that case?

I will continue to go to Disney parks and be tollerant of noisy children, but not disruptive and rude ones, and especially not Rude adults!

Lets just remember that we all want different things out of our vacations but expecting a really quiet meal isn't really gonna happen at normal places in WDW, yet a few 'adult only' places would be nice !

 

[pugcrazy]

My dd12 practically grew up in an antique store (DH was the manager) from the time she was 6 months old. We have only had 2 times when she was behaving in a manner which would disrupt others. Both times I asked to have our food packaged so we could leave. Poor behavior of a child is inexcusible. If your child is too tired, cranky or just not able to behave properly for the situation (a theme park & a signature restaurant are 2 totally different situations) then it is your job as a parent to remove them to a place where they to not disturb others.

I have often said that ALL table service restaurants should have smoke, nonsmoking, children & non children sections. Heck, there have been times I would gradly have paid extra not to be seated in the same area with someone's screaming 2 yr old.

If you child is not pleasant to be around, you have not done your job as a parent. And you have NOT done your child any favors.

Every child will be tired & cranky at some point,but every parent is responsible for their childs behavior. It should not be others who suffer because "little johnny" is cranky. That's why you are the PARENT. If you didn't want the responsibility you should have thought about that a LONG time ago.

Go to Disney & enjoy it with your kids. Just know your kids limits.

 

[denimore]

if CG is separated who gets the Wishes side?

 

[ducklite]

if CG is separated who gets the Wishes side?

Both sides would have window tables... It's a long room.

Anne

 

[stczt]

On reflection If Disney is just for those with kids why bulild ToT and RnR in that case?

Kids ride those rides.my kids were 4 y.o. when they rode those rides. My kids have learned disney is not about the rides, its about the magic. We go to 6 flags all summer long for rides.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I've got another thought. How about rather than a "family section" there is an "adults only" section in every signature restaurant. A section of tables is designated in each restaurant as "adult ony." At Citrico's it could be the rear area, at Jiko the elevated portion of the restaurant or even the wine room, at California Grill there is a "natural barrier" between the two sides, etc.

With minimal to no changes in "architecture" or table layout this could be easily adapted in almost every signature restaurant.

If adults wished to be seated in an adult only section they would have to wait for a table to open, or could choose to sit in the general area without a wait. That seems to be a fair and equitable solution. Families wouldn't feel that they were being "stuck into the kiddie area," rather they would be in the general seating area, where they might be next to other families, or next to a table of adults. In that respect the demographic in the general area would be about the same as it is now. It would at the same time allow those who want to be seated in a kid free zone to have their wishes met.

I would suggest either 10, 13, 16, or 18 as the cut-off for the adult only area, my preference would be to lean towards 16 or 18, only because it is being called "adult dining." (Although I do believe that *most* ten year olds are perfectly capable of behaving very well in a nice restaurant.)

Anne

I love this idea...It's the best thing I've read about the kids in restaurants yet.... I think that would make everyone happy.... BUT maybe 13-14 should be the "cut-off" age for adult only seating .... We went to the castle last year. There were 9 of us: My DH, 2grown children, my DGS (4y.o), my 15 y.o nephew, my sister and her DH with their 10 y.o. son... etc.... Well, my 4 yo grandson acted more "grown up" than my 10 yo nephew!!!!!! I could take my DGS to V&A tonight and you'd more than likely not know he's there BUT my 10 yo nephew is NEVER HAPPY and very verbal (loudly)about it!!!!!

 

[graciespeaks]

I think we need to remember that just because we go in a restaurant with "happy" children does not mean we come out with "happy ones". Parents can not always (ok never) predict how our children will be. To judge the parents is unfair. I have had people come and tell me how wonderfully behaved my children were in a restaurant. It made me ! But I have also wanted to as fast as I could out because of the "turn of events". Parents deserve a dinner too! (Maybe even more LOL).
The overall rule of thumb should be... if there is a children's menu EXPECT CHILDREN, some will be great, and on another day those exact children may be terrors. If there is not a children's menu I don't take my children (Which also means I dont go, they are 99.9999% of the time with us )

Children learn from us, social behavior and manners can and should be taught
first hand! When the kids act up, you can bet mom and dad feel worse about it than the on-lookers.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I have posted before in the *what would you add to WDW* threads that I think there should be a split TS in each park, (and value resort, as they may be the most notorious for *loud kids*) . When the family arrives, the kids go to one section, the parents and children 10+ can sit w the parents in a normal, and slightly more peacefull dining room

I don't think that would work, though...Unless they charge Jiko prices for a place like Tony's!!! Do you know how many CM's they'd have to have there??? Practically 1 for each table or two to be sure that no one choked while under their care!!! A HUGE LIABILITY for WDW when the children are under a CM's care... They are in different stages of eating, one family is coming in, the other is leaving, one just started eating, the other on dessert!!! It's a different thought than the child care centers were there are only a few kids and the CM can see them all at the same time... Feed them around the same time and sit with them as they are eating.... Again, I just don't see that working out

 

[lady danger]

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.

This seems like a good idea to me. If management were more firm in their commitment to maintaining some kind of order in their dining rooms, would adults only hours and/or sections be necessary? After reading this thread and the one that was closed recently, it seems very clear that the majority of the upset here is over poorly behaved children and not the presence of children in general. And that they realize that unexpected tantrums occasionally, and are accepting of them so long as the parents handle the situation adequately. Management should be impowered to removed unruly diners, but child and adult alike. No one should have the right to ruin the experience of everyone else present.

I really don't get this "Disney is for kids so you must be expected to tolerate obnoxious behavior from children" mentality. To be sure, Disney does attract millions of families ever year, but it was my impression that opening restaurants like Citricos or Yachtman's Steakhouse was a subtle move on their part to create restaurants that would appeal to adults and give them a spot to relax and enjoy themselves after long, nosy days at the parts. I mean, there's nothing really about them that directly markets at families apart from their location (I mean, how often is it the child begging to eat there?), but I don't think their location enough justifies the assumption that it was intended to be yet another family dining experience. Disney recognizes that they have an adult market, not only from the singles, college kids, business people and empty nesters that travel there without kids, but for the parents who have brought their children there for a vacation but want to enjoy a night out on their own too. Why else have all of the babysitting services? Surely people can't think V&A (which is sadly out of the budget for a lot of us!) was provided by Disney as the only outlet for that. No these restaurants don't have age limits or restricted areas to keep kids out, but neither do most nice restaurants in our home towns. It's just expected that adults who bring their children to them will recognize what kind of establishment they're in and only bring their kids if they can be trusted to behave like tiny adults, and if they don't, to make other arrangements that don't avoid making a scene in the dining room.

The view that Disney is for kids and only kids and thus just about anything a kid can do should command toleration from the rest of us seems incredibly myopic. But then, I *am* just a childless college student who's planning her first ever trip to WDW without her parents and sibling after having been away from her favorite vacation destination for the better part of a decade. What do I know?

 

[Ms.Mouse]

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.

RC Fan... I agree totally on this one.... UNLESS you are going to eat at RR, PYC, or PH, I think children shouldn't be there.... There is certainly a difference between the restaurants at PI and the bars and MOST parents wouldn't bring a kid into a bar in their hometown, WHY would they bring them into PI??? AND... for that matter.... I feel they shouldn't be allowed into those areas at all!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I live in Tampa and stay at Disney very often...like over 100 times. I often think to myself that Disney would be fun if it weren't for the kids, but then I remember that I am being a kid, enjoying all the Disney stuff. Then I scold myself for just being selfish. Of course it is for kids. Little kids and big kids. All of us kids. I like to think that Disney is one of the places where kids CAN get a little loud. I know from personal experience with my children, and now grandchildren, that the parks are full of parents. I know we parents look after all children, not just our own. Even in this post 9/11 world we live in I believe it is the safest place on earth for us kids. I do believe in discipline, but I remember what my Dad said..."Never apologize for your children. They are God's gift."

BEAUTIFULLY PUT