LET THE FLAMES BEGIN>>>adult only dining

[Nadine and Fred]

I totally agree with the Op. My child is now an adult but when he was young and started whining/crying in any restaurant even McDonalds he was told one time - enough or we will leave. If he continued, we left - meal unfinished. After the first few times he got the idea. I think it is rude for a parent to sit in any restaurant with a child who is whining/crying when others are trying to enjoy dinner. I understand this is Disney and there are children. But Disney or not, I think it is poor manners to have others endure a crying child in any restaurant let alone an expensive one like Jiko's.

I hope I will be that sort of grandparent when the day comes.

 

[antkim]

Parents should not allow their whiny, tired kids to ruin everyone elses expensive dinner. If they try it and it doesn't work, then take turns with the kid in the lobby until the food comes. If food doesn't settle him down, get it to go. It isn't fair to the kid or other diners to allow that behavior at a nice, expensive sit down restaurant. Should I be forced to sit next to a crying kid while trying to eat a $50 meal? Where's the antacid and Tylenol?

I agree! WDW is about families BUT families have Mom's and Dad's that deserve a nice meal as well.....that is why Disney offers "kid's clubs" and babysitting. Now, if your child can behave then kudo's to you... BUT if they can not(and rightfully so...they are exhausted and over stimulated!) I think out of respect for your children (who the heck want their child to be looked at as an annoyance? or brat?) and the other diners... a more "fitting" restaurant should be chosen. I was just invited to join "friends" for a nice diner at California Grille(at Wishes time!) on our upcoming trip....their treat! How tempting! I regretfully declined as I KNOW that my 17 month old would be anything but "well behaved"!!! Could I attempt it? Absolutely!! Would I? Not in a million years...out of respect for the couple that invited us AND all the other people trying to enjoy their gourmet dinner! Now if it was a Chef Mickey's invite I would accept without hesitation!

WDW is for everyone....not just families. It's called respect.

Kim

 

[chobie]

But I love WDW...and as a mother of a 24 year old (who used to be 3 and would have her "moments"), I would frequent those restaurants that had a decidedly family feel to them WITHOUT sacrificing my good tastes or the comforts of those around. While it is unfortunate to those dining around a child who may be tired, consider how unfair it is to the child who the parents admonish to "be good" or "quiet down". Children do not annoy me; children at 8:30pm at a restaurant with a decidedly adult feel who are cranky and crying and running around DO make me feel uncomfortable. I like the ideas of labeling more restaurants as "adult only" or dining at these venues at an earlier hour.
And Chobie...Disney wants EVERYONE to come and be comfortable at their resorts

Let's face it. Everyone here loves Disney, but we all have things about it we do not like and wish they would change, but we ignore it because of our love of Disney. Take for example, the resorts, we all know that we could go to Vegas and get MUCH more for out hotel dollar, but we don't because its not Disney. If you want more adult only choices at Disney, you need to tell Disney, not parents who spent as much money as you to go and who want to enjoy it as much as you. Too many of us, that means going to some of the nicer restaurants and hoping that our children will be behave.

As far as the time goes, remember people are on vacation from different time zones and their internal clocks are way off and there is no point even trying to adjust them for the 4-10 days they are at WDW. Hence, what is 8:30 to you feels like 5:30 to the family sitting next to you.

 

[mickeymousefan]

My 4 year old and 2 year old can be great in a restaurant... or thay can be whiny and loud or run away from the table or crawl under the table or throw spoons..... For that reason, we don't take them to fancy restaurants. I personally dont enjoy myself when I have to worry about how my kids are behaving.
That being said...... I expect to see kids at all WDW restaurants..... I just hope that the ones at the really expensive restaurants are better behaved than mine.

 

[chobie]

My children are 7 and 10 and love eating in restaurants and know how to behave so I'm not talking defensively here. I am not bothered by children being children in Disney restaurants because I expect it. I am much more upset by adults cutting in line at the hostess desk or at a buffet. The most uncomfortable thing I witness at WDW are adults dressed inappropriately at these finer dining establishments, but its their vacation too and if that's what they want to wear. We all have our pet peeves, but when everyone is paying the same amount of money to do something, we have the choice of putting up with it or spending our money elsewhere.

 

[robinb]

My child is now an adult but when he was young and started whining/crying in any restaurant even McDonalds he was told one time - enough or we will leave. If he continued, we left - meal unfinished.

Congratulations. You are now a charter member of the PPP.

I think it is rude for a parent to sit in any restaurant with a child who is whining/crying when others are trying to enjoy dinner.

In real life, I would agree with you. WDW is not real life. Children and parents are often pushed beyond their limits. Kids cry and whine, especially when they are hungry. They don't sit like ladies and gentlemen after a long day. They squirm, whine, cry, wiggle, crawl under the table and squabble with their siblings. This is 100% natural in even the best behaved children.

It seems to me that the "brats in restaurants" thread comes up every couple months. The PPP chime in how they instantly remove their children at the slightest infraction and pat themselves on the back. Other posters will tell horror stories of their worst meal ever because of the brat seated next to them. Others will shake their heads at the brats and their fingers at the terrible parents that allow their "darlings" to dare intrude on their fancy dinner.

Honestly, the only time I have been bothered by a bratty kid in a restaurant is (1) before I had children and (2) when the kid was my own. I cut other parents a whole lot more slack than I do myself. For instance, if my kid is under the table it makes me crazy, but if someone else's kid is under the table I really don't care.

Yes, no one wants to be seated next to a howling child. No one wants to be next to a wild banshee. No one wants to be next to 2 boys who are pummeling each other. Those are extremes. The vast majority of kids that "misbehave" in restaurants are just normal good kids from normal good families acting in a normal way. Maybe the parents should have reconsidered dining at Jikos, or Artist Point or California Grill. We can talk about coulda, shoulda, woulda until we are blue in the face but you won't change the fact that stressed out parents will bring stressed out kids to expensive restaurants at Walt Disney World. It's really better for your own enjoyment and blood pressure to accept that and deal with the normal things that tired, cranky kids do.

BTW: I would totally support another Adult Only restaurant, but I've even seen an infant at Victoria and Alberts! No, it wasn't mine.

 

[webray]

I totally agree with you nadine and fred. Some children just do not belong in adult restaurants, disney or not. I guarantee you, the parents of this child would never even consider taking him/her out to a restaurant of the calibur of Jiko in their hometown. People just think they can do anything they want at disney, get anything they want, and frankly, I am tired of it.

Wake up parents..if your kids aren't good in a nice restaurant then hire a sitter or order room service. Don't subject everyone to your naughty kids.

 

[chobie]

I totally agree with you nadine and fred. Some children just do not belong in adult restaurants, disney or not. I guarantee you, the parents of this child would never even consider taking him/her out to a restaurant of the calibur of Jiko in their hometown. People just think they can do anything they want at disney, get anything they want, and frankly, I am tired of it.

Wake up parents..if your kids aren't good in a nice restaurant then hire a sitter or order room service. Don't subject everyone to your naughty kids.

First of all if your tired of the way people act at Disney, then don't go. As far as a restaurant being "adult", if they offer a kid's menu than it is not an adult restaurant. That's my opinion and apparently the opinion of many other parents at WDW. If you don't share that opinion, too bad. I much rather deal with "naughty" kids than condescending judgmental adults.

 

[Bird-Mom]

What robinb and chobie said!

I was once scolded by a man at Beaches and Cream who said my 6 month old dd should be in bed sleeping. It was 8pm on our first full day of vacation. Well, we live on the west coast, and no way was she adjusted to the time. I told him to mind his own business; she wasn't causing any problems.

WDW is a family place. I am very respectful of my kids and follow their cues as to if they can handle a sit down meal in a nicer restaurant. Unfortunately, I am not perfect, and sometimes I misinterpret the cue. My older dd is special needs, and she can go from 0-60 in less than a second. Does that mean I should eat only food court and room service? No. How can we teach our children to behave if we don't take them out? Both dds have been to very nice local restaurants from birth. Sometimes they are great, and sometimes we have things to work on.

Sorry OP, I disagree. You could always get your meal to go too if you aren't happy about the kids in the restaurant. Why should I have to be the one to leave? We both have the right to be there. Not that I stay for full blown tantrums, but I refuse to leave at the first tear.

Somehow, I get the feeling that if I nurse in the restaurant to calm dd2, there would be lots of you on this thread who would not approve of that method either.

Children are our future; they deserve respect and opportunity. Don't expect them to be locked in the closet so that you don't have to see them in whatever public arena.

 

[tomerin]

i often wonder why doesnt WDW make at least one resturant "adults only" after lets say 9PM. IMHO its a bit late for kids to be at a sit- down dinner that late after a long day at WDW. its actually a bit late for some adults also!! this way if a person wanted to enjoy a dinner in an adults only atmosphere then they could.

 

[antkim]

First of all if your tired of the way people act at Disney, then don't go. As far as a restaurant being "adult", if they offer a kid's menu than it is not an adult restaurant. That's my opinion and apparently the opinion of many other parents at WDW. If you don't share that opinion, too bad. I much rather deal with "naughty" kids than condescending judgmental adults.

Let's face it.....there is usually a reason that a child acts "naughty".....hungry, tired or NOT having fun. How many kids do you know would "choose" to dine at CG, Jiko's or AP? I would bet my eye teeth they would much rather be having a hot dog at a park or mac and cheese at Chef Mickey's. So really it comes down to what Mom and Dad want...period. Selfish? Not at all HOWEVER I am on vacation just like family XYZ. If I was hoping for a "night out" with DH I would choose a finer dining restaurant thinking it would be a relaxing night away from the "noise". I understand that MOST of Disney's restaurants offer a kids menu....for good reason...IT'S DISNEY BUT I think Disney is also thinking that parents can make a "reasonable decision"....if your child can not behave (for any good reason) in a nicer restaurant then choose accordingly. Again, it really comes down to what Mom and Dad want. I just do not understand how anyone can sit through a meal with a child that is misbehaving...personally I would not be able to get a bite down ESPECIALLY if I thought I was disturbing someone else's night out! I respect that they are on vacation as well.

 

[andrabell]

I think the main point to this thread was not that children should not be in the restaurant or that anyone doesn't want kids around at all - I think the point is simply, if you bring children to a nice restaurant, consider how they might affect others....not because they are children, but because you are the parent, and it's your job to teach them correct behavior in a restaurant.

Brilliantly stated.

All parents should be required to write this 100 times on a chalk board before they're allowed to leave the hospital with their new bundle of joy.

 

[gina2000]

I welcome children at all restaurants. I've seen too many parents sit through drinks, appetizers, main meal, dessert and coffee and disregard what their kids are doing. That's not fair to the kids, the waitstaff or the patrons. If you come with kids who are tired, antsy or not used to a long, sit-down meal, you need to adjust your menu choices accordingly. It's just common sense.

I have no problem with parents who are trying to control their kids during a meal. Kids have meltdowns in the most embarrassing places. It happens. I do, however, have major problems with parents who don't care what their children are doing as long as the parents can tune them out and hang out as long as they want to.

 

[Taratink]

We just got back from WDW on Sat. We did all of the family restaurants and we had a great time. My kids (3 and 5) behaved wonderfully but they both had a melt down each day. Most people let their kids stay up late when vacationing and the kids get cranky and unpredictable. I do believe there are places that just aren't kid friendly. If I put my kids in the disney kids club or had a babysitter, got dressed up and went to a signiture rest. and someones child was ruining my meal I would be angry. I am not that sensitive to others childrens behavior so it would have to be really bad. We rarely get to go out with out the kids and when we do it is specail. If I am at a rest. like WCC and my kids get silly or a little wound up I don't have to worry because that is acceptable in the playful atmosphere. We could debate this all day and some of us would never agree. People get incredibly defensive when it comes to their kids. I don't think the people that want a kid free dinner are anti-kids. We all need a break sometimes. We should not label them for wanting a little adult time.
Tara

 

[chobie]

Let's face it.....there is usually a reason that a child acts "naughty".....hungry, tired or NOT having fun. How many kids do you know would "choose" to dine at CG, Jiko's or AP? I would bet my eye teeth they would much rather be having a hot dog at a park or mac and cheese at Chef Mickey's. So really it comes down to what Mom and Dad want...period. Selfish? Not at all HOWEVER I am on vacation just like family XYZ. If I was hoping for a "night out" with DH I would choose a finer dining restaurant thinking it would be a relaxing night away from the "noise". I understand that MOST of Disney's restaurants offer a kids menu....for good reason...IT'S DISNEY BUT I think Disney is also thinking that parents can make a "reasonable decision"....if your child can not behave (for any good reason) in a nicer restaurant then choose accordingly. Again, it really comes down to what Mom and Dad want. I just do not understand how anyone can sit through a meal with a child that is misbehaving...personally I would not be able to get a bite down ESPECIALLY if I thought I was disturbing someone else's night out! I respect that they are on vacation as well.

Personally I don't think its a "REASONABLE" decision to pay perfect strangers to watch my children so I don't have to bother parenting them over dinner. Teaching them to learn to amuse themselves by coloring on those kids menus that are provided at all the family restaurants at Disney, is what I consider to be reasonable. Certainly if you have a child that you know is going to scream through an entire meal, then you should consider not taking them out. Most kids don't act that way, they have "MOMENTS" here and there but I would not consider it reasonable for people to only eat at fast food places for fear their child might have one of these moments. I expect children at WDW so they don't bother me and other people's children acting up here or there would not disturb my night out. You have your opinion and I have mine. To me, showing respect at WDW means allowing parents to have a decent meal with their kids and not getting uptight at every little sound or move a child makes.

 

[flexsmom]

We just cruised DCL and took advantage of Palo for one night, and put DD and DS in the club two other nights of the 7. Some of the kids in the dining room were great - and others were awful. Call me part of the PPP, but I don't care what has gone on during the day, my kids aren't allowed to get down out of their chairs and run around a table or "visit" other tables. The parents of these kids just sat and continued to chat amongst themselves, watching amused from a distance. My DS - who was 20 months at the time -pointed his finger at one little boy who kept coming over to bug him, and said his first full sentence....."go....sit.....down"! (No, I wasn't proud - more embarassed actually, since his mom gave me the glare like I had preprogrammed what DS said!) Don't get me wrong, my kids are often challenged at dinner in restaurants, but we'll leave for a little while to walk around and get calmed down.

We followed up our cruise with 5 nights at WDW to celebrate a 50th anniversary. We had a couple of big all-family dinners at CP and Ohana, and one "adult only" meal at the Yachtsman. We hired a sitter for the 6 kids in our group and I can't imagine what it would have been like to have them with us - it was a 2 1/2 hour meal and was leisurely and fabulous. Yes, it was a family vacation and I loved spending time with my kids, but I also value the time with just the grown-ups. This seems to be a big values-judgment thing on a lot of these boards - lots of people seem to think it's just horrible to go on a "family vacation" and then do things without the kids. Sometimes I think they're probably happier with an earlier bedtime and a sitter and some time AWAY from mom and dad with no huge stimuli for the evening, too!

Sorry - hope I'm not too OT.

 

[Taratink]

The great thing about disney is that we as parents have so many great options for dining. So many character meals and many great family restaurants like boma, Ohana's and WCC. Noone is saying that people with children should only eat counter service or fast food places. They are taking about the signature rests. I have never used the kid sitting options. There is no need to judge people on whether or not to get a babysitter or not.
Tara

 

[chobie]

There is no need to judge people who choose to bring to their children to a restaurant that offers a child's menu. It is reasonable to assume that if its at WDW and they have a kids menu, then kids belong there. Not everyone spends hours perusing guide books and forums to determine the prefect meals for the WDW stay. Many people pay lots of money to stay at a resort and figure they should be able to eat at any of the restaurants that offer a kids menu with their kids. Though I can understand that some people were hoping for a quite meal without kids and put their own kids in the club to have that, the reality is that is not everyone is going to share their view that a restaurant that offers a kids menu should be off-limits to kids just because it offers filet mignon to to the adults.

 

[tasassy]

When my son was a baby, we would take him to any restaurant, when he turned 1 1/2 we switched to fast food. Now that we are back Stateside, and our son is 7, we know to be out the house for dinner at 5:30, any later, we run into lines, and by the time dinner is over, the ride home makes for a cranky child. Speaking as a former waitress, having a child run around a table is a nightmare! Its a good chance the child or the waitstaff will be injured. Now that I've said all that, anyone who is at Whispering Canyon on the 14th of Feb at 6:50, I'm sorry in advance, but I'll try and keep him calm, depends on if Dad gets leave to come with us or not, on how it will go.

 

[chobie]

When my son was a baby, we would take him to any restaurant, when he turned 1 1/2 we switched to fast food. Now that we are back Stateside, and our son is 7, we know to be out the house for dinner at 5:30, any later, we run into lines, and by the time dinner is over, the ride home makes for a cranky child. Speaking as a former waitress, having a child run around a table is a nightmare! Its a good chance the child or the waitstaff will be injured. Now that I've said all that, anyone who is at Whispering Canyon on the 14th of Feb at 6:50, I'm sorry in advance, but I'll try and keep him calm, depends on if Dad gets leave to come with us or not, on how it will go.

I waitressed for many years as well. There is a difference between the safety issues of a child running around and the annoyance issues of a child whining. Both before and after I had kids of my own I always went out of my way to be nice to parents and kids and do my part to keep the kids entertained so the parents can have a bite here and there. Children are a part of our society and I like living in a society that is tolerant of children. I'm glad the days of "children should be seen and not heard" are behind us.