Loud kids? (and it's ok?)

[nbs2]

A quick search yielded lots of threads from folks that are concerned that their kids may be too loud for an establishment or complaining that parents are bringing loud kids into establishments.

What I'm trying to do is figure out what places you can bring loud kids into, and be ok, and how loud I can expect those places to be.

I know that WCC and 'Ohana are the two major noise venues, followed closely by the toddler character dining nightmare known as H&V. But, I don't know about other places and I don't know how loud kids are at those places.

I certainly don't expect ear-splitting meltdowns to be excusable, but what about shrieks of laughter, loud talking, amplifying acoustics, etc? I'm expecting a pretty good level of tolerance, as all three places I mentioned seem to do pretty well when you consider the very split opinions on the food quality of the first two and the totally negative on the last.

 

[brergnat]

Like you mentioned, 'Ohana and WCC are the first that come to mind.

Others are ANY character meal and probably Kona Cafe. Owing to its "open to the lobby" design, this restaurant is inherently noisy.

I can't think of many others...

 

[TinkBride]

I think - being that it is Disney World - loud kids are to be expected from time to time no matter where you dine (except V&A obviously). I think it is up to the parents to use discretion and remove a child if they become too disruptive. I would say that with most signature restaurants there is a higher expectation in regards to noise level. Although Narcoosees seems to be louder due to the shape of the building. I do not think any parent should stop themselves from bringing their children into restaurants - with the expectation that they may need to excuse themself if the child becomes disruptive to others.

Afterall, it is a family place - and children should be able to enjoy the perks of the Disney property just as much as the adults as long as they can be calmed down if necessary.

Mind you - I am not a parent, but I try to sympathize with parents who are dealing with cranky and tired kids.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Kids are welcome anywhere in Disneyworld except V&A although I would use some discretion and also avoid certain restaurants if I knew my kids are not the quiet types. A restaurant like Le Cellier is small and the tables are close together, if a child is the very lively type, it will impact the people all around you. They will seem even louder and more disruptive just because of the close quarters. Of course it all depends, I know 5 year olds that sit at the table with perfect manners and would be fine there.

There are many good options for fun times with the kids, all of the character meals of course, several of the Epcot restaurants including the Biergarten (my favorite as a child), Coral Reef, and Marrakesh, lots of resort restaurants including Ohana and WCC, all of the DHS except the Brown Derby, Tony's and LTT in MK. There are many, many kid friendly choices everywhere you go. I personally would just not plan on the same restaurants that are also the honeymooners top choices as those tend to me more geared to adults.

 

[nbs2]

I understand your point, but I am talking about places where "extra" noise isn't a problem. At LC or Akershus or Tony's, a kid that is chanting loudly is probably going to be taken outside or otherwise dealt with.

At a place like WCC, for example, my understanding is that the noise level is high enough, and the atmosphere is rowdy enough, that a kid throwing a minor tantrum isn't a big deal. If they've gone over the edge, remove them; if they are toeing the edge, let them be. A kid, for example, if he/she is having a lot of fun, might squeal or shriek and that would not be appropriate in Akershus (to choose a character meal). But, I suspect it may be ok in CP and is ok in WCC.

The more I think about it, I'd call it the distinction between using indoor voices and outdoor voices. Where can a kid eat like they are outside?

 

[calngavinsmom]

Biergarten is a great one. There people are encouraged to get into the act, whether it be getting up to polka on the dance floor or just to join in a cheer from the tables.....Zicke zacke zicke zacke hoi hoi hoi! Definitely not a place for the refined diner

Take care

 

[TinkBride]

Actually - I am trying to think of the last time I was in a Disney restaurant where it was quiet....

I know Teppan Edo is on the loud side because of the vents, the chefs knives clanging, and people cheering when their chef performs a trick. That always seems to be a lively place. The Garden Grill is kind of loud because of the Atrium of the Land pavillion and the echos.

Any character meal is going to be loud. thats a given. Many kids are excited and shrieking, or screaming in terror over the characters.

I would steer clear of signature restaurants. Those seem to be more reserved for quieter meals.

Both Ranforest Cafes and T Rex are quite loud because of all the animatronics and show elements. Raglan Road is loud too - either from the drunk people , the band, and just the acoustics of the building.

Honestly - so many people bring their kids into the TS restaurants these days that most times you will hear at least one cry or shriek from a child during your meal. It is not an uncommon occurence.

 

[dburg30]

Hoop Dee Doo, noise is sometimes actually suggest and requested

 

[nytimez]

Actually - I am trying to think of the last time I was in a Disney restaurant where it was quiet....

I know Teppan Edo is on the loud side because of the vents, the chefs knives clanging, and people cheering when their chef performs a trick. That always seems to be a lively place. The Garden Grill is kind of loud because of the Atrium of the Land pavillion and the echos.

Any character meal is going to be loud. thats a given. Many kids are excited and shrieking, or screaming in terror over the characters.

I would steer clear of signature restaurants. Those seem to be more reserved for quieter meals.

Both Ranforest Cafes and T Rex are quite loud because of all the animatronics and show elements. Raglan Road is loud too - either from the drunk people , the band, and just the acoustics of the building.

Honestly - so many people bring their kids into the TS restaurants these days that most times you will hear at least one cry or shriek from a child during your meal. It is not an uncommon occurence.

Agreed completely. I think there are far more restaurants where people are loud -- and not just kids -- than there are "quiet" ones at WDW.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I understand your point, but I am talking about places where "extra" noise isn't a problem. At LC or Akershus or Tony's, a kid that is chanting loudly is probably going to be taken outside or otherwise dealt with.

At a place like WCC, for example, my understanding is that the noise level is high enough, and the atmosphere is rowdy enough, that a kid throwing a minor tantrum isn't a big deal. If they've gone over the edge, remove them; if they are toeing the edge, let them be. A kid, for example, if he/she is having a lot of fun, might squeal or shriek and that would not be appropriate in Akershus (to choose a character meal). But, I suspect it may be ok in CP and is ok in WCC.

The more I think about it, I'd call it the distinction between using indoor voices and outdoor voices. Where can a kid eat like they are outside?

Oh, that's much harder. What about the buffet in Fort Wilderness?

 

[Tricia1972]

I have three boys myself, and have dined at many Disney restaurants. I can't think of anyplace that it'd be OK for my sons to use their "outside (yelling) voices" including character meals.

There are definitely places that are louder than others, where kids are certainly able to carry on conversations in normal kid tones at the table. Perhaps during entertainment like the pony races at WCC, the cocunut races at 'Ohana, or 50's PTC when you're singing Happy Birthday to someone in the room, you might hear a yell or two.

I don't think that it's acceptable to allow general yelling at any restaurant.

 

[si-am]

Biergarten is a great one. There people are encouraged to get into the act, whether it be getting up to polka on the dance floor or just to join in a cheer from the tables.....Zicke zacke zicke zacke hoi hoi hoi! Definitely not a place for the refined diner

Take care

It's great for squeals of fun, but NOT for minor tantrums since you are sharing a table with other families.

 

[LilyWDW]

I have three boys myself, and have dined at many Disney restaurants. I can't think of anyplace that it'd be OK for my sons to use their "outside (yelling) voices" including character meals.

There are definitely places that are louder than others, where kids are certainly able to carry on conversations in normal kid tones at the table. Perhaps during entertainment like the pony races at WCC, the cocunut races at 'Ohana, or llu8, you might hear a yell or two.

I don't think that it's acceptable to allow general yelling at any restaurant.

 

[TiaMaria]

The more I think about it, I'd call it the distinction between using indoor voices and outdoor voices. Where can a kid eat like they are outside?

I'd say outdoor restaurants or places like Pizza Planet.

Seriously, it IS Disney, and young kids eating in restaurants. Not to sound trite, but it is a teachable moment. After all, how are kids supposed to learn what behavior is expected of them in restaurants if they are never allowed to go to restaurants? And where better to begin this learning process but at Disney - where it is not as frowned upon as perhaps your local nice restaurant?

As long as the parents or other beloved family members are attentive to children, they should be able to go to restaurants. By attentive, I mean not ignoring the child in order to enjoy their own meals. Taking kids out when they are fighting or having a meltdown until they quiet down. Not allowing them to roam out of their seats or throw food, beverages or whatever small games or toys they might have to amuse themselves with. Not screaming, yelling or fighting with their siblings in any way, shape or form.

We've all seen kids that do these things, and have parents that blithely go on eating or talking to each other as if the children didn't exist. Or who expect the wait staff or the adult at another table to corral their roaming darlings. To me, that is not the behavior I want to see next to me at meals.

But the families that have children that are just tired, hungry, hot or overstimulated, yet are in tune with this, know their child's limits, and work at making the meal fun so the kids don't "take over" the restaurant are no problem. After all, again, the parents are probably just as tired, hungry, hot and overstimulated!

That is how my siblings and I learned how to eat at restaurants, and how our kids learned. By going, experimenting, and seeing what worked, what didn't work and staying conscious of the diners around us. If we couldn't control ourselves, we were taken outside for a break, and couldn't come back in until we were calm. Many times one parent or another had to accept having a meal boxed up. But my parents (and now us) did what had to be done, we children (and now ours) knew what was expected of us and what behavior would not be tolerated.

The CM's at Disney have seen it all. They are the professionals that know all about the tiny attention span of our kids. They do their best to get us all served as quickly as possible. I've seen many of them, if time permits, go out of their way to distract a tiny, tired diner with words, smiles or sometimes something to take their mind off of their tiredness. In turn, we commit to giving them aisles free from our roaming kids, a manageable noise level, and we also try to pick up after ourselves as best as possible (don't even get me started on the families that leave their tables looking like Baghdad )

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I have three boys myself, and have dined at many Disney restaurants. I can't think of anyplace that it'd be OK for my sons to use their "outside (yelling) voices" including character meals.

There are definitely places that are louder than others, where kids are certainly able to carry on conversations in normal kid tones at the table. Perhaps during entertainment like the pony races at WCC, the cocunut races at 'Ohana, or 50's PTC when you're singing Happy Birthday to someone in the room, you might hear a yell or two.

I don't think that it's acceptable to allow general yelling at any restaurant.

I totally agree! And yes, I'm a mother & have plenty of nieces & nephews I go out with.

 

[kamikazecat]

I have a 5yo boy and have successfully dined with him at almost all of the non-signature Disney restaurants. Did I have to remind him to use an indoor voice? On occasion, however most of the time no one else even noticed that he was speaking louder than normal, usually from excitement.

We did not, however, take him to any signature meals. We booked him in a kids club (Neverland @Poly and Sandcastle@Grand Floridian) so we could enjoy those quiet meals. He had a blast at the kids club and has requested those nights again on our next trip.

 

[TDC Nala]

In general, outside of signature restaurants it's ok for kids to be loud. It's not ok for parents to allow them to throw screaming fits or run around restaurants that aren't buffets.