Napa Rose Chefs Table with a Child

[Mackysmycat]

First, to the OP, you know your child, and you know if she can handle it appropriately.

However, just because it is Disneyland does not mean children should be able to disrupt other's meals. I have absolutely no problem with well behaved children in fine dining, however, I have had major experiences with children who do not behave appropriately in nice restaurants.

In November, we were at the Club for dinner, and we were seated 2 tables from a "young family". Seated at the table next to us was 2 elderly couples, one couple's first time, celebrating the other couple's anniversary. The "young family" consisted of mom and dad, with 3 kids, ages about 18 mos, 4yo and 7yo. The 18 mos old had mom's number as when he screamed (and if you have been to the Club, you know that will echo), she gave him anything he wanted. The 4yo wasn't much better, and the 7yo couldn't figure out how to stay in his chair. The 4yo wanted to be in dad's lap, and threw a fit every time they tried to have him sit in his seat. The servers did their best to get food to them as fast as possible, but neither mom nor dad were really getting a chance to eat, as the kids' really took everything they had to control. After an hour or so of this, dad took the kids out on the balcony, and they proceeded to run and jump up and down the balcony (which could be felt inside! Never had that happen before!) The elderly couples were quite upset and were complaining to their server, as were people from 2-3 other tables that I heard. The family finally had everything boxed and departed after about 90 mins of what normally is a 2.5-4 hour meal. There is no way they got to experience the full "experience" of a Club dinner. It couldn't have been comfortable for the parents, as I know at least 2 of the tables were making their complaints loud enough the parents should have been able to hear over the kids.

I didn't get why the parents would even think behavior that doesn't even belong in Denny's would be acceptable. So, just because it's Disneyland, doesn't mean every child should go everywhere.... - See more at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3072549&page=2#sthash.1iW6OxzO.dpuf

Just to be clear - I wasn't suggesting for her to bring an unruly child to dinner just because it's Disneyland - where children belong. She had stated her child had no problems sitting through a 2-3 dinner and could handle *grown up food* just fine. Thus my comment.

 

[Malcon10t]

Just to be clear - I wasn't suggesting for her to bring an unruly child to dinner just because it's Disneyland - where children belong. She had stated her child had no problems sitting through a 2-3 dinner and could handle *grown up food* just fine. Thus my comment.

I understand, but I have seen numerous posts from people who will state "It's Disneyland, kids are expected." I've seen people who were wondering if they should take their kids to Napa or Carthay or the Club, and people's responses were "It's Disneyland, kids are everywhere. Don't worry about it." I had friends who recently were at Napa for their anniversary. There were 2 young ladies (about 2 and 3), beautifully dressed they said, so they were hoping for "Fancy dressed, fancy manners." But things quickly deteriorated when the parents were busy with their salads, and the young ladies were playing hide and seek under other peoples tables and chairs, then racing in the aisles.

My big thing is simply, parents, be honest with yourselves. Can your child truly do this. If yes, go for it. If not, either skip it or find a sitter.

That said, I frequently take nieces and nephews. (My kids are 18 years older than their cousins...) I have 9 (ages 4-11) I would not hesitate to take Napa or the Club, and I have 6 I won't even take to McDonalds. Different parenting styles, different expectations. I took one niece at age 4 to the Club for lunch. She loved it. She is used to this king of meal. I have a nephew who is 10. I won't take him to Plaza Inn!

 

[Mackysmycat]

I understand, but I have seen numerous posts from people who will state "It's Disneyland, kids are expected." I've seen people who were wondering if they should take their kids to Napa or Carthay or the Club, and people's responses were "It's Disneyland, kids are everywhere. Don't worry about it." I had friends who recently were at Napa for their anniversary. There were 2 young ladies (about 2 and 3), beautifully dressed they said, so they were hoping for "Fancy dressed, fancy manners." But things quickly deteriorated when the parents were busy with their salads, and the young ladies were playing hide and seek under other peoples tables and chairs, then racing in the aisles.

My big thing is simply, parents, be honest with yourselves. Can your child truly do this. If yes, go for it. If not, either skip it or find a sitter.

That said, I frequently take nieces and nephews. (My kids are 18 years older than their cousins...) I have 9 (ages 4-11) I would not hesitate to take Napa or the Club, and I have 6 I won't even take to McDonalds. Different parenting styles, different expectations. I took one niece at age 4 to the Club for lunch. She loved it. She is used to this king of meal. I have a nephew who is 10. I won't take him to Plaza Inn! - See more at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=47665643#post47665643

Absolutely agree. There are a few restaurants in DLR that is a nice chance to get away from the loud and crazy. So again, if kids can behave, sure. If not, yeah - I like my *fancy grown up calm time*, even in DL.

 

[ArchOwl]

I understand, but I have seen numerous posts from people who will state "It's Disneyland, kids are expected." I've seen people who were wondering if they should take their kids to Napa or Carthay or the Club, and people's responses were "It's Disneyland, kids are everywhere. Don't worry about it." I had friends who recently were at Napa for their anniversary. There were 2 young ladies (about 2 and 3), beautifully dressed they said, so they were hoping for "Fancy dressed, fancy manners." But things quickly deteriorated when the parents were busy with their salads, and the young ladies were playing hide and seek under other peoples tables and chairs, then racing in the aisles.

My big thing is simply, parents, be honest with yourselves. Can your child truly do this. If yes, go for it. If not, either skip it or find a sitter.

That said, I frequently take nieces and nephews. (My kids are 18 years older than their cousins...) I have 9 (ages 4-11) I would not hesitate to take Napa or the Club, and I have 6 I won't even take to McDonalds. Different parenting styles, different expectations. I took one niece at age 4 to the Club for lunch. She loved it. She is used to this king of meal. I have a nephew who is 10. I won't take him to Plaza Inn!

It is Disneyland and I do expect that kids will be everywhere. It is a family resort with a high percentage of children. It is not like dining at the French Laundry which is adult-oriented and it would be unusual to see a child in the dining room. Does that mean I expect my dinner to be ruined by children? No, I expect parents to know what their child can handle and do what is best for them.

Bad manners can ruin any meal anywhere. However, this did not seem to be a problem for the OP's child. Honestly, I do not appreciate my meal being ruined any time by anyone with bad manners, adult or child.

 

[Chasingmarcus]

It is Disneyland and I do expect that kids will be everywhere. It is a family resort with a high percentage of children. It is not like dining at the French Laundry which is adult-oriented and it would be unusual to see a child in the dining room. Does that mean I expect my dinner to be ruined by children? No, I expect parents to know what their child can handle and do what is best for them.

Bad manners can ruin any meal anywhere. However, this did not seem to be a problem for the OP's child. Honestly, I do not appreciate my meal being ruined any time by anyone with bad manners, adult or child.

Its funny that you mention the French Laundry....we live near Napa, and she is counting down the days until we will let her go. I do feel that 5 is too young for that

It is important for both DH and I that our daughter has good table manners. I can not ever think of a time where she has run around the table, and would be absolutely mortified if she ever went under the table. But honestly that has never happened before.

The consensus seems to be that if she can behave (and I am not concerned about her sitting through a 2-3 hour meal making pleasant conversation, with out the aid of electronic devices) then she would be ok. Of course the min things seemed to get out of control we would be exiting the restaurant. It only took once, of leaving somewhere because she through a temper tantrum, never to have to again! She is one of those kids who you can give "the look to" and she snaps back. I think also not having a full day in the park, and towards the beginning of our trip we will be ok.