New policy: No young kids at Victoria & Albert's

[maxiesmom]

d. My parents instilled in me the social graces and etiquette required for such an experience along with the taste buds for it. I was expected to try to new things...if I didn't like it, that was ok, at least I tried something new to expand my tastes.

However, many parents nowadays do not punish their children when they act out in public and it has become more noticeable while out in restaurants.

I agree with you that too many parents want to have a nice dinner, but do not want to take the time or make the effort to see that their children behave. We do not need to start having child-free restaruants, or, as one poster suggested, seperate areas for families and adults. There just needs to be some responsibility on the parents part. Maybe have someone explain to the parents that if their children start to race around or cause havic, they will be asked to leave immediately.

My sister and I too were taken out to eat at nice restaurants at a young age. And you can bet that if we didn't behave, there were consequences. Children can be taught to behave at restaurants, but the parents have to make some sort of effort.

 

[KirklandTutu]

then you need to re-think your vacation plans to somewhere other than Disney World if you have a problem with children. There are plenty of adult only vacation destinations.

I think its very crappy to insist that a family vacation destination make policies that are not family friendly.

So my family of two, DH and myself, should not consider a vacation at Disney to be a viable destination for us? Really? I mean, we both love Disney, and we don't plan on having children, but we still consider ourselves a family.

I love children, I work with children, I have no problem with children at theme parks. However, I really love the idea of an extended dinner where there are no children present, and please don't tell me that a normal six year old should experience a dinner there. The social, psychological, mental, and physical development of a six year old states that they should not be expected to endure a three hour dinner. The amount of time spent at even a one hour dinner should be too much for them. Parents who take their children to dinners that expect they remain attentive and still for that amount of time should really look further into what is best for their children in accordance to what childhood experts in all these fields would say about it.

A six or seven year old does not need to experience a five star dining experience. Take them to a place in your home town that is considered a fine dining experience. Don't inflict your sharing of the finer things with a child with a couple who are looking for one singular romantic moment during the midst of a youthful Disney honeymoon or anniversery.

As stated in the article there are only a handful of resteraunts in the US that have this sort of policy (btw, Matador in Redmond, WA is adults only for both the dining room and bar). If your child must experience a fine dining experience, take them to one of those...just don't take them to V&A's, because I, for one, will be going for just that reason.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I think that most of us can agree that Cali Grill is a special circumstance. Though it is a signature restaurant, it's view and view of the fireworks had made it particularly attractive to families with young children. Hence, circus.

Would not being able to dine in signature restaurants with a young child impact my vacation choices? Actually, yes. One of the reasons my family went to WDW an obscene number of times in the past two years was the ability for us to enjoy a finer meal while vacationing with a toddler/preschooler. If we didn't have that opportunity, we honestly would spend our vacation dollars elsewhere.

My child is not an angel, but when problems arise, one of us leaves with the child until the problem is resolved. We don't want to ruin anyone else's experience. But we also don't want to be given dirty looks by the host/hostess and other diners as we're being seated solely because we're accompanied by a young child.

Do I have a problem with V&A going all adult? Absolutely not. We've dined there a number of times and it is a completely different experience from any other Disney restaurant. Young children don't belong there. I'm not ready to make the same statements about any other Disney restaurant.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Would not being able to dine in signature restaurants with a young child impact my vacation choices? Actually, yes. One of the reasons my family went to WDW an obscene number of times in the past two years was the ability for us to enjoy a finer meal while vacationing with a toddler/preschooler. If we didn't have that opportunity, we honestly would spend our vacation dollars elsewhere.

Not ALL signature restaurants. One besides V&A's. That's all I am sayin'. Like Yachtsman. Other places serve steak and are nice. If the Yachtsman went 10 and over only, all other signature restaurants stayed all ages, you would vacation elsewhere???

And in case anyone wondered, I am a vocal advocate for this, yet I myself would not be able to go there on any of our trips other than the 4 day one in July 08 for the next 7 years (DS is 3)!!! Last Feb, my mom and sister took the kids while we went to V&A's, but that was a one time deal for us. We prefer to be with the kids when we are in Disney.

 

[_queenie_]

I agree with you that too many parents want to have a nice dinner, but do not want to take the time or make the effort to see that their children behave. We do not need to start having child-free restaruants, or, as one poster suggested, seperate areas for families and adults. There just needs to be some responsibility on the parents part. Maybe have someone explain to the parents that if their children start to race around or cause havic, they will be asked to leave immediately.

My sister and I too were taken out to eat at nice restaurants at a young age. And you can bet that if we didn't behave, there were consequences. Children can be taught to behave at restaurants, but the parents have to make some sort of effort.

I definately agree with both of you. We try to do the same with our children, and can't stand it when we see parents ignore their children's behavior.

 

[TDC Nala]

Maybe I as a childless single adult should have avoided WDW at all costs. Sometimes I think people believe experiences like V&A should be limited to couples, the way they post.

We are only talking about Victoria & Alberts, not any other WDW restaurant. I don't think WDW will shut any of its signature restaurants to little kids. V&As did everything possible to alert parents that it wasn't a place for small children before bringing out a 10 and up rule.

Wouldn't be the same thing as, say, limiting character meals only to parties accompanied by children under 10. Many adults enjoy character meals and a lot of them go. By contrast, maybe someone on this board knows one child under 10 who would actually enjoy a 3 hour, 6 course gourmet dinner that costs $150. I certainly don't know any.

I would guess that most little children who ended up being served foie gras and Iranian caviar at V&A were there because the parents wanted to go, preferred not to get a sitter and were willing to fork over the cash for the kids.

For those who would enjoy it, it doesn't sound to me like an enormous hardship to have them wait until they are 10.

 

[littleprincessmom]

I couldn't agree more with nuttylawprofessor on all counts.

I have 2 DDs - one 8 and one 5. The 8 year old has been going to 4 and 5 star restaurants since she was 2. She is a very quiet child whose favorite pastime is reading and loves being with adults. We took her to New York for her 6th birthday b/c she wanted to see shows and go to nice restaurants. My DD5 is a typical 5 year old. She is well behaved (for the most part) but certainly has her moments - thankfully, however, not of the running around the table or screaming type.

One reason we enjoy WDW so much is that we can have nice meals at the signature restaurants and bring DDs (when they desire - other nights they've chosen to go to one of the deluxe resort's kids clubs) and they can enjoy a kid's meal and special drinks/desserts. We ALWAYS bring things for them to do at restaurants - coloring, stickerbooks, video games turned to 0 volume, etc., and do not expect them to sit for 1 1/2 - 2 hours and engage in "adult" conversation. We order quickly and don't linger over dinner. My kids have eaten at Jiko, Flyiing Fish, California Grill, etc....

All of this being said, I have NO problem with the policy at V&A. I've eaten there (once) and it was a truly special evening. I can't imagine anyone even wanting to take a child there - my kids - who have significant experience with "fine dining" would be miserable and would eventually begin to whine (albeit quietly) affecting the dining experiences of those around them.

Should kids under a certain age be "banned?" I can see where that sounds terrible but if people used common sense and didn't bring children who are too young to enjoy the experience to begin with, it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[reeeoga]

Now I have to wait 7 years to go there. No I don't like the new rule.

And no I will not go somewhere my entire family is not wanted.

 

[Margie J]

The local news had a quick story on this new policy. I think it's great. There should be a restaurant with a more adult feel and this is it.

 

[sjaakie]

A reminder: children are OUR FUTURE and they have to take care of us when we become old and needful.
I reed so many comments on children I could cry.
How on earth can we expect children to take care of us if we don’t accept them for what they are just children who just need to learn al lot.
They don’t learn by banning them out of public places, we just created second hand people.

 

[sjaakie]

I do not have children yet.

You all don't have to agree with how I feel. I know I am the odd man out in this. I will make sure V&A knows how I feel in a nice professional manner this February.

I totally agree and will also tell them that this in not a good policy in May.

 

[bicker]

I am just wondering how many of the complainers have actually eaten at V&A.

Why do you ask? It doesn't matter. Everyone here is someone who is in a position to want to consider V&As as an option.

Incidentally, I like the new policy, but haven't eaten at V&As myself. I'm glad that, going forward, should I consider that option, it will be a child-free experience.

 

[bicker]

A reminder: children are OUR FUTURE and they have to take care of us when we become old and needful.
I reed so many comments on children I could cry.
How on earth can we expect children to take care of us if we don’t accept them for what they are just children who just need to learn al lot.

I feel this is making too much of an overly melodramatic issue out of this. Exclusion from a restaurant here and there doesn't invalidate the vast number of other opportunities folks have to have their children interact with them in public situations.

Exaggerating the importance of this policy change only muddles the issue; it doesn't help clarify it.

 

[sjaakie]

I feel this is making too much of an overly melodramatic issue out of this. Exclusion from a restaurant here and there doesn't invalidate the vast number of other opportunities folks have to have their children interact with them in public situations.

Exaggerating the importance of this policy change only muddles the issue; it doesn't help clarify it.

Wait untill you get old and sit in an oldpeople home.
We have te built a futute with young people now.

 

[bicker]

Yes, no one is disputing that. What we're disputing is your apparent assertion that having some adults-only places, like V&As, will bring about the downfall of society's fabric as we know it. That's simply not going to be the case.

 

[Metro West]

A reminder: children are OUR FUTURE and they have to take care of us when we become old and needful. I reed so many comments on children I could cry. How on earth can we expect children to take care of us if we don’t accept them for what they are just children who just need to learn al lot. They don’t learn by banning them out of public places, we just created second hand people.

So...all children should be allowed everywhere? I can't see a young child at Pleasure Island in one of the nightclubs. Are you saying Disney needs to allow them in there too? I don't think the point of the new policy is to create second hand people. I don't think there is anything wrong with an area that limits young children. After all, I wouldn't want to pay that kind of money for dinner and have to listen to some kid screaming or misbehaving and we all know that some parents do not monitor their children's behavior in public. Even though I've never been to V & A's, I agree with the policy change. There is nothing wrong with it. If you have a young child and want to go there, just hire a sitter for the night and have a good time.

 

[sjaakie]

So...all children should be allowed everywhere? I can't see a young child at Pleasure Island in one of the nightclubs. Are you saying Disney needs to allow them in there too? I don't think the point of the new policy is to create second hand people. I don't think there is anything wrong with an area that limits young children. After all, I wouldn't want to pay that kind of money for dinner and have to listen to some kid screaming or misbehaving and we all know that some parents do not monitor their children's behavior in public. Even though I've never been to V & A's, I agree with the policy change. There is nothing wrong with it. If you have a young child and want to go there, just hire a sitter for the night and have a good time.

We just had dinner in the Founders Club in Disney Paris. (450 dollar PP).This restaurants opens only twice a year and thank god there were also children.
Who likes to dine with only grupmy old adults?

And yes children should be allowed in all restaurants. And no we don't have children under ten but this policy stinks.
What is next?

TOT, Mount Everest only for aldults? No screaming children in the Pirates?
More and more children seem to be something to dispose of if you don't like them.

Hire a sitter,put them with the trash.

 

[PaulaSB12]

We just had dinner in the Founders Club in Disney Paris. (450 dollar PP).This restaurants opens only twice a year and thank god there were also children.
Who likes to dine with only grupmy old adults?

And yes children should be allowed in all restaurants. And no we don't have children under ten but this policy stinks.
What is next?

TOT, Mount Everest only for aldults? No screaming children in the Pirates?
More and more children seem to be something to dispose of if you don't like them.

ONE resteraunt goes child free and its the end of civilization! Shock horror we all now hate children because we have one where the darlings can't go, this policy doesn't stink its wonderful and one more resteraunt would go down nicely. Or are these people going to start whinging about the rides that don't let children under a certain height on them? How about stripper bars, the evil places don't let children in!

 

[sjaakie]

Yes, no one is disputing that. What we're disputing is your apparent assertion that having some adults-only places, like V&As, will bring about the downfall of society's fabric as we know it. That's simply not going to be the case.

Are you sure?
First V&A and already I see someone asking for another restaurant.
What's next?

 

[sjaakie]

ONE resteraunt goes child free and its the end of civilization! Shock horror we all now hate children because we have one where the darlings can't go, this policy doesn't stink its wonderful and one more resteraunt would go down nicely. Or are these people going to start whinging about the rides that don't let children under a certain height on them? How about stripper bars, the evil places don't let children in!

What would Walt think about this?
I just see more and more child hating posts here.
Why do these people even bother to go to any Disney Park at all????
There build fore children.