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

[tzvdmd]

I am starting to see the light. I will now write Disney and complain because my kids can't go to V&A or ride BTM and SM or any of the other rides that check my childs height. There should be no rides that say a child is too short in Disney! For Disney is built around the family and all the members of my family should be able to eat every where and ride everything.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

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

Since I happen to be the one asking for 1 other restaurant, let me clarify a few things for you.

I have 4 wonderful kids. I work at home. My kids are between 3 and 15. Between the 4 of them, they have been left with a sitter a total of about 3 times. DH and I take our kids everywhere with us. We teach them appropriate behavior in public (as best we can, no matter what you say, a 3-year-old is a 3-year-old. He does pretty well, but he does have tantrums on occasion). When we go to Disney, we are with them. We once left them with their Grandma and Aunt to go to V&A's. Once with Kids Night Out, 3 years ago. Out of all the trips in my signature, those were the only times. Since my mom offered to keep the kids for a few days around our anniversary this year, I doubt it will happen for a long time, since we will have a parents only trip in July and that is enough for us.

I truly enjoy being with my kids. I don't do everything with them because I have to, I do it because I want to. We don't go out as a couple. We would rather stay home, eat popcorn, and watch videos with the kids.

To me, 1 restaurant that is affordable for the masses, to have a 10 and up policy is NOT a bad thing. Disney visitors are families of every shape, size, and makeup. Yes, there are kids all over the parks and if you truly dislike children, Disney parks may be more stressful for you than another vacation destination. But a childless couple, or an older couple there for their anniversary, etc. are a "family" to me. And while they may LOVE kids, it might be nice to go to a restaurant for a couple hours where there are none.

You seem to think a 10 and over restaurant will turn kids against us. I don't think so. Disney makes one signature restaurant 10 and over, for example. That is 2 places in all of Disney. So, my young kids cannot go there and you said that if I dump them with a sitter (like the trash) then that is bad. Fine. You know what? I just would not go to those restaurants when I am there with my children! I would happily give up eating there until the kids are old enough (in my case, 7 years). Now...if that is the scenario, does that mean my kids would toss me in a nursing home?

You think they would say "Well Mom, you didn't go to places we were not allowed so you could spend time with us, but because Disney made 2 places 10 and over, we just don't want to take care of you in your old age!" ????

Maybe I am getting old, or I worry too much about other people. I just empathize with someone in Disney for whatever reason wanting a few hours while there without little tiny kids all around.

I do think the ADRs for that restaurant would give Le Cellier and CRT a run for their money. Palo books like wildfire on DCL.

And one other thing: Many people seem to be saying "if all the signatures went this way, I would have a hard time finding somewhere else to eat" I didn't say I thought ALL of them should. Just ONE. ONE restaurant that does not cost $400 for a couple to eat. ONE!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I am starting to see the light. I will now write Disney and complain because my kids can't go to V&A or ride BTM and SM or any of the other rides that check my childs height. There should be no rides that say a child is too short in Disney! For Disney is built around the family and all the members of my family should be able to eat every where and ride everything.

Oh, come on. No one has said that children should be able to do everything at Disney. Its just a shame that so many parents have so little control over their children that a restaurant has to ban them in order to make its guests happy.

Not every child under the age of 10 behaves like a monster. And there are many over the age of 10 that do. So the question should be, what does V&A plan to do to make sure those kids 10 and up do not ruin the dining experience of others? And what about those familys who are staying off-site? Do they have to bring a birth certificate to prove their children are 10 and up?

 

[sjaakie]

You think they would say "Well Mom, you didn't go to places we were not allowed so you could spend time with us, but because Disney made 2 places 10 and over, we just don't want to take care of you in your old age!" ????

Wait until they get adults and then listen to all there problems. you'll be surprised.

Maybe its just me but I know only very short I have cancer and my time is running out.
I see now how important children are, I will never see my grandchildren and I would give the world to dine with them in V&A. That was one off the things my husband and me promised ourselves. We made a vought to renewal our honeymoon and then dine at V&A as soon as we had grandchildren.

Cherish your children, pamper them and take all the time you can get with them.

Believe me before you know you time could be running out.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If one's children, upon becoming adults, banishes one to a nursing home because of the inability to go to Victoria & Alberts when they were six, then something beyond childfree policies is going on there. Is it now being advocated that parents should never go anywhere without the children?

I think it's equally likely that one's child will banish them to a nursing home for forcing them to sit through a three hour, very sedate gourmet meal at 5 or 6.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Cherish your children, pamper them and take all the time you can get with them.

Believe me before you know you time could be running out.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. I have been dealing with the prospect of possibly not having the time I thought I would with my kids and husband, as well.

But as I said, for me, if there were a couple of places that my kids could not go, I just would not go there. I would rather spend time with them.

And I definitely don't think ALL of the signature restaurants should be 10 and up. Just ONE for people who cannot shell out the money for V&As.

I do hope your time with your family is plentiful and wonderful.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It will surely not mean the downfall of this civization its just a trendsetting for the future.
" No kids allowed" reminds me of no Jude's allowed and that is just something so many young American soldiers died for.

Who will we kick out next?

I understand you are from Europe and there may be some kind of culture clash going on here.

But comparing no children under 10 allowed at Victoria & Alberts to the Holocaust is a bit much.

 

[sjaakie]

I understand you are from Europe and there may be some kind of culture clash going on here.

But comparing no children under 10 allowed at Victoria & Alberts to the Holocaust is a bit much.

I live in Holland near Margraten one of Europe's biggest American war cemetry's.

http://www.margraten.nl/margraten?waxtrapp=ubyDsHkoOloOnHAeFlE

 

[GreatLakes5]

I live in Holland near Margraten one of Europe's biggest American war cemetry's.

http://www.margraten.nl/margraten?waxtrapp=ubyDsHkoOloOnHAeFlE

I was kind of wondering when this would turn to something extreme - I hadn't thought WWII...I was thinking segregation here in the US....ugh.....

No one got upset over Pleasure Island being a kid free zone after a certain hour. And in the "real world" I think Hooters ought to ban kids too I don't care how good their wings are.

If V&A has always been a family tradition I get why some feel bad, but it still seems completely logical and not at all harsh.

 

[Texa]

But as I said, for me, if there were a couple of places that my kids could not go, I just would not go there. I would rather spend time with them.
And I definitely don't think ALL of the signature restaurants should be 10 and up. Just ONE for people who cannot shell out the money for V&As.

I do hope your time with your family is plentiful and wonderful.

I agree with this. I also agree with the V&A new policy. My two children are 5 and 11. I would take them to the signature restaurants most of the time. (I've thought of taking my 11 year to V&A, he would get more out of it than DH!)

But although my 5 year old has "matured" considerably in two years, when she was three and four, she was somewhat unpredictable, especially at Disney. Therefore I have never made a ressie at CA due to the 24 cancellation fee. There are times when I've had to cancel a dinner ressie that morning (even a character ressie) because of DD's mood. She has been to some relatively upscale restaurants where she had behaved beautifully but there are times when I can see she is not going to be up for that type of experience.

With the exception of V&A, I don't think there would be as much of a need for an adults only restaurants if proper behavior was enforced by the parents, and if not then called out by the restaurant staff.

 

[Chip_and_Dales_Girl]

I think this is a great move by Disney as well There just are some places that are not meant for children and V&A's is definitely one of them.

I would love to see some of the signature resturants go to an adults only atmosphere after a certain time as well. I only speak to that because of my husband and my experience a while ago on our honeymoon at Yachtsmen Steakhouse. It was the first sit down dinner we were having together as a married couple alone, and the food was amazing. Only there was a large group with 4 children under 10 who would not stay in their chairs. They chased each other around their table, around other tables, and knocked into both my husband and I at least twice. I would look at the parents and they were just gabbing away, not even paying attention to the fact that their children were misbehaving. My husband spilled his drink on himself one time when being bumped and I got steak on my dress the other. We were not happy to say the least, and it really ruined what was supposed to be a romantic dinner for us.

Could we have gone to V&A's instead? Sure, but neither of us are really super fancy diners and my husband is extremely picky. From the menu's he saw, he wouldn't have ate a thing there.

On the flip side of that dinner we did see a little girl who was extremely well behaved and sweet, never heard a peep from her. I even said to my husband that night that she was very sweet and well behaved and I was impressed with that. So I don't think that banning children from all of the signature resturants is the answer, especially since there really are well behaved children out there.

But we have to remember, that a few bad apples generally ruin the bunch.

 

[50 years Too!]

Finding this thread late, but I'm in agreement with the policy.
Who would want to take someone younger than 10 there anyway?
We took both our children to nice restaurants from birth, but never would I consider V&A for them. Ridiculous to be upset when there are so many other choices.

Deb

 

[kjetjl]

I know the debate could go on forever. I can think of several "arguments" that could counter my opinion. But I am glad to hear news of this new policy. BTW, I have 6 kids (13 years and younger).

 

[waltskids]

I think it's a great idea (BTW, DH and I have a one year old).

 

[bicker]

I understand you are from Europe and there may be some kind of culture clash going on here.

I'd wait to determine that until other Europeans chime in. My suspicion is that this isn't a US vs. Europe conflict.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

It will surely not mean the downfall of this civization its just a trendsetting for the future.
" No kids allowed" reminds me of no Jude's allowed and that is just something so many young American soldiers died for.

Who will we kick out next?

Not only is this statement utterly ridiculous, it is painfully offensive!

 

[WillCAD]

It will surely not mean the downfall of this civization its just a trendsetting for the future.
" No kids allowed" reminds me of no Jude's allowed and that is just something so many young American soldiers died for.

Who will we kick out next?

Do you guys have gender-restricted WCs in Holland? Or are there Men's rooms and Ladies' rooms?

Do your teenage boys and girls change in the same locker rooms at school when they take a physical education class or prepare for a sports competition? Or are they separated for privacy and decorum?

Are there any sort of private, members-only clubs in Holland? Or is any club, any organization, any group required to be open to anyone?

If you are Protestant, can you get married at a Catholic church in Holland? Or are the various churches allowed to discriminate based on someone's religion?

"No kids allowed" in a restaurant is certainly not a trend-setting, society-breaking stepping-stone toward a new Hollocaust. Restrictions on children exist for two reasons: 1) Children are not always capable of properly caring for themnselves as adults do, and 2) Children are not always capable of properly behaving themselves in a public forum as adults do.

Sure, some kids are better than others in those two regards, and some adults fail to meet those criteria, as well. But in general, keeping kids out of adult situations is a good idea, not only for the kids own sake but for the safety and comfort of the adults, as well.

Cherish your children, pamper them and take all the time you can get with them.

Believe me before you know you time could be running out.

Cherishing one's children should be done regardless of how much or how little time you might have with them. It matters not whether you think you'll have a lifetime with them, or only a few months - loving one's children and placing their needs above yours without question should an absolute in life.

However, pampering one's children is not the same as loving or caring for them. Pampering a child can lead to a misdeveloped adult; I've seen it in my own family, and the results are often adults who not only can't care properly for themselves, but also can't care properly for their own children.

Let's face it: wanting to take your kids to a 5-star signature restaurant has nothing to do with what's best for the kids; it's all about the parents desire to enjoy the restaurant without having to spend any time away from their kids. This is not necessarily a selfish desire, but when it's demanded at the expense of all the other diners in the restaurant, who have a right to have a meal without other peoples' kids, then it becomes an imposition, and that makes it selfish.

You have my deepest sympathy on your illness Sjaakie; I hope that the doctors are mistaken and that you will have those years with your children and grandchildren that you and they deserve.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

If you were planning to have your entire family dine at Victoria & Albert's in the next six years (and paying upwards of $100 each), then, yes, it's too bad this restaurant set this policy.

What would Walt think about this?
I just see more and more child hating posts here.

Are you reading the same thread as the rest of us???? "Child-hating" posts? Simply because adults would like one or two restaurants where we can dine without children-as-defined-by-Disney? You're aware that at least SOME of the posts lauding the V&A change come from parents whose children are too young to dine there, right?

I really don't see a problem with keeping kids out of V&A. I think 10 might even be a little too young for a lot of kids. JMHO.

It might be - but since, for ticket and dining purposes, Disney considers a person to be an adult at ten, I guess they can't reasonably exclude anyone in this age group.

It will surely not mean the downfall of this civization its just a trendsetting for the future.
" No kids allowed" reminds me of no Jude's allowed

On the assumption you mean Jews... one's ethnicity cannot change. One's age can. A three year old eventually ages to become a ten year old and is thus eligible to dine at one of the few restaurants nationwide at which he/she could not before. No Holocaust victim EVER can.

 

[Melissa_E]

If you were planning to have your entire family dine at Victoria & Albert's in the next six years (and paying upwards of $100 each), then, yes, it's too bad this restaurant set this policy.

Call me a penny-pinching child hater (I do love my 4 year old though), but that is exactly the reason that I will not bring my child into V&A. First, it isn't included on the DDP or the DxDP, so that out be OOP. I certainly wouldn't pay $100 for a meal for my child. I can feed my whole family for a week on that.

If it was an anniversary, wedding, or graduation, I might consider paying for her, after she graduated high school.

 

[TDC Nala]

What if WDW were to take a page from the Swan/Dolphin and the Disney Cruise Line, pick a couple of the signature restaurants in resorts, and offer two hours of complimentary (or reduced-price) child care at the resort where the restaurant is to parents who wish to dine there?

Might not work too well at WDW, what with families being on the dining plan and not wanting to split up their credits, and infants are too young for the childcare facilities. If they were to offer infant care, the way the cruise line does, it might work better.