Nomad lounge with young kids?

[MickeyWaffles]

The crap thing is that it only takes ONE bad/tired/unparented child to ruin the experience and expectation for those without kids when it comes to lounge time. And when the lounges are some of the only places that people with kiddos can go into, in the air conditioning on a hot day without a now-required ADR to just get a drink or sit down and get a little bit of relax time ... it's just a recipe for disaster.

I don't have a problem with kids in a lounge. I have a problem with them sitting AT THE BAR (this happens FAR too often at Tune-In) - your child can be in a bar, but shouldn't be sitting at the bar.

As far as Nomad goes - it's delightful place that's one of the largest in-park lounges available, in my opinion. The couches outside facing Pandora are AWESOME, and they have a really great non-alcoholic drink list, so it would definitely be a kid-friendly place to take a break.

Then you definitely wouldn't like that where we live, restaurants have bar height high chairs so kids can sit at the bar with their parents

Honestly wondering - why is sitting at the bar different than being in the lounge? Is it taking up seats from adults? Not appropriate for kids to be around alcohol being poured? Disturbing to other patrons? Not being snarky, just curious about the difference. I loved having a kiddie cocktail occcasionally while sitting at the bar with my family while waiting for a table growing up.

Everyone is different and views this stuff differently. And I don't think it's one size fits all. For us, time of day, atmosphere and my kids' current moods
matter. At home, where most restaurants around here are bars, daytime and around meal times are very family friendly. Later into the evening, I wouldn't bring my kids because the atmosphere would be different.

 

[NuJoy]

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[999_Happy_Haunts]

This is where my opinion leans on the topic. I think the debate stems from the perceived main purpose of a venue. Naming a venue a "bar", "pub", or "lounge" implies something different from "restaurant", "cafe", "buffet". One implies the main function is serving alcohol (and all that entails), where the other's main purpose is serving food. Depending on an individual's local laws and societal expectations, one might find it unusual, questionable, or even immoral to see a guest in an establishment whose main purpose is to serve something illegal for that guest to partake in. For that individual, it can be difficult to switch this thinking off even if in an otherwise kid-friendly theme park.

But that shipped sailed when restaurants stopped taking reservations and started handing out light-up UFO buzzers informing you when your table is ready. Every "Family-Friendly" restaurant that I have ever been to that hands out these contraptions does so with the proclamation that "You are welcome to wait in our lounge (or "bar area") while you wait to be seated." This happens at Cheesecake Factory, Chilis, On The Border, California Grill, and countless other family establishments and they don't care if you are a party of two adults or have a van-load of kids in tow. It was the restaurant industry that broke the fourth wall. Customers are now just following suit.

 

[NuJoy]

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[999_Happy_Haunts]

The fact that you are given the option to wait in a separate "bar" section still give credence to the perceived distinction.

The distinction between what? It's not like the person at the host stand offers you a choice of waiting in the bar area or....what, exactly? Your car? The parking lot? The small area in front of the host stand where you are in everyone's way? If you had a choice between the bar and an alcohol-free family area, I could buy in to the notion of a perceived distinction. But when your options are: the bar area or nothing, then there aren't multiple choices from which to perceive a distinction. Quite simply, bringing families into lounge areas while waiting for a table has become the new normal and as such, no "immoral" purpose can or should be projected. Perhaps we don't like the new normal. I know I didn't when my kid was 3. I solved the problem by only going to restaurants that took reservations and seated customers on time. At WDW, I had to go with the flow.

 

[Keels]

Then you definitely wouldn't like that where we live, restaurants have bar height high chairs so kids can sit at the bar with their parents

Honestly wondering - why is sitting at the bar different than being in the lounge? Is it taking up seats from adults? Not appropriate for kids to be around alcohol being poured? Disturbing to other patrons? Not being snarky, just curious about the difference. I loved having a kiddie cocktail occcasionally while sitting at the bar with my family while waiting for a table growing up.

Everyone is different and views this stuff differently. And I don't think it's one size fits all. For us, time of day, atmosphere and my kids' current moods
matter. At home, where most restaurants around here are bars, daytime and around meal times are very family friendly. Later into the evening, I wouldn't bring my kids because the atmosphere would be different.

I'm sure it's not against the law - I just know my service industry/bartender friends prefer a child not be at the bar. In Texas, it's at the discretion of the bar owner whether to allow children at the bar - most places I go allow children, but not at the bar.

Again, it's not so much the kids but the parenting that ruins the situation. I have no problem with a well-behaved child at a bar - we go to many of them with our friends with kids and come fully equipped to keep them happy and occupied, and make sure they don't alter the experience of others without kids around them.

Not at Disney, but I've seen a child at the bar alone MANY times while the parents sit somewhere else (like a table or a couch) and essentially leave the child to be watched by a bartender. I've seen kids reach into the containers that hold cut fruit and other drink items with their hands (SO GROSS).

An actual Disney example - at Hearthstone Lounge at Disneyland two weeks ago, my BFF and I were sitting on a couch splitting a bottle of wine. Next to us was a table (four top) of Moms having cocktails. About 30 minutes later after the Moms showed up, their three daughters come in to spend time with them. The mothers dismiss them to come sit at the couch across from us (it was separated by a large coffee table-style table). The girls just sat there and stared at us. At one point, the youngest (I'm guessing she was 9 or so), gets my attention and asks if I'll get her a soda. Um, what? No. I don't know you and I certainly am not your mother - who is SITTING AT THE TABLE NEXT TO YOU. She was dismissed AGAIN by her mother, so when our cocktail server came back around, my bestie and I got the girls a soda and some waters that they wanted. When the moms finally came to collect their daughters, one asked where they got the drinks and the girls just shrugged. They all left and I was incredibly annoyed.

 

[NuJoy]

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[999_Happy_Haunts]

One is a bar facing a wall of liquor with the implied intention of serving same to legal aged customers. The other is not.

So the solution is to situate your group so that the children have their backs to the bar.

 

[NuJoy]

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[Figmentmommy]

I'm sure it's not against the law - I just know my service industry/bartender friends prefer a child not be at the bar. In Texas, it's at the discretion of the bar owner whether to allow children at the bar - most places I go allow children, but not at the bar.

Again, it's not so much the kids but the parenting that ruins the situation. I have no problem with a well-behaved child at a bar - we go to many of them with our friends with kids and come fully equipped to keep them happy and occupied, and make sure they don't alter the experience of others without kids around them.

Not at Disney, but I've seen a child at the bar alone MANY times while the parents sit somewhere else (like a table or a couch) and essentially leave the child to be watched by a bartender. I've seen kids reach into the containers that hold cut fruit and other drink items with their hands (SO GROSS).

An actual Disney example - at Hearthstone Lounge at Disneyland two weeks ago, my BFF and I were sitting on a couch splitting a bottle of wine. Next to us was a table (four top) of Moms having cocktails. About 30 minutes later after the Moms showed up, their three daughters come in to spend time with them. The mothers dismiss them to come sit at the couch across from us (it was separated by a large coffee table-style table). The girls just sat there and stared at us. At one point, the youngest (I'm guessing she was 9 or so), gets my attention and asks if I'll get her a soda. Um, what? No. I don't know you and I certainly am not your mother - who is SITTING AT THE TABLE NEXT TO YOU. She was dismissed AGAIN by her mother, so when our cocktail server came back around, my bestie and I got the girls a soda and some waters that they wanted. When the moms finally came to collect their daughters, one asked where they got the drinks and the girls just shrugged. They all left and I was incredibly annoyed.

I definitely would not have purchased/ordered anything for someone else's children. I would have said to those parents,"Excuse me. Will you please speak with your children as they are asking me to order drinks for them." Or something to that effect - and maybe saying it a bit more sarcastically to get the point across!

 

[Farro]

The distinction between what? It's not like the person at the host stand offers you a choice of waiting in the bar area or....what, exactly? Your car? The parking lot? The small area in front of the host stand where you are in everyone's way? If you had a choice between the bar and an alcohol-free family area, I could buy in to the notion of a perceived distinction. But when your options are: the bar area or nothing, then there aren't multiple choices from which to perceive a distinction. Quite simply, bringing families into lounge areas while waiting for a table has become the new normal and as such, no "immoral" purpose can or should be projected. Perhaps we don't like the new normal. I know I didn't when my kid was 3. I solved the problem by only going to restaurants that took reservations and seated customers on time. At WDW, I had to go with the flow.

Well we haven't been to Nomad yet, just read a lot of reviews, although we plan to eat and have cocktails there. Is it indeed a waiting area for Tiffins? If so, obviously we would expect to see children there waiting for dinner.

 

[marikujawa]

I agree. I open every dress code thread to make sure someone tells the OP the truth about what is actually stated (which is... not much, and rarely enforced) versus what they would like the dress code to be.

Thanks for your vigilance and the wonderful service you provide!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Well we haven't been to Nomad yet, just read a lot of reviews, although we plan to eat and have cocktails there. Is it indeed a waiting area for Tiffins? If so, obviously we would expect to see children there waiting for dinner.

Yes, Tiffins and Nomad are connected with a small interior hallway and when you check in to Tiffins they will tell you you are welcome to wait in Nomad. You can also just simply go to Nomad without a reservation at Tiffins. It's a very similar set-up to Flying Fish and AbracadaBAR if you've been there.

An actual Disney example - at Hearthstone Lounge at Disneyland two weeks ago, my BFF and I were sitting on a couch splitting a bottle of wine. Next to us was a table (four top) of Moms having cocktails. About 30 minutes later after the Moms showed up, their three daughters come in to spend time with them. The mothers dismiss them to come sit at the couch across from us (it was separated by a large coffee table-style table). The girls just sat there and stared at us. At one point, the youngest (I'm guessing she was 9 or so), gets my attention and asks if I'll get her a soda. Um, what? No. I don't know you and I certainly am not your mother - who is SITTING AT THE TABLE NEXT TO YOU. She was dismissed AGAIN by her mother, so when our cocktail server came back around, my bestie and I got the girls a soda and some waters that they wanted. When the moms finally came to collect their daughters, one asked where they got the drinks and the girls just shrugged. They all left and I was incredibly annoyed.

We actually had a weird experience with random adults sitting with us at Nomad! My DS9 and I were sitting at a table in the lounge enjoying our mocktails one afternoon (not running around, melting down or disturbing other patrons) when two adults walked in, sat at the chairs across from us (same as you, separated by a table, but most definitely AT our table), ordered water from the server and then just stared at us. No hello, do you mind if we sit here, just plopped down at our table (there were tons of empty tables, BTW) and stared at us. This is why I'm kind of flabbergasted by the uproar over the potential sighting of children at the lounges, etc. I've seen as much shocking, bizarre and bad behavior from adults as I have from children at WDW.

 

[LilyWDW]

If the kiddos are well behaved, then I don't care because I doubt I would even notice they are there. If they are not well behaved then there is an issue no matter where you are dining. If the kids act up and start acting in a way that bothers other patrons (running around, bumping into other tables, yelling, screaming, crying (I am talking more then just a cry btw, but continuous)...), then they need to be removed.

 

[Miumiu4me]

Then you definitely wouldn't like that where we live, restaurants have bar height high chairs so kids can sit at the bar with their parents

Honestly wondering - why is sitting at the bar different than being in the lounge? Is it taking up seats from adults? Not appropriate for kids to be around alcohol being poured? Disturbing to other patrons? Not being snarky, just curious about the difference. I loved having a kiddie cocktail occcasionally while sitting at the bar with my family while waiting for a table growing up.

Everyone is different and views this stuff differently. And I don't think it's one size fits all. For us, time of day, atmosphere and my kids' current moods
matter. At home, where most restaurants around here are bars, daytime and around meal times are very family friendly. Later into the evening, I wouldn't bring my kids because the atmosphere would be different.

I take my 4 year old daughter to pubs and lounges but we rarely sit at the bar. For me, it's a safety issue. People at the actual bar tend to be just drinking, not eating, and the bar stools often don't have backs.

 

[Miumiu4me]

Yes, Tiffins and Nomad are connected with a small interior hallway and when you check in to Tiffins they will tell you you are welcome to wait in Nomad. You can also just simply go to Nomad without a reservation at Tiffins. It's a very similar set-up to Flying Fish and AbracadaBAR if you've been there.



We actually had a weird experience with random adults sitting with us at Nomad! My DS9 and I were sitting at a table in the lounge enjoying our mocktails one afternoon (not running around, melting down or disturbing other patrons) when two adults walked in, sat at the chairs across from us (same as you, separated by a table, but most definitely AT our table), ordered water from the server and then just stared at us. No hello, do you mind if we sit here, just plopped down at our table (there were tons of empty tables, BTW) and stared at us. This is why I'm kind of flabbergasted by the uproar over the potential sighting of children at the lounges, etc. I've seen as much shocking, bizarre and bad behavior from adults as I have from children at WDW.

Haha, I've seen ridiculously bad behavior at Disney bars and lounges from adults. Granted, we are local and we've been frequenting these places for ten years, so we've probably seen more than the norm, but nevertheless I think Disney should seriously consider banning adults from the premises until they all learn to behave.

Some examples of the crazy things we've witnessed:
1) a drunk woman tried to hug my daughter at Nomad cause "she's so cute."
2) a drunk woman at the wine cellar in Italy actually fell onto a table
3) the drunk guy at Mitzner's that kept hitting on me in front of my husband
4) every other adult at Epcot at Food and Wine after 8pm

 

[jrmasm]

If the kiddos are well behaved, then I don't care because I doubt I would even notice they are there. If they are not well behaved then there is an issue no matter where you are dining. If the kids act up and start acting in a way that bothers other patrons (running around, bumping into other tables, yelling, screaming, crying (I am talking more then just a cry btw, but continuous)...), then they need to be removed.

I agree. And I'd go as far to say this covers all dining establishments. A little consideration for others goes a long way.

 

[NuJoy]

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[Miumiu4me]

It's probably safe to assume most adults have encountered these types of behaviors, and worse, in situations where people have had an extended length of time to imbibe because loosening of inhibitions is a commonly known characteristic of intoxication. It's probably why one might give pause to wholeheartedly recommending bringing children into that environment, especially in this context, since Disney has given no indication I've ever witnessed of having a problem with that kind of behavior in/at their alcohol serving venues.

That's fair, but it's a personal decision. Every parent needs to decide what they are comfortable exposing their child to. When someone is drunk and acting crazy, I use that as a teaching moment.

I've seen these sorts of behaviors in family restaurants that serve alcohol too. Parents can make their own decisions as to what they're comfortable with kids witnessing, but this behavior is common in any establishment that serves alcohol.

All that being said, most of my Disney lounge experiences have been dull. The only time I've seen anything really questionable before 9pm at a lounge was that drunk lady at AK that tried to hug my kid.

The worst drunken behavior I've personally seen was at WDW was at Food and Wine. I guess the cast members are instructed to not do anything unless things get absolutely bonkers.

 

[Planogirl]

I never took my son to bar areas when he was young because I didn't want him to see drinking adults who were acting up. I knew to expect loud conversations with colorful words and questionable stories mixed in with the usual harmless nonsense and I saw more of it in places designed for drinking than in family restaurants. I personally didn't feel comfortable with having a curious young child in that atmosphere. But to each their own.

I really wouldn't expect much of it in WDW though. Epcot is supposed to be a drunken mess nowadays but Disney is adding kiddie rides so how bad could it be?