Poll: Was Disney right in excluding children under 10 from V&A?

[Lewisc]

It's easy to vote yes but I'd like to have some facts.

How many children, under 10, has anyone ever seen at V&A? How many of them were well behaved? How many were monsters?

I thought the dress code, price fixed menu and the lack of a kids menu effectively made the restaurant all but adults only.

 

[HopperFan]

I think it's unfortunate that people who raise their children to know how to act in better restaurants are penalized for those who do not. Not to mention the fact that "10" is quite arbitrary and I think that I'd be more comfortable with "18 +" only. I know many 10 year olds who are hellions compared to my 6 year old.

But I could deal with a true adults only policy.

I think 10 is the logical age to place it because at that age you must pay adult prices to be on the DDP. So they are connecting this rule to the overall rule that 10 and over pay adult rates. They would be hard pressed to exclude them from the restaurant without it getting sticky if they have paid the same as their parents to eat already. Safe age to choose. Now if they want to make it 18+, I think they need to alter the DDP to have a 10-17 year old Junior rate since you have restricted their plan.

PS I voted yes, and would not mind if it were expanded to other restaurants. I would even appreciate being able to eat dinner after 8:30 pm with age restrictions. After 10 days on DDP last fall, specifically choosing late ADRs at some nice spots with hopes of a more peaceful dinner, I was dismayed to be eating among many unruly children. My kids always knew - you act up, you are out the door until you pull yourself together. Only took a few times and no more problems.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm beginning to see a trend---

How is 1 restaurant a trend?

I think that the "trend" Uncleromulus was seeing was the responses to the poll. At the time I am making this response it stood at 100 in agreement and only four saying no.

And the commentary not only on this and other forums, but also on a few different boards I am on all show the very strong trend of agreeing with Disney's action.

 

[robinb]

Yippie!!!!

 

[familyS]

I voted that it was a good decision.

I asked myself, would my children have been able to handle V&A when they were very young? Absolutely yes, I have no doubt.

However, I know that quietly conversing and staying in ones seat for a long time is a lot to exect from a young child. I think it is better to allow no young children than to take chances on ruining the dining experience of others.

JMO

 

[Booyakasha]

How is 1 restaurant a trend?

I think he was joking and the "trend" he was referring to was that almost everyone is OK with Disney's decision.

B.

 

[Booyakasha]

How is 1 restaurant a trend?

I think he was joking and the "trend" he was referring to was that almost everyone is OK with Disney's decision.

B.

 

[Booyakasha]

Duplicate post

 

[Babyboo]

I have voted yes but ......

In the 3 times I have been there I have never seen a child in the restaurant.

My Kids 5 & 10 would cope very well in the restaurant but not with the food (although they are adventorus (sp) and will try most things), which is why I have never taken them there. To be honest the thought wouldn't have entered my heas as the times that DH and I have been have been special nights for us.

I wouldn't like to see this in any other disney restaurants other than V & A and I think it is a shame that Disney may resort to this because of some peoples lack of judgement. My DD5 can sit for around 2 hrs in a restaurant (and does so at least 2-3 times a month) and behave but we saw plenty of kids that obviously couldn't and I wouldn't like to be limited to where we eat because of that.

I will put my flame suit on here but I am sure that more kids are going to signature restaurants than previously would have because of the DDP.

 

[Kae]

I think it's unfortunate that people who raise their children to know how to act in better restaurants are penalized for those who do not. Not to mention the fact that "10" is quite arbitrary and I think that I'd be more comfortable with "18 +" only. I know many 10 year olds who are hellions compared to my 6 year old.

But I could deal with a true adults only policy.

Why do you have to "raise" your kids to sit that long at a young age, they are kids I think that is what most people seem to forget. just because they can sit thru it does not mean they enjoyed it. I am glad when i was a kid my parents did not expect me to be able to do that. I quess my first thought is that since it does not hava kids menu that it means no kids, but then Cheesecake Factory does not have a kids menu so there blows that therory. i get that 10 is the age for adults DDP, but I agree that 18ish sounds more in line.

Kae

 

[Babyboo]

Why do you have to "raise" your kids to sit that long at a young age, they are kids I think that is what most people seem to forget. just because they can sit thru it does not mean they enjoyed it. I am glad when i was a kid my parents did not expect me to be able to do that. I quess my first thought is that since it does not hava kids menu that it means no kids, but then Cheesecake Factory does not have a kids menu so there blows that therory. i get that 10 is the age for adults DDP, but I agree that 18ish sounds more in line.

Kae

How do you know what other peoples kids enjoy Just because you wouldn't/didn't Different strokes for different folks.

and just because I've raised my kids to behave in appropriate places doesn't mean I forget they are kids. In fact I have never had to tell them how to behave. If it had become obvious whenever we took them to a "nicer" restaurants they couldn't behave or didn't enjoy it we would have not taken them back again and again.

My kids are not angels and know how to play up with the rest of them they also do not have anything expected of them - somehow they just know.

I guess it's because they have know it from an early age.

 

[stellablue]

I'm glad the OP decided to make a poll-thank you.

I wouldnt mind hearing some comments from the people chose chose "Disagree"-no flames from me, I promise. I would just like to know your rationale.

To me, it just seems so simple-it's one restaurant out of hundreds to choose from...

 

[robinb]

After 10 days on DDP last fall, specifically choosing late ADRs at some nice spots with hopes of a more peaceful dinner, I was dismayed to be eating among many unruly children.

I think that you ran into one of the big problems with the DDP. Very few people know that they need to make ADRs and when families arrive all that there is left are late ADRs with cranky and tired kids. Should they be eating at 9:00 PM? No, probably not. But what is a family who doesn't know enough to plan ahead supposed to do? When I see a cranky kid late at night I feel sorry for everyone! You would do better to book an earlier dinner when the kids in the restaurant will not be as tired or hungry. We made ADRs between 6:00 and 8:00 and only had one dinner that was ruined by a child on our last trip (also 10 days) and that was a crying baby whose parents wouldn't remove her from the restaurant.

 

[robinb]

After 10 days on DDP last fall, specifically choosing late ADRs at some nice spots with hopes of a more peaceful dinner, I was dismayed to be eating among many unruly children.

I think that you ran into one of the big problems with the DDP. Very few people know that they need to make ADRs and when families arrive all that there is left are late ADRs with cranky and tired kids. Should they be eating at 9:00 PM? No, probably not. But what is a family who doesn't know enough to plan ahead supposed to do? When I see a cranky kid late at night I feel sorry for everyone! You would do better to book an earlier dinner when the kids in the restaurant will not be as tired or hungry. We made ADRs between 6:00 and 8:00 and only had one dinner that was ruined by a child on our last trip (also 10 days) and that was a crying baby whose parents wouldn't remove her from the restaurant.

 

[gismo1554]

I do think there are enough other resturants that do allow kids that having 1 that excludes is reasonable but personally I would like to see more. No matter how well behaved children are you will always get one family whos kids are having a bad day and are playing up. I accept that there are lots of well behaved kids but unfortunately some kids do spoil it for others and thats just the way it is. I have been in a few signature resturants (including the Jikos incident) where kids have been having tantrums and have effected my dining experience. I would definately be more likely to choose an adult only resturant over one that wasn't that had the same menu options. Jikos was quite successful when it was over 21s only (well it was always full when we went by) but why it converted I don't know. My sister and husband went here for their first meal as a married couple and said it was the most romantic experience ever. When me and my sister went back for a girlie night a year later we spent the entire meal with headaches because the 5 year old on the next table was screaming and his parents were using the ignoring them technique. I guess its own personal taste but I would never take a young child to a signature resturant as I don't think its really aimed at them. There are some nice non-signature resturants that are out there and are more catered for children such as Le Cellier. When you're paying all that money for a nice meal that last thing you want is to be disturbed by unruley children.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The "trend" seems to be continuing---

 

[Harambe]

I'm a teacher, and I have two wonderful children of my own!

But I think this is a great idea, for most of the same reasons others have stated. There is a plethora of "kid friendly" places, and wonderful "kids clubs" for the liitle ones to go to if mom & dad want to have a nice dinner.

I'm surprised this has even causes a blip on the radar of the "How could they?!?!?" screen.

 

[distherapy]

I'm a teacher, and I have two wonderful children of my own!

But I think this is a great idea, for most of the same reasons others have stated. There is a plethora of "kid friendly" places, and wonderful "kids clubs" for the liitle ones to go to if mom & dad want to have a nice dinner.

I'm surprised this has even causes a blip on the radar of the "How could they?!?!?" screen.

I'm with you - When they did it, I just thought "of course". Makes perfect sense to me, even if it limits my ability to eat there as I'm the mom of 2 young kids. I think it's perfectly fair.

 

[just another guy]

It was a good call. Pay that much for a meal, and you deserve peace and quiet.

 

[HopperFan]

I think that you ran into one of the big problems with the DDP. Very few people know that they need to make ADRs and when families arrive all that there is left are late ADRs with cranky and tired kids. Should they be eating at 9:00 PM? No, probably not. But what is a family who doesn't know enough to plan ahead supposed to do? When I see a cranky kid late at night I feel sorry for everyone! You would do better to book an earlier dinner when the kids in the restaurant will not be as tired or hungry. We made ADRs between 6:00 and 8:00 and only had one dinner that was ruined by a child on our last trip (also 10 days) and that was a crying baby whose parents wouldn't remove her from the restaurant.

I don't know how Every time I call Disney from the first reservation to follow up calls every CM makes a point of asking me if I have made all my ADRs and don't wait because they fill up fast. If you are booking with the DDP, then you probably have been informed of the importance of ADRs. I have children, tired or not they were expected to stay in their seat, even if laying down, and to maintain an inside voice. They had to respect those around them or a parent took them outside, even if it meant boxing up our meal. Poor planning does not give one carte blanche to disturb others. If we had ever booked late meals, then we were sure to go back to the hotel to nap mid-day. But that is assuming these kids are tired. We saw more kids who were simply running around, banging their utensils, yelling at each other and misbehaving. This would have happened at any hour.

We have decided to have the majority of our larger meals mid-day next trip and see if it is better. Probably healthier too.