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

[KYMickey]

--- Yeah, I actually do understand that. The thing is though (maybe it's just me) but I see more trouble coming from this. When it comes to the parents w/ kids who have reservations & nowhere to drop them off- many are going to play dumb & pretend like they didn't know. Then when told they can't come in, there will be huge confrontations. I don't know it just seems like this is going to backlash something fierce. Remeber it only takes one troublemaker to ruin dinner for a group

I'm assuming that when people make reservations they will be told about this policy so the incidents like you suggest won't occur.

 

[Mainebound]

We are eating at V&A for the first time in March with another couple and I am psyched!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[robinb]

he thing is though (maybe it's just me) but I see more trouble coming from this. When it comes to the parents w/ kids who have reservations & nowhere to drop them off- many are going to play dumb & pretend like they didn't know. Then when told they can't come in, there will be huge confrontations. I don't know it just seems like this is going to backlash something fierce.

They will not have a leg to stand on. When you make your reservation you give them A LOT of information on the phone. Far more than for a regular meal. V&A's knows where to find you. I don't think I would want to be the poor CM who has to call all the guests with children listed on the reservation. They will be certain to get an earful! But all the parties who have children listed on the reservation will get a phone call before their reservation. That's just the way the V&A staff works. If someone hid the fact the fact that they had a child under 10, then that's a whole 'nother can of worms!

Remeber it only takes one troublemaker to ruin dinner for a group

Which is why I support the exclusion of children under the age of 10.

 

[slo]

I'm a mother of 2 girls, ages 4 & 9.

I'm a huge supporter of what Disney did, because I don't think that everyone should have to accept my children in a high end restaurant. My children are extremely well behaved, but there presence somewhere like V & A, is still something that downplays a highend place. I'm all for it!!!!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I think it is wise not to have children in an upscale place such as V&A's. Not everyone has this insight and might try and bring their children. Which would be completely inappropriate in my opinion.

Before we had our son we had dinner at Cali Grill and our dinner was ruined by other peoples children running under and in front of our table to see the fireworks and poor service. We have yet to return there, such a shame.

Not everyone has common sense so I see nothing wrong with Disney imposing some. I would never take a small child to a signature dinner unless it was an early reservation and we would not be bothering adult only diners. It is just not fair. My vote obviously it was a good decesion.

 

[lrab1126]

I was surprised when i read this in the news because I had thought they already were not allowed. I would never even think to bring my kids their, not just because of the cost but the restaurant is just not a family place and it's a very long meal to expect any kid to sit through.,..heck I would not even go myself because it it just to much, cost wise and just being an experience that I have no interest in. Disney has so many other places that are "special" where kids and their families can feel comfortable yet still enjoy a special meal. Personally I am a big fan of Le Cellier which is pricey yet I find it to be a very comfortable place to take my kids.

 

[iuki]

I don't see why people should get upset if they can't bring their children. The PALO restaurant on DCL is for adults-only. Sandals Resorts are adults-only. My DH and I are not into gourmet food and fancy restaurants, but I can understand couples who have probably paid for a babysitter for their own children would like an evening kid-free, especially when paying $125 per person (according to the newspaper). Personally, they should have banned children under the age of 18, rather than under the age of 10. There are so many restaurants at WDW to choose from, but you'll always find someone who will "threaten to sue for discrimination."

Life is too short to sweat the "small stuff."
iuki

 

[Cheshire Figment]

but you'll always find someone who will "threaten to sue for discrimination."

But a child does not have legal standing to file a lawsuit. The parents would have to file on behalf of the child, and they would have to show that the action taken was in violation of a law (or equity).

 

[llmurphy17]

I guess I agree to. Just hard to wait for my kids to be older to eat there.

 

[rt2dz]

To tell you the truth I have no idea how I feel about this.

There are things that automatically keep most kids away—the price, the food, the dress code. I think it is fairly common sense that most people wouldn’t bring kids there. To an extent, I think it’s a band aid policy. Part of me says, some place like WDW, you should expect kids everywhere. If you want a kid free experience, choose a place that isn’t marketed to kids. Heck, which is why so many hotels offer “private” dining experiences.

I also feel that it is way too huge of a generalization that kids ruin the atmosphere. There are many kids that know how—and will—behave at a restaurant of that type. I have one that can and does. My kids don’t like the so called “kid friendly” foods. None of my kids will touch a chicken nugget/finger. They hate fried food! Rarely will they eat a hamburger. Hotdogs are a limited fair too. I have one that wouldn’t eat pizza if you paid him—except at birthday parties where he eats half a piece to not be rude. See what I’m saying about good manners? DH and I have worked in the industry at all levels and are pretty big foodies. My kids are growing up with a huge exposure to foods that are “sophisticated”. Or every day foods at our house. If my kids do have a moment, they are removed from the situation immediately. And having worked in fine dining restaurants, most kids who did come in were extremely well behaved. Parents pretty much know if their kids would be OK with it or not.

On our last trip we had a dinner at Chef Mickey’s ruined because a family couldn’t bother to keep an eye on their child. It was awful. There is a strange kid in all our pictures (until edited out) and was grabbing food off our table. They didn’t even know the kid had left the table and was almost out the restaurant door until DH told them. It’s not limited to V&A only.

It is WDW and there are people who lack common sense and would bring kids there despite knowing in advance that some kids would either not be happy or would be completely unruly. There are parents who do not take their children out to eat and to hotels regularly and have no idea what to expect—both kids and adults. Yikes! And, in that case, I agree with the policy. And I really don’t find it offensive at all.

I don’t really think the problem is kids, but parents. Parents who wait until some magical age to start teaching kids to behave. Or think that they will suddenly get it all on their own at an older age—like the previous 10 years of bad habits didn’t matter. I remember when Finding Nemo came out and I took my child. There was a little girl sitting behind us talking at a normal tone the whole time. She was also throwing popcorn and kicking the seat. Meanwhile, my little munchkin and I were trying to sit peacefully and enjoy the movie. Now, it’s a kids movie, and I expect it—but not constantly from the same child without the parent making any move to correct. I finally had it when spit out food landed in my hair and I said something to the mother. Her response? “She’s only three.” I looked at her and said, “My son is only two and he can behave.”

As far as kids eating late—think time changes. What might seem late at WDW could really be keeping the kids on a normal routine because at home it’s only 5 PM. Or at WDW this last time, my kids napped 3 PM-6 PM and then were up to midnight sleeping in to 10 AM. An 8 PM dinner time would have been a “normal” eating time to others. Actually, we tend to eat more around 7:30-8:00 PM at home regularly because of DH’s work schedule and we want to eat as a family. Again, a lot of generalizations.

 

[DisneyRN1]

I think it is so sad these days that people have such a sense of entitlement that this has become so much of a contraversy. Why is it such a big deal if Disney has one or more adults only restaurants? Why is it such a big deal if Disney has one or more children only restaurants? Are there not enough places to eat at Disney. Why would anyone begrudge anyone a pleasant dining experience when there are so many places to chose from? My DH and I don't have any children, and when we go to dinner, we like to go somewhere it is quiet, and we do not have to listen to screaming while we are trying to enjoy ourselves. By the same token, I think there should be places where kids can eat, and enjoy themselves-maybe have some kids only restaurants where they show cartoons or have entertainers at intervals during the day. From what I have read on these posts there are already some meals or activities that are already kids only. Have you heard any adults crying discriminatation about that? People with children should realize that not all places are appropriate for kids, esp. fine dining places. No one (including parents who have children that may very well behave like angels) wants to have an expensive meal interrupted by anyone acting out. I say anyone because I know that some adults are guilty of this too, but by far, it is usually kids. I agree with the poster that said you cannot predict how a child will act when they are tired and hot and filled with excitement from just being at Disney.
There is a very old behavior that unfortunately is not practised much anymore by adults or children. It's called "SHARING". There are more than enough restaurants around. Let the adults have several ADULTS only places, and let the children have KIDS only places. If you have children that want to eat at the adults only places, they will just have to wait until they are an adult. And if adults want to go to the kids only places, they will have to wait until they have kids or grandkids to go with. That should make everyone happy. There is not anything discriminating about this--it is just meeting the needs of all of the guests. Disney is NOT just for kids or families, it is for people of all ages, and surveys indicate that there are more adults only than families. I'm not trying to take anything away from anyone-I just want everyone to share. No flames please, my opinion.
P.S. For all the parents who do not feel like this is fair now, wait until your kids are grown,and no longer traveling with you. When it is just you and another adult, I am very sure you will appreciate an adults only dining experience at Disney.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I think it was a good decision. Like I posted before I thought that's how it always was. It's nice to have the option for adult only dining. DCL offers it at Palo and it's nice.

 

[Allensfan]

Trust me, there is ZERO chance of a parent showing up with a child that did not know the policy....ZERO.

V&A calls you many many times regarding your reservation. They go over every detail when you book...asking you lots of questions. Then they call back to go over the people in your party and any diet issues or allergies they may have. Then when you get to the resort and during your trip they call to confirm and ask if you have any questions regarding policy or dress code.

So after all this the only people that simply "show up" with a 4 year old in tow are people that lied during the calls when they ask about each person in your party and simply want to cause a stir at V&A's. And I am certain those types of people are out there. People that do not want to follow the rules or feel the rules do not apply to them. People that say, "you know they don't allow kids anymore and I think that is wrong...well I will show them, I will appear with my child and make them kick me out"...I think they enjoy the conflict.

Also if you can afford to eat at V&A's then you can certainly afford the very affordable child care on site at most Disney hotels. In fact, if your hotel does not have a child care center...I have heard that GF will allow you to pay to have your child go to their facility if you are eating at V&A's...so there are no excuses.

 

[flipflop]

I don’t really think the problem is kids, but parents. Parents who wait until some magical age to start teaching kids to behave. Or think that they will suddenly get it all on their own at an older age—like the previous 10 years of bad habits didn’t matter. I remember when Finding Nemo came out and I took my child. There was a little girl sitting behind us talking at a normal tone the whole time. She was also throwing popcorn and kicking the seat. Meanwhile, my little munchkin and I were trying to sit peacefully and enjoy the movie. Now, it’s a kids movie, and I expect it—but not constantly from the same child without the parent making any move to correct. I finally had it when spit out food landed in my hair and I said something to the mother. Her response? “She’s only three.” I looked at her and said, “My son is only two and he can behave.”

ITA


I am in favor of the age restriction at V&As. I would never dream of taking my children there and they are generally well-behaved at dinner. I believe that there are appropriate places for children (whether well-behaved or not) and that V&A is not an appropriate place for children.

 

[abolanwoski]

I think this policy is for the best of the child more than anything. It is a LONG meal and many adults would have a hard time sitting still for that long! I think the appearance of younger children in this venue is probably pretty rare to begin with due to 1) the extremely high price, 2) the fact that the food choices aren't kid friendly 3) most people who enjoy this type of experience would like a little "grown-up" time and 4) people realize that most kids get nothing out of this and find it painful at best. This rule is just to eliminate the small group of people who have no common sense from torturing their toddler with escargot and harp music.

There are plenty of child-care options in the world (kid's clubs, fairy godmothers) and obviously if your willing to fork out $300 for dinner, you can afford to pay the babysitter.

For heaven's sake - spare the poor children!

For the record, we take my DD3 to "regular" nice restaurants all the time (including WDW) and she's very well behaved because she's been doing it since birth. But I would never make her sit through a 3 hour dining experience. Cruel.