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

[robinb]

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.

How old are your kids? I remember this behavior from my DD when she was younger when she was tired and bored. We had the DDP on our NYE trip so we ate at a TS restaurant just about every night for 10 nights and I only had one problem with a crying baby and none of the problems you experienced. My latest ADR was at 8:00pm. Then again, I cut parents and kids a lot of slack at WDW since my own DD was not a perfect diner when she was 6 and younger and I was not a perfect parent as I never boxed up a single meal to eat back in my room. Maybe kids were acting up and I just didn't notice it!

 

[MarieA]

Yes. There is nothing wrong with setting a minimum age for V&A. My family has vacationing at WDW for 20+ years. My kids always dined with us at the signature restaurants (they both in their 20s now). I wouldn't think of taking them to V&A even though they were well behaved.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

I'd support no kids under 18. Disney's cruise ships have an adult only restaurant and parents love the opportunity to dine without their kids. I think V&A could give the same opportunity to the land base vacationers, too.

 

[Harambe]

I'd support no kids under 18. Disney's cruise ships have an adult only restaurant and parents love the opportunity to dine without their kids. I think V&A could give the same opportunity to the land base vacationers, too.

Yes! I remember when I read about the adult only spots on the cruises, I thought that WDW should offer that also.

How could anyone be offended, as, like I said before, there are tons of places parents can take their kids for meals, even upscale ones like Cali Grill, and Artist Point.

 

[davinakb]

Yes ... Last time I went to Jikos there were two young girls (maybe 12) in there in wet swimsuits sat on towels. I felt sorry for the next party sat at that table.

Every time I book an ADR, I get a "resort casual" dress code speech and just laugh. V&A is the only place to really enforce it; every where else.. not so much.

 

[kbmaggs]

A great decision in my opinion! Our last meal at V & A's we were seated beside a family which included a child. I really believe that he was doing his best to behave, but having to listen to the parents (even quietly) scold, bribe, and plead with him to "behave", along with the trips in and out when he got bored during this very long meal took a large toll on our anniversary dinner.
I'm an elementary school teacher, adore kids of all ages, but I don't believe that children need to be included in all adult activities!

 

[Tricia1972]

I agree 100% with the decision.

I have two DS's and one on the way. One DS might enjoy the experience. He's five now and it's not going to hurt him at all to wait to experience it. We also are parents who like to get away on our own once in a while, and also enjoy our adult time.

I feel that those paying $125 per person to dine in a five diamond restaurant (The only one in central Florida) deserve to be guaranteed a child free evening. For all parents who want to dine with their children, there are close to 100 other dining options at Disney - not to mention other fine dining experiences that may lurk in Orlando.

 

[jcc0621]

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 actually have to disagrre with this. Yes, they do tell you that you need to make ADR's, but how many people don't listen and figure that they will just decide where they are going to eat when they are hungry. I ran into 4 different groups of people liek this in August and they were mad at the CM's, etc becasue they couldn't eat when they wanted too. When we were waiting to be seated at LeCellier, One woman said, I should have listened to that woman on the phone when she told me to make reservations.

I voted yes, as I pretty much agree with everyone who said that there should be at least one resteraunt you can go to sans kids. I would not go there, not just my cup of tea, but to all of those of you who do...enjoy

I also have a DS (4) but I know him and I know if he is over tired he will be cranky and not really sit for a long period of time waiting for a meal. This is why we do most of our TS meals for breakfast and lunch when we are in WDW. As some one said earlier you need to know your child and know what they can and can't handle.

 

[KYMickey]

Definitely! Just because someone has the money to take a young child to this restaurant they shouldn't be able to ruin the dining experience for others. The only time we ever have eaten at V&A's there was a 4-5 year old in a table near us who threw tantrums all evening and ruined the experience for many other diners. Our experience was so bad they even comp'd of our bottle of wine!

 

[gary403]

Signature restaurants: 10 & under
V & A's: 16

Let the flames begin. Don't burn yourself!

 

[angelmav]

Signature restaurants: 10 & under
V & A's: 16

The problem is gary, they set 10 as the 'adult' age for tickets, meals etc.. no way could they get around calling 10 and over adults then having an arbitrary age like that restricting these...ahem...disney adults.

 

[stacy6552]

Its such a bizarre thing. I never ever would have taken my kids to V&A's and neither would anyone else I know. But now that its official, everyone is getting all torked.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Nobody should be torked! It just makes sense not to allow children at V&A. I would never have brought my children there when they were young!
People can be so selfish and rude. Disney is not just for children. I bet anyone who objects to this will change their tune when their children are grown and they want to go to Disney and enjoy a quiet meal.Personally I agree that it should be 16years or more and up.

 

[Elmo888]

Thats why I never understood why they altered Jikos from adult only to open dining as it was always busy.

I wonder if it changed because there are/were only 2 TS restaurants at AKL at the time. Between that (GF has how many restaruants? Four? In any case, GF has a number of choices if you can't go to V&A with your child(ren)) and the isolation of AKL (vs. GF where you can take the monorail to Poly or CR to eat), it seems like it would be difficult to keep Jiko adults only because of the lack of choices for resort guests. Just a theory.

I think that Disney was "right" in excluding children under 10. I wouldn't complain if the restaurant excluded children under 13 or 18, but then they would have to change their children's ages on the tickets and DDP (which wouldn't be bad either!). It just needs to be consistent, so I understand why they excluded children under 10.

 

[BCV23]

Add me to the yes column.

I don't think ticket prices or DDP have much relevancy. One doesn't need a ticket to dine there and DDP isn't accepted.

Ten seems an appropriate cutoff age to me.

 

[ilovecountry]

I voted no. I can understand parents/others wanting to spend time alone. However, not all kids run around & scream. When I was younger, my parents always took me to uber fancy restaurants w/ them & I never acted out. I never even got out of my seat. I think it's up to the parents to control their children & let them know what won't be tolerated from them. The servers can always ask parents at check in that they must make sure their children remain seated and if not, they may be asked to leave. Personally though while my friends & I were at Disney- I didn't see very many kids running around screaming or anything. If I really need to be honest, the ones I saw acting out & making fools of themselves were people my age (college age crowd) it seems like every time I came across some in parks, they were extremely drunk and screaming & just acting like fools jumping on benches & being obnoxious in the restaurants. I don't know I guess I just think instead of banning, they could just be more strict. I wouldn't think too many kids probably went in there but what about some parents who didn't have a place to drop their kids off at. I just don't think it's fair for every parent to be punished because a handfull of parents couldn't control or care what their kids did.

 

[TANYABETH]

Off the subject of V&A, but I think children should not be allowed in Pleasure Island after 7 pm or so. Last time I went I saw kids at The Adventurers Club and a few other places and I don't know about you, but kids are not allowed in bars or clubs back here in Maine and it should be that way in Disney too.

 

[KYMickey]

I voted no. I can understand parents/others wanting to spend time alone. However, not all kids run around & scream. When I was younger, my parents always took me to uber fancy restaurants w/ them & I never acted out. I never even got out of my seat. I think it's up to the parents to control their children & let them know what won't be tolerated from them. The servers can always ask parents at check in that they must make sure their children remain seated and if not, they may be asked to leave.... . I wouldn't think too many kids probably went in there but what about some parents who didn't have a place to drop their kids off at. I just don't think it's fair for every parent to be punished because a handfull of parents couldn't control or care what their kids did.

Your solution may work for some but I believe Disney wants to avoid making a scene by asking a family to leave during their dinner when a child acts up (I'm not doubting that you didn't but many do and have). It's easier to have the problem up front by not allowing them entry rather than having it later in the restaurant! In the past Disney has tried to discourage children by not having a children's menu etc. but obviously problems have still occurred so this was the next step.

 

[ilovecountry]

Your solution may work for some but I believe Disney wants to avoid making a scene by asking a family to leave during their dinner when a child acts up (I'm not doubting that you didn't but many do and have). It's easier to have the problem up front by not allowing them entry rather than having it later in the restaurant! In the past Disney has tried to discourage children by not having a children's menu etc. but obviously problems have still occurred so this was the next step.

--- 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

 

[DisneyRN1]

Putting in my 2 cents....My DH and I were at WDW in Nov. As 2 adults with no children, I have to tell you we had a terrible time with screaming children at A LOT of restaurants we went to. Before anyone gets upset, remember I am only telling you how our vacation went. We were seated every meal near one or more tables of kids who spent much of their (and our) mealtime NOT sitting quietly. I have nothing against children, honestly, but I do resent paying $100+ for meals (we were not on the meal plan)and having to hear anyone of any age screaming. We like to eat at nice restaurants, but I will limit eating at WDW next time and just go off property where it's not as crowded. I don't mind going somewhere else to find a place where I can enjoy my meal. Obviously, I expect children at WDW, it's just been a while since we had been, and the last time we went, fewer families were eating at the nicer restaurants. In contrast, we did the 4 night cruise afterwards, and we were VERY impressed with everyone's behavior. I cannot recall hearing any screaming-unless it was in fun.
We also ate at V & A's, and one ironic thing is that I thought it had always been adults only. We have eaten there many times and never encountered kids. I definitely vote for no kids there. Our meal with the wine pairing was $500, and I would have been very upset if anyone screamed during our meal. (except us when the check came) That should be a no brainer.
I am also sorry to say while the majority of the kids I know are very well behaved, I agree with the poster who talked about the difference in behaviors when the kids are tired and hot. And in my experience, (20 years in a Trauma Center Emergency Dept., I have found that a lot of parents are not the best ones to ask how their kids will always react in all situations.
Like I said, this is only my opinion, so no flames,please.