Questions about Jiko w/child AND Ghirardelli's and the dining plan...

[MentalVacation]

1. Would you take a child to Jiko? (A 2.5 year old child) We are doing the DxDDP and Jiko is in our resort, so I'd really LIKE to do it but I've read on here that it isn't kid friendly (or toddler friendly)....thoughts? Experiences? (We are not afraid of one adult departing if someone is uncooperative..... )

2. The ice cream shop in DTD -- Ghirardelli's I think -- I haven't seen that on the DDP list....any chance I'm just missing it? DH and I ate our body weight in ice cream there last time....and I am not an ice cream person normally. But we literally went there at least 4 times in our 7 day trip!

 

[TDC Nala]

Ghirardelli's does not accept the dining plan.

 

[ds143]

we've been to jiko twice, and had mediocre experiences both times (we went back a second time because it was the only place we could get when we called 2 days before).

the food, in our opinions, was tasteless, limited and expensive; we found the service to be spotty as well. it wouldn't be our first place to recommend with children; however, it's not horrible.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Jiko is by far one of my favorite WDW restaurants, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a toddler. If your toddler can sit at a restaurant for 1.5 hours or so, then they will be fine.

Since you're staying at AKL, you could bring some quiet things with you for them to do at the table. Worst case scenerio, one of you walks around the pool area or lobby while waiting for the meal. If you go earlier in the evening, I guarantee you won't be the only family with a preschoolers there. =)

 

[Golden Rose]

We took DS with us when he was 2.5, but for almost half the meal one of us (DM was traveling with us, so there were 3 of us to switch off) took him out of the restaurant. Our meal really dragged on and on, not really by choice. (At least it's not too far from the playground and flamingo pond, which he did enjoy.) DS didn't want any of the food offered. The manager actually went over to Boma and made him a plate, which he enjoyed.

We thought the service was slow and our waiter was always busy with someone else... I don't know if he was overworked, just having a bad night, or ignoring us because he was guaranteed a set tip on the old DDP. He was very friendly when he came around, he just didn't come around much. However, the food was amazing. It was my DM's favorite meal of the trip, and one of ours, too. It was the only place she asked us to definitely plan to go back to on upcoming trip.

 

[MentalVacation]

Ghirardelli's does not accept the dining plan.

Guess I know where all our OOP food spending will be. OMG, I seriously could not get enough!

We probably wouldn't consider Jiko w/our son if it wasn't in our resort....I figure, worst case scenario....one of the three of us (3 adults) takes him for a walk or back to the room and we get a 'doggy bag'....he does really well when there is plenty to watch. LOVES other people. We shall see. I am just glad to hear other people take kids there. KWIM?

 

[lisah0711]

1. Would you take a child to Jiko? (A 2.5 year old child)
Depends on your child . We took our son when he was four and he was fine. They have a good kids menu and the lighting is interesting. You would probably want to bring something quiet for them to do. Jiko is our favorite WDW restaurant and I wouldn't miss it. You might also look into the kid's club at the Animal Kingdom Lodge although your child might be a little young for that. DS did it at Wilderness Lodge and everyone enjoyed a little break. Enjoy your trip!

 

[brandylouwho]

We wanted to go to Jiko, but did not want to take our 5 yr old and 19 mo old (they barely make it through buffets/definitely wouldn't do well at a dragged out meal), so we ordered in (Room Service). We don't do the dining plan, so we didn't have to take in to account the use of credits, etc., but it was a happy medium. Sure, we missed the ambience, but it was wonderful to enjoy a good meal (we waited until the kids were asleep so we could enjoy our food). We felt the quality of the food was terrific.

Just a thought...if not for the OP for anyone else trying to figure out what to do with little kids.

 

[EpcotBeauty]

Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants and we have been taking the kids from 8 months old! I let our server know (when the kids were small) that we wanted the courses to come out quickly, so we wouldn't be there a long time. We never had any problem and were out in 45 minutes easily. Gosh, I'm craving filet with mac and cheese now.......thanks!

 

[jenjersnap]

Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants and we have been taking the kids from 8 months old! I let our server know (when the kids were small) that we wanted the courses to come out quickly, so we wouldn't be there a long time. We never had any problem and were out in 45 minutes easily. Gosh, I'm craving filet with mac and cheese now.......thanks!

Yep, we were on the brisk service plan too. My kids love Jiko, as do I. We have no issues taking them there.

 

[buzz1fan]

My boys will be 25 months and 5 when we go. We are staying at Kinadi and plan to go to Jiko too. I plan on asking them to have our courses quicker too. I also plan to have a lot of down time before we go to have our smallest nap. We will get a reservation when they open. I would send them to a kids club but my youngest is to small, and I dont just want to send my oldest by himself.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We ate at Jiko and did not see any kids but I know they do expect them because at the host desk there are crayons and coloring pages.

Any restaurant at WDW has to be kid friendly, except V&A

 

[DannysMom]

I agree it depends on your kid. We stayed at AKL when my son was just short of 3 & we did take him to Jiko, but he did get antsy part way through the meal. Me, DH & DFIL took turns removing him from the restaraunt once he had had enough.

Now at 5 1/2 he does much better with longer meals & wouldn't hesitate to bring him. Of course now he tells me that he'd rather spend time at the kids clubs! So we do that too.

You mention 3 adults -- two of you could do dinner at Jiko if one is willing to "babysit" -- maybe take the munchkin to the Mara for dinner. Also I believe that Jiko's food is available for room service at AKL, so that's another option if you do not want to bring your little one to Jiko.

 

[FSUSammy]

I'm REALLY considering going to Jiko because I'm loving their menu. Our son will be 1.5 when we go in March. I'll make sure to post a review of our experience if we do end up going.

 

[Pakey]

We eat at Jiko frequently but are skipping it next week because we will have a 3 year old with us and I'm sure he cannot sit that long and Jiko doesn't have anything of interest to keep him occupied. It's always been very quiet when we have dined there. I would not want to spend that kind of money on a meal (whether OOP or using dining credits) to spend part of it walking around outside while my yummy food sits. We are taking him to Boma instead. He'll blend in fine there, lol.