Questions about Shula's Steak House Kids and Parking?

[mom2dina]

Hi,
I'm thinking of going to Shulas but wasn't sure if it was a place to take kids to for dinner.
My dd is 11 and ds is 9 but I wasn't sure if this was an adult place.
Also we would be driving and parking there would we have to pay for parking or willt he parking get validated. If I have to pay for parking I'll go to Yachtsman.
Thanks so much for your help!

 

[kt_mom]

We took DD here on her first trip when she was 4. She loves fancy restaurants though and does great. They do not have a kids menu which they reminded me several times when I made the ADR. We also got looks from the hostesses who seated us right by the kitchen door when much of the restaurant was empty. We thought about asking to move but just decided to enjoy our dinner. Even the waiter gave us a look when he first walked up.

By the end of the meal the server had warmed up to DD as she did great as she always does in restaurants. If you think your kids would do well in a long quiet fancy meal then go for it. I wouldn't hesitate to take DD back again. DS is another story. I know right now he is not capable of it and I'm getting the feeling he may never be.

The food was excellent though and DD and I were able to share.

 

[mousegear]

We ate with DS 6 last Sept and steaks are great~! Our DS loves good quality food and he really enjoys fancy meals like Shula's and Cali Grill. Also they validate the parking pass.

 

[Uncleromulus]

At Shula's kids are "allowed" ( I wouldn't even say welcome) but certainly not encouraged.

They actually DO have a kids menu, but it isn't published and YOU have to ask. It's extremely limited, maybe 3 items on the whole thing.

We've dined there 7 times now and only once have we seen children.

And as noted, they validate parking.

 

[mom2dina]

Thanks for the replies. My kids do well in Fancy resturants but didn't want to take them someplace they are not welcomed

Do you think we should go there (I've never been to the swan/dolphin and would like to visit) or somewhere else for our steak dinner?

 

[kt_mom]

If your kids do well in a fancy dinner then I would try it out. Especially if they like and appreciate a good steak too. Our dinner was fabulous and like I said everyone warmed up to DD once they realized she could handle the atmosphere.

We had a very good dinner and wouldn't hesitate to go back except now we have DS and he's just too little to sit through a meal like that. Although he loves steak too

 

[TDC Nala]

It is not a kid place. It is definitely more of an adult venue and atmosphere, although children are not prohibited. Your kids are older, though, and should be old enough to sit through a long meal.

 

[mom2dina]

Thanks I think we'll give it a try. We all love steak also! I just had lunch but I'm hungry again all of a sudden

 

[Disney__Dad]

I left this on Allears.net a few months ago:

We had a fun day at the Disney Studios, and went to guest services on our way out to book dinner at Schula's. We were very excited, since we like a good steak. When we arrived we gave our name to the hostess. She took one look at our daughter, who is five, and said "we do not have your reservation, you will have to wait an hour." We left at that point, very frustrated. The twenty-something hostesses were snooty and handled the situation poorly. We did not know it at the time, but this restaurant has an unofficial "no children allowed" policy. It is more for business conventioneers than tourists. If I had known that, we never would have bothered booking. Why don't they just come out and say "no children please"? The worst part is being lied to about our reservation. Terrible service. Steer clear if you have kids or you will be lied to and treated poorly like we were.

 

[kt_mom]

I left this on Allears.net a few months ago:

We had a fun day at the Disney Studios, and went to guest services on our way out to book dinner at Schula's. We were very excited, since we like a good steak. When we arrived we gave our name to the hostess. She took one look at our daughter, who is five, and said "we do not have your reservation, you will have to wait an hour." We left at that point, very frustrated. The twenty-something hostesses were snooty and handled the situation poorly. We did not know it at the time, but this restaurant has an unofficial "no children allowed" policy. It is more for business conventioneers than tourists. If I had known that, we never would have bothered booking. Why don't they just come out and say "no children please"? The worst part is being lied to about our reservation. Terrible service. Steer clear if you have kids or you will be lied to and treated poorly like we were.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. We got some looks from the Hostess when we checked in and as I said they didn't give us the best table but it all worked out. DD was 4 at the time. And by the time we left everyone was being nice to her.

I wouldn't not go for fear of being treated badly. Kids are allowed in this restaurant. And like I said once they saw that DD wasn't going act crazy everything was fine. I just wouldn't go if I had kids that wouldn't behave properly. OP I hope you enjoy your dinner there! It will be quite awhile before we can go back I'm sure. but they opened a Shula's about an hour from us and I'm hoping DH will take me sometime.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I left this on Allears.net a few months ago:

We had a fun day at the Disney Studios, and went to guest services on our way out to book dinner at Schula's. We were very excited, since we like a good steak. When we arrived we gave our name to the hostess. She took one look at our daughter, who is five, and said "we do not have your reservation, you will have to wait an hour." We left at that point, very frustrated. The twenty-something hostesses were snooty and handled the situation poorly. We did not know it at the time, but this restaurant has an unofficial "no children allowed" policy. It is more for business conventioneers than tourists. If I had known that, we never would have bothered booking. Why don't they just come out and say "no children please"? The worst part is being lied to about our reservation. Terrible service. Steer clear if you have kids or you will be lied to and treated poorly like we were.

I'm sorry to hear that you had to deal with some snotty attitudes, but perhaps it would be a comfort to know that you may not have been lied to about your reservation. On our last visit, we made a reservation (elsewhere, not at Shula's) about 30 minutes before we wanted to eat. When we checked in at the podium, the CM didn't have our reservation on her list. She asked how long ago we made it and when we told her that it was less than an hour ago, she said, "Oh, well that's why I don't see it." Apparently she was working from a printout or something that didn't update automatically. That could have happened to you, too. It doesn't excuse rudeness, but it may not have been a blatant lie.

 

[Disney__Dad]

I'm sorry to hear that you had to deal with some snotty attitudes, but perhaps it would be a comfort to know that you may not have been lied to about your reservation. On our last visit, we made a reservation (elsewhere, not at Shula's) about 30 minutes before we wanted to eat. When we checked in at the podium, the CM didn't have our reservation on her list. She asked how long ago we made it and when we told her that it was less than an hour ago, she said, "Oh, well that's why I don't see it." Apparently she was working from a printout or something that didn't update automatically. That could have happened to you, too. It doesn't excuse rudeness, but it may not have been a blatant lie.

It is because of the Schula's incident that we go to the hotel Concierge and have all reservations physically printed out. Otherwise, there is no proof.

 

[Pakey]

It is because of the Schula's incident that we go to the hotel Concierge and have all reservations physically printed out. Otherwise, there is no proof.

The same thing happened to us at bluezoo, adults only party. Whatever system WDW uses doesn't automatically transfer over at the Swan/Dolphin restaurants since they are using printouts from some time earlier in the day.

They seated us at bluezoo but it was about 40 minutes past the time we had made the ADR at the Beach Club concierge earlier that afternoon. Again, we were an all adult group.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Shulas is more for adults but if your kids enjoy a good meal, they should be fine. IMO, Shulas has some of the best steaks and cold water lobster tail in town. As good as Del Frisco. Enjoy the time with your family.

 

[handinpocket]

I think it is horrible that patrons have been given "looks" and treated badly because they have children. If a restaurant does not want children there, they should state it plain and simple, like Victoria and Albert's!

I have never eaten at Shula's or Ruths Chris for this "unstated" policy. I don't want to be embarrassed and humilitated. Honestly, they shouldn't even have unpublished child's menu if they don't want them there.

Just wanted to add, I don't have a problem with it being an adult only venue, they should just make it clear. I don't like ambuguity.

 

[jiminyfan]

when we took our child. We have been going to Shula's since he was 6 and never had the treatment that the others have reported.

Guess it depends on the night, we have two meals planned this trip as well.

 

[mom2dina]

Did someone say " cold water lobster tail in town" I love lobster

but i'm getting nervouse has anyone had the steak at Yachtsman Steakhouse
? Is it just as good?

Thanks!

 

[si-am]

I think it is horrible that patrons have been given "looks" and treated badly because they have children. If a restaurant does not want children there, they should state it plain and simple, like Victoria and Albert's!

I have never eaten at Shula's or Ruths Chris for this "unstated" policy. I don't want to be embarrassed and humilitated. Honestly, they shouldn't even have unpublished child's menu if they don't want them there.

Just wanted to add, I don't have a problem with it being an adult only venue, they should just make it clear. I don't like ambuguity.

Have you ever SEEN what happens when someone starts a thread suggesting an "adult only" place at WDW? People FREAK OUT out about it.

So it's probably easier for Disney to take the ambiguous way out.

 

[Uncleromulus]

mom2dina:
Yachtsman is good, but Shula's has much the better steak.

 

[deide71]

Just a suggestion. The Dolphin has a program where your kids can attend the kids club in the hotel for free for up to 2 hours if you dine at Shulas or Bluezoo. We did this with our kids and they loved it. They were taken to the buffet for dinner by the kids club and then they colored and played with Legos and Wii games. I don't know about your kids but mine were much happier playing and eating spaghetti and pizza from the buffet than they would have been eating at Shulas.

http://www.swandolphin.com/kids/campdolphin.html