Resort Restaurant with a Play Area

[Thing 1]

There used to be a restaurant in the south Myrtle Beach area that had exactly what the OP is discussing. It was a fairly nice seafood place called the Ghost Ship. There was a room that was dedicated to families with young children. In the middle there was a huge closed in area with the wall about two feet high filled with climb on and other toys for kids. I think it was for like ages 1-6. All the tables were situated around the outside of the square. You could littarly reach over and touch your child if he stayed near your table and easily see him everywhere he moved. Not quite Dinning by any means and we only did it once and opted out after that but it did offer a great choice for some parents.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think if I wanted a place for my child to play I would consider Fort Wilderness as an option. There is Trails End for dinner, and while you would not be able to leave your little one to play during dinner, you would be able to time it so that you could let him release some energy prior to the meal, and then perhaps go to the sing a long.

 

[Chrelaine]

I didn't know there was a Disney Junior breakfast. My son loves Jake, Doc Macstuffins, etc. I'll look into it.

The Disney Junior breakfast at Hollywood & Vine was our daughter's favorite meal when she was 4. They do a lot of singing and dancing with the kids and have a parade. There are plenty of chances for a little one to burn off a little energy.

 

[Carla1183]

FWIW places like this are fairly common in Tx too, maybe bc its warmer (and I live in a major metro area). We're not talking about white tablecloth places, but nicer middle of the road (definitely not fast food) restaurants with a nice patio attached to a play area. Whether it be sand, a playground, tires, etc. We even have one place where they have cups of washable paint and encourage kids to paint their fence! (That one is a sno cone place, but still).

So I don't think you are crazy for asking Sure, my kids can sit still in a restaurant when they need to. But it's their vacation too, so places they don't have to hold in their wiggles are a big bonus!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

No I don't think folks misunderstood. OP was not looking for a playground for waiting, although that will be a plus for her because we have waits she isn't used to. OP is looking for a play area within the dining space, or dining within the outdoor play area so that their son can play while they can see him from their table. I think we've all come across play areas for our kids to use while we wait for our tables but dining & playing at same time will be a rare find. The OP has these available in her country, but other than fast food I think tables in play areas are more rare here. She is looking for those types, for sure she won't find it on property.

She got lots of good info on play options while waiting and entertaining meals that he might enjoy.

This is exactly the difference. Most to all places that offer a play ares here expect you to be actively with your child if they are playing, not sitting at a table eating. They are designed to keep kids entertained during the wait. As a PP noted there are a few exceptions in certain areas of the US, mostly beach destinations, with outdoor eating areas adjacent to a playground but I don't know iof anywhere in the US that offers a play area where you can leave a child unattended while you sit at a table indoors and eat.

It's a cultural difference, plain and simple. In the US we expect that kids sit with parents at the table in a restaurant, and most typically don't take our kids to nicer places unless and until they can do that. Those that choose to take unruly kids are typically not met with the best reception. In other places they provide and area for kids who can't or won't sit to run around and play.

 

[stace1214]

It was so hard to eat out with my son until he around 5, he just couldn't sit for a long meal. Don't feel bad about having to break out an ipad or a phone to give you and your husband a few minutes of peace during dinner. I don't love doing that either, but sometimes after a long day in the parks, a little downtime is good for everyone.

 

[shoney]

Well my kids are older but would have loved a place with a play area when they were younger.
I know lots of moms who shop at IKEA just to drop the kids off and eat meatballs in peace!

 

[TravelingTotMom]

I have a son about the same age, and we usually end up doing a lot of counter service meals since it doesn't require sitting as long.

For table service, character meals always keep him entertained, and he had a ton of fun at Whispering Canyon Cafe (hobby horse races, running ketchup from table to table, etc.).

Some other restaurants that work well with him, entertainment-wise, are Biergarten (Epcot) and Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. At Biergarten, a band performs at certain times, and the kids can go down and dance while being visible from your table. At Sci-Fi, you get to eat in cars and watch old Sci-Fi movie clips like you are at a drive-in theater.

 

[MissMet]

We have three restaurants here at home that offer something like this, as well as the mentioned Joe's Crab Shack on I4 that has a playground that is adjacent to the outdoor dining tables.

Here at home we have a small cafe called "the wobble cafe" & it's literally a cafe that serves breakfast and lunch foods and has a large room, visible from the tables, with play matts toys, etc. We also have a higher end restaurant that has an upstairs daycare room. Ranges from $10-$20 per kid and includes dinner for the kids, a room full of toys & activities, and licensed staff to watch/feed your kids while you enjoy a quiet meal downstairs. It's heaven.

I wish more restaurants would take a page out of the many Joe's Crab Shacks that have the playgrounds.

 

[Mmw37]

I'm jealous of the OP's home country and want to come visit! I'm a huge lover of delicious and interesting food, but I have two very young and very active boys who make dining out challenging. It was easier when we lived in FL (we actually had an English Pub near our house with a playground - brilliant!), but in the Midwest no one takes their kids to decent places. It's annoying, and can make it challenging to expose your kids to different foods. At WDW we just dine where we want and use electronics when necessary. Places with characters and shows help, but we've taken them to several signatures. Often they're so exhausted from the day that they fall asleep. Most of our waiters have been great with them, and it's Disney - aside from V and A's, kids are welcome everywhere. Enjoy your trip!

 

[monica9]

You can try mickeys backyard BBQ. I think Disney springs has the dinosaur restaurant with a sand pit for the kids to dig up bones but I'm not sure how close it is to tables if you wanted to request a table next to it. I think it might be a tad too far to leave your child but while waiting for the food you can each take turns bringing him there to play until the food comes.
Ohana has a few organized quick games for the kids to play while you eat and they march around the restaurant. Easy to take turns going up with him.