Restaurants with a baby?

[torsie24]

Morning.

I saw someone mention on here that you shouldn't take a baby to Walt's?

Is that a rule or just opinion?

I won't let her scream the place down of course but would quite like lunch their one day next trip.

Jack and I will have an evening meal the two of us at CG (my parents are coming) but otherwise I'd like us to enjoy the trip as a family. It is Disney after all.

 

[Rosie]

Of course you should all enjoy lunch at Walts : )
Why would anyone think it is wrong to take your newest, loveliest family member there?!
Babies sometimes cry but mostly they are happy if they are warm, dry and fed. I took my first baby (DS who is now 18) everywhere and he was a delight. It was a little trickier with baby 2 as she was a little more demanding and by then I DS was a toddler and into everything.
I would say book Walts as hopefully all will go well and your little princess will enjoy it or be having a nap.

 

[Lisa_C]

I think its just a matter of opinion - personally Johnny and I both do not think young children should be in Walts. Yes I know others will think we have the wrong attitude because its Disney, but we do not always take the kids with us all all trips. We like being "adults" in an adult environment, which is what Walts essentially is. There isn't really anywhere else in the parks we can have a romantic meal without harrassed parents trying to keep their children quiet. And I mean that in the nicest way as it isn't much fun eating an expensive meal and not enjoying it, from both parents and couples alike.
I actually wouldn't, and have never, taken young kids to Walts though......and I also love it in there

 

[Ms Poppins]

I think it is very subjective, and everyone will have their own opinion

At home, I took my young kids to restaurants that were family friendly, Brewers Fayre etc. I really think it helped them learn how to eat in the company of others, lower their voices etc. I would even take them into a posher restaurant if it was for lunch, but definitely not for dinner.

I know of people who never took their kids out for a meal, anywhere, and as a result by the time they were about 6 they'd have no clue how to behave in company of others, or have any table manners. So no matter where you go, there will always be some children who just run riot.

However, my rules change at DLP.....yes, I know there are people who love Disney and don't have kids with them, and want to enjoy a nice meal in peace and quite....but.....it is Disney! It's the one place where kids are encouraged to be kids and adults can be kids too!

To be able to eat a normal grown up meal, with your kids, in a lovely restaurant is all part of the holiday. I probably wouldn't consider taking young kids to a restuarant like Walts at home....but then again, we'd probably never eat anywhere like that at home anyway, which is what makes Walts unique

 

[markpsych]

but.....it is Disney! It's the one place where kids are encouraged to be kids and adults can be kids too!

 

[wideeyes]

The fact is that babies and young child are allowed at Walt's and the restaurant does cater for them. Also I have always found it a family friendly restaurant.

 

[torsie24]

I think its just a matter of opinion - personally Johnny and I both do not think young children should be in Walts. Yes I know others will think we have the wrong attitude because its Disney, but we do not always take the kids with us all all trips. We like being "adults" in an adult environment, which is what Walts essentially is. There isn't really anywhere else in the parks we can have a romantic meal without harrassed parents trying to keep their children quiet. And I mean that in the nicest way as it isn't much fun eating an expensive meal and not enjoying it, from both parents and couples alike.
I actually wouldn't, and have never, taken young kids to Walts though......and I also love it in there

Ah - it must've been a comment of yours I saw.

We won't be taking any Disney trips without DD and wouldn't want to. We won't go more frequently than once a year.

Maybe it's just me but I don't count Walt's as a romantic place? Or an expensive one - well it is overpriced but so's the whole of DLRP.

If it was Michelin, or Victoria and Alberts (who have a no children rule) or even 8pm I'd get your point.

But "adult environment"? a parade goes past the window! It's hardly Le Gavroche.

 

[tinks_1989]

I think its just a matter of opinion - personally Johnny and I both do not think young children should be in Walts. Yes I know others will think we have the wrong attitude because its Disney, but we do not always take the kids with us all all trips. We like being "adults" in an adult environment, which is what Walts essentially is. There isn't really anywhere else in the parks we can have a romantic meal without harrassed parents trying to keep their children quiet. And I mean that in the nicest way as it isn't much fun eating an expensive meal and not enjoying it, from both parents and couples alike.
I actually wouldn't, and have never, taken young kids to Walts though......and I also love it in there

Yes it's an adult environment in the middle of a theme park. If you want an adult environment eat later in the evening in a resort restaurant.

I will take DD any where with out hesitation. I hope no one sat on the fence about going to this restaurant takes any advice from this comment and go and have a fabulous time.

I worried terribly about people's/strangers opinions of my parenting if heaven forbid DD got upset and I got any looks. No one should have to feel like that especially in a family theme park. You know where you are visiting and should expect kids there.

 

[Lisa_C]

I'm liking some of the comments here, I love a balanced perspective
The "adult" bit refered to the theming. Its more of an adult style, not a Cafe Mickey style restaurant. There are no characters in the way of Auberge, and some of the meals will indeed cost the same, and yes, the parade does indeed go by the window, its a fab idea!
I never once said it wasn't a family restaurant though but referred to how I personally like to look at it - it is romantic for me when I don't have the children and I get to spend time with my partner who I hardly see at the moment :thumbs up:


There are always a lot of children in there - and some parents do indeed find it difficult to enjoy a meal through various attributes, and yes, it can be disturbing to others. But most parents know their children and if they are comfortable with then in a restaurant surrounding then good for you. The harrassed mum comment is just that. SOME children act like spoilt brats in Disney and no one can deny they haven't seen a meltdown from a strangers child! Some children just become tired and then it's hard for MUMS and DADS in this situation, and I'm afraid people do glare - c'est la vie!

 

[torsie24]

Nobody's attacking you. We are just as allowed to post our opinions.

I didn't say you were attacking me with your opinion.

But seeing that the majority or people would expect to see children in Walt's has made me happier. I look forward to us enjoying it as a family.

 

[Lisa_C]

Nobody's attacking you. We are just as allowed to post our opinions.

I didn't say you were attacking me with your opinion.

But seeing that the majority or people would expect to see children in Walt's has made me happier. I look forward to us enjoying it as a family.

I removed that as I didn't want you to think I thought that I read something else in the wrong frame of mind then edited it mid post

(Just for the record, I remember the thread you refered too, there were a few others who said the same and I know I wrote in there :good vibes

 

[torsie24]

Thanks.

Obviously DD is only tiny still. If we get to next April and she's a drama queen I won't make any reservations (maybe just buffets so we can be in and out with no waiting)

We've all seen Disney meltdowns. And I think they're to be expected when little ones are somewhere like Disney as there's so much excitement and change in routine.

Believe me when I say though, I'll be removing her from anywhere she can be a disturbance when that happens!!

 

[Lisa_C]

I think its great that you are prepared - we've all been there. I've missed out on plenty of places and rides in Disney while the children are young, but there does come a time when things pan out nicely and you can enjoy those things without worry again! Having said that, there is a 13 year age gap between the youngest and eldest, so we have an instant babysitter for the others!

 

[wideeyes]

Thanks.

Obviously DD is only tiny still. If we get to next April and she's a drama queen I won't make any reservations (maybe just buffets so we can be in and out with no waiting)

We've all seen Disney meltdowns. And I think they're to be expected when little ones are somewhere like Disney as there's so much excitement and change in routine.

Believe me when I say though, I'll be removing her from anywhere she can be a disturbance when that happens!!

it's not just meltdowns etc.
my little girl turned 1 last week. she's such a lovely personality, very happy, smiley girl and very sociable. she doesn't really cry or have meltdowns. but she loves attention and making people smilie so wants to be walking around restaurants going up to tables to say hello. it's exhausting! I don't want her bothering others, I think she's the cutest thing ever but know not everyone appreciates it.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

But "adult environment"? a parade goes past the window!

Parades are just for kids now? DBF and I travel with no children and often book ADRs with views of the parades. That doesn't mean we want kids screaming in our ears.

I'm not saying kids shouldn't be allowed, but this logic doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[HappyPanda]

Parades are just for kids now? DBF and I travel with no children and often book ADRs with views of the parades. That doesn't mean we want kids screaming in our ears.

I'm not saying kids shouldn't be allowed, but this logic doesn't make a lot of sense.

I think you may be paraphrasing slightly. The OP never said that Parades are just for kids.

The bottom line is that children are allowed in Walts and in fact every restuarant within the Parks. So the only way to get a totally child-free meal would be to head out of the resort.

It's a shame that they haven't made one of the rooms within Walts a child-free zone, that would be a good alternative.

But even when I've been on child-free trips, it's never bothered me having children and babies around as for me, that's just part of the Disney atmosphere.

 

[tinks_1989]

But even when I've been on child-free trips, it's never bothered me having children and babies around as for me, that's just part of the Disney atmosphere.

Is it me or when you are child free you seem to be sat next to every one else who has kids lol! DH and I have only had a handful of nights out with out DD since having her but you could bet we would be sat next to some one with kids lol! It doesn't bother me but makes me feel like I might as well have brought her with us lol!

 

[wideeyes]

I think they do try to sit couples somewhere quiet if possible. I have seen them do this.

 

[Lisa_C]

Parades are just for kids now? DBF and I travel with no children and often book ADRs with views of the parades. That doesn't mean we want kids screaming in our ears.

.

This I'm afraid is how I see it sometimes. I have kids, but Disney isn't just for children and I have no qualms in leaving them behind when I go to DLP, they visit often enough with me!

And the above post is correct I think, last time we were in a window seat in a room with adults and the families seemed to be in the rooms behind. This worked fine for us though (the room had several tables for couples/two people and you could see Main Street from there :thumb up and we had a lovely time

 

[Minniesgal]

Funnily I would take a baby to Walts but not a child not even my teenagers. Why because it is a very adult setting and they would find it dull but mostly because they wouldn't like the menu too fancy for them.