Should all Signature restaurants ban children under 10?

[tluvstink]

I also voted no. I do agree with the ban at V & A however. There's also Shulas and Bistro De Paris for an adult night out. Even though they don't ban kids the fact there isn't a kids menu should get the point across that little ones aren't exactly welcome.

Terri

 

[hipchickie]

I voted no as well.
I am a total foodie and have been able to experience meals at some of the finest restaurants in the country - I would love to go to V&A but I feel my son is too young to be left with a stranger for babysitting, and since even before the restriction it would never even occur to me to take a young child to such a place, I haven't been able go yet.

Banning people without children? I am sure that must have been a joke, at least I hope so!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I'd also vote in favor of certain places requiring a party to have young children with them before they can eat there. Chef Mickey's comes to mind.

Never going to happen! DH and I enjoy those crazy character meals even when we are traveling without our kids. I cannot even imagine Disney considering this concept.

 

[_queenie_]

Absolutely not. My DD, who is now 13, has been going to WDW signature restaurants since she was 2. I think that's part of the reason she has very expensive and adult tastes in food.

Some kids can't handle themselves in settings such as more fancy restaurants -- indeed, many adults cannot.

Same exact situation, my DD13 has had adult taste buds practically her whole life, and my DD3 is taking right after her. We take our kids to a signature restaurant every night, frankly because we like good food. Kids learn how to act going out to eat by going out to eat. Parents need to know whether or not they can take their kids to signature places though, and if they make bad judgement and the kids (or adults) act out they need to be kicked out. The problem of noisy kids would be solved if they would just use what I call the "one strike, then you're out" system.

 

[_queenie_]

I think that it would be wrong for children 10 and under to be banned. I think that as a parent, you know how your children act in such places, and it is the parents responsibilty to decide accordingly. Dont punish those of us who have raised our children with manners and self control in public places. The signiture dining is part of the magic for us, we always look forward to a nice relaxing meal.

I agree with every single thing you said.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I didn't vote. I wanted a 'sometimes' option

Semi-seriously, on at least one of the V&A threads, it's been suggested that the signature restaurants rotate adults-only evenings. It probably wouldn't work, but it would likely work better than setting a minimum age after a certain time. For starters, how could it be enforced? Herd out all parties with children at 7:58? Not allow families to be seated after 7:15?

Yes, I realize the rotating idea wouldn't work either

 

[stellablue]

WDW wants us all to stay onsite to dine. If kids under 10 were banned from the signatures, you'd see more families with kids who want a semi-upscale meal go offsite to get it. So I don't think it would ever happen.

Good point.

 

[WillCAD]

All? Absolutely not.

Some? Maybe sometimes? Yes.

I think it's a good thing to give Guests a choice of eating in places with or without children, but no category of restaurant should be entirely one way or the other; there should be a reasonable number of choices for everybody.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

If kids can't eat at signature restauants, then adult only groups shouldn't be able to do character meals.

 

[angelmav]

If kids can't eat at signature restauants, then adult only groups shouldn't be able to do character meals.

Well if were going down that slippery slope then you could add the Bibbity boppity boutique as a 'child only' establishment.

I have no problems with V & A's doing this, but as soon as it was announced you had that percentage jump on with the all signature dining etc, etc...
Just like with BBB, there are experiences that those of all age groups enjoy, even if their not the target audience, there is always a group that skews the averages.

Leave this as V & A's plus PI and I think this discussion goes away pretty fast.

 

[llmurphy17]

I voted no. I could understand a few signature restaurants but not all of them. After all it is WDW which is suppose to be for families.

 

[stellablue]

If kids can't eat at signature restauants, then adult only groups shouldn't be able to do character meals.

Actually, adult-only groups are already banned from some special meals and parties like P&P party and Princess Tea Party at the GF. From what I understand, parents of children aren't even allowed to attend.

Bummer for me, but I understand that certain age restrictions are sometimes appropriate.

So, isn't that already an even trade? If not, than me, my DBF, and my 32 year old friends would love to dress up as princesses (my DBF would be Prince Charming of course! ) and join your kids for the tea party!! I promise we'll behave...

PS-I'm just having a little fun in that last part, so please don't get offended.

 

[ninjamama]

I'm suprised that the ban was necessary....I would think the price-tag and lack of kid's menu would weed out nearly all kids who aren't equipped to handle the experience. (I have to say, I love the idea of the "one strike" policy..) My DS 7 loves sig dining, he's an old soul, and just loves going to dinner when he has to "tuck in his shirt" and pretend to be a sophisticated grown-up! On the other hand, my DS 5 would NEVER make it through sig dining with his disposition, so there is no way I'd fork over $125+pp.....we try not to set him up to fail, you know? For the parents who would be willing to risk it, if they were to get bounced, well, that's what you get...

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I think this thread was started to stir up trouble and controversy. We all know Disney will NEVER ban kids from ALL signature restaurants because it is completely unnecessary.

 

[apostolic4life]

We take our children to very nice restaurants on a regular basis. Over the years I have brought my children up with a sense of proper and acceptable behavior and manners. Matter of fact, they tend to do better than many adults in fine dining situations so why should they be banned from any restaurant??? Do adults need time out without children, yes. Should V&A be one of those places which restrict those under 10, sure I have no problem with that. My problem comes from the faction who pushed for that change start pushing to disallow my family dining experiences that are important to our family vacations and memories. If WDW was stupid enough to allow "adults only" to be the norm at signature restaurants, I bet it would have a negative effect on their bottom line.

 

[apostolic4life]

I think this thread was started to stir up trouble and controversy. We all know Disney will NEVER ban kids from ALL signature restaurants because it is completely unnecessary.

You are very perceptive!!!! I think the purpose of this thread was to stir up some conflict!

 

[inaminute]

No, of course they shouldn't ban younger children. That's just silly.

I WOULD like to see a time set--maybe 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. where signature restaurants would be for adults and older children (12 and up), though.

 

[NMW]

I voted a big fat NO. My kids love dining out. They have been going to signatures at WDW since my daughter was an infant and my boys were toddlers. The have excellent manners and enjoy different types of "adult" food. Why shouldn't thye be able to eat there.

One time my husband and had our daughter when she was 2 at a Cheesecake Factory restuarant. A couple without children was going to be seated next to us and our very quiet daughter. They flat out told the hostess they didn't want to sit next to us. The hostess moved them over about 3 tables. Well, about 10 minutes later a group of 2 young couples get seated right next to them. I'm not sure if they were college age or high school (it was Christmas break so it could have been either). They were so loud we could hear some of what they were saying. I mean it was bad. They were laughing loudly the entire meal. My daughter on the other hand never said a word-she didn't even speak yet! I told my husband I felt like going over there and saying something like "Too bad you didn't want to sit next to a child, you'd of have a much quieter meal."

 

[Kitka]

10 is a ridiculously arbitrary age. Either go all the way and make them adult only, or let parents continue to use their judgment on whether or not their child can behave in a nicer restaurant.

My 6 year old is more well behaved than many 10 year olds I know!

 

[UGAFan0829]

As far as banning children from all of the signature restaurants, I personally think that is ridiculous. We don't have children ourselves, but I just don't think it would be fair. There are may children who dress and behave better than some adults.
And as far as the subject of adult only groups not being allowed to do character meals, I think that is absolutely ABSURD! The DH and I very much look forward to our character meals on our Disney vacations, and I think that a lot of other adult only groups do so as well.