Signature Dining w/Kids?

[Maxwell42]

Thanks for all the input. I think my kids are a little older than most that I've seen mentioned here (8 and 6), and they are very well behaved and never loud or unruly at restaurants. We always bring something to occupy them, and we never have issues (though we did when they were younger). But we've also never taken them to any fine dining restaurants, so it might be a little different experience for them.

The main thing I was wondering - besides wanting to be sure that we wouldn't be looked upon with disdain for bringing our kids into one of these restaurants - was which of the signature restaurants are they most likely to enjoy. They are not very adventurous eaters, but it appears that all of the signature restaurants have kid's menus that would be fine for them.

So in terms of atmosphere, setting, service, food, etc. where are two average kids most likely to enjoy themselves vs. wishing the meal would end ASAP so they can get out of there? I was thinking CG (for the view) and Jiko (for the animals - though I don't know if there's a view of the animals from the restaurant). I'm also thinking that it would be nice to have some interesting places to take the kids during down times in the meal, so they're not just sitting for two hours. Are there any others that spring to mind from those of you with experience?

Thanks!

 

[Dee & Greg]

Hi... we don't have kids, and we really haven't had any of the "dining experiences" others have had on this thread
And we almost always eat at Signature Restaurants, and see children having a good time. That being said, I recommend California Grill because the view is wonderful. Le Cellier is too dark for them to be entertained. Jiko is also pretty dark in the dining area.
They may like Artist Point at WL.. what about Coral Reef? Can't you see the underwater life during dining? (haven't eaten there)
Have fun!

 

[Pakey]

OP, as I had posted in my original post, I think that CG and Narcoosees are best suited for children. CG has the amazing MK views and Narcoosees looks out over the lagoon and you can watch the boats coming and going. Artist Point does look out into the courtyard area of WL but the other signatures really have nothing of interest inside the restaurant. Jiko is pretty dark, it would be more difficult to do tableside activities and be able to see well and there are no views of animals from inside the restaurant. Citricos has no view of anything that would be of interest and the decor is very bland. Flying Fish does have an open kitchen if you think your children would find looking at the cooks for 90-120 minutes interesting but there is no outside views although the decor is interesting. Yachtsman does look out over Storm Along Bay if you get a window seat but there aren't many of them. Brown Derby does have all of the old Hollywood pencil caricatures on the walls which are pretty interesting to view.

Because of the older age of your children and your statement that they are fine sitting for 90-120 minutes, I suggest you pick the restaurant which has the menu that appeals the most to you.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree with Pakey--for "entertaining" children, California grill and Narcoossee's are the best bets. Along with the view etc, California Grill has an open kitchen as well.