Signature Dining with Kids

[adsrtw]

I am debating on taking my kids to a signature restaurant during our visit in June. My kids are 4 & 9 and behave in public for the most part. Can't say 100%, since no kid is like that, lol.

My 9 year old enjoys a wide variety (sushi even!), so I know he will be fine anywhere. My daughter is picky, but the kids meals look fine for her. My delimma revolves around kids at a signature restaurants. Will I be stepping on lots of toes? Are there restaurants that are more suited for a signature family meal? With that being said, I know that CRT is the most kid-friendly, but I have heard some less than stellar reviews about the food. I will try to get an ADR if I absolutely need it to use the credits. Also, we are going to hoop dee doo that week.

Also if anybody has experiences with kids at signatures, please feel free to share. Observations of or experiences with. This will help me tremendously!

Thanks,
Amiee

 

[BriarRosie]

All the restaurants (except Victoria and Albert's) is kid-friendly, for the most part. I wouldn't recommend CRT unless you're going for the princess aspect. Seriously.

I think you'll be fine going to any restaurant on Disney property (aside from V&A again, of course). I don't have kids, but I've dined at the majority of WDW restaurants. Every single time I've seen kids eating at every restaurant (except V&A - LOL)

Don't worry too much about it. Sushi at California Grill is terrific, but I think the restaurant has become something of a zoo because of the obsession with watching fireworks from there.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We've taken kids of a wide variety of ages to Cali Grill (3 different times). Our kids were well behaved but start getting antsy after a while. The meal is LONG and drawn out, especially if you're there during fireworks. The restaurant is very nice but there were LOTS of kids there. If you go there make sure you get the rice crispy sushi for the kids. Very cute.

 

[Pumbaa_]

i would just bring something for them to entertain themselves with at dinner. It can be a longer meal and it is hard to sit so long! Bring a little toy for your DD to play with between courses. Any of them should be fine

 

[psindone]

We always brought our kids to signature dinning. I'm sure they will be fine. How many fries and chicken tenders can one person eat...... Counter service is OK but not for your whole vacation. Go and enjoy.

 

[webray]

The only place I would never take children is Victoria & Alberts and Le Bistro (In EPCOT).

We have taken our granddaughter to Artist Point several times, as well as Yachtsman once. We would also take her (well now them, as there is three, lol) to Jiko and Flying Fish if given the chance and time when we are all together.

The one thing my son and daughter-in-law understand is that if one of the girls are not in the mood to sit through a 2-3 hour dinner then one of them will leave with the child so as not to upset other diners.

They have only had to leave once. The girls even sat through three hours of private dining at Grand Floridian. Also, the girls are much younger than your kids, 5, 3 and 1, so I don't see any problem with your children behaving in a proper restaurant so you all can enjoy a good meal.

 

[Pakey]

I have seen well behaved children at most of the signatures. I have not seen a poorly behaved or noisy child at any and I would hope that parents would leave immediately from these places before subjecting fellow diners to it. We are going in 4 weeks with a 3 yr old and have elected to skip all signatures this trip as he does not sit well and would never make it through the 90-120 min meals.

I've eaten at all on many occasions and I think that CG and Narcoosees are the best suited for children. Both offer nice outside views that would help to keep children entertained and both are acoustically louder. There are usually many children dining in these two. I have seen the least number of children at Jiko; the others (FF, Yachtsman, Citricos, Artist Point) usually have a few tables with kids but my experience has been more adults, esp. later in the evenings. There are usually quite a few kids at HBD also since it is inside a park.

 

[onelilspark]

My biggest tip would be to eat early. What I've noticed is that since the dinners tend to last longer, kids get antsy. It's not as big of a deal if you start your meal at 5-530, you're done by 7ish. If you don't start your meal until 630, you're not finishing up until 8 or so. That gets late for kids (obviously.) I've noticed that I like dining in signature restaurants during later hours because there are less children present. So you'll probably feel more comfortable bringing your children in if you see other families as well (just my opinion!)

So...my thinking: just make it for around 530 and you should be just fine! Enjoy! (p.s. my fave is Jiko!)

 

[adsrtw]

Thanks everybody! I was really expecting to hear that I should make other plans. I too, have no qualms with packing up a kiddo and heading out the door. I will have my mom and my aunt with me, so that should make it a little easier. It sounds like the hard part will be decide where to eat! I just love special dining occassions but didn't want to rock the boat, lol.