Signature dining with young children

[RDP]

How do other Disers feel about this ? Have you noticed a lot more young kids at these restaurants since the dining plan was introduced particularly free dining ? Do you think it impacts on the enjoyment of other guests ? Our kids are 5 and 2 and we have never taken them to a Disney signature restaurant. Although they are usually well behaved, like all children they have their moments. Thoughts please

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well behaved children of any age are fine at Disney Signature restaurants. There are always children as young as yours at these places (with the possible exception of Shula's) and I suspect the DDP has something to do with it.

It's when children "act out" that bothers most other diners, and it's worse when the parents sit back and do nothing about it.
So I'd say that if you do take your kids to a Signature restaurant and they do act up, be prepared to take them out of the restaurant until they are able to calm down. Most Disney Signature meals can easily take and hour and a half, which is a LONG time for youngsters to sit still.

 

[ciera321]

If you're at Disney you have to expect to see kiddos in all restaurants (except V & A). If they get cranky, take them out until they can recover, then continue with your dinner. Of course, having something to color or draw with, maybe new Disney crayons and pad, always helps! I don't think anyone ever minds being around well behaved kids. They'll be fine

 

[Pakey]

We are an adults only group (with grown children) and yes, I do believe there are a lot more diners with young children since the dining plan started. Before the dining plan, the signature restaurants were usually pretty empty unless it was peak season. Now they are full and a bit noisier due to the higher number of diners, not necessarily the age of them.

We are not the least bit bothered by seeing children in these restaurants as long as they are well behaved. I do not want to try to sit and enjoy a good bottle of wine while listening to a child cry or screech or scream. I do expect parents to remove their children if they are loud enough to bother diners at the next table.

We have dined at every signature many times and it was only on our trip last month that we have ever experienced a ruined dinner due to a misbehaving child. I think one meal in hundreds is a pretty good number.

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree, kids that are acting fine don't bother me. I expect to see them everywhere in WDW. It is when the parents are oblivous to the situation that gets to me. You can't tell me "you didn't hear your child screaming at the top of their lungs while standing on their chair to get Pooh's attention"....just doesn't fly.

At signature places, is fine again....just if a melt down occurs I ask that YOU interupt your meal to remove the child from the restaurant and not just let us "deal" with it.

Those are my opinions.

Have a great trip!!

 

[DW2010]

Here's my input. You're at Disney, a mostly kid theme park. So expect kids at all restuarant except V&A which is 10+. I personally wouldn't take my DD to some of the signature restaurants, but we are taking her to California Grill in September. She'll be just a few days shy of 4 when we go. My step-mom and dad are coming with us and have said that if she gets antsy, they'll just take her back to the resort while Dh and I finish up. I hear California Grill is loud anyways and that many children go there so that's why I don't feel the least bit guilty bringing her there .

**And the only thing that gets me about children in ANY restaurant is if they're running around like crazy or screaming and their parents do nothing about it! Dh and I a long with my SIL, BIL and Dh's parents went out to eat Father's Day and this child just kept crying at the top of his lungs. Nobody got up and went out of the restaurant with him. They just let him cry the entire time! UGH.

 

[RDP]

Having been to WDW without kids we can certainly appreciate the sensitivities of adults who just want a relaxing meal without screaming children. Like a PP mentioned it is a long time for youngsters to sit still and keep reasonably quiet. We may give it a miss on this occasion. There'll be plenty more visits in the future to enjoy signature dining.

 

[Mamu]

Doesn't bother me.

When I travel with my GC we do more character meals and a lot of CS. They do not want to spend 3 meals a day at TS. The older ones want to do rides, swim, rent sea raycer's, play mini golf and play video games. The younger ones want to do rides, swim and buy ever toy in the park. I try to pick restaurants I think they might like, SciFi, 50' Prime Time, San Angels, T-Rex, Rainforest, restaurants that might hold their interest.

When we travel with adults we do signature restaurants. I want to sit and enjoy my meal and not be rushed or listen to whiney little ones (Our own) other don't bother me. Disney has a way of tiring out little ones who do have melt-downs.

FD in a wonderful perk, but it's not for everyone. We chose the discount (40%0ff) on this upcoming trip, there are 10 of us 2 little ones and 2 teens. We do have a few lunches planned but over-all I think we'll be doing lots of CS. Yes FD would have been a bigger saving but more of a hassle. So we chose the discount (over $2100)

 

[PrincessDuck]

We have done several signature restaurants with my kids...they are now 7 and 4. My plan for it is to go as close to opening as I can. They usually open at 5:30? They are not overly tired at this time and are usually Ready to eat....slack off on snacks a few hours before. I hope by doing this that I am done with my children by the time most couples would come in for romantic dinner. I hope to teach them how to behave in such environments and will take them out if they start acting up...have not had to yet!

 

[goodferry]

We just got back from a long stay on the deluxe dining plan and took our kids to a signature restaurant every night. They are 18, 14, 11 and 6 and they had no trouble sitting still and behaving through dinner. There were lots of other kids there plenty younger, so I think you should be fine. We did try to dine at earlier times (not after 6) in case there were couples trying to enjoy a romantic dinner alone later in the evening.

 

[Silver Queen]

We have never had a problem with young children in a signature restaurant. They are usually very well behaved and cared for by their parents. It's a pleasure to see them. Actually, if I think about it, it seems that the child behavior issues that we have seen have been in the 1 credit TS or counter service restaurants.

 

[jdisnut]

I expect to see children at the signature restaurants. As long as they are relatively well-behaved, I have no issue with it. Besides Victoria & Albert's, I don't view the signature restaurants as particularly fancy. They're just a bit more upscale than the regular places.

 

[sydneysmom]

I think it's so sweet when you see a nice family out in a nice restaurant. It's great to expose your children early to different experiences, and it's good for them to learn manners by eating in nicer restaurants.

We've been taking our DD4 out since she was 10 months. I think the earlier you expose kids to different things, the more they get used to learning how to behave. I never worry about taking my DD anywhere nice. Now, I do always keep crayons or something in my purse to entertain her just in case.

But I don't think it's feasible for a couple to not go out until their kids are old enough. It's all about teaching your kids manners early. I know that our DD loves going to "fancy restaurants" (as she calls them) as a special treat.

Plus, you're at Disney. There's no way you're going anywhere without kids around and if anyone really expects that, they're kidding themselves.
(except V & A) Disney is made for kids of all ages.

that being said, do I like screaming kids in nice restaurants.....well......no.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

DS4 was wonderful with Mom and Dad at signatures - California Grill, Citricos, Narcoosees, and Jiko. And going to the same plus Flying Fish and Brown Derby on next trip. We went for dinner and had a few helpful things going for us.... DS4 was tired by dinner and had his fill of park stuff so he was willing to relax and sit down. It was a wonderful time to look at the pictures and videos on our camera that I took earlier and talk about how fun our day was.

When there's a break - like in between courses, I'll take a quick walk. At California Grill, we went outside on the connecting deck to look at the sunset and MK. At Citricos, just outside the restaurant is where the orchestra plays. Narcoosees has an outdoor walkway around the restaurant overlooking the 7 Seas Lagoon and the Castle.

The toughest meal for DS to cooperate at was lunch at non-signature restaurants in the parks. And I understand.... all this fun stuff going on, sitting at a boring restaurant could not compete. Major tantrum outside Liberty Tree! And really didn't want to go in Yak and Yeti either. Crystal Palace (characters) has never been a problem. We eat lunch there lots.

 

[KathyK]

We have been dining in signature restuarants at WDW with kids since our oldest was 5 months old. (She is 8.5 now, so long before the dining plan was around.) Our kids have never screamed or run around in a restaurant, and they would be immediately removed if they did. The waiters are always wonderful with kids.

V&A's is the only place I wouldn't bring the children.

 

[TxRabbit]

Having been to WDW without kids we can certainly appreciate the sensitivities of adults who just want a relaxing meal without screaming children. Like a PP mentioned it is a long time for youngsters to sit still and keep reasonably quiet. We may give it a miss on this occasion. There'll be plenty more visits in the future to enjoy signature dining.

I appreciate your attitude BUT...

If you dine closer to opening time for the signatures, you will find that the Signatures are largely empty. At least we did when we went last June. This is also a time when many patrons go with children. At least, this is what we noticed.

You can be selective in your choice of Signatures and pick ones that have the opportunity for a natural stretch for young legs in necessary. Like California Grill and it's open kitchen, viewing deck, etc. If the kids DO get antsy, take a little walk around. OR, plan for it with a combined trip to the restroom. We were invited to check out the view at CG after we first talked with our server, so this is something natural and expected IMO.

Jiko also has a somewhat open kitchen in that the appies are prepared in the open kitchen. These things would give the kids something to look at. ALSO, the idea of going to Jiko and seeing what is at AKL can make for a combined evening.

I think that another good idea would be to PRACTICE the idea of going to a fine dining establishment. Have fun at home and mimic the idea of what you would expect in Signature dining. Put the linens on the table, have a multi-course meal, etc. Don't flame me, but often times, I think that we parents forgo some things that we don't need to just because it starts to seem too hard, when really, it isn't that hard at all. Make the most of the opportunity that Disney offers and expose your children to something different.

 

[RDP]

Proud to be a DISer , great helpful posts with fantastic family values

 

[jlhill4444]

I have to agree with pp that Disney was made for kids of all ages and this is no different in signature rest. Kids can enjoy food as much as some adults. My son has a very refined taste in food and enjoys signature restraunts. I wouldn't expect all adult parties to be upset at seeing kids in a signature rest (other than V&A) they know they are at Disney and kids are everywhere. Kids can be louder than adults, but that is to be expected.

 

[AirGoofy]

How do other Disers feel about this ? Have you noticed a lot more young kids at these restaurants since the dining plan was introduced particularly free dining ? Do you think it impacts on the enjoyment of other guests ? Our kids are 5 and 2 and we have never taken them to a Disney signature restaurant. Although they are usually well behaved, like all children they have their moments. Thoughts please

I know my dds (8,6) and the two children at the table next to us at Flying Fish 2 weeks ago behaved a lot better than the table of 10 drunk men behind us, who must have been at WDW for a loudest man convention. On top of that, they kept getting up and going outside to holler at others via the backdoor. I was able to turn to my children and tell them not to behave like those adults when they get older.