Table Service, Signatures, and kids

[gharter]

We always took our kids to signature restaurants.
We found the staff to be awesome to bring bread or crackers for the kids right away.
Make sure you have things to keep the kids busy, books, coloring books, etc.
Be sure to get your ADRs earlier in the evening as kids get hungry often before adults do.
Doing this, we never had an issue with our kids.

 

[OneDaysEvening]

We went in March (right before they closed the parks) with my in laws. My daughter was 10 months old, niece and nephew were 11 and almost 6 year old. Every restaurant was great with the kids. We did Teppan Edo, which was fun and entertaining for the kiddos. Also Coral Reef which had great views, but was extra exciting because our niece and our Brother in law were going to be diving in the tank later in the trip. We all enjoyed Be Our Guest as well, there's so much to look at. Mama Melrose wasn't particularly exciting for them, but the meal still went well. My husband, daughter and I also went to 2 sit downs just the 3 of us. Raglan Road (on our arrival night) and that went over well and then we did the California Grill brunch, which we loved.
We originally had Skipper Canteen booked, but that was our last night and when all the news was getting crazy about shut downs, and parks closing and we decided not to be in the parks full day so we could have time to investigate if we would have any travel disruptions. We ended up eating at Toledo since we were staying at Coronado. Great views and we took the kids outside to check out the views and see what we could spot from the parks when they got a little restless since the interior for them wasn't anything exciting.

 

[sethschroeder]

Until our kids get older likely wouldn't do more than 1 or 2 standard sit downs the entier extended week.

We will have an exception the hope is in 4 or 5 years we can do the dining plan and will do a bunch of character meals in one go.

 

[B-Ride]

The only thing that’s off the table is Victoria & Albert’s. Other than that, I’d go on the website, look at menus, and figure out what your family would like the eat.

It’s Disney World. Bring your children, even to signatures, and have fun.

Agreed. Disney World is for families. As long as you can find something on the menu that your kids will eat you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[Aela]

My daughter really enjoyed Jiko’s when she was 7. BoG and CRT are perfect signature options for a family.

I would highly suggest you do a signature and TS lunch, not dinner. By dinner they will be too tired to enjoy it. Plus bring a phone/tablet and headphones.

 

[MomOTwins]

We always do TS for lunch and dinner--having a break to sit and recharge is great for all of us. And we've eaten at every signature multiple times (I miss the deluxe dining plan) except V&A because no kids allowed and Takumi Tei, because of the price tag and the limited kids menu. You really can't go wrong with most places, but I've listed some of the places we've found were the best experience in terms of solid kids menu, atmosphere, and great food/ambiance for mom and dad.

California Grill--our kids loved the unique kids menu desserts and getting to watch the sunset from the rooftop observation area.
Hollywood Brown Derby--has one of the most approachable kids menus for a signature restaurant (our kids were thrilled with their hot dogs) even though the adult food is very sophisticated and the restaurant is gorgeous.
Be our Guest--what is more than fun than eating "the grey stuff" for dessert inside the Beast's castle? If you aren't seated in the "West Wing" definitely stop by to see the the rose petal fall and the lightning magically change the painting of the prince/beast. Note this is a prix fixe menu (adults and kids alike need to pay for appetizer, entree and dessert)
Tiffins--This was our favorite food as adults (much better than Jiko, though similar menu concept), but it is a little more adventurous of a menu for the kiddos, so you'd need to check it works for them.

I left off Yachtsman and Narcoosees and the Disney Springs signatures even though they were perfectly nice meals because I feel like there is not much that is very "Disney" about them--we have so many restaurants like that at home (although if you don't have a Jaleo where you live, that is worth a visit). Loved the character breakfast at Topolino's but you said you're not interested in character meals--and we weren't that impressed with the dinner we had there.

Don't let anyone discourage you--if you are midway through your trip and finding it is not working for you, just cancel some or all of your remaining ADRs (no penalty if you cancel before midnight the night before). Our kids are never too tired at dinner time because we are conscious about going at a slow pace during the day, using a stroller for our youngest, and take mid-day resort breaks--which frankly is a good idea whether you are eating a TS or not.

 

[Dakota731]

Our kids were used to going out to eat at nice restaurants since we went weekly from the time they were born, so Disney was no different. In fact it can be beneficial to escape the heat and rest for awhile. They especially enjoyed theme type restaurants like Prime Time, Sci Fi, TRexx and they even enjoyed Ragland Road. It’s Disney so if people are annoyed by kids then maybe they should stay home. Though I do agree with a previous poster that parents need to take kids outside for awhile if they are screaming and crying just as a courtesy to other diners.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

My daughter really enjoyed Jiko’s when she was 7. BoG and CRT are perfect signature options for a family.

I would highly suggest you do a signature and TS lunch, not dinner. By dinner they will be too tired to enjoy it. Plus bring a phone/tablet and headphones.

Mine loved Jiko and Cali Girll at that age. We didn’t find her to be too tired for them in the evening.

 

[JFox]

...You don’t have to have a movie blaring such that the tables on the other side can hear it...

Biggest pet peeve ever!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Biggest pet peeve ever!View attachment 548604

So, are adults allowed their phones in the dining room? They are audio devices. Personally I wouldn’t mind if that was the policy. I have never allowed them at the table, no matter the age. Dinner is family time for us and we pay attention to each other, not a screen. I would have a issue with not being allowed a high chair or booster for my well behaved child.

 

[Lilsia]

Biggest pet peeve ever!View attachment 548604

What's funny is that when we were growing up, we did not have the "distractions" that they have now. We just learned to behave. I really think people are doing their kids a disservice by not having them learn to entertain themselves within their mind and by constantly having a screen in their face. Kids have learned how to act since the beginning of humanity but for some reason they can't anymore? I don't get that. As for this restaurant. I think that it really shows what kind of age that we are in that restaurants and other diners are fed up with misbehaving children and loud screens. You didn't need a sign like that 20 years ago. WDW is a different environment where there will be more children and many are tired and hot, so a bit more leeway is given. A parent just has to know their kids and if they can handle sitting down for a meal or if they need to grab something from quick service.

 

[JFox]

So, are adults allowed their phones in the dining room? They are audio devices. Personally I wouldn’t mind if that was the policy. I have never allowed them at the table, no matter the age. Dinner is family time for us and we pay attention to each other, not a screen. I would have a issue with not being allowed a high chair or booster for my well behaved child.

I didn't test the policy. But I will say that the dining room was pleasant. Like your family dinner time is family time. NO phones or devices.

If a restaurant didn't provide high chairs/boosters I would either bring my own or pick a different restaurant.

 

[JFox]

What's funny is that when we were growing up, we did not have the "distractions" that they have now. We just learned to behave. I really think people are doing their kids a disservice by not having them learn to entertain themselves within their mind and by constantly having a screen in their face. Kids have learned how to act since the beginning of humanity but for some reason they can't anymore? I don't get that. As for this restaurant. I think that it really shows what kind of age that we are in that restaurants and other diners are fed up with misbehaving children and loud screens. You didn't need a sign like that 20 years ago. WDW is a different environment where there will be more children and many are tired and hot, so a bit more leeway is given. A parent just has to know their kids and if they can handle sitting down for a meal or if they need to grab something from quick service.

I wish more restaurants had the guts to put up signs like this. I swear I have super hearing and can hear every chime, note, dialog across a restaurant. Kid turns up device above the restaurant noise and in turn the restaurant noise increases to compensate. And sometimes it's an adult who should know better. One time my husband and I sat next to a couple who turned on pandora during their meal for their own personal muzak soundtrack. We politely moved to another table.

 

[MomOTwins]

I will say, forgot in my earlier post to add one more tip. Before we go to a signature restaurant we head back to the room and get everyone washed and dressed in some nice clothes (there is a dress code at signatures though I've never see it enforced as to kids). I've noticed other guests are sometimes more welcoming of having a family with little kids sat beside them if the kids are looking neat and tidy rather than in t-shirts with mickey bar chocolate stains

 

[JFox]

I will say, forgot in my earlier post to add one more tip. Before we go to a signature restaurant we head back to the room and get everyone washed and dressed in some nice clothes (there is a dress code at signatures though I've never see it enforced as to kids). I've noticed other guests are sometimes more welcoming of having a family with little kids sat beside them if the kids are looking neat and tidy rather than in t-shirts with mickey bar chocolate stains

Any restaurant, not just Disney.

 

[MomOTwins]

Any restaurant, not just Disney.

True, but I specified signature because for the “regular” TS at disney world, especially the ones in park, people just wear casual park clothes. I would never dream of showing up at a restaurant at home in a tank top, shorts, fanny pack, and tennis shoes, but I wouldn’t think twice about doing that at Tony’s in MK because it is what is practical for a long day of touring and everyone else is doing the same.

 

[Sakiki]

If you’re looking outside of the parks, I’d try Sanaa at Kidani or Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge. Both excellent TS restaurants and kid friendly.

And Boma at Jambo House if it’s reopened by then. We’ve never travelled with children but the ones we see always seem to enjoy it. As do we (it’s always been one of our ‘musts’ for breakfast...

 

[gharter]

Biggest pet peeve ever!View attachment 548604

Have never been to a restaurant with a sign like that, even at the nicest restaurants we've been to.
Not sure I'd want to.

 

[Sakiki]

Have never been to a restaurant with a sign like that, even at the nicest restaurants we've been to.
Not sure I'd want to.

Well, they have at least made it clear up front what sort of clientele they’re looking for!

 

[Lilsia]

Have never been to a restaurant with a sign like that, even at the nicest restaurants we've been to.
Not sure I'd want to.

I imagine that they put the sign in up in response to the type of behavior that is becoming all too common. 20+ years ago, it would be rare to see a kid acting up out in public. Now, you can't go to the store or a restaurant without some kid screaming his head off. Unless it is a baby, kids used to be taught to moderate their tone. Unless a kid got hurt, they did not scream like a banshee for no reason and especially not out in public to embarrass your Mom. There has been a definite shift in what parents are considering "acceptable" behavior lately and none of it is society friendly. I watch the videos of Tokyo DL and the kids are all walking nicely by their parents and not screaming and jumping around.