Three dining times coming

[LambertLion]

LOL. You would have really hated my first cruise. One seating at 6 pm, and dinner was a 3 1/2 hour 12 course show. Cruising sure has changed. THAT type of situation used to be the norm.

Yeah, I would have hated it and stopped cruising or stopped going to the dinners.

 

[tvguy]

Yeah, I would have hated it and stopped cruising or stopped going to the dinners.

Times have changed. In 1980 when I took my first cruise people expected to be pampered with a long fancy dinner with gourmet food. The Love Boat made cruising so much more main street and affordable.

 

[MumOfAPlutoFan]

It has nothing to do with judgment. I'm not saying you're a bad mother. I'm saying iPads don't belong in dining rooms, just like bathing suits don't belong in dining rooms, basketball shorts don't belong in dining rooms, and cell phones don't belong in dining rooms.

I'm asking sincerely, I'm not being difficult... would you set your son up with the iPad in a theater?

No I wouldn’t. He loves the theatre, but we always try to sit on the front row or as near to it as possible so that he is less aware of how busy it is. We also try to get there as early as possible so he doesn’t need to walk past crowds. If he was struggling one of us would take him out. He would only have a tablet in a dining room if he was really struggling and we were mid meal to allow him to feel calm enough to eat. If he had eaten one of us would take him for a walk and then swap with the other once they had eaten. It isn’t something we do all the time and we wouldn’t have the volume on as he is happy to watch his favourites without words. It isn’t something that as a parent I thought I would ever do. Sometimes though, life throws us a curve ball or two and we find ourselves living life a little differently in order to give both our children the opportunities that arise. For other families whose childen’s anxiety is more extreme it may be needed more than it is with us. Sometimes we just all need to remember that our reality can be very different from someone else’s.

 

[Travel60]

Would probably never fly but one solution on cruises of 4+ days would be a 4 day rotation instead of 3. The extra day could be a "do your own thing". Palo or Remy for adults who want to pay extra. Open Cabanas with a modified menu (using staff who would be part of 4-day rotation), pizza, burgers, or the fruit/sandwich place on the pool deck near Cabanas.

We are not used to eating big meals every night and on longer cruises sometimes just skip dinner for something light.

 

[Princesca]

I'm intrigued by this... we have a toddler who goes to bed between 7-8, and while I wouldn't want to actually start eating at 4:30, I would definitely be cool with being seated at 4:30 and start eating at 5. We could swing that, and if it wasn't a very popular seating, so much the better... love avoiding crowds as often as possible. For their sake and ours, our son is a mini-Tarzan lately.

 

[Princesca]

No I wouldn’t. He loves the theatre, but we always try to sit on the front row or as near to it as possible so that he is less aware of how busy it is. We also try to get there as early as possible so he doesn’t need to walk past crowds. If he was struggling one of us would take him out. He would only have a tablet in a dining room if he was really struggling and we were mid meal to allow him to feel calm enough to eat. If he had eaten one of us would take him for a walk and then swap with the other once they had eaten. It isn’t something we do all the time and we wouldn’t have the volume on as he is happy to watch his favourites without words. It isn’t something that as a parent I thought I would ever do. Sometimes though, life throws us a curve ball or two and we find ourselves living life a little differently in order to give both our children the opportunities that arise. For other families whose childen’s anxiety is more extreme it may be needed more than it is with us. Sometimes we just all need to remember that our reality can be very different from someone else’s.

Please don't let anyone make you feel like you need to justify iPads for your child. You do what you need to do to keep your child entertained and minimize their impact on people around you. We generally don't go to screens as a first resort with our 19 month old, but you can bet your sweet bippy if he's about to pitch an epic fit somewhere, we're gonna whip out some Bluey or Blippi and we aren't going to think twice about it. The low sound from that is no different than the conversations around us, and I can promise that the people around us would prefer that to the Mariah Carey stylings he's been dropping lately.

Should you blast Cocomelon at volume 11? No, of course not. I'm pretty sure that's against the Geneva Convention.

Should you take your toddler who hasn't progressed beyond throwing food on the floor (our current stage) to a Michelin-starred restaurant where people are paying $100 a plate for a relaxing dining experience? Also no.

If our son has been having a cranky day, we don't take him out ANYwhere, but sometimes, it's unavoidable and we all just have to do the best we can. I would much rather hear some quiet Blippi in the background at a restaurant than hear a cranky toddler. That said, on a Disney cruise, I expect a fair amount of magical meltdowns. If I had an issue with that, we'd book on a line not targeted toward children.

I used to be someone who was extremely judgmental about how people handled their children in public. I regret those positions now. I had no idea how difficult it can be sometimes, to balance our needs as parents and his needs and the needs of, and consideration for, the people around us.

And we're talking about Disney here. Disney comes with an expectation of kids being present, along with their behaviors, so if someone is opposed to a tablet being used to distract a toddler in a dining room, a *Disney* cruise may not be the best option for them. Above almost anywhere else, Disney should be the most tolerant, welcoming, and enriching place for your son. You sound like you are being an amazing parent for your child.

 

[Lilsia]

Would probably never fly but one solution on cruises of 4+ days would be a 4 day rotation instead of 3. The extra day could be a "do your own thing". Palo or Remy for adults who want to pay extra. Open Cabanas with a modified menu (using staff who would be part of 4-day rotation), pizza, burgers, or the fruit/sandwich place on the pool deck near Cabanas.

We are not used to eating big meals every night and on longer cruises sometimes just skip dinner for something light.

The problem with that is there is not enough space to feed everyone if you close the main dining rooms. Palo and Remy are already completely booked out most nights and the dining rooms are still full. Just think about it, there are 3 huge dining rooms that are completely full every night. Where are these people going to eat? They would have to make dinner from 4-10pm at Cabanas and keep it a buffet to feed everyone. No way that they can handle that many people as a sit down.

 

[Lilsia]

Please don't let anyone make you feel like you need to justify iPads for your child. You do what you need to do to keep your child entertained and minimize their impact on people around you. We generally don't go to screens as a first resort with our 19 month old, but you can bet your sweet bippy if he's about to pitch an epic fit somewhere, we're gonna whip out some Bluey or Blippi and we aren't going to think twice about it. The low sound from that is no different than the conversations around us, and I can promise that the people around us would prefer that to the Mariah Carey stylings he's been dropping lately.

Should you blast Cocomelon at volume 11? No, of course not. I'm pretty sure that's against the Geneva Convention.

Should you take your toddler who hasn't progressed beyond throwing food on the floor (our current stage) to a Michelin-starred restaurant where people are paying $100 a plate for a relaxing dining experience? Also no.

If our son has been having a cranky day, we don't take him out ANYwhere, but sometimes, it's unavoidable and we all just have to do the best we can. I would much rather hear some quiet Blippi in the background at a restaurant than hear a cranky toddler. That said, on a Disney cruise, I expect a fair amount of magical meltdowns. If I had an issue with that, we'd book on a line not targeted toward children.

I used to be someone who was extremely judgmental about how people handled their children in public. I regret those positions now. I had no idea how difficult it can be sometimes, to balance our needs as parents and his needs and the needs of, and consideration for, the people around us.

And we're talking about Disney here. Disney comes with an expectation of kids being present, along with their behaviors, so if someone is opposed to a tablet being used to distract a toddler in a dining room, a *Disney* cruise may not be the best option for them. Above almost anywhere else, Disney should be the most tolerant, welcoming, and enriching place for your son. You sound like you are being an amazing parent for your child.

I don't think that the tablet is the issue for most people. It is usually the volume of it. You put it on a low volume but then the kid complains that they can't hear it and so it gets jacked up. The funny thing about sound is the way that it travels. So you could be sitting across from your child and hardly hear the tablet, but to the person at the table behind your child, the volume could be extremely loud. And while you are a considerate parent, unfortunately, way too many have the mentality that they don't give a fig about others, they just want their child to be happy. The fact that we see way more of those types of parents is the reason why that so many people get annoyed with the situation. Which is understandable. Much leeway is given when it comes to Disney owned areas. But it is still inappropriate to have a child screaming bloody murder inside a dining room. We just all have to be considerate of others, but that does not mean that it should be a free for all. I imagine everyone has a story of someone letting their kid scream for an extended period of time before they had to be told to leave. This disruptive behavior is become much more common lately. I think that electronics have ruined kids. They don't develop the tools that they need to entertain themselves anymore. It is like an addiction.

 

[nancipants]

I don't think that the tablet is the issue for most people. It is usually the volume of it. You put it on a low volume but then the kid complains that they can't hear it and so it gets jacked up. The funny thing about sound is the way that it travels. So you could be sitting across from your child and hardly hear the tablet, but to the person at the table behind your child, the volume could be extremely loud. And while you are a considerate parent, unfortunately, way too many have the mentality that they don't give a fig about others, they just want their child to be happy. The fact that we see way more of those types of parents is the reason why that so many people get annoyed with the situation. Which is understandable. Much leeway is given when it comes to Disney owned areas. But it is still inappropriate to have a child screaming bloody murder inside a dining room. We just all have to be considerate of others, but that does not mean that it should be a free for all. I imagine everyone has a story of someone letting their kid scream for an extended period of time before they had to be told to leave. This disruptive behavior is become much more common lately. I think that electronics have ruined kids. They don't develop the tools that they need to entertain themselves anymore. It is like an addiction.

To be fair, I'm 41, and I rarely entertain myself without electronics.

 

[juxtapose]

I don't think that the tablet is the issue for most people. It is usually the volume of it. You put it on a low volume but then the kid complains that they can't hear it and so it gets jacked up. The funny thing about sound is the way that it travels. So you could be sitting across from your child and hardly hear the tablet, but to the person at the table behind your child, the volume could be extremely loud. And while you are a considerate parent, unfortunately, way too many have the mentality that they don't give a fig about others, they just want their child to be happy. The fact that we see way more of those types of parents is the reason why that so many people get annoyed with the situation. Which is understandable. Much leeway is given when it comes to Disney owned areas. But it is still inappropriate to have a child screaming bloody murder inside a dining room. We just all have to be considerate of others, but that does not mean that it should be a free for all. I imagine everyone has a story of someone letting their kid scream for an extended period of time before they had to be told to leave. This disruptive behavior is become much more common lately. I think that electronics have ruined kids. They don't develop the tools that they need to entertain themselves anymore. It is like an addiction.

I'd like to think I go out to eat a lot and have never seen a kid on a tablet with the volume on without headphones. I think people discussing tablet use are assuming the kids have headphones on so no one else can hear it, or it's on mute. I also don't think kids are anymore destructive than they used to be, I have young kids, so am around kids a lot, and they're no more rowdy/loud than I remember being as a kid. Maybe my generation of parents just take our kids out more to restaurants so they're noticed more? I know both my husband and I didn't go out to eat really ever as kids but now we take our kids out a lot.

 

[Kwami]

I'd like to think I go out to eat a lot and have never seen a kid on a tablet with the volume on without headphones. I think people discussing tablet use are assuming the kids have headphones on so no one else can hear it, or it's on mute. I also don't think kids are anymore destructive than they used to be, I have young kids, so am around kids a lot, and they're no more rowdy/loud than I remember being as a kid. Maybe my generation of parents just take our kids out more to restaurants so they're noticed more? I know both my husband and I didn't go out to eat really ever as kids but now we take our kids out a lot.

I think too many parents just don't care when their kids are inconveniencing others and so many people have a perception that kids these days are the worst. And I know, not all kids are the worst. But, ugh.

When I was a kid, if my parents caught me kicking the chair in front of me on an airplane or at a baseball game, I'd get one warning and then there would be some consequences. (Not physical consequences; my parents didn't hit me, so don't go there). As an adult, I've been on multiple flights and to many movies, ball games, and shows where kids just kept kicking my chair for hours and the parents didn't do a thing about it, even when I finally turned around to complain.

About a month ago, I saw a show on Broadway and there was a teenage girl behind us with her phone volume up. Every time she got a text, it would make play a jingle. We asked her to turn if off, but she didn't and her parents gave us rude stares for even asking. As if we were in the wrong!

Or, how about the kids that run up and down the hallways while their parents are getting ready? Running kids are loud. You can hear them through the doors and you can especially hear them one floor down. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. It's the worst. But the parents just let it happen because they're too busy getting ready to pay attention to the kids and the kids are only bothering *other* people.

Stuff like this adds up. Honestly, I have no problem with iPads in the dining room if it keeps the kids quiet and they don't turn the sound on. I think it's somewhat sad that there's no better way to entertain children on a Disney cruise, but whatever. As long as they aren't bothering me.

I feel like a grumpy old person already.

 

[Dug720]

I'd like to think I go out to eat a lot and have never seen a kid on a tablet with the volume on without headphones. I think people discussing tablet use are assuming the kids have headphones on so no one else can hear it, or it's on mute. I also don't think kids are anymore destructive than they used to be, I have young kids, so am around kids a lot, and they're no more rowdy/loud than I remember being as a kid. Maybe my generation of parents just take our kids out more to restaurants so they're noticed more? I know both my husband and I didn't go out to eat really ever as kids but now we take our kids out a lot.

I don't go out that much, but I remember when I was a kid (in the dark ages before portable electronics) and my mom would bring books (reading and coloring) to keep us occupied or we would talk - yes, even when my sister or I were 3 or 4. It not only kept us quiet most of the time, it taught us to be able to go out. (We also got season tickets to the symphony and went once a month, so we learned to appreciate music AND how to behave in a concert or theatre setting.) I realize that this puts me in "get off my lawn" territory, but I do think too many people just go immediately to electronics as a crutch rather than trying other non-electronic means of keeping kids occupied.

 

[Dug720]

About a month ago, I saw a show on Broadway and there was a teenage girl behind us with her phone volume up. Every time she got a text, it would make play a jingle. We asked her to turn if off, but she didn't and her parents gave us rude stares for even asking. As if we were in the wrong!

It's a shame you weren't at Company. Patti LuPone would have taken care of that.

 

[Lilsia]

I'd like to think I go out to eat a lot and have never seen a kid on a tablet with the volume on without headphones. I think people discussing tablet use are assuming the kids have headphones on so no one else can hear it, or it's on mute. I also don't think kids are anymore destructive than they used to be, I have young kids, so am around kids a lot, and they're no more rowdy/loud than I remember being as a kid. Maybe my generation of parents just take our kids out more to restaurants so they're noticed more? I know both my husband and I didn't go out to eat really ever as kids but now we take our kids out a lot.

I have worked in food for 33 years. Yes, kids are WAY worse then they were even 10 years ago. Anything goes when it comes to behavior now. Kids have always been loud, but they were taught that you don't act that way in certain places, like a restaurant. That is the difference now. And many times I have heard tablets at full blast with no headphones. And you can't say anything to those parents, no matter how many other people complain because they don't give a fig. They get aggressive with you or anyone else that says anything to them. This is one of the big reasons why people are leaving these jobs. People are out of control. Not to knock your experiences, but going out to dinner and spending 8 hours a day inside the restaurant are different experiences. You would be horrified at what I have seen and the dangerous behavior that parents allow their children to do. For reference, I worked at a nice cafe in the "classier" part of town if you want to call it that. And parents let their kids pee on the seat, intentionally even though we have free restrooms. They let them run up and down the banquettes. I have seen a kid about 3 years old knock out his front teeth doing that. People let their kids run around the whole restaurant even though people are carrying hot food, including soups. You see parents that are glued to their phones that they don't even notice that their baby is choking on their food, yes I have seen that too. I can go on and on. You all need to get a job in food service to appreciate how horribly people parent their kids now. That is just the straight up truth whether or not you want to believe that. There have always been a few parents that didn't teach their kids how to act and let them run wild, but now it is a everyday thing. In fact, the well behaved kids are the ones that stick out now.

 

[Princesca]

I have worked in food for 33 years. Yes, kids are WAY worse then they were even 10 years ago. Anything goes when it comes to behavior now. Kids have always been loud, but they were taught that you don't act that way in certain places, like a restaurant. That is the difference now. And many times I have heard tablets at full blast with no headphones. And you can't say anything to those parents, no matter how many other people complain because they don't give a fig. They get aggressive with you or anyone else that says anything to them. This is one of the big reasons why people are leaving these jobs. People are out of control. Not to knock your experiences, but going out to dinner and spending 8 hours a day inside the restaurant are different experiences. You would be horrified at what I have seen and the dangerous behavior that parents allow their children to do. For reference, I work at a nice cafe in the "classier" part of town if you want to call it that. And parents let their kids pee on the seat, intentionally even though we have free restrooms. They let them run up and down the banquettes. I have seen a kid about 3 years old knock out his front teeth doing that. People let their kids run around the whole restaurant even though people are carrying hot food, including soups. You see parents that are glued to their phones that they don't even notice that their baby is choking on their food, yes I have seen that too. I can go on and on. You all need to get a job in food service to appreciate how horribly people parent their kids now. That is just the straight up truth whether or not you want to believe that. There have always been a few parents that didn't teach their kids how to act and let them run wild, but now it is a everyday thing. In fact, the well behaved kids are the ones that stick out now.

I will say that we have been complimented by servers for cleaning up after our kid. Like I will go ask for a broom so we can sweep up. And I guess that is not the norm, which IS sad. Because if you make an unusual mess, you should clean it up.

But this all started from a PP's comment that "tablets don't belong in dining rooms" and I still think, when used considerately and appropriately, a tablet can be a useful tool for keeping the peace, and keeping kids OUT of the way of servers and other guests, and preventing some of the bad behaviors you describe above.

And it's not just a kid/parents thing. Ugh, the people who talk on the phone while they're using a public restroom. Or just throw trash out the window of their cars. It's grody.

 

[Kwami]

And it's not just a kid/parents thing. Ugh, the people who talk on the phone while they're using a public restroom. Or just throw trash out the window of their cars. It's grody.

And the people talking on the phone while ordering food! It's just so rude to the workers trying to get their orders. Although, just about a week ago, I went to order a coffee at my local Dunkin' and the *employee* was talking on the phone while I ordered. So rude!

I think cell phones broke people. But, we're so far off topic, now!

 

[Dug720]

Ugh, the people who talk on the phone while they're using a public restroom.

I'll fully admit to exaggerating bathroom noises - and even fake barfing - when someone is on the phone in the bathroom.

 

[nancipants]

But this all started from a PP's comment that "tablets don't belong in dining rooms" and I still think, when used considerately and appropriately, a tablet can be a useful tool for keeping the peace, and keeping kids OUT of the way of servers and other guests, and preventing some of the bad behaviors you describe above.

Agreed with this. I would much rather sit near a well-behaved child watching a tablet - even without headphones - than near kids who are running around, getting out of their seats, throwing things, etc. I got criticized in another forum for saying we let our son watch Disney Plus shows with the volume on because he won't wear headphones. When in actuality, the volume is so low I can't hear it even while sitting next to him. He doesn't complain about not being able to hear it, and once he IS able to complain he will (hopefully) understand that he can't watch it without headphones. (Gosh, I really can't wait for him to be able to comprehend more consequences!) People also told me to keep him home if he can't behave. He DOES behave - for about half an hour. Then he says "all done" and wants to get out of the high chair, because he's two. If I can't take my kid out to eat at Disney World or on a Disney Cruise, where CAN I take my kid so he learns to behave in public?

 

[Princesca]

Agreed with this. I would much rather sit near a well-behaved child watching a tablet - even without headphones - than near kids who are running around, getting out of their seats, throwing things, etc. I got criticized in another forum for saying we let our son watch Disney Plus shows with the volume on because he won't wear headphones. When in actuality, the volume is so low I can't hear it even while sitting next to him. He doesn't complain about not being able to hear it, and once he IS able to complain he will (hopefully) understand that he can't watch it without headphones. (Gosh, I really can't wait for him to be able to comprehend more consequences!) People also told me to keep him home if he can't behave. He DOES behave - for about half an hour. Then he says "all done" and wants to get out of the high chair, because he's two. If I can't take my kid out to eat at Disney World or on a Disney Cruise, where CAN I take my kid so he learns to behave in public?

Our son is 19 months and I feel this. He is big for his age and very mobile/physical, into climbing, but he doesn't have the capacity for much reasoning/logic yet, and can't do things like wear earbuds or headphones without trying to eat them. It's an awkward point where he's very physically capable but has very little common sense, but I feel by the time we take him on our cruise we booked next year, he'll be in a different place, and will be able to handle some things that he can't now. In the meantime, though, life is kinda rough, especially after enduring quarantine for the past couple of years with an infant/toddler. We don't have much access to reliable care for our son, other than ourselves, and you know, once in a blue moon we like to go to a table service restaurant. And I think that should be okay.

And I agree with your preference, but to be fair, maybe I am just better at tuning out Cocomelon than the average person without kids (or with kids long grown) because if I couldn't do that, I'd have lost my marbles by now.

 

[nancipants]

And I agree with your preference, but to be fair, maybe I am just better at tuning out Cocomelon than the average person without kids (or with kids long grown) because if I couldn't do that, I'd have lost my marbles by now.

I refuse to let him watch Cocomelon. I only put on Disney Junior in the house or Disney Plus on his phone. I encourage him to watch Bluey as much as possible but he prefers Spidey and His Amazing Friends, or his latest obsession, Toy Story.