Tips for Positive Disney Dining Experiences with Children

[DisneyFamily123]

Please share your thoughts about what parents and restaurants can do to make dining with children at Disney a positive experience for everyone....

I hope that Disney, priding itself on top-notch customer service, includes training for restaurant personnel that is specific to dining with children. I expect to be catered to a bit when I dine, and I'm paying for my children so they should get the same service. Otherwise, I could save money and eat quick service or cook at home.

Here are some of my ideas...

We schedule our dinners at a time that works for us. And I learned the hard way to slow down and not try to do too much beyond the point of being over tired.

If not asked, we tell our waiter how to pace our food. For example, bring our child something to eat when we get our appetizers. Don't delay too long between courses so the meal doesn't take as long.

We take a mid-meal break between courses. Either a parent or older sibling takes our son for a quick walk - outside, to look at restaurant decor, etc.

We offer incentives - item from gift shop in lobby outside restaurant.

We bring some things to do if child gets bored - books, crayons, etc. My DS4 likes to look at the photos on my camera taken earlier in the day.

One of us will leave the restaurant with our son if he is crying or having a tantrum and don't go back until calmed down. If this fails, we are prepared to take the rest of our meal to go and enjoy it outside, back at the room, etc...




Here are things we like our waiter to do.

Have conversation with my child just as the waiter would do with the adults at the table. Speak to him at eye level, ask him about his day at Disney, use his name.

Visit my table often. With children, we may need things more often.

Make the meal interesting for children. I do NOT expect my waiter to put on a clown hat and entertain my child... but they could do something... they should have a few tricks up their sleeve. Tell a joke, a funny disney fact, offer to meet the chef, etc.

Be flexible with the child's menu. This is the restaurants' fault. Child menus are too limited. My DS4 has allergies so we always get alternatives that he likes but the signature restaurants especially were flexible anyway. Children are by nature picky eaters. Some menu flexibility would help.

Examples of "Child-Friendly" Restaurant Service

• Ohana - Chef made DS4 a special desert (due to allergies) - a very creative presentation - a tower of fruit.
• Restaurant Marrakesh - the waiter talked to DS4 at eye level and made frequent visits to our table asking him questions about his food and his day and posed for a photo with him.
• Jiko - our waitress was full of pleasant smiles and talked with DS4 about his day.
• Narcoosees - waiter laughed when DS4 held up a stuffed Simba lion and growled at him, and the waiter growled back!
• Citrocos (and other restaurants) - our waiter brought a giant bowl of strawberries (DS4's favorite) instead of the usual fruit cup (melon and grapes).
• Tusker House Donald's Safari Breakfast - I was about to get up from the table to let mom know the characters were getting close to our table...instead, the waiter told me to relax and went to the buffet himself to let her know.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

Lots of great tips! We have always come to restaurants prepared to keep my DD contented. I feel that it is the parent's responsibility to ensure their children behave appropriately and do not in any way negatively effect other diners. I do not feel it is in any way the job of the waitstaff to keep my child entertained. Though I agree a nice friendly waiter/waitress will add to any dining experience.

I'm so happy that my DD5 is past the age where behavior is an issue. Though we still have a small bag we take to restaurants with favourite appropriate activities to keep her busy if the meal stretches on. I'm always amazed when we go out to diner with family and friends and the parents bring nothing for the kids and appear surprised and annoyed when they start to misbehave because they are bored I've actually suggested coming prepared to these parents and they just can't be bothered. Their response is always that they just didn't think of it Maybe it's just my friends, the same ones that "forget" to bring an extra diaper and a change of clothes for their kid when they take them out

 

[gogo]

This is an interesting thread but I wonder how long until it gets closed. I'm sure there will be some fireworks from both sides with children withoutchildren.

A couple of things struck me as funny. Why should a waiter or waitress stoop down to talk to a child. I can't imagine expecting an adult to stoop or lower themselves to make my child or any other child feel important.
Even at Disney. What about when you dine elsewhere and your child gets upset because the waiter does not bow, I mean stoop.

If a child is having a tantrum expecting the waitstaff to try and figure it out is asking a lot. If the parent doesn't know what the problem is then no one else will especially waitstaff.

I would hope a sensible parent would discuss any and all concerns with the waitstaff when they are seated. Such as bringing out food quickly, does the restaurant have coloring books, etc.

And honestly, if a child is having a tantrum a reasonable person would or should want to leave the table until the tantrum has passed.

A lot of this is really common sense but some of the suggestions you mentioned just seemed different.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

To clarify...

This is an interesting thread but I wonder how long until it gets closed. I'm sure there will be some fireworks from both sides with children withoutchildren.

I hope people can be civil... Seems like a fair topic for discussion.

A couple of things struck me as funny. Why should a waiter or waitress stoop down to talk to a child. I can't imagine expecting an adult to stoop or lower themselves to make my child or any other child feel important.
Even at Disney. What about when you dine elsewhere and your child gets upset because the waiter does not bow, I mean stoop.

Stoop might not be the right word. What I mean, is the waiter should address my child directly. Most children (and adults) respond better when being looked at eye level when talking. I get annoyed when people talk to me about my son when he is right there. He's a part of our dining party.... and not just "to be seen and not heard".

If a child is having a tantrum expecting the waitstaff to try and figure it out is asking a lot. If the parent doesn't know what the problem is then no one else will especially waitstaff.

I don't think the wait staff should have to figure it out. A reasonable parent would leave... but a waiter could help by politely suggesting a place. If I were a waiter, I'd say something like, "There's a lobby with some fun stuff kids like to look at just outside the restaurant, can I suggest you take a quick break there? Then I'd offer to bring a special snack for the child... or maybe a glass of wine for the parent (probably much needed at this point!) If the parent gets upset about that, too bad.

I would hope a sensible parent would discuss any and all concerns with the waitstaff when they are seated. Such as bringing out food quickly, does the restaurant have coloring books, etc.

And honestly, if a child is having a tantrum a reasonable person would or should want to leave the table until the tantrum has passed.

A lot of this is really common sense but some of the suggestions you mentioned just seemed different.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have seen YOUNG children dining at signature restaurants at WDW well past 7 PM. There absolutely are parents who will schedule late ADRs with complete disregard for their children and other diners.

The way I see it, the waitstaff have their hands full providing the services of, well, waitstaff! They have to stay on top of things at multiple tables. Tables with and without children. They are busy. I respect that. Yes, they should acknowledge the children but I don't think it goes much beyond that.

It is up to the parents to be responsible for making sure children are behaving appropriately. It is up to the parents to make sure the children are entertained. And if the children are not behaving and are not entertained it is up to the parents to fix it.

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree with gogo....not to long until this thread is shot dead in it's tracks. But until then I felt compeled to ask "who are you to assume these guidelines on everyone around you?"

While I agree with the common sense things, removing a screaming child, giving them something to do, talking to them. I don't believe a waitress/waiter should have to stoop or call them by their name (unless a name tag is being worn and then only out of courtesy).
They are there to do a job, not be a slave endebted to you as a customer.

I would have to say you have a list of things that are absolutely crossing a line for someone to have to earn a descent tip.

And lastly, do NOT tell those who don't have children to dine at a later time so that families can dine early because children can't wait!!
What if I am a diabetic and must eat at certain times, yet I have no child? What if I have plans later and need to eat? What if......anything.

Yep I so see this being closed ASAP! Hope a mod comes along soon!

EDIT ---- Sorry my post does sound a bit over the top, probably shouldn't have posted but I did. I still feel strongly about some of the things you expect others to do to make YOUR meal more enjoyable, but that isn't my business.

 

[dis-happy]

Some of it sounds good in paper but...

Many, many people come to WDW from different time zones. For my sister visiting from CA with her dh and dd, the "5:30 dinnertime" would equate to an 8:30 ADR if she wanted to keep a normal schedule as suggested.


Oh, if a waiter looked my 2 year old in the eye and started talking to him, he'd probably burst out in tears. Really not a good idea there.

 

[TinkerBelle920]

I find some of these "self proclaimed facts" or whatever they are odd as well while others I agree you are exactly right. But the stopping to the childs level I totally disagree with. I actually prefer for a waitress/waiter to ask me what my child would like. Because if they ask my son then he will most likely say a bowl of sugar with spoon. I think it is respectful to ask the parent what the child would like to eat/drink. But I do think they should acknowledge the child in some way.

 

[disneycruising]

Some of it sounds good in paper but...

Many, many people come to WDW from different time zones. For my sister visiting from CA with her dh and dd, the "5:30 dinnertime" would equate to an 8:30 ADR if she wanted to keep a normal schedule as suggested.
QUOTE]

I am also in CA time. When we were in WDW in Dec we kept our kids on CA time... we had breakfast at 11am, lunch at 3, a snack at 6 and dinner at 9.

I have taken my children to WDW a number of times. We do at least one sit down meal a day. I pick my meals by what would interest my children. When they were younger we would go to places that we knew would be noiser, because 4 little kids are noisy. As they have gotten older we have tried a few nicer restraunants.

I have never thought that it was anyone job to keep my children 'quiet' but mine. I always have something in my bag that I can pull out to keep their interest for a few minutes or we play as many games as we can think of until our food comes.

 

[pigletto]

This is the one point that I think could easily negate all others.

Have 1 adult leave the restaurant with the child if crying/tantrum and don't go back until calmed down --

I have missed many a meal sitting outside with a toddler. And that is my responsibility. I chose to have kids, I chose to go into that restaurant and it is nobody else's responsibility if my child is having a tantrum but mine.

I was always prepared to leave if necessary. Now my children are a little older and are out of the tantrum phase thank goodness. But I think as a courtesy to others it was necessary to remove them sometimes.

Honestly.. the rest reads as a bit of a lecture (know how to parent thanks) and making it someone else's responsibility. And your list of rules for wait staff?? Wow.

 

[jbmgsdmom]

I think this an interesting topic and I think if you come at from a place of "Tell your good dining experiences with kids" you might not take it so personally. I don't think the starter of this topic intended for her ideas to be "MUST DO's" but rather suggestions if you are concerned about dining with kids. I have 3 kids (12, 8, &3) and we will be taking our first trip to WDW this year and will be eating at Signature Restaurants. As a parent, I want my kids to enjoy themselves but we have also taught them manners, to be respectful and what happens when you act up at the table. These are things we practice at home and other restaurants. As a parent, you should know how your kids are before you venture to WDW. I am the one responsible for them and making sure they behave.

As for a waiters/waitress responsibility...I do judge my tip not just on how fast they got drinks and food to us but also how they treated us as a family. I'm sorry if that offends someone but I am paying good money for my family to eat there and I do expect that waiter/waitress will be respectful, kind and acknowledge everyone at the table. I don't expect them to necessarily get down on my kids levels but if I am asked what my kids would like, I always turn to my kids and give them the opportunity to answer. If they choose not too, then that's fine but sometimes they like to order for themselves.

As this is our first trip to WDW, I would love to hear other peoples positivve experiences at a particular restaurant with kids whether you were the one with the kids or you didn't have kids but saw something positve happen. I hope this thread stays open because I am excited to hear about the best place to take my kids.

 

[marielynn724]

same old story of kids vs no kids - not just at disney but in general!

i'm 23 years old, i'm currently planning my honeymoon for this april. no kids yet, although i do plan on having some in a few years. here are my thoughts:

1. there are kids in disney world. lots of kids. that is the nature of disney world. anyone who doesn't have kids who travels to disney should understand and accept this face. the reason you want to go to disney is because you are a kid at heart, right?

2. DON'T BRING BABIES TO DISNEY! i know this will seem offensive to a lot of people, and i totally understand that. do you really think your 1 year old is going to remember any of his or her experience? do you really want to lug around diaper bags and baby food and all that sort of paraphinalia on your vacation? i know the photo ops are adorable, but please, for the kid's sake and your sake, and everyone else's sake - wait a few years until your kid is mature enough to A)remember it and B) behave properly. Whether that age is 3 or 4 or 5 is at the discresion of the parents. Please know your own kid's limits. I was 5 on my first trip, and I only remember a hand full of things, most vividly how scared I was of everything (especially the trolls in Norway, lol). It's not a kid's fault if they are too tired and too hot because their parents who want to see everything dragged them around from 8am-8pm in 94 degree weather.

c'mon people, this is disney! let's all live in harmony in the place where "children of all ages can laugh and play and learn together"

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I edited my first post starting this thread to be less imposing... I was really trying to share my ideas about what worked for us... but I see how in writing, it came across as very opinionated. I hope my edit helps. (smile!)

I don't expect the waiter or restaurant to be the parent... but there are things both can do to be more "child-friendly" none of which would cause them to go out of their way.

I do think that a lot of restaurants (not so much at Disney) are really oriented to adults without children. Disney Dining is an exception and one of the reasons I enjoyed Disney World -- to have creative fun meals including finer dining, dinner shows, and shows with entertainment (music, belly dancing, characters, interesting decor, etc.).

I tip quite a bit more than 20% when I get the service I want. But I don't leave my waiter guessing either. Table service costs more money than counter service or cooking at home... so I expect something for that money... If all the waiter will do is bring me my food, I can get that at Denny's.

I expect "service". In addition to just being friendly, that means...

• Making sure my food is right before bringing it to the table.
• Knowing enough about the food and wine to inform me so I can make a good choice.
• Making the dining experience a positive one by just being friendly and maybe giving some insider tips for other dining and enjoying the parks. Maybe some diners just want to be left alone... I like some conversation with my waiter.

Dining Times -- I didn't even think about time zone differences. I didn't mean to suggest that people without children shouldn't have a choice about when to dine... I'm just saying that if people really can't stand to dine in a restaurant with children, maybe looking for that perfect quiet romantic meal, later times are probably quieter. Maybe not...

 

[frtchr]

I actually prefer for a waitress/waiter to ask me what my child would like. Because if they ask my son then he will most likely say a bowl of sugar with spoon.

I needed a laugh today. Thank you!!

 

[frtchr]

c'mon people, this is disney! let's all live in harmony in the place where "children of all ages can laugh and play and learn together"

Children of all ages who can remember the trip, I think is what you mean. I totally disagree with you on that,by the way, but you're entitled to your opinion. I just thought it was funny that you want children of ALL ages to laugh, play, and learn together...but not if they're babies.

 

[MelanieC]

2. DON'T BRING BABIES TO DISNEY!

Are you really serious? Walt wanted a place that parents and children could enjoy equally, I don't think he meant to exlude parents with infants. Babies travel well, no reason anyone shouldn't go with one if they wanted too.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

2. DON'T BRING BABIES TO DISNEY!
QUOTE]

I saw a post here once with the funniest answer. Someone was asking what is the right age, when a child will remember, etc...... And a poster answered "forty inches" -- because 40 inches will meet the height requirement for most rides!

I can see how bringing babies would be a lot of work... but when isn't having babies a lot of work? Honestly, coming with our teenagers in 2008 was a LOT of work!

 

[deerhart]

as my kids get older this is a continued discussion in our house.

It drives us BONKERS when waitstaff ignore our kids (my boys are 7 and almost 10). I have been at places where my drink will be refilled promptly but my kids drinks completely ignored until we flag down the person.

I have no problems with the waitstaff that take my kids order and then look to us to confirm that it is okay.

The point about getting down to the child's level is to make the adult less imposing on the child. its a common technique.

 

[TDC Nala]

Please do not make this thread a discussion about whether babies or ANYONE of any age should or should not be at Disney or in the restaurants. That is not the point of this thread. If it gets too contentious some of the previous posters are right, it's gonna get locked. This is kind of like tipping - it's one of the most contentious restaurant-related discussion there is.

It'll also get locked if it turns into a discussion about whether you tip according to whether the server behaves as you'd expect or whether or not you perceive that they are ignoring your children, because tipping discussion is limited to the Tipping Information Thread which is stuck to the top of this board.

 

[jennylyn_b]

My husband and I don't have any children yet. We are hoping to add a little Disney addict to our lives soon. However, we both love seeing children at Disney and in the restaurants. Having said that, I think that it is the primary responsibility of the parents to make sure their children behave properly. It is also nice to see the waiters who can interact with the children and make them feel comfortable. We enjoy watching the children who are trying new things and enjoying a new experience.

The bottom line is that it is Disney and with that comes children. Children have meltdowns and I have honestly seen grownups have them too.