V&A and Children

[ducklite]

Originally posted by MOMTOMOOTOO
With all due respect, why bother? For me the the whole experience is what I am going for and that includes a very leisurely paced meal. I just do not think V&A is something to rush thru and I would never bring my kids even if they were well behaved 100% of the time which they are not and I would venture to guess most kids are not always well behaved.

And I for one do not want to spend some 300.00 to dine with other peoples children, when I'm paying top dollar to a babysitter to stay with mine.

JMHO of course.

Laura

I couldn't have said it better!!!

If I walked into V&A's and saw a bunch of kids all infant through young grade school, I'd turn around and walk out rather than spend that kind of money listening to them, regardless of how well behaved they were.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by beachbunny
Fancy Dinner Alternatives: Citricos is right next door to V&A and has fabulous food - market inspired french cuisine. Narcoosee's is right outside on the water and has great food and an awesome view - mostly seafood. Finally, the California Grill is wonderful - time your dinner with the MK fireworks and ask for a window table - pacific rim cuisine. All are kid friendly and any one would be a great thank you dinner.

Citrico's is also not appropriate for kids in that age range. Try Jiko--they ahve a private room that would be PERFECT, and excellent food!

Anne

 

[sha_lyn]

Citrico's is also not appropriate for kids in that age range. Try Jiko--they ahve a private room that would be PERFECT, and excellent food!

Citrico's has a kids menu with the typical kids meal offereings. Why in the world wouldn't it be appropriate for children?

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
Citrico's has a kids menu with the typical kids meal offereings. Why in the world wouldn't it be appropriate for children?

My opinion is that Citrico's is rather formal and leisurely for children in the age group the OP was talking about. It's very adult geared. Personally I don't want to be seated next to a party with that many kids at ANY nicer WDW restaurant, but particularly at V&A's, Citrico's, and Shula's.

Anne

 

[sha_lyn]

Personally I don't want to be seated next to a party with that many kids at ANY nicer WDW restaurant, but particularly at V&A's, Citrico's, and Shula's.

"that" many. How many is "that"? The OP didn't say how many kids were in the group?

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
"that" many. How many is "that"? The OP didn't say how many kids were in the group?

The OP said 12 people total made up of four families. If they are traditional families that's eight adults and four kids between 9 months and 6 years old. If they are not traditional families, it could be even more kids.

If the children were older, say the six year old wa the youngest, then it would be much les of a problem. But 9 month olds who can sit through a prolonged dining experience (we average two hours at Citrico's) are very few and far between...never mind the rest of the kids.

This was a celebration dinner. If the kids get fussy then either the parents will need to leave with the kids, thus putting a damper on teh celebration, or they will allow the kids to disturb other patrons--which is rude and inconsiderate to say teh least.

That is why I suggested Jiko, with the private room, or perhaps the wine room at the CG, where they would be much less likely to disrupt others meals.

Kids aside, a party of twelve is going to be noisy, and Citrico's is a quiet type palce...that in itself is a good reason to find a more appropriate place to dine.

Anne

 

[LvsTnk]

Citrico's is perfectly fine. Shula's is as well. Some people have decided they don't want to be seated next to children so take that into account.

If you have concerns call the restaurant you are thinking of directly and tell them what you are planning, I am sure they will be very helpful!

 

[TDC Nala]

The back room...isn't that the Chefs Table? Cost us extra to sit back there.

 

[Kitten516]

TDC Nala,

there is a private room off of the main dining room in v&as. it is normally near the violinist. The Chef's Table is in the kitchen, and is more expensive.

 

[disfanatiks]

We dined at V & A on May 24th for our anniversary. We did not take DD age 12 because she would not have enjoyed the food. She would have loved the atmosphere, though.

However, when we were first seated at 9:30 PM, there was a table with about six ADULTS to the left of us and one woman was LOUD and obnoxious. I could not believe it. At one point, the woman was talking loudly and my husband said that Victoria moved ever so slightly to block my husband's view of this woman. Luckily, for us they left within 10 minutes after we arrived. So, children are not the only ones who can ruin a fine dining experience.

I, did find V & A main dining room, a much more intimate experience, however, and for a celebration it might be more pleasurable to be somewhere not quite so formal or intimate. That way it would be more of a celebration.

 

[lookingforward]

I was there Saturday night and there is a back room that is lovely, by the harpist and there are doors (I think) that can be closed. I would inquire if you could sit there since the OP party wo uld be quite large. That said, I would not think twice about bringing my 13 year old son to V&A's and look forward to doing so. He is well behaved, LOVES gourmet food and would feel so privlidged to be included with his parents. I would NOT bring my 10 year old because his appetite is SMALL and he would get bored. And I would never bring my four year old because she would misbehave under those conditions.

As pro-kids as I am I would have to agree (sorry) that if I saw infants or toddlers at V&A's I just might have to leave (assuming they would not charge my credit card for the late cancellation). But I do think if the youngest kids were in the seperate dining area it might be fine! We spent over $250 with our disney dining discount for two people. It is a big investment and peace and tranquility should be included in that price!This is truly the best restaurant I have been to in the US.

Speaking of loud adults, funny story. On Saturday night (also the 9:30 seating) there was a table of four women that were VERY loud. The two tables near us all rolled their eyes at the same time when one particularly loud women (from ACROSS the room) described in DETAIL her hysterectomy and menopause. The description lasted about five minutes (seemed like an hour) and my husband was getting a little disgusted.

 

[LeeAnn]

Thank you for positive remarks and suggestions.

I have eaten at V&A and we had enjoyed it so much that thought about doing it again. I had forgotten that it can be up 3 hours so we decided to try some place else.

I cannot believe the negative remarks. First of all, you're in WDW. There's kids everywhere (good and bad).

Our kids have eaten in good restaurants and are well behaved. If whatever reason this was not the case, I would get up so I would not disturb others and ruin their evening. This would be my problem, not yours. For years I have seen other kids, good and bad, and just have to deal with it. That's life. I commend those handle situations better than others. Now that I have a kid I expect her to treated as she and I are handling the situation not based on all kids. To not do so, well, that's rude.

I have been in many situations that the adults have behaved badly or loud. I guess they were acting worse than kids. Should we ban them too?

Where ever you are, what ever the situation, you make the best of it. That's how I go through life. If you're negative about it all, of coarse you are not going to enjoy yourself.

 

[dennis99ss]

I see absolutely no problem in allowing my kids to enjoy finer things in life. If that takes away from your enjoyment, sorry. But, not having them with me will take away from mine, and I will not let that happen. So, I guess you will just have to find a different place to eat when we bring the kids again later this year.

My kids sit through church, and don't go to the "children's liturgy" because I want them to learn how they should behave throughout the entire mass. In the same light, we take them with us to dinner, whether it be fine dinning or fast food for the same reason. What a shame it would be for the children to grow up not having the opportunity to experience fine dinning, be used to it, and not be "in awe" of it, as most of the respondents to this question seem to be. Don't get me wrong, I share the thought that V&A is one of the finest restaurant's around, and, if you factor in the fact that it is 25 - 50% less than other restaurants in its catagory, it takes the blue ribbon.

Finally, when you next go out to dinner in your hometown, look around the place. Do you see kids. I bet you do. Why should it be different on vacation.

 

[ducklite]

Actually here in NY/NJ/PA I rarely if ever see children at the finest restaurants.

The youngest child I ever saw at La Fontana was about 13, it was my son.

At the Averill Conwell Dining Room they have a VERY strict policy regarding children. They are welcome, but will be seated in an area away from others, and will be asked to leave--immediately--if they beome at all disruptive.

At the Fountain I've never seen a child.

At The Trillium I've seen one or two children, and I believe they have the same policy as the Averill Conwell.

When I go to Macaroni Grill I expect to see children. When I go to a five star restaurant, I expect that parents will leave their younger children at home to enjoy an adult dining experience and that school aged children will be remarkably well-behaved, or immediately removed.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by LeeAnn
I have been in many situations that the adults have behaved badly or loud. I guess they were acting worse than kids. Should we ban them too?

When they are distubing others, yes, they should be sent packing!

Anne

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by dennis99ss
What a shame it would be for the children to grow up not having the opportunity to experience fine dinning, be used to it, and not be "in awe" of it, as most of the respondents to this question seem to be. Don't get me wrong, I share the thought that V&A is one of the finest restaurant's around, and, if you factor in the fact that it is 25 - 50% less than other restaurants in its catagory, it takes the blue ribbon.

Finally, when you next go out to dinner in your hometown, look around the place. Do you see kids. I bet you do. Why should it be different on vacation.

I still disagree. Believe me, my children have been in some lovely restaurants and know how to behave. But like I've said before there is a time and a place for everything. I really do not think that my 1y/o son is missing out by not experienceing V&A at such a tender age!!! I would have no problem with my 6 y/o joining us as far as her behavior, but is it really fair for her to have to sit thru a 3 hour meal for the sake of her parents dining pleasure. Give me a break!!

And because I choose to pay for a babysitter, does not mean I am a bad parent, just the opposite. I am mindful of my children's
limitations.

Laura

 

[dennis99ss]

do with as you wish with your kids. I will do with as I wish with mine.

 

[Planogirl]

As I read through this thread, one thing became clear. It really depends on the child. While I would never take a toddler to a finer restaurant, I would take a well-behaved older child if that child appreciated the type of food being offered. My son is well-behaved even if bored in quiet restaurants but he would detest the food at V&A. What would be the point of causing him to be miserable for several hours? If he actually enjoyed it (and I could afford it ) I see nothing wrong with him going once he got past the whiny, toddler age. Of course, if he acted up I would remove him just as I would remove DH if he acted up.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by dennis99ss
do with as you wish with your kids. I will do with as I wish with mine.

Fine, as long as yours don't disturb my dining experience.

Anne

 

[Kallison]

[QUOTE
I cannot believe the negative remarks. First of all, you're in WDW. There's kids everywhere (good and bad).
[/QUOTE]

Don't take the negative remarks personally -- you'll hear them over and over by the same posters about the same topics.