V&A and Children

[sha_lyn]

I think many of you assume that just because your children would not enjoy fine dinning that other children would not also.

This reminds me of something that happened to us just last month. We were on a field trip at the Atlanta History Center. On the grounds is a small restaurant that is a favorite lunch spot of the older "society" ladies (and a husband or 2). The only other choice for lunch was a counter service place with an extremely limited menu.

3 mothers (including myself) decided to chance having lunch at the Coach House with 3 5yr old girls, 1 infant boy 1 1yr boy, and 1 teen boy (one 5 yr old and the teen are mine). The hostess remained professional as she gather up a high chair and 3 booster seats. However you could tell she was a bit put off by our large group of kids. There was a large group of well dressed "society" ladies behind us who were very loud. 3 tables away from us (in the other direction of the loud group) was an older couple. The man didn't seem to notice the loud group, but he kept his eye on our kids the entire time. I still don't see how this guy could have eaten. He was staring at us every time I looked up. If any of the children spoke or moved he would make these horrible faces as if just the site of children was going to kill him. The children were extremely well behaved, and the girls spoke in their best "library voices".

This restaurant doe not have a children’s menu, but they didn’t hesitate when we asked if they could split a meal 4 ways between the 3 girls and the toddler. They actually gave the kids an extra serving of fruit salad to share at no extra charge.

As we finished the meal, our server, the hostess and the manager (I assume that is who she was from what I saw in the restaurant) all came over to complement the girls on how well behaved they were. The manager actually came over about 3 time total. She even complemented us (the moms) on raising such fine young ladies. What was really funny was that it seemed that the manager made sure the man heard every word. She would look in his direction often while speaking to us.

 

[FleurdeLise]

So you're comparing a lunch spot at a Living history center to Victoria and Alberts?

Sorry,but V&A's is the one spot at WDW that should be Adult's only.And most of the adults there have kids and just want a romantic,quiet dinner for two. Too bad that some folks don't comprehend.

 

[sha_lyn]

So you're comparing a lunch spot at a Living history center to Victoria and Alberts?

Yes I am. As I said it is the lunch spot for the society ladies in the area. It is not a lunch counter, but a fine dining establishment with linen, china and stemmed crystal glassware.

WDW has not chosen to make V&A's an adults only restaurant. Too bad some folks can't comprehend that they don't make the policies for WDW.

 

[ducklite]

No, V&A's doesn't have a no children policy, but they don't offer a children's menu and have a dress code. I guess they hope that people will read betwen the lines.

BTW-- When I say that I don't think bringing children to V&A's is appropriate, I'm not talking about ten year olds. I'm referring to the infant through pre-schoolers that almost always have a hard time sitting still and not making noise for the three hours it takes to dine at V&A's. I don't think I've ever run into a three year old who would enjoy that experience. It's not fair to the child or other diners at what most plan as a quiet couples type dinner.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I've eaten at the Swan Coach House. It is not at all comparable with dinner at V&A's. It would be somewhat closer to a combination of the GF Cafe and the GF Tea. If I recall when I ate there I had a club sandwich, and hot entree's were limited.

The atmosphere is enjoyable, but not at all comparable.

Anne

 

[April in Disney]

WDW has not chosen to make V&A's an adults only restaurant. Too bad some folks can't comprehend that they don't make the policies for WDW.

Well said sha_lyn.

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

I do take my 7 year old DD to very fine restaurants in NY and NJ and sometimes I do see other children.

It is no one's place to decide for others. As long as WDW allows children in ALL their restaurants you can take your child no matter how old they are to the restaurant of your choice. You are the one who is paying the check not me nor anyone else in here if anyone doesn't like it they have the option to leave or to send a letter to WDW and ask them to change their policy in regard to certain restaurants.

 

[lookingforward]

It never ceases to amaze me when I read the open hostility of some of these posts. There is so much underlying anger from some people that I think if someone keeled over and passed out at dinner certain posters would complain that it was ruining their "dining experience" when the ambulance came to assist. (sorry for the sarcasm).

Truthfully, if they don't have a policy there is nothing anyone can do about it. WDW is a child friendly place. That being said I think it depends on the child. We are loving parents no matter if we bring them or arrange for appropriate care while we dine/adults only.

Having lived in Manhatten, Japan and Connecticut I have to add that I have OFTEN seen children at fine dining establishments. It is much more common early in the evening as opposed to 9 p.m or later, though. I think it is safe to assume that you won't find many toddlers dining at V&A's or any comparable restaurant ANYWHERE after 9 p.m.

 

[kayeandjim00]

It never ceases to amaze me when I read the open hostility of some of these posts. There is so much underlying anger from some people that I think if someone keeled over and passed out at dinner certain posters would complain that it was ruining their "dining experience" when the ambulance came to assist. (sorry for the sarcasm).

I couldn't agree with you more lookingforward. I'm still fairly new to these boards but the negative posts always seem to come from the same people over and over and I can't imagine why some people are so NEGATIVE. Everyone has opinions and I don't understand why some people ALWAYS think their opinion is the way it should be.. no ifs, ands, or buts.

Just my $.02

As for my opinion about the OP, I think that she knows the children in question best and rather or not they can handle the long dinner, etc and should do whatever makes her and her family happy - it's your vacation!!

 

[polyfan]

I agree with the last couple of posts. People need to get over it. WDW is a kid friendly place. If someone wants to bring their child there to eat, then let them. They are the ones paying for it. Why would someone else's children bother you? If I was dining there I would be too involved in conversation with my dinner companions and enjoying the dinner to be worried about someone else's child.

 

[dg39]

I enjoy reading most of the posts on all the boards. I love to answer questions if I can help someone. But, lately there's so much hostility that I won't share my opinion about this subject for fear of being bashed for it. Why do so many people get angry if there opinion is different from others. Can't we all just stick with the topic & just answer the question without meanness. After all this is a disney board, and this is my disney fix when I'm not in the world. Lets just be considerate of everyones opinions & have fun while visiting these boards.

 

[sha_lyn]

It never ceases to amaze me when I read the open hostility of some of these posts. There is so much underlying anger from some people that I think if someone keeled over and passed out at dinner certain posters would complain that it was ruining their "dining experience" when the ambulance came to assist. (sorry for the sarcasm).

Well the hostility has carried over to my PM box. I didn't realize I could not relate a story that happened to me unless it pass the test of the restaurant snobs. YOU do know I didn't compare price, menu etc. I didn't even compare the atsmophere. I told a story that relays the message that many of us are try to get across. Children can behave well in a restuarant, and adults can behave badly. If that make me a small town girl worthy of rolling eyes so be it. At last I'm not a restaurant snob that tries to set policies for restaurants that they do not manage or own.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

This is a very interesting thread, and being that I'm about to make my PS reservations, the thought of dining at V&A had crossed my mind.

But let's be honest -- it's expensive, decidedly gourmet, and quite upscale. Not that I'm against any of those things, but on a budget vacation, if DF and I can manage one nice sit-down dinner a night at a moderately-priced restaurant, I'll be happy. V&A can wait until we've got the means to truly enjoy it.

That said, if and when the times comes that we DO get to enjoy a dinner at V&A, I will hope that it beckons the quiet, intimate, and ultra-romantic atmosphere that I've so often heard about. And in my mind, children (especially younger ones) just don't fit into that picture. Is it selfish to want a child-free, romantic, intimate dinner while on a Disney vacation? I would hope not! You'll find children in every single resort on WDW property as well as in nearly every single restaurant ... And I love children just as much as the next hopeful-future-mom, but I think couples sans kids have every right to enjoy a truly romantic dinner at least once during their Disney stay.

Would it have been better if V&A were located on Pleasure Island, and therefore unable to be patronized by families with children? Maybe so. But while Disney doesn't want to discriminate against their younger guests, requiring a dress code and purposely desgining a small and intimate dining experience is definitely a broad hint in my book that perhaps the little ones would be better off elsewhere.

I hope the OP finds the ideal restaurant to dine in -- one that has the elegant atmosphere desired and is kid-friendly as well. But I do tend to agree with the other posters. V&A sounds to me like the absolute ultimate luxiourious WDW dining experience, and sometimes that kind of luxury is best saved for adults who can truly enjoy and appreciate all that their money is paying for!

 

[sha_lyn]

Would it have been better if V&A were located on Pleasure Island, and therefore unable to be patronized by families with children? Maybe so. But while Disney doesn't want to discriminate against their younger guests, requiring a dress code and purposely desgining a small and intimate dining experience is definitely a broad hint in my book that perhaps the little ones would be better off elsewhere.

Children are allowed in PI. WDW/Disney has policies in place for the places they have deemed adult only. There are 2 adult only clubs at PI and there are adult only areas on the cruise ships and the island. The cruise ships even have an adult only restaurant. They don't hint around. If they wanted V&A to be adult only, their record shows that they would do so.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Sorry, that's what I was talking about. PI is the only place on WDW property that has restrictions on age at two of their clubs, so if V&A were located on PI, it might be more acceptable to put an age restriction on who was welcomed to dine there.

It would never happen, I'm just saying it would have taken away the confusion. I don't think I've EVER seen an age-restricted restaurant, but in some cases, it may not be a bad idea.

Just my two cents.

 

[LvsTnk]

There is no confusion as far as the CM's are concerned, if you call directly and ask or if you stop by V&A and ask they will tell you that children are allowed.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by LvsTnk
There is no confusion as far as the CM's are concerned, if you call directly and ask or if you stop by V&A and ask they will tell you that children are allowed.

Oh, of course! If they said anything different, they'd lose their jobs. But whether V&A allows children to dine there, and whether it's appropriate for children to dine there, is another issue all together.

I'm sure I'll see things differently when I become a mom. I just think the idea of an exclusively adult, romantical restaurant is an interesting idea, that's all!

 

[jiminyfan]

<h2>"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."</h2>


I guess people like this would much rather be around a lot of LOUD adults rather than well-behaved children.

If the children are being well-behaved then what is the problem. I have a 3 year old who has been taken to restaurants since he was 3 weeks old, air travel started for him at 6 months old. Yes, we have take him to gine dining establishments at home and on vacation including WDW. And YES, I would take him to V&A. Why not? He enjoys a lot of the foods on the menu ( I cook lots of gourmet dinners), in fact the child will not eat anything off most children's menus. Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Mac & Cheese, Pasta, Chicken Nuggets are not what he likes. He loves steak, pork chops, lamb, Roasted not fried chicken, lobster, shrimp. To me having him along would be fine. He knows the rules of any restaurant from McDonalds to V&A are the same in our family. I have taught him the correct manners to use in a restaurant, too bad many ADULTS do not know them.

After reading many of these posts, I feel like making a reservations at V&A for this next trip and take him along just to prove a point. I have no worries that he will be well-behaved. In fact, I trust him more than my father in an establishment like V&A.


If you want a meal without children order room service, that way you can be guarenteed that you will only have those you love and accept with you.


Remeber, you too were once a child. Good parents and parenting can make the difference between a well-behaved, well-adjusted indivudualand a spoiled, self-centered one who thinks the whole world must cater to their every whim.



Too bad some people cannot get over the age of the person next to them and judge them as individuals and not LUMP them all in one group. Diversity is what makes the world so great.

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by ScarletIndigo
Oh, of course! If they said anything different, they'd lose their jobs. But whether V&A allows children to dine there, and whether it's appropriate for children to dine there, is another issue all together.

I'm sure I'll see things differently when I become a mom. I just think the idea of an exclusively adult, romantical restaurant is an interesting idea, that's all!

It's a great idea and maybe they will do it someday. For now this is the policy and if you don't think it is APPROPRIATE then when you are a mom you don't have to bring your children there. I just hate it when someone asks a question and they can't get a straight answer because everyone has an opinion of what they THINK policy should be.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that some people have been around children that don't behave in restaurants and that might be making them nervous about what COULD happen. I realize that grownups can be loud but they rarely run around playing in restaurants and they rarely turn around in booths and pull the hair of the patron sitting there (happened to me twice in other restaurants). They also rarely throw food but I suppose that it could happen.

However, I don't blame the children who act up. I place most of the blame on the parents who won't control the children. And I also place part of the blame on the restaurant management who won't ensure the comfort of all visitors as best they can. I would prefer that restaurants have rules regarding behavior regardless of age rather than rules that ban certain age groups.

I will also add that if Disney decided to make a few restaurants adults-only establishments, it wouldn't bother me at all. My son doesn't have to be everywhere.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Not having any kids, my perspective about the whole matter must come from "what would I do IF I did have kids". And I really don't know--. Most likely I'd try and not take them to expensive table service restautants, but if I did, I'd make darn sure they were well behaved. And that's the whole issue for me. I've done WDW dinners for years now and at WDW, there is probably no way around having kids in even the finest restaurants. And I've got to say that most times the kids are pretty well behaved. But there have been a # of times when I've seen all sorts of behavior that borders on the unacceptable, or even outrageous. And in at least one case when I was looking on with shock (and disgust) the parents of the kids in question were convulsed in laughter!! I mean--have you ever seen a small kid being allowed to get up on a table and crawl around, spitting food at the other kid AND the adults?? I did at the California Grill a few years back.
Well-anyway. Again, it's the behavior that really matters to me. And in the spirit of the original post, I've seen kids twice at V&A in 21 dinners. Once a young girl (10-12) with what appeared to be her mom, and a young girl (again, 10-12) with her parents. Both were exceptionally well behaved. I didn't get a great look at the mother/child table, as they were on the other side of the restaurant. But the family of 3 was right next to us and after about an hour or so, the girl began to yawn and look around a lot, as tho extrememly BORED. She got up several times to walk to either parent, sat back down, got back up, etc--very fidgety. But I'm not suprised, as 2 and 1/2 hours is a LONG time for any 10 year old to sit still!! I imagine the parents enjoyed their dinner, but I wonder if the kid wasn't wishing she were somewhere else?? Who knows.