V&A and Children

[FleurdeLise]

Originally posted by 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--.


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.

I think you said this very well,for a childless person.

I've taken my kids to many of the finer restaurans at WDW. They have had a blast at those with fun themes and surroundings-like the Sci Fi and Rainforest,and were frankly bored as heck at Flying Fish.

The original poster's gang of kids from 9 months to 5 would be better 'entertained" and still have a great first class meal for the grownups at one of the other hundred or so fine dining establishments at WDW.

Doesn't mean I'm anti-kid because I feel a restaurant that costs $85 per person(plus wine) and takes 2 1/2 hours to enjoy should be for adults.(Adding.it doesn't matter if your child is the most well behaved perfect little person on the planet-we all feel that,you know .......taking a child to V&A to 'prove a point" as one poster says she is going to do ...is just plain immature.)

 

[crisi]

I think it would be nice if V&A did have a child free (no children under 10) policy - or seat all people with children in the back room. I think it would be nice if Yachtman or one of the other Epcot resorts also adopted this policy.

There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Disney to take your children to without needing to take them to V&As. It would be nice if adults on a honeymoon, or who paid for a sitter, or who were there on a business trip, had a couple of places to enjoy an adult experience - other than the few over 21 clubs, which aren't what I think of when I think of adult experiences. We aren't discussing a MK restaurant. Yes, Disney is for kids. But its also heavily marketed to couples, honeymooners, retirees, business conventions and golfers.....many of whom really don't want to listen to a baby's cry during a $100 a plate dinner - even if the baby is hustled from the room. If you are willing to remove your child if they are poorly behaved, its too late. It wouldn't be too late at most other Disney establishments, but too late at V&A.

Palio on the cruise is very popular. I'd guess some of that popularity would rub off if Disney World had similar dining experiences.

(I don't see many kids in the better restaurants in the Twin Cities, except during holiday time.)

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by LvsTnk
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.

And I won't. Not because I don't believe my children will be "exceptionally well-behaved", but because I personally don't think that it sounds like an appropriate dining experience for a young child. Just my opinion. If parents feel otherwise, they are more than welcome to take their own children there because -- as it's been so often reinterated here -- V&A does NOT have a policy regarding age. However, when I go on a WDW vacation with my kids, I'd rather go someplace fun like O'Hana or the like where my kids can enjoy themselves and be casual, rather than an establishment like V&A where dressier clothes and "exceptional behavior" is expected. Not to mention the expense of the meal ... Yikes!

Originally posted by Planogirl
... 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.

Well said, Planogirl. I'm glad that parents like yourself still exist.

 

[dennis99ss]

jiminyfan - right on. I wish I could have said it myself. We take our two boys, now 5 and 3 to a fairly nice place here in town somewhat often, and they share a filet. I believe the actions of the children are a direct result of the "rules" you set out, and the experiences you expose them to. Would I take a child to V&A if the only other place he has ever eaten was Chuck E Cheeses, no. But, because my kids have had the opportunity to experience all types of restaurants, when they are in a nicer place, which is obvious when we walk in, and because they are dressed appropriately, they know that its a better place, and want to eat accordingly. and, ditto on the air flights. Your children and mine are in the small group, but probably growing, of children with their own frequent flier accounts.


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

Anne


uh.......right....I will call you before I book my reservation to make sure it is ok with you.

and, more of the same.....

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.

child menu--so what. some kids eat food other that McDonalds. Dress code.....so what. Some kids actually have suits, ties, black shoes, etc. My children have dark suits for the winter and lighter ones for the summer. They wear them. They do not play with their ties, etc. I don't think the fact that there is a dress code is any kind of a hint. I think you should worry more about the louder gentleman with the tennis shoes on, and the borrowed coat with the soft collar shirt on then my kids.

 

[LvsTnk]

Originally posted by ScarletIndigo
And I won't. Not because I don't believe my children will be "exceptionally well-behaved", but because I personally don't think that it sounds like an appropriate dining experience for a young child. Just my opinion. If parents feel otherwise, they are more than welcome to take their own children there because -- as it's been so often reinterated here -- V&A does NOT have a policy regarding age. However, when I go on a WDW vacation with my kids, I'd rather go someplace fun like O'Hana or the like where my kids can enjoy themselves and be casual, rather than an establishment like V&A where dressier clothes and "exceptional behavior" is expected. Not to mention the expense of the meal ... Yikes!



Well said, Planogirl. I'm glad that parents like yourself still exist.

Honestly I don't care who does or does not take their kids there. I was responding to the posts that act like there is a policy or some confusion about a policy that states that children aren't allowed and it doesn't exist. It was even suggested that Citrico's and Shula's be child free and that is not the case either.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

I was just re-reading some of the posts on this thread, and I wouldn't be surprised if the moderator came around and moved us over to the Debate board.

 

[Tea Please]

I think that most people here are not disputing the fact that V&A's will allow children. What most people are saying is quite simple, its a very expensive, upscale, adult oriented restaurant that takes well over 2 hours for a meal. Now if you want to take your children there it is certainly your business and your right. But I can't honestly think that any child under the age of 10 or so would actually enjoy it. You may think its cute for little JR to dress up in a suit and tie and be on his best behavior, but in reality don't you think JR would prefer a more relaxed atmosphere? I know my children at that age would have! Lets face it JR will have plenty of time to experience fine dining at a more appropriate age and JR may even be a little relieved to wear shorts and and a tee and eat with Mickey. Honestly to take young children to V&A's just to prove other people wrong is totally absurd. Think about JR and his feelings.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by Tea Please
I think that most people here are not disputing the fact that V&A's will allow children. What most people are saying is quite simple, its a very expensive, upscale, adult oriented restaurant that takes well over 2 hours for a meal. Now if you want to take your children there it is certainly your business and your right. But I can't honestly think that any child under the age of 10 or so would actually enjoy it. You may think its cute for little JR to dress up in a suit and tie and be on his best behavior, but in reality don't you think JR would prefer a more relaxed atmosphere? I know my children at that age would have! Lets face it JR will have plenty of time to experience fine dining at a more appropriate age and JR may even be a little relieved to wear shorts and and a tee and eat with Mickey. Honestly to take young children to V&A's just to prove other people wrong is totally absurd. Think about JR and his feelings.

I'm right there with you, Anne. Well said.

 

[Jen D]

I'm falling in the middle here. I think it is a given that V&A is clearly intended for adults, and personally I'd think you'd be nuts to want to subject a kid under the age of, oh, 12 or so to the experience. A mature teenager could probably handle it, but he'd also probably be happier at Disney Quest! So to the originial poster (who seemed to agree back on page one that she probably would skip V&As), I'd say, V&As is not a good idea. I also agree that WDW is implicitly recommending no children by requring tykes to order off a five-course $85 menu.

However, I think it is terrific that WDW offers so many interesting, sophisticaed upscale restaurants, like California Grill, Cirticos, Flying Fish, Jiko, etc. that DO provide interesting kids menus and are friendly to kids and adults. God knows, there are plenty of eating establishments at WDW that aren't very ADULT-FRIENDLY (I won't name names, cough cough, Chef Mickey's) that it is great that there are dining experiences that can be pleasant for adults and kids.

When we did CG when dd was 4, we put her in Neverland Club because if we were dropping $150 on dinner, we wanted to sit back and enjoy the wine and not be scrambling for dropped Crayolas. But we did notice plenty of families who did bring their young children and it didn't really bother us. To be honest, we noticed them and after that didn't pay much attention to their behavior. But I think its refreshing that a place like CG will welcome children. God knows here in NYC a place comparable to CG in price, quality and decor wouldn't be delighted to see you with a tike in tow (although most would seat you.)

I would gently suggest to those who would prefer not to have children in their eyeline while dining that perhaps they've chosen the wrong vacation destination.

 

[crisi]

I would gently suggest to those who would prefer not to have children in their eyeline while dining that perhaps they've chosen the wrong vacation destination.

I'd agree with you if Disney didn't take out ads in golf magazines touting themselves as a world class golf resort (don't find many two year olds in restaurants at golf resorts), take out ads in bridal magazines touting themselves as a romantic honeymoon destination (kids at other honeymoon destinations?), and do a bustling convention business (a lot of convention towns, particularly Vegas, are becoming "family" destinations, but there is still plenty of Vegas where adults don't need to be around kids). Disney is very interested in making all sorts of people comfortable at Disney. Including those that aren't visiting a family theme park.

 

[BCV23]

I think the OP has answered her own question but am curious about golf resorts and honeymoon destinations without children? Hawaii certainly fits in both categories and the finest resorts there have plenty of children among their guests..

Our eldest dined at V&A in my place when he was 12 or so and thoroughly enjoyed it and was as well behaved as anyone else there I can assure you.

I also fail to understand why people think that a dinner can not be romantic just because some of the patrons are under some magic age? As long as everyone is quiet and respectful of others why does it matter if they are nine or ninety?

 

[crisi]

BCV23,

I was thinking about a place like Club Med - which offers family vacations, but has adults only "villages." Sandals is another couples resort markets heavily as child free. And I've never been to the Poconos, but I can't imagine that the Poconos honeymoon hotels are child appropriate. Of course a place like Hawaii will have all sorts of people there. A specific resort in Hawaii may cater to a more specific clientele.

At least some Doral resorts, while they don't forbid children - aren't exactly encouraging - children under 18(!) need to be accompanied by an adult in the pool. My parents were at Doral last year (Palm Springs) and reported no children.

 

[PrincessAurora]

BCV23 - I agree. I feel that as long as a child is well-mannered and well-behaved I don't care if they are there. That was me as a child. I went to nice places to eat and did not "act out" EVER. My parents instilled manners in me.

I would hope that majority of nay sayers just have a problem with disruptive people. To me this means, screaming children and drunk obnoxious adults alike. I would have walked over to the womans table that was talking about her "internal female issues" in a very loud voice and told her to please lower her voice or change the topic as the dining room is not interested in hearing about her uterus over their filet. But that's me.

I have often complimented parents on their well behaved children. I do feel that most kids would probably find V&A boring but not all. It should be up to the parents to decide if their kids can handle V&A's and up to the management to remove anyone that is disruptive whether it is an unruly child or an obnoxioius adult.

 

[sha_lyn]

We were just going through the vositors guide for South Padre Island, where we will be vactioning this summer due to a family wedding. There is an add for a restaurant that is described as
Fine elegant Dinning on the waterfront. I said it sounded good and told 5 yr DD it was a "fancy" restaurant. Well she spoke up and said she wants to eat there. She likes dressing up and acting like a little lady and using her library voice. So yep I must be forcing her so we can eat there

 

[TDC Nala]

Parents who know their children and accommodate them shouldn't have a problem bringing their kids anywhere in WDW. It's the parents who let the kids run wild, or get noisy, or make a mess, that would cause problems. I can't see anyone having trouble with being in a restaurant like V&A with a family whose children are seated and eating and not yelling or playing with stuff. Problem is that neither the diners nor the restaurant staff have control over the families with disruptive children, and the odds are just as good that you'll be sitting next to disruptive ones as nondisruptive ones.

There may be some who just don't want to see the kids there at all, which is their preference. They need to book the back room themselves, or the chef's table, or go somewhere where there's a no-kid policy. Better yet, spend the big bucks and rent out the Grand One yacht and cater the dinner, wouldn't that be cool?

There's also some who wouldn't have liked eating at V&As with my group (all adults) because we got a bit silly with the wine pairings, good thing we were back at the chef's table.

Oh well, you make your PS, you take your chances. You're seated next to who you're seated next to.

 

[Threehearts]

I say, grab your kids and run. We thought V&A's was the most overrated restaurant that we've ever dined in. If they were giving out gift certificates, we wouldn't return. Threehearts