Victoria & Alberts - $$$ and waiting list?

[susieq76]

V&A is just not a place to take a toddler. Too much time for a child to sit- how many courses??????? can a baby truly sit through???

Yes it is WDW, and it is for everyone- not just those with families. We went there on our Honeymoon- now we go with 3 babies. I would have been outside crying if DH & I dressed up, spent a fortune (150 w/ wine pairings each- oh and caviar is more) to go to V&A on our honeymoon and then had to listen to a babies shrieks (be them of delight or horror). Just innapropriate.

I think California Grill is a great alternative. And even on Valentines day you're libel to find more children there.

 

[Cinderella]

I'm sorry Cara if you feel i was rude to the original poster, but it wasn't just the original post i found annoying but the follow up insinuating that people on these boards are now horrible and unhelpful compared to what they used to be. I used to moderate on these boards and gave up a great deal of my time to help others plan their vacations - i did this in return for all the wonderful help i had received from others, so i don't take kindly to such comments.

But, I couldn't moderate now, because apart from time constraints, I get sick and tired of silly questions like this, and the ones like - why shouldn't i be able to go over and use the pool in the poly, when i havn't paid to stay there. I know it might sound rather undisney, but i hate even stumbling on posts like these, and usually try to avoid them.

 

[wrldpossibility]

I'm sorry Cara if you feel i was rude to the original poster, but it wasn't just the original post i found annoying but the follow up insinuating that people on these boards are now horrible and unhelpful compared to what they used to be. I used to moderate on these boards and gave up a great deal of my time to help others plan their vacations - i did this in return for all the wonderful help i had received from others, so i don't take kindly to such comments.

But, I couldn't moderate now, because apart from time constraints, I get sick and tired of silly questions like this, and the ones like - why shouldn't i be able to go over and use the pool in the poly, when i havn't paid to stay there. I know it might sound rather undisney, but i hate even stumbling on posts like these, and usually try to avoid them.

Then you should have avoided it, and passed it by without posting. While I agree with the majority that V&A's is inappropiate for children, not all of us have been on these boards for years, and some of us still need information, and therefore may ask questions (silly or not) that you've seen and answered before. The OP asked a question, since she was unfamiliar with the restaurant. I might have asked the same, and come to the same conclusion: that CG would be better, and yes, that some posters were downright harsh in explaining the situation to me. Can't everyone just answer the questions without yelling at the OPs? Anyway, just the opinion of another newbie.

 

[Cinderella]

I am sorry if you too are offended and feel that you have the right to tell me what posts i should and should not respond to. If it weren't for the moderators on these boards checking these types of posts - these boards would be in ruin no time from people posting silly posts and advertising etc.

Now I don't like upsetting or annoying people and i do generally try to help people on these boards. But, I am also entitled to give my opinion when i wish - and most of the answers you'll find given on the boards are based on opinion. If people don't want opinions they shouldn't ask.

 

[DaveT1]

Also... we would be taking our infant son who will be 4 days short of his 1st birthday.

Hmm.. i wonder if the dress code applies? If so you'll need a wee little jacket, but the clip on tie is optional.

Heh, sorry thought the thread could use a little lightening.

 

[Carys]

I'm almost scared to jump into these kinds of threads, but I couldn't resist because this time it's almost too silly to not laugh about.

There are all sorts of motivations why people might be harsh to get their point across.

Perhaps a poster might feel that if the OP hadn't of gotten the hint from the $100 price tag, they wouldn't have gotten the hint from a moderately worded post.

It also looks a bit silly to not ignore a post and spend time writing a post that tells someone off for not ignoring the previous post about which that person wrote a note telling the previous posteroff..if that makes sense.

In any case, here's my opinion. It wouldn't be appropriate to take a very young child into V and As on Valentines Day. However, I hope you have a wonderful evening wherever you choose to dine, and I applaud you for wanting to spend as much time together as a family as you can. The suggestions here about babysitting or in room dining are great suggestions, for a romantic evening.

 

[robinb]

[Edited .... *gack* Sorry ... wrong poster!]

Blue Eeyore, I have been to V&A's about 6 times and only once did I see a child. It was a tiny, tiny baby who was sleeping in his baby seat when I walked by. I don't know if he disturbed anyone as I was at the Chef's Table, but I would guess that a 12 month old would not be so peaceful. IMO, it is totally inappropriate to bring a 12 month old (or any child under the age of 12-14 years old for that matter) to Victoria and Alberts. Especially on Valentine's Day ... a very special day for the other people who booked dinner there hoping for a romantic adult experience. I would recommend that you either book an in-room sitter or choose a different restauarant. Although I admit that either option may be difficult to do at this late of date.

Try Narcoosees or Citricos (and stick your nose in V&A's so you'll see we were right ) at the GF for a nice meal, or the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary(an overlooked restaurant and perhaps available). Also, the Flying Fish and Spoodles over at the Boardwalk are often available at the last minute. Also Palio's at the Swan is very nice and not very busy. Or ... depending on where you are staying ... how about room service? A little candlelight and a sleeping child are a good thing.

ETA: It *is* worth the $100+ per adult for V&As. The food is really that good. I recall a babysitter for a V&A meal to be about $80. We used the Fairy Godmothers. My DD is now old enough for the kids clubs and she loves the Neverland Club. We have a problem getting her to leave!

 

[D&R love Disney]

When spending $300+ for dinner I would not want to be seated near a small child. Thats just me. I have 4 step kids who range from 9 to 19 and I would not take any of them to V & A. They would HATE the food and except for the 19 year old, would hate sitting there for 2-3 hours.

 

[cara loves the poly]

I was not signaling anyone out.... this board as a whole needs to realize some people have never been to Disney. Some questions may seem "stupid", "redundant", "silly"..... that's why they are questions.

 

[Steph5324]

Yikes! Someone on this thread said they paid $700 for two at V & As. Wow. Was that the Chef's Table? If not, and you don't mind me asking, what cost so much? Wine?

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

Just a word of warning. We went out to dinner to celebrate my sister's birhtday. We took our almost one year old. He cried the whole time in the restaurant. My DH, me and my parents took turns holding him. DH ran out to buy BAby Orajel,which didn't work. Normally he does not cry this way either. So if I was planning a romantic Valentine dinner, plus an $$ one, I would not bring my one year old. V&A should be a memorable experience but not for a child. Plus I htink the $100.00 charge for child not eating is a nice way of sayng please leave the child home.

 

[Wendy1953]

Okay, forgive me all for having a different opinion.....I am truly delighted that someone in this day and age would inquire about and want to have their child with them! I think that is half of the world's problem today....people think of themselves and not their children. It's a hustle and bustle world, both parents working to make ends meet, and the children are left to babysitters and spending "quality" time with their parents.

The Original Poster for this thread, thought about her reservations and made the right choice to go elsewhere for dinner....V&A's is too stuffy for a 1 year old, and how could she have a good time when her child wouldn't, besides the other patrons who would be annoyed by an inocent baby cooing or crying for that matter....what has this world come to when going out to eat and asking for advice seems to bring on such hostility?

I hope the original poster, her husband and their child have a very wonderfully magical Disney vacation....isn't that what Walt would have wanted when he designed and created WDW?????

 

[Allison]

Wow, The poster was just asking a question,,, it could have been answered much nicer! It was a question! The proper response : V & A is not suitable for children.. People dining would be upset if you brought a baby into the environment. I'm sure you will find something else (lots of great dining in the World) that will be more suitable for you! Don't forget about in room babysitting if you have your heart set on V & A.

I agree. It was just a question and ended with a "thank you for any insight" and they got way too many overheated responses for it.

The OP didn't say "I'm taking my baby there and I don't care what anyone thinks and I hope they cry through the whole meal".

It was a question and asked for our thoughts not attacks.

Oh and I would like to know what makes it a silly question as another poster stated. Are people supposed to automatically know what everyone else does?

Sad, sad, sad.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Plus I htink the $100.00 charge for child not eating is a nice way of sayng please leave the child home.

I absolutely agree!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I hope the original poster, her husband and their child have a very wonderfully magical Disney vacation....isn't that what Walt would have wanted when he designed and created WDW?????

I also absolutely agree-

and I don't think anyone here wanted anything else for them- however, I think that they (as well as everyone else dining in V and A's) will probably be happier dining elsewhere. Spending over 300 for a meal is a little ridiculous. A baby would be absolutely miserable there. I can imagine taking my nephews at that age (most of them are older now) to the park or to Olive Garden and they take up a lot of your attention and they lose their patience in an environment like that very quickly. It was a song and dance to get them to be happy through a 40 minute dinner, forget dessert!

I'm also sure that no one here thinks it is wrong to spend quality time with your child, but of course, there are certain places that are better than others to facilitate this. I am glad the OP got honest responses. I wouldn't want her to feel uncomfortable in roomful of couples on Valentine's Day
I'm fairly sure that the OP didn't know that V and A's was a restaurant full of tables for two, Baccarat crystal, fresh roses and multiple courses spread over 2-3 hours.

She can now spend her time finding a place that better suits her needs- and I hope her family does have a great vacation.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I jsut would not pay $100 for my kid to just sit there no matter how good the food was. I think I would rather spending that money on suveniors or something like that.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

The only time we've ever used the babysitting service is when we've gone to V&A for our anniversary. I would have asked to be moved should I have sat at a table near a child. At $10/hr per kid/ 4 hr minimum it is NOT cheap. The kids keep asking to go back because the GF club is loaded with things to do.

Maybe there would be a lower divorce rate if couples went out of their way to spend some time together outside their children. Two couples in our neighborhood split when the kids when to college and they had nothing left in common.

We are usually there for 10 days and spend every meal together so I think 1 out of 30 meals won't be an issue.

 

[susieq76]

Okay, forgive me all for having a different opinion.....I am truly delighted that someone in this day and age would inquire about and want to have their child with them! I think that is half of the world's problem today....people think of themselves and not their children. It's a hustle and bustle world, both parents working to make ends meet, and the children are left to babysitters and spending "quality" time with their parents.

Actually- I think taking a one year old to a three-four hour dinner is thinking of yourself and NOT your child. I think half the worlds problem is the parents who do take their children with them KNOWING they will not enjoy it and play the "I'm better than you" game because they took their kid with them and you didn't.

I have three babies and run into a lot of these mothers here on Long Island. While they sit on the benches at the park together and criticize their husbands for not helping enough and for "omg- wanting sex all the time", their "friends" for leaving a babysitter to raise their children and everyone one else around them for "leaving their children home to be selfish have a weekend vacation alone with their husband"- my husband, children and I are busy giggling together playing in the park. And when my kids go to bed- my husband and I enjoy a great "private" life.

 

[pbharris4]

Maybe the moderaters should have a sticky near the top of the boards saying: "Controverisal Questions? Ask here." Warning: You are about to enter heated territory! Be prepared for nice and not so nice responses. Ask at your own risk!

 

[BCV23]

I know. I feel badly for the OP. She said she wasn't familar with V&A, got some answers and made other plans. But the thread is still going. I hope she's not hurt.

Of course, I just bumped it back to the top but it was a baby bump!