What Do You Expect From a Sig Restaurant Dining Experience?

[ThumperandLitenin]

....Some objection to signature children's menus featuring regular "kid food" comes from parents on the DDP who aren't thrilled about spending 2 credits for the kids to eat the same chicken nuggets or mac & cheese they can get at a CS. They'd like to see choices for the kids that they feel are worth 2 credits......

Missed that point before.

If that is truly the case, that also blows a hole through the argument that "it's all about the kids". In that case, it's about where Mom and Dad want to eat, irregardless of what the kids would want to do.

Nothing wrong with thinking doing what you want to do, but you can't have it both ways.

 

[Colleen27]

Since we are talking about a limited number of signature restaurants, I would agree not to include a kids menu. If children are well behaved and sophisticated enough to be able to enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings of a fine dining restaurant, then they should also enjoy the selections offered on the adult menu. If not, then the family can enjoy one of the many other TS restaurants available with selections they would like.

I don't think it needs to go as far as no children's menu. Even kids who are sophisticated enough to enjoy adult food don't need adult portions! I just don't think the restaurant should be going out of the way to prepare foods that they wouldn't serve to adults - ie chicken nuggets, fries, and PB&J - to be more attractive to families with kids.

 

[Marquis de Disney]

It is very easy to argue on the side of "no kids menus" in signature restaurants if you either do not have children or if they have grown up to the point where they can enjoy an adult menu.

As a parent bringing a 19 month old this December, I am so GRATEFUL that myself and my wife can enjoy signature dining at places like Artist Point and and Yachtsman while my daughter can eat food appropriate for her. I'm glad WDW realizes that.

 

[Colleen27]

Seriously a TRUE signature resturant would not have nuggets, Kraft Mac & cheese, hotdogs or even fries……………..

When I think signature resturant I think a signature MENU. I guess by some of the replies when Disney puts a menu on a resturant it needs the nuggets etc, sad as I guess by being in the resturant business I have opened my kids to a many varied types of ingredients and foods that they look for different foods other then nuggets and fries. Not to say we do not LOVE a good dog or burger but when going to a nice resturant expecting more of a menu in a fine dining establishment then a McDonalds choice type of foods, THAT’S what I expect from a fine dining resturant.

EXACTLY! Frankly, this is a trend that bothers me in the real world too, so it isn't something that is limited to Disney dining. I get just as annoyed to see hot dogs and chicken strips on the kids' menu at my favorite Japanese restaurant here at home. If the kids can't deal with the kind of food the restaurant serves, maybe they aren't ready for that specific dining experience just yet. I'm not saying there should be no kids' menu or no simpler choices for children, but leaving the sauce off of a steak or a chicken breast is one thing. Crafting a typical kids menu out of processed junk food that would otherwise have no place in a nice restaurant is something else entirely.

Just a note about the mac & cheese - DD won't eat Kraft, so she was very pleased to learn that California Grill and Jiko both serve excellent, from-scratch mac & cheese as one of their kids' menu options. At Jiko, it is the same as is served with the signature filet.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

I don't think it needs to go as far as no children's menu. Even kids who are sophisticated enough to enjoy adult food don't need adult portions! I just don't think the restaurant should be going out of the way to prepare foods that they wouldn't serve to adults - ie chicken nuggets, fries, and PB&J - to be more attractive to families with kids.

Colleen:

As a follow-up, you really would object to there being a total of four upscale restaurants, out of the hundreds places to eat at WDW, that did not have a children's menu?

I don't see that being a problem. Sure it's going to limit the number of children in the place, but so what? The dress code is going to limit people, as will the menu, and of course the prices.

Like I stated previously, your kids are not going to be little forever, nor will they always be there to dine with you. Think about that before replying.

As a soon to be "empty-nester" I'm just looking for some really appropriate upscale dining expereinces in addition to V&A. It sounds like others are as well.

Broken Record Time

I like a good, rowdy time; i.e. character meals, Hoop-Dee-Do Review, etc. as much as the next person, but it would be nice to be able to go somewhere to get away from that too.

That used to be the sig restaurants, I don't see that being the case anymore. Blame it on DDP if you want, but it seems the atmosphere of some of these places is changing as standards are lowered to accomodate a broader group of patrons.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It is very easy to argue on the side of "no kids menus" in signature restaurants if you either do not have children or if they have grown up to the point where they can enjoy an adult menu.

As a parent bringing a 19 month old this December, I am so GRATEFUL that myself and my wife can enjoy signature dining at places like Artist Point and and Yachtsman while my daughter can eat food appropriate for her. I'm glad WDW realizes that.

And these are points that I must agree with.

Our DS has been eating at signature restaurants since he was 3 years old. He is not loud or disruptive (and if he were to be, you better believe either DH or myself would be removing him from a crowded restaurant to handle the situation whether it is California Grille OR Chef Mickey's ) He is a very adventuresome eater, but sometimes even he just wants mac n cheese. We all like the signature menus since there seems to be something for everyone. If he wants something more upscale, such as steak or roasted chicken etc, he can. But if he chooses to be simple and eat pasta, it is there too.

I think it is WRONG to remove children's menu from existing signature menus. It is my vacation too, and I want to eat at the type of nice restaurants that most signature places adhere to. We tend to eat signature dinners 4-5 times per trip so putting him in a kids club that many times is not an option for us.

HOWEVER, if they want to add NEW V&A type places, then by all means, bring it!! It will be a destination for us in the future once our child is grown...

Good thread topic, BTW!

 

[kim_d]

And these are points that I must agree with.

Our DS has been eating at signature restaurants since he was 3 years old. He is not loud or disruptive (and if he were to be, you better believe either DH or myself would be removing him from a crowded restaurant to handle the situation whether it is California Grille OR Chef Mickey's ) He is a very adventuresome eater, but sometimes even he just wants mac n cheese. We all like the signature menus since there seems to be something for everyone. If he wants something more upscale, such as steak or roasted chicken etc, he can. But if he chooses to be simple and eat pasta, it is there too.

I think it is WRONG to remove children's menu from existing signature menus. It is my vacation too, and I want to eat at the type of nice restaurants that most signature places adhere to. We tend to eat signature dinners 4-5 times per trip so putting him in a kids club that many times is not an option for us.

HOWEVER, if they want to add NEW V&A type places, then by all means, bring it!! It will be a destination for us in the future once our child is grown...

Good thread topic, BTW!

Sums up my feelings exactly...thanks!

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

It is very easy to argue on the side of "no kids menus" in signature restaurants if you either do not have children or if they have grown up to the point where they can enjoy an adult menu.

As a parent bringing a 19 month old this December, I am so GRATEFUL that myself and my wife can enjoy signature dining at places like Artist Point and and Yachtsman while my daughter can eat food appropriate for her. I'm glad WDW realizes that.

You are correct, it is very easy to argue if you don't have kids or they have grown up. When our son was young, we didn't take him to signature restaurants. Not that he was "busy" in any way. Actually, quite the opposite.

Back then, the sig restaurants were much different. The atmosphere was more adult-like. The change in patron demographics brought on by DDP has changed that.

Your post affirms the point that there is a demand for the current sigs to be as "family-friendly" as possible. That still doesn't mean that dress codes and behavior standards shouldn't be enforced more.

Back to the point - we are talking about three new restaurants similar to V&A themed appropriately to their respective resorts - AKL, YC, CR. There would be no changes to current sig restaurants.

 

[Colleen27]

Assumming these are new restaurants -

Why do any special accomodations need to be made for children? If they are not interested in the menu, there are numerous other places that are available. Why take them there?

The reason is obvious - You want to eat there. If it's about spending time with the family, which I understand fully, that can be accomplished somewhere else. Furthermore, no one can tell me a young child wouldn't be happier at a character meal.

If a child can dine from the regular menu, one can assume they are mature enough to be expected to behave properly.

I don't think my kids are all that unusual in enjoying a nice meal just as much as they enjoy a character meal. And since it isn't either or - we often have character breakfasts, since that's the meal where we care the least about the food, and then a signature dinner - I can say with confidence that my kids would not rather be at Chef Mickeys than California Grill.

Yes, we want a kids menu at the nicer restaurants because we want to eat there. We enjoy good food, and part of the beauty of Disney is that unlike many places in the real world, we can enjoy that good food with our children.

I think there's something of a divide in what people view the purpose of a child's menu to be. Personally, I think the function of a kids' menu should mainly be portion-related, rather than a constant selection of crummy food completely divorced from the restaurant's quality and theme. Kids are often sophisticated enough to enjoy adult food and well behaved enough to fit into an adult atmosphere well before they have the appetite for an adult-sized entree.

 

[MarkinNM]

I think it is WRONG to remove children's menu from existing signature menus. It is my vacation too, and I want to eat at the type of nice restaurants that most signature places adhere to. We tend to eat signature dinners 4-5 times per trip so putting him in a kids club that many times is not an option for us.

HOWEVER, if they want to add NEW V&A type places, then by all means, bring it!! It will be a destination for us in the future once our child is grown...

Good thread topic, BTW!

Why is it wrong to not serve more sophisticated type of foods w/o typical kiddy foods?
Like it was mentioned someday you will be an empty nester and do you really want to see nuggets, pizza, and hotdogs on a supposed upscale menu?? That would flag the resturant in my eyes and turn me away. Why put ones child in a kid club, why not take them to Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, Crystal Palace, let them enjoy themselves. Sometimes while on vacation I have seen parents dragging there kids into a “adult” resturant knowing they will hate it, you wouldn’t drag your kids into ToT or EE ( I know some do)?

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

I don't think my kids are all that unusual in enjoying a nice meal just as much as they enjoy a character meal...

I don't think you give your kids as much credit as they deserve. They are way beyond the norm (in a great way).

 

[Quiksilvr]

I expect all of the thing the OP suggested when I'm at a fine dining establishment outside of Walt Disney World. I used to expect those kind of experiences at WDW, but was disappointed on a regular basis. I've adjusted my expectations downward to allow for the fact that there will be kids running around Yachtsman, and that there will be a guy wearing a Jimmy Buffett t-shirt, cut-off jean shorts, flip-flops and a bandanna sitting at the next table the next time I go to the Flying Fish and there will also be some loud, drunk conventioneers at California Grill. It's just part of "fine dining" at WDW.

Disney is indifferent to enforcing its rules and guidelines, and everyone knows it. The only place they actually try to provide a haute cuisine experience is V&A's. The "Signature" restaurants are just regular table service restaurants with better decor and more inventive menus that Disney has branded "Signature" as a way to justify higher prices. That's how I look at it now.

I would support more "real" Signature dining experiences, but I don't think it will happen. Disney doesn't want to alienate the portion of its customer base that will only eat at Signature restaurants if the kids can come along and eat chicken nuggets. There is only a small subgroup of Disney guests that will go to a place like V&A's; it may not justify the additional cost to provide a second option for those guests.

I live in Washington, DC. I go to very nice restaurants on a regular basis because I'm a lawyer at a big law firm and that's what we do. I don't generally see little kids running around Citronelle or Central Michel Richard, or loud, drunk rednecks at Bobby Van's, Tosca or Zaytinya. I guess because I have options for fine dining around here it's easier for me to be tolerant of Disney's indifferent approach.

 

[MarkinNM]

...we can enjoy that good food with our children.

I think there's something of a divide in what people view the purpose of a child's menu to be. Personally, I think the function of a kids' menu should mainly be portion-related, rather than a constant selection of crummy food completely divorced from the restaurant's quality and theme. Kids are often sophisticated enough to enjoy adult food and well behaved enough to fit into an adult atmosphere well before they have the appetite for an adult-sized entree.

AGREED!!!!

Well put!!!

My kids when they were under 10 enjoyed MANY good foods that did not come directly out of a box................


When making our upcoming ADR's I was VERY suprised when asking my 16yoDD and my 12yoDS aboout going to a character meal and they both said HECK YEA!!! Who would have known.......

 

[Marquis de Disney]

You are correct, it is very easy to argue if you don't have kids or they have grown up. When our son was young, we didn't take him to signature restaurants. Not that he was "busy" in any way. Actually, quite the opposite.

Back then, the sig restaurants were much different. The atmosphere was more adult-like. The change in patron demographics brought on by DDP has changed that.

Your post affirms the point that there is a demand for the current sigs to be as "family-friendly" as possible. That still doesn't mean that dress codes and behavior standards shouldn't be enforced more.

Back to the point - we are talking about three new restaurants similar to V&A themed appropriately to their respective resorts - AKL, YC, CR. There would be no changes to current sig restaurants.

More V&A type restaurants in WDW? If it ever happens, more power to them. The more variety, the better.

In regards to the current sig restaurants, if it gets people into such a tizzy that a well behaved and appropriately dressed child is eating a hotdog ***shudder*** at another table (in WDW, no less), then the REAL problem is staring right at them through the polished sheen of a spoon. Perhaps if people minded their own business and focused on their own family, table and main menu, then they might actually enjoy their experience.

 

[Colleen27]

Colleen:

As a follow-up, you really would object to there being a total of four upscale restaurants, out of the hundreds places to eat at WDW, that did not have a children's menu?

I don't see that being a problem. Sure it's going to limit the number of children in the place, but so what? The dress code is going to limit people, as will the menu, and of course the prices.

Like I stated previously, your kids are not going to be little forever, nor will they always be there to dine with you. Think about that before replying.

As a soon to be "empty-nester" I'm just looking for some really appropriate upscale dining expereinces in addition to V&A. It sounds like others are as well.

Broken Record Time

I like a good, rowdy time; i.e. character meals, Hoop-Dee-Do Review, etc. as much as the next person, but it would be nice to be able to go somewhere to get away from that too.

That used to be the sig restaurants, I don't see that being the case anymore. Blame it on DDP if you want, but it seems the atmosphere of some of these places is changing as standards are lowered to accomodate a broader group of patrons.

If we're talking new restaurants, no, I wouldn't object. I didn't read that post until after my response, so I've been thinking mainly in terms of changes to the signature restaurants.

Without coming off like a snob, because really I'm not, I think very, very minor changes could restore much of the atmosphere to something more like what it was without deliberately excluding children or dining plan guests. Start strictly enforcing a dress code and make the children's menu about child-sized portions rather than kid food and it would drastically cut down on families who aren't used to or interested in a finer dining experience. They'd either steer clear because they don't want to go back to their resort to clean up before dinner or because their kids wouldn't eat anything on the kids' menus, and you'd be left with adults and families with kids who do appreciate better food and atmosphere.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

If we're talking new restaurants, no, I wouldn't object. I didn't read that post until after my response, so I've been thinking mainly in terms of changes to the signature restaurants.

Without coming off like a snob, because really I'm not, I think very, very minor changes could restore much of the atmosphere to something more like what it was without deliberately excluding children or dining plan guests. Start strictly enforcing a dress code and make the children's menu about child-sized portions rather than kid food and it would drastically cut down on families who aren't used to or interested in a finer dining experience. They'd either steer clear because they don't want to go back to their resort to clean up before dinner or because their kids wouldn't eat anything on the kids' menus, and you'd be left with adults and families with kids who do appreciate better food and atmosphere.

Great post.

 

[ThumperandLitenin]

More V&A type restaurants in WDW? If it ever happens, more power to them. The more variety, the better.

In regards to the current sig restaurants, if it gets people into such a tizzy that a well behaved and appropriately dressed child is eating a hotdog ***shudder*** at another table (in WDW, no less), then the REAL problem is staring right at them through the polished sheen of a spoon. Perhaps if people minded their own business and focused on their own family, table and main menu, then they might actually enjoy their experience.

A "well-behaved, appropriately dressed" child isn't the problem, just not the norm these days. Same for a lot of the parents.

Unfortunately, what you consider appropriate is in the minority.

 

[kim_d]

I am curious if some of the posters who would prefer not to have a children's menu haved dined at Shula's? DH and I have not yet, but my parents raved about the steak (they felt it was the best on property) and there is no children's menu. I would actually take my children there, b/c there is enough off the adult menu to interest them. I can't say the same about other WDW signature resturants.

Also Il Mulino has a more "adult" (i.e. no chicken fingers) children's menu.

 

[ElizabethB]

I find it interesting that many people said quiet dining room or low noise level was a requirement.

A quiet dining room is almost impossible to find anywhere on Disney property, except for V&A.

California Grill is a cacophany of noise. Our last meal at Citrico's was marred by a very high decible level. Flying Fish has been very noisy when we've dined there. Jiko often has loud kids and we're always surprised at the number of young families with small children walking into Jiko at 9:30 pm or so (probably because they just got back to the hotel and don't have any other eating options). Narcoossee's is also loud. We find Yachtsman and Artist Point generally to be a tiny bit quieter than the others.

Open kitchens only exacerbate the problem -- and those, of course, are a deliberate design choice by Disney.

So, if a quiet dining room is a requirement for a signature restaurant, none of them meet the standard.

I don't consider V&A to be a "signature" restaurant. It is something totally unique and set apart from the other restaurants at WDW.

Strictly enforcing the dress code at CG and changing the kids' menu won't make any difference. The view of the fireworks is the draw there and people will do what they have to do to have that experience, regardless. That's why we never make a reservation there until 10 pm or later, after the fireworks. It's actually rather civilized at that poin.

 

[Marquis de Disney]

A "well-behaved, appropriately dressed" child isn't the problem, just not the norm these days. Same for a lot of the parents.

Unfortunately, what you consider appropriate is in the minority.

This is what you said in your original post. "well-behaved children more than welcome, but no concessions on the menu to accomodate - no chicken fingers, hamburgers, fries;"

So, if my child is well behaved and if we are eating at the same signature restaurant at the same time, why would you care what my daughter is eating?