What to replace Victoria and Albert’s with, having to cancel date night

[KCanuck]

Only you know what is right for you and your baby. People should never give unsolicited parenting advice. Never. I am sorry you are getting so many judgmental comments.
It is not the end of the world if you end up with a shortened dinner because you have a baby. What a blessing to have this problem! They grow up so fast. I hope you enjoy your dinner. I think it was Citricos my husband and I ate at years ago for an anniversary and really enjoyed it.

 

[FSU Girl]

The parent being right there but someone else holding the baby usually makes it worse. Did you try actually leaving the house & leaving her with your parents? Usually if they can’t actually see you, it will be easier for them to calm down. But that said, I would cancel date night & do something as a family. It’s not worth the stress & anxiety for all of you. You’ll have plenty of time for date nights as your kids get bigger.

Yes I left for a half hour and she never stopped crying

 

[FSU Girl]

Poor OP asked for suggestions on food and got unsolicited parenting advice. All 3 of mine had terrible separation anxiety so I’m not gonna chastise you. All kids are different. I used to set timers to see how long my kids could actually throw a crying fit. 4 hours seems about right, they would hyperventilate and cough till they choked because it was so frantic.

Anyhow, day of reservations open up like crazy with the new 2 hour window. I mean I saw the harder to get reservations wide open. Take your baby with you if you want, no parent is going to enjoy dinner constantly worrying about their child and their parents and neighbors in the hotel. Definitely get out though, room service at the grand is so expensive it’s just not worth it unless you are sick.

Thank you. Didn’t realize that part was what everyone would focus on. I’m going to try and find something for 3 and take my baby with us

 

[focusondisney]

Yes I left for a half hour and she never stopped crying

I’d just skip date night then, plenty of time down the road for that, Victoria & Alberts isn’t going anywhere. She’ll pass thru that stage eventually. Either take just her with you or do the whole family. Vacation should be enjoyable for all of you.

 

[gsdweller]

You aren't missing anything. Ever since Covid Victoria and Albert's has been mediocre at best.

 

[TwoMisfits]

A middle ground suggestion - have a late date night of drinks or a movie, instead of dinner.

Plan on leaving the kids with the grandparents whenever they drop off (so don't make a reservation, so you won't stress if they are up late), and then head to Disney Springs or the Boardwalk. Give yourself a lot of options to just enjoy the 2 of you.

PS - This is speaking from experience. I saw many 9:30/10pm movie showings with the spouse and hit many late night happy hours when my kids were little and my mom would visit.

And if they wake up, go back and ask a parent to walk the youngest til you can get back...you're only 10-15 minutes away, so it wouldn't be a lot...and finishing up a drink fast or leaving a movie early doesn't make you feel like you wasted a ton of money...

 

[focusondisney]

Also @FSU Girl if you decide to make an ADR to include your baby, look for 4’as well as 3. A lot of times an adr for 4 shows up when 2 or 3 doesn’t.

 

[aleria24]

4 hours seems about right, they would hyperventilate and cough till they choked because it was so frantic.

This happened because they know you were there watching and would eventually intervene. If you stick to your guns, they eventually stop doing it. The later you wait to do so, the more traumatic it is for everyone. Kids who have not been abused and are neurotypical don't cry for 4 hours straight unless there is some benefit to doing so. It's really easy to get sucked by it, especially when you have a strong willed child, and think that they are truly that inconsolable and will cry forever. They won't if you remove the reward at the end of the crying.

 

[lowlight]

This happened because they know you were there watching and would eventually intervene. If you stick to your guns, they eventually stop doing it. The later you wait to do so, the more traumatic it is for everyone. Kids who have not been abused and are neurotypical don't cry for 4 hours straight unless there is some benefit to doing so. It's really easy to get sucked by it, especially when you have a strong willed child, and think that they are truly that inconsolable and will cry forever. They won't if you remove the reward at the end of the crying.

Yikes.

 

[Disney102015]

When my youngest was 3 months, we left the bigger kids (2 and 4) with a sitter and brought the 3 month old with us in the stroller to get some apps and drinks around the monorail loop. She slept most of the time and it was one of my favorite nights of the trip. It was just what we were most comfortable doing at the time and worked out perfectly.

Agree there are tons of great restaurants right where you’re at - I’d keep checking for a reservation for Narcoosee’s or Citricos! There are some services that will alert you when reservations open up. If you’re willing to travel a little, Topolino’s is our favorite date night dinner. Unfortunately I don’t know anything about the room service. Good luck and have fun whatever you decide to do!!

 

[Genie+]

I know people want to share their well-earned wisdom but without all the details there isn’t enough to advise on. The reason the details are not here is because the question is only about food options.

 

[Anthony1971]

Date night is what YOU make it not where you go...... A night alone at Burger King is great sometimes. (yeah that is the reality... best damn whooper EVER although that was years ago for us) Wait for the Baby to go to sleep and if you end up at Gasparialla there are a few out of the way booths in the back left corner and the food there is decent.
Look at the app see if there is an opening at one of the signatures or you can walk over and ask, Grand Floridian Cafe, Kona, Steak house 71, California grill I bet you will find one with a table... If not above can work as well.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Places we ate at and enjoyed for various occasions besides V & A:

Room service @ GF
Room service via FF @ BWI
Monsieur Paul
Jaleo
Wine Bar George
CG

All good for different reasons.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Date night is what YOU make it not where you go...... A night alone at Burger King is great sometimes. (yeah that is the reality... best damn whooper EVER although that was years ago for us) Wait for the Baby to go to sleep and if you end up at Gasparialla there are a few out of the way booths in the back left corner and the food there is decent.
Look at the app see if there is an opening at one of the signatures or you can walk over and ask, Grand Floridian Cafe, Kona, Steak house 71, California grill I bet you will find one with a table... If not above can work as well.

Both Citricos and Narcoossee's have walk-up bars/lounges ... and so many more on the monorail loop

 

[erinch]

If you baby is with you in a stroller, will she let you sit and eat? (My now 29 year old never once let me have a hot meal for months). If she will, then Monsieur Paul could be a wonderful substitute. Lingering long meal, with room between tables for the stroller.

Jock Lindsay and boathouse could be fun. Jiko os fabulous, and used to kids.

 

[FSU Girl]

If you baby is with you in a stroller, will she let you sit and eat? (My now 29 year old never once let me have a hot meal for months). If she will, then Monsieur Paul could be a wonderful substitute. Lingering long meal, with room between tables for the stroller.

Jock Lindsay and boathouse could be fun. Jiko os fabulous, and used to kids.

Yes she’s very good when in her stroller. Even when she’s in a high chair she’s really good. She goes out to eat with me all the time. I’ll look into those restaurants

 

[erinch]

We like Monsieur Paul.better than V&A

 

[FSU Girl]

We like Monsieur Paul.better than V&A

Do they have any restriction about bringing a baby in a stroller?

 

[bdrex28]

One place we did years ago, that we really enjoyed was Jiko.

My son (now 17) was 5 and he was literally passed out tired and he slept on the bench at the table the entire time. My daughters thought it was great because annoying little brother wasn't bugging them. LOL

 

[TwoMisfits]

Do they have any restriction about bringing a baby in a stroller?

Yes, it's 10+, so it would not be possible with a baby.