Where would a 16 month old not be "wanted"

[sap1227]

We are having a Disney Vacation in 2 weeks (since we live about 1/2 hour away, we NEVER go for more than a day) and we are planning on doing more swimming and relaxing and less time in the parks. I am trying to plan our meals and wanted some input on where we should NOT go with our 16 month old son. I know V & A's is a no-no, but other than that I am not sure where is off limits. We have no desire to push the envelope, we want to go to kid friendly places only!
Thanks!
Christy

 

[sap1227]

I figure if I go to Deb's site and look at the places with children's menus I should be safe!

 

[jel0511]

Other than V&A's you're safe anywhere else. I've taken all of my children to most of the upscale WDW restaurants and never batted an eye. Now, my youngest was under 2 to all of these venues, so I wouldn't worry and have a GREAT time. My only advice would be to book the earliest PS, so your child isn't tired and can sit for the long meal. Also, if your child isn't used to eating out, I'd avoid all of the upscale WDW places, since the meals are usually drawnn out affairs. We go out at least once a week, so my kids are used to sitting and eating for a long time period. Our meal at Jiko took almost 2 1/2 hours, luckily my kids didn't get too antsy!!!!

 

[kdibattista]

V&A would be the only place I would not take a child. I don't yet have children so speaking as an adult who along with my DH take vacations to WDW yearly, we expect that children are going to be anyplace and it doesn't bother us one bit!!

 

[ducklite]

it depends on your child. Some 16 month olds are happy playing quietly in a high chair, others want DOWN NOW!!!

If your child falls into the first category, then most anyplace should be OK. If he falls into the second, then I would avoid:

Citrico's
Jiko
Flying Fish
CG
Artists Point
Shulas
Yachstmans
Palio

and I would think twice about Narcooses.

Of course I don't feel that any child under about ten belongs at V&A's...my opinion.

I think that regardless of his nature I would also pass on Citrico's with a child...it's not as formal as V&A's, but pretty close.

Anne

 

[crisi]

I'm with ducklite.

If your kid is well behaved, anyplace but V&As. If your kid doesn't sit well, same list she has (add the fancy French place at Epcot - I can never remember which is which - and Kimonos).

One addition, if your kid is well behaved, but you'll stress over it, it probably isn't worth it to try those places this trip.

Only you know your own child. I'm always amazed at how many people post to these threads with "we just bring some cheerios and color crayons and my two year old does fine." Mine go through the cheerios before the water arrives, and weren't interested in crayons or books until around 3 1/2.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by crisi
Mine go through the cheerios before the water arrives, and weren't interested in crayons or books until around 3 1/2.

And if they're anything like mine was, whatever Cheerios might be left ended up *IN* the water and then smooshed into a mess all over anything within hands reach.

Anne

 

[sap1227]

Glad to hear my son is normal He is usually good for close to an hour, and then it is all over. We will try to lean towards buffets, but I know DH wants 1 good meal (I think I will try to get my sister to come over and watch the baby one evening after he is asleep and then we can go and take our time and enjoy)

Thanks for all the great advice!
Christy

 

[flynnmnstr]

We just got back about 3 weeks ago. My DS 18mnths is good at dinner; we try to go out at least once a week with him. But he really only gives us an hour.

We had PS at the 50s Prime Time at 5:30pm. They seated us when we checked in at 5:15pm. My dad and sister got stuck on the shuttle boat coming over from Epcot and didn't even get to the restaurant until 5:45pm. I thought it was going to be a disaster but he was great. The tvs and our waitress's antics kept him occupied most of the time. There was just so much going on there. We ate dinner and dessert and relaxed for a few minutes (unheard of for us). I don't think we got out until close to 7 pm and he was wonderful.

Its not a fancy/nice restaurant but a great choice with kids. I love the food and especially the desserts (GET THE SMORES AND MILKSHAKES)

 

[eeyore0062]

I also have to agree with Ducklite. Having been on both sides of the coin... trying to enjoy a meal with my husband with a squaling child at the next table is not enjoyable for anyone, but we have also been the people who would like to go for a nice meal and have no one to watch our child.

I think you would be safe at just about anywhere, but some of the places that tend to attract people without kids are:

Citricos
Narcoosees
Artist's Point
Flying Fish
Jiko
Palio
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Shula's
California Grille

As long as you child is well behaved and not prone to temper tantrums, you should be fine!

 

[>>^..^<<]

When my daughter was about 2 we went out for a nice brunch at a upscale restaurant... I was such a smart mom I fgured if she started getting cranky I would give her a lollypop I had in my purse...

Well I finally gave it to her... but she was bored with it and threw it..

It landed squarely on the back of some gentlemans cashmere sweater... and stuck there... in suspended animation... he did not even realize it was there...

We got out of there quick and my last memory was looking back and seeing this man enjoying his meal with this sucker stuck between his shoulder blades LOL

I'm with Ducklite on this one

>>^..^<<

 

[Bottlejet]

Originally posted by sap1227
We are having a Disney Vacation in 2 weeks (since we live about 1/2 hour away, we NEVER go for more than a day) and we are planning on doing more swimming and relaxing and less time in the parks. I am trying to plan our meals and wanted some input on where we should NOT go with our 16 month old son. I know V & A's is a no-no, but other than that I am not sure where is off limits. We have no desire to push the envelope, we want to go to kid friendly places only!
Thanks!
Christy

Since you live so close, perhaps you could consider a baby sitter and not push the envelope at all.

 

[WDW JKL]

We take our DS to dinner at most places. However, it's been easier to go to the buffet style dining since it's quicker.

He really enjoys the Pooh character meals at Crystal Palace. He also enjoyed a lunch at Biergarten since he was able to get on the dance floor to "dance". It wasn't as enjoyable to eat at Le Cellier or San Angel Inn. These places took too long for him and my DW and ended up spliting time eating/baby sitting.

If your child is like mine then I would recommend the buffet style dining especially the character meals.

Good luck!

 

[mcr5298]

We just took our 6 month old daughter to the following restaurants two weeks ago.

Concourse Steak House (dinner)
Beaches and Cream (lunch)
Boma's (dinner)
Flying Fish (dinner)
Chefs de France (lunch)

Luckily she sleeps most of the time. However, since Disney is such a family vacation spot, they are very accomadating to families with children. Just know your child's boundaries, and have fun!

 

[eva]

I've had a number of friends ask us this very question. I usually tell them that a child will usually be fine in a restaurant that they enjoy. If you don't think that your child will have fun at the restaurant, then you are probably asking for trouble if you plan on staying longer than an hour. Which most sit-down restaurants are going to take longer than that. I think when we give advice here on the boards we are thinking of the comfort of those around you. But I think that children have a right to enjoy dinner just like everyone else, their on vacation too. There are a lot of good restaurants that children love. One mentioned before is 50's Prime Time Cafe. Also you might try the Biergarten, the Coral Reef, or Ohana's and of course any of the character meals. There's plenty of time as they grow up to take them to the finer restaurants. I would just wait till they can enjoy and appreciate it. Just my opinion.

 

[jiminyfan]

You and your entire family should be welcomed at ANY restaurant in WDW. I do say that V&A is pushing it, but if you have a well-behaved child that should not even be ruled out. I know I will hear it on this one as it is the only "Adult Restaurant" on WDW.
If you can get the Chef's Table, then I say definitely go ahead as the only ones he will disturb is your party and maybe the Chefs <G>.

I lived on both sides of this situations being married 14 years before having my son and as long as the children are well-behaved, they should be welcomed anywhere you want to take them. I have seen many adults who are more of an embarrassment to be around in a fine dining setting than my son. I'd take him to any restaurant over my father.

We always try to be respectful to the other diners and will remove my son immediately if he starts to misbehave. This is a rule that we live by. WE correct the situation and then return to the meal.

Enjoy your trips and your meals.

 

[Bottlejet]

Originally posted by jiminyfan
You and your entire family should be welcomed at ANY restaurant in WDW. I do say that V&A is pushing it, but if you have a well-behaved child that should not even be ruled out. I know I will hear it on this one as it is the only "Adult Restaurant" on WDW.
If you can get the Chef's Table, then I say definitely go ahead as the only ones he will disturb is your party and maybe the Chefs <G>.

I lived on both sides of this situations being married 14 years before having my son and as long as the children are well-behaved, they should be welcomed anywhere you want to take them. I have seen many adults who are more of an embarrassment to be around in a fine dining setting than my son. I'd take him to any restaurant over my father.

We always try to be respectful to the other diners and will remove my son immediately if he starts to misbehave. This is a rule that we live by. WE correct the situation and then return to the meal.

Enjoy your trips and your meals.

You're top notch Jiminyfan! Unfortunately, most folks are not as willing as you to correct undesirable infant behavior. For example, I was in a Wal-Mart today and heard an infant screaming at the top of his/her lungs for over thirty minutes. The "mother" just ignored the screams and pushed the cart around the store with the distressed child as if nothing was wrong. Some people just seem to think that screaming children should always be welcome in any setting. I guess I'm from the old school in my thinking that "children should be seen and not heard". When my children were infants we never even considered a trip to WDW. In my view, that would have been just plain irresponsible.

 

[mcr5298]

Bottlejet-I agree with you post. However, if we had more "responsible" parents, unlike you Wal-Mart story, then there might not be a problem with young children in restaurants. The infants are actually more tolerable than the toddlers. But the parents should know when enough is enough, and take their child outside if they are causing a scene. Ah, too bad it is not a perfect world.

 

[sap1227]

We took our son for the first time when he was 6 months old and he loved Chip and Dale. Now, 10 months later, Chip and Dale are still his favorite (at Mickey's Toon Town Fair either Chip or Dale always come and get him from us to play with him some more because he would crawl--now walk-- right over to them and hug them and not want to let go). That first time we took him to Disney was the only time I have ever seen him just fall asleep without fighting it. We have been back for day trips at least 5 other times. We spent a lot of time in the Baby Care area (nursing, changing diapers, letting him get down and play). Where ever we are (any restaurant, store, ect) when he crys we try to console him and if we can not stop his crying we leave. The same will happen at Disney. If he seems to be having a bad day we will go back to the hotel. I think taking an infant to Disney is a great thing to do and would not consider it "just plain irresponsible". Now, taking kids in the middle of the summer, commando style with no rest and everyone tired and grouchy is probably a bad idea, but I still would not call it irresponsible.

 

[dennis99ss]

With jiminyfan on this one. there is no restaurant where you cannot take a child, or infant. At 16 mos, you can get a suit or dress for the evening if you want a nice dinner. I don't remember when we first took my oldest to V & A, but i think he was about 12 mos, maybe 14. He was fine. But, I do believe that vacation is not the place to test your kids out. If you take them to dinner often, and when at a restaurant, they know how to act, and know what the consequences are, they will act basically the same at a restaurant at Disney. Of course if the kids tend to run through the place while you eat, they will probably do the same at Disney.