Where would you dine with a 4 year old?

[abolanwoski]

Looking for reccs for sit-down meals with our DD4 (either lunch or dinner) We want a place that has good food (prefer not to do CS) She's really well behaved and accustomed to eating out,but wweon't enjoy a protracted dining "experience". Not really interested in doing character meals and buffets all week.

I'm especially interested in your favs with kids in the parks.

 

[pskelly]

There are a few I can think of, the one that comes to mind as the one that our 4yr old DD enjoyed the most - Biergarten in Epcot. She loved being able to go out on the floor and dance.

 

[prncess674]

It's Disney, all the restaurants will be full of kids. Signature restaurants (2 TS credits if on the dining plan) will last slightly longer. Otherwise just read the menus on allears and pick what appeals to you from a food perspective.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

Coral Reef! My two-year-old loved the fish tank and cannot wait to go back now that she is four.

Also, I think Sci Fi or 50's Primetime would be fun, although we have not tried those two places since Eve was born.

Ohanas for dinner would be nice--no characters, but still live entertainment.

California Grill would also be a lovely place to have dinner and watch the fireworks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Coral Reef! My two-year-old loved the fish tank and cannot wait to go back now that she is four.....

But there are limited tables next to the tank. If you don't get a table by the tank, you aren't supposed to interrupt the meals of the people by the tank by sending the kids up to the glass wall.

 

[abc999]

Teppan Edo, my 4 year old loves watching them cook in front of her and she loves the food too.

 

[Lstar311]

If she's into Playhouse Disney Hollywood and Vine would be right up her alley. OOps just read your OP and saw you don't want character meals. Sorry!

 

[ReneeA]

My kids have been every year since they were 2 and 3. Some of their favorites are: Coral Reef (even if you aren't right next to the tank, most tables have a view of the aquarium), Sci-Fi Diner (the only one they ask to do every year), Teppan Edo (their fave from the last trip), and 'Ohana. Their favorite character meal is Chef Mickey - we normally go for a week or more, and I book one character meal while we are there since they aren't my idea of a good time, either. Chef Mickey is the top choice.

 

[shellybaxter]

For a four year old I'd recommend Biergarten (we never took my niece here when she was four and I regret it - she would have loved it), Whispering Canyons Cafe, Garden Grill, Sci Fi Dine In, and at least one Princess meal - I know you didn't want to eat only at character meals but I can't imagine not taking a four year old girl to a princess meal - I'd probably go with Cindy's Royal dinner things at 1900 park fair.

I wouldn't automatically assume that your child would enjoy any of the signature meals. The expectations of behavior are higher at a signature meal and even if a child can sit nicely, not run around, or make loud, laughing/crying/screaming noises for two plus hours they probably won't have as much fun as they will at the restaurants listed.

 

[Pixies4Becky]

I agree that the Coral Reef would be nice as she could watch the fishes. Other than that, how about lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern?

 

[mnasf]

Looking for reccs for sit-down meals with our DD4 (either lunch or dinner) We want a place that has good food (prefer not to do CS) She's really well behaved and accustomed to eating out,but wweon't enjoy a protracted dining "experience". Not really interested in doing character meals and buffets all week.

I'm especially interested in your favs with kids in the parks.

My kids are 14, 9, and 4 and started doing WDW when my oldest was 2.5. I would say that all three have enjoyed similar things. They do love the character meals, especially those with good interaction or unique characters. As for non-character dining, all my kids love Le Cellier because they enjoy stake and the the different breads that are brought and even the desserts. They also like Teppan Edo which used to be called Teppanyaki because being a child you seem to get a little extra attention from the chefs. At Disney Studios they love everthing about the Sci-Fi Dine especially if you have a good server. They like watching the movie clips, eating in a car, etc. My older ones have started enjoying France. I haven't been to Italy's restaurant since redone so I can't comment on if it's still good. They also enjoy eating in the castle, but that has some character stuff. Hope that helps! At Le Cellier and similar places, we usually do the first dinner seating so as not to take a chance on behavior. I wouldn't take my kids someplace they would be loud so others couldn't enjoy their food. I should also say my kids love the Hoop Dee Doo.

 

[brad3640]

I have two boys 3 & 6 and they love 50's prime time cafe, me and my husband did as well. they like o'hanas to because they learned to hula and had coconut races. We also went to Whispering Canyon Cafe and they enjoyed the food there to but also the little horse parade. And ofcourse chef mickey's.

 

[mnasf]

I have two boys 3 & 6 and they love 50's prime time cafe, me and my husband did as well. they like o'hanas to because they learned to hula and had coconut races. We also went to Whispering Canyon Cafe and they enjoyed the food there to but also the little horse parade. And ofcourse chef mickey's.

I forgot those two. My kids enjoyed Ohana and WCC for those reasons, too.

 

[abolanwoski]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I think we might try out Ohana and the Biergarten. We already have a princess lunch (akershus).

Can't wait!

 

[webray]

We have had no problem at all taking our grand daughter with us to any of the resort signature restaurants at disney. She is now five.

If you are in EPCOT, anyplace around the world showcase (with the exception of Le Bistro...unless she can sit still/quiet for 3-4 hours) would be fantastic. Or, take a walk/boat ride over to Flying Fish..our favorite!

If you are at the Studios...50's prime time is where we usually eat.
But for a really great meal..again, you could head to Flying Fish at the Boardwalk, or IL Mulino at the Swan, Blue Zoo at the Dolphin is fantastic, but again, Blue Zoo is a long meal...probably not good with a 4 year old no matter how well behaved she is.

In MK, we eat at Crystal Palace for Breakfast, Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch.
For B,L or D why not try the Wave restaurant over at Contemporary. Dinner is fantastic, hopefully we will get to try breakfast and lunch soon.
If MK is open late and you want to leave for a dinner break, head over to Artist Point, just take the boat from MK to Wilderness Lodge, then back again.

In AK...we really enjoy Yak and Yeti (we have had this for lunch many times).
Usually after an AK day we head to AKL and enjoy Jiko or Boma.

Enjoy!

 

[kimbo0569]

My girls are 6 1/2 and 3 and this past trip we did dinners at 1900 Park Fair, O'Hana, Garden Grill, Rainforest Cafe (DTD) and 50's Prime Time Cafe. Both my girls loved all of them (well the 3 year old didn't like 1900 Pk Fair because she is anti princess and this was with Cinderella...lol) But she loved everything else.