Which are the most family friendly TS?

[delmar411]

I know it is Disney but there are a wide range of places to eat and not all of them are going to be as thrilled to have 4 kids, esp 3 small (but loud) kids in there for dinner. We will be mostly sticking to buffets but I'd like to eat a few other places too as long as the kids wouldn't ruin another families meal by being too loud or crying or fussy...

TIA!

 

[disnut8]

We're two adults with our child gone. Unless your children are running amuck and out of control, we'd sit next to you. The only time we're "bothered" by kids is when they are doing something obviously wrong and the parents don't give a care. If your child started to cry and you tried to take care of it, fine. But if you sat back and ordered another glass of wine instead, well, we wouldn't be happy.

Kids are kids. Mine once threw a 100% kicking, screaming, crying full blown temper tantrum at a K Mart. I tried to take care of it and one older gentleman came over and said "do you want me to help out?"

And right now, we have to deal with a LOT of fussy activity when we go out to dinner. From my mother-in-law who can't keep still for longer than five minutes.

 

[flipflop]

Any character meals, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Sci-Fi, 50's Primetime....I actually think most places are more family friendly than you would think...there may be people who don't enjoy your loud kids but trust me they won't be the only loud kids at most places....with perhaps the exceptions of the high-end places like Yachtsman, Jiko, AP (even at those, though you might be uncomfortable if your kids are too loud, you will still likely see some kids).

 

[flipflop]

As disnut8 mentioned above, there is a difference between loud kids and kids who refuse to sit at the table and their parents let them run all over the place or when kids are overtired and throwing a tantrum their parents ordering another cocktail rather than taking the kid home to get some sleep. But we would not expect kids to sit at a table quietly throughout an entire dinner and not make a peep (especially since we have kids and know this is not realistic!!)- you are afterall at disney and there are going to be kids out when you dine.

 

[delmar411]

Yeah we aren't the ignore the behavior type parents but I know the kids are hard to contain normally and when they are overtired then the metldowns begin. But they do have to eat at some point too. I just feel bad when we are out and one or two start to get that loud whiney grate your nerves kind voice going on and we dont' even have our meal yet. My oldest just has always been that 'good' kid when we are out and the baby is also a 'good' kid but the 2 middle ones are hellions! LOL

Hmm, maybe we can wear them all out and they will all fall asleep at the table and DH and I can eat our dinner in blissful silence.

 

[wdw4us2]

You might want to try the Sci-Fi Dine In or 50's Prime Time Cafe at Disney/MGM Studios. These are both table service with a lot going on inside and people will be less likely to notice some noisy kids.

Most of the restaurants in Epcot are kid friendly, too. The only one where the kids loud children wouldn't be appreciated is the Bistro de Paris in France.

Many of the resort restaurants are nice for kids including the Yacht Club Galley, Whispering Canyon Cafe in WL and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian.

We have two kids who have been going to table service at WDW for years (they are now 12 & 15). We are patient with overexhausted kids and it only bothers us when they are running around while their parents do nothing. I'm sure you'll have a good time and that the kids will be fine.

 

[racefanof88]

We just got home from Disney World last week and I have to say Sci-Fi was my favorite. We had never eaten there so we wanted to try it. We got to MGM and I went to guest services to get a priority seating arrangement. She had a menu for all the resturants in the park and got them out for us to look over. We decided we wanted Sci-Fi as the kids menu had pizza. She was able to get us in within 15 minutes of entering the park. What a deal. We so enjoyed the car and the big screen drive inn feel. And the newly weds they seated in the car with us were so sweet. I will go back to Sci-Fi when we return.

 

[KevinYee]

I think it's easier to pin down which restaurants are NOT family friendly. That's a much smaller list. It's safe to assume a restaurant welcomes kids, even loud ones, unless they are part of this list:

1. Victoria and Albert's
2. Le Cellier
3. Bistro de Paris
4. Shula's Steakhouse
5. California Grill (maybe. depends on how noisy is noisy)

OK I'm forgetting some, but this is a start.

 

[LizAgna]

I think it's easier to pin down which restaurants are NOT family friendly. That's a much smaller list. It's safe to assume a restaurant welcomes kids, even loud ones, unless they are part of this list:

1. Victoria and Albert's
2. Le Cellier
3. Bistro de Paris
4. Shula's Steakhouse
5. California Grill (maybe. depends on how noisy is noisy)

OK I'm forgetting some, but this is a start.

The only one on this list that we have been to is LeCellier and it is very family friendly. We went in Jan 06 with our 2 year old and 9 year old DDs. There were also several other children there when we were there also.
So we did not feel out of place at all!!

 

[MJMcBride]

You're best bet maybe buffet, especially character ones or 'ohana or whispering canyon cafe both of which offer kids' games

 

[snomofinn]

50's Prime Time comes to mind! That place is great, loud, lots of families, your kids will be entertained! I too have dined at LeCellier when there were little children, they really didnt bother anyone, certainly not us. Our girls are older now (20 and 13) and we remember those days... Seeing that this is Disney, people should expect to see children in the restuarants. Go...have fun...where every you decide

 

[Berkshires96]

We had a group of 13 at both places in Dec (w/kids 2,2 & 6). Both offered things for the kids to do (chef mickey's-characters) (ohana-coconut races, limbo, maracas, music) Our kids loved both.

 

[ks12066]

Whispering canyon cafe at the wilderness lodge is a great place for kids. Ohana is also a great place.

 

[CourtneyandRyan]

50's Prime Time Cafe in MGM--- The kids might actually really stay focused on the "theme" if they saw their parents getting in "trouble" for elbows on the table, not eating their veggies, etc.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Any place on the DDP with 1 credit will be filled with children. We noticed a lot more kids this trip in a lot of the WSC resturants that used to be a little less kid friendly. Above list is good except I too agree you would be very much at home at LeCellier.

 

[KevinYee]

The only one on this list that we have been to is LeCellier and it is very family friendly. We went in Jan 06 with our 2 year old and 9 year old DDs. There were also several other children there when we were there also.
So we did not feel out of place at all!!

yeah, in retrospect Le Cellier doesn't belong on the list. Anything with a dress code does, though.

 

[tfiga]

My very active 5 and 7 yr old boys, love O'Hana's....They have activities for the children so the kids do not have to sit for a long time...I highly recommend for families with active children. If in Epcot they also loved Biergarten as they were able to get up and dance... Have a nice trip.

 

[TxRabbit]

Our first trip with our DS6 is this month. One stop on our list is the Japanese steakhouse. We have been to them before, and after reading reviews of the one in Japan is WS, I believe this one will be typical with the chefs cooking your food for you right in front of you. It is very entertaining to watch. Most chefs put on quite a show, chopping and dicing and cooking away. I know that it will be closed for renovations during the summer. If it is open for your trip, think about trying it. My DS has been twice over the past several years, and both times, he was riveted.