Why would someone do this?

[cukak6]

Did everyone forget that this is Disneyworld we're talking about? A place that's geared toward children? If you want to eat in a fine restaurant without children...go someplace else.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I agree that it is inconsiderate for the parents to eat while their kids are having a meltdown. I do not think that is was necessarily because of the dining plan. Some people are just going to be like that (rich, poor, doesn't matter).

We do not have kids and I hate when children are clearly misbehaving, having meltdown, whatever and the parents do nothing. We do take my little brother out (almost 9) and he knows what is expected of him. If he does start up, then we (would) remove him (hasn't happened yet).

I expect to see kids at WDW and I know that they aren't always going to be quiet and behaving properly. However, it is up to the parents to handle the situtaion without causing others distress.

 

[ducklite]

there could have been reasons, and circumstances that you were unaware of, and that you should try to be a little understanding.

I am not going to be "understanding" of parents who are inconsiderate boors. Had the children been well behaved through the meal and towards the end the baby got cranky so one parent left with them, I have no problem with that. But whatever reason those people had to disrupt half a restaurant with their kids who were melting down before they were even seated, there is no good reason for it. None at all.

Anne

 

[vatmark]

What the parents should have done is one of them taken the kids out while the other ate in peace. Then the second parent should have gone out with the kids while the other one ate. My parents had to do this with me, my brother and sister when we were young. My sister was sitting in a high chair screaming and throwing crackers in the air. My brother had a bad case of the runs so was running back and forth to the bathroom and I was just sitting there whining. And they had placed us at a table in the center of the restuarant. My parents were not going to subject the rest of the diners to the madhouse going on at our table so my dad took us 3 out while my mom ate dinner and then my mom stayed with us while my dad ate dinner.

We never took our kids out to restaurants when they were really young. The first time we went out to a sit down place was when my youngest was 3 and his sister was 5 1/2 and even then it was Ruby Tuesdays. We knew our son could sit still for a little bit to eat but we didn't have a lesiurly meal. We knew our time was limited. So we ate our food and then got out and all was well.

Last Oct. we went to Artist Point with our kids who were 9 and 7 at the time. They were perfectly behaved and quiet because they knew they would be in big trouble if they weren't. They were told what we expected from them before we even left the resort room. It was a very pleasant meal.

I don't blame the OP for being a bit perturbed. They were their to enjoy a nice meal. The parents of those kids should have taken them out of the restaurant. Not only did they not take them out but they continued to take their sweet ole time while the kids were miserable.

Annie

 

[hollyb]

I think it all goes back to good manners. Our children have always eaten out and if one acted up, one of us would leave. It happens at restaurants, in grocery stores, at parks, anywhere. The people who don't seem to care about the behaviour of their kids are consistent--they don't mind bothering other people wherever they are. Put yourself in another's shoes--would you want to have someone else's kids ruining your meal? Not likely. Whether you are a parent or not, we can all relate to bad behaviour but I think it comes down to how you handle it. Good manners.

Good manners is one thing, but come on these were young children who from the sounds of it were way over tired. Haven't you ever been tired and just wanted to call it a day?

We like to eat around 4ish with the kids. That way they are not so tired. Then again we are renting a house so we can go back and not have to worry about that.

 

[calgarygary]

Trust me, I've seen lots of kids (and their parents) over the years at WDW that have obviously spent plenty of time eating out of troughs and at Mc D's.

But he learned from a very young age what was and was not appropriate behaviour in public

I am unsure of what society considers it appropriate behaviour to refer to children as farm animals. One thing I am certain of, a polite, well behaved child, much less an adult would never refer to other people in such a manner.
Or maybe this point hits too close to home.

 

[ducklite]

we all can say what we would have done but these young people may have blown half their food budget on this meal envisioning a nice quiet loving evening, as naive as it was.

They weren't that young. That doesn't really matter though, they hadn't spent a dime before they were seated, and chose to dine there even though their kids disturbed everyone around them. They were simply inconsiderate boors and a good example of selfish parents. Those kids weren't ahving a good time, and the parents put their wants over their kids needs.

Anne

 

[MiaSRN62]

As I said, I can sympathize with you, but I can also feel for the harried parents who were trying to cope with the situation.

I agree with this jarestel. I can see the OP's point to a degree, but I feel some of her comments are being a bit harsh here.

Luv2playallday.....I can totally agree with all you said in your post #24.

That being said.....we are vacationing Aug 5-16. We're DVC, so no free dining for us (not even the paid dining). I am a little nervous about what dining out will be like for our final 3 days We might have to eat meals in our room or offsite We planned this trip a year in advance....before disney announced the free dining. I feel people will be jamming into restaurants they never would be otherwise. I've made about 30+ trips to WDW over the years.....and this one has me a bit nervous

 

[Uncleromulus]

Cukak6:
I don't think she is saying "without children". I think she is saying without "screaming, yelling, misbehaving, food throwing, plate throwing, crawling on the table, crawling under the table, running around the table, playing tag around the restaurant-- children. While the parents look on with indifferent bemusement.
And she's absolutely right!!

 

[ducklite]

I understand when dining in a nice upscale restaurant you expect a nice upscale experience. I don't understand why that's expected at a WDW restaurant.

Maybe you aren't aware that WDW isn't "just for kids." It's actually the most popular honeymoon destination in the world. They have one of the largest groups of conference and convention facilities in the world. They market heavily to empty nesters and seniors. WDW caters to as many individuals there for non-family reasons as it does to family vacationers, and those there for a honeymoon or busines have every right to expect to dine at a signature restaurant without being subjected to a meltdown at the table next to them.

Maybe disney needs to impliment some changes at the higher end restaurants. Age restrictions after a certain time. So you can arrive after the children have dinned. Or in the restaurtants decriptions word it where it's an quiet, adult atmosphere. If I read that, I'd definitely not take my family there. Maybe just me and DH.

I'va said for years that WDW signature restaurants should not seat children under ten after 7:00pm, and should group them into one area in the restaurant. It will still allow families to enjoy signature dining, but make less of a burden on other diners.

I've read where some CM's stepped in to divert the meltdowns. Whether a balloon was brought over, or some kind of trinket, or even just a few kind words.

Children dining at signature restaurants shouldn't need this type of special attention. If they can't dine there without a metldown, they shouldn't be there to begin with.

No one wants to listen to crying kids. Anytime, anywhere. I have 3 of my own. But, hey that's just life with kids. And WDW if full of them. It's unfortunate that happened. But, whether they chose that restaurant or a food court. It was going to happen. Just a bummer it happened at the restaurant you chose.

I would be far more understanding at a food court. In fact unless they began throwing food or something like that, it wouldn't phase me. Two different animals.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Did everyone forget that this is Disneyworld we're talking about? A place that's geared toward children? If you want to eat in a fine restaurant without children...go someplace else.

You obviously do'nt get it. As I mentioned in a previous post, WDW has huge conference facilities and is a huge honeymoon destination. There are as many people there without kids as with.

I don't have a problem with kids. I have a problem with ignorant parents who put their wants over their kids needs and thus allow kids to ruin others dining experiences.

I hope that you have the pleasure of sitting sandwiched between tables of screaming food throwing kids for your next three or four meals out. it might change your mind.

Anne

 

[patsal]

Nothing ruins a nice evening out than people who do not know how to read their own children. In other words, change your plans if it isn't going to work for your children--and yes, I have done it a few times. One vacation my DD had a virus, I changed our dining plans to prevent her from feeling badly or from getting others ill. One trip to the dept. store DS got really bratty when he couldn't have his own way, we left--no one else should have to put up with my kids not knowing how to behave. Had to do that once with DD as well--once was enough and they learned their lesson. As for dining, seriously parents, don't be selfish--get a sitter in the room, put the kids in a kids club or forgo the dinner, it isn't worth it to make your kids miserable, youself uptight at the restaurants, or to make others deal with your unruly children. I understand they may be tired or overstimulated, but common courtesy (which isn't so very common anymore) would dictate that you do not subject others to this.

 

[kkevcamsmom]

I don't allow my kids to scream at the table at home, let alone in public. I have requested my food boxed up and taken my kids out while my DH waits for the boxes and pays the bill. I see no point in ruining other peoples meals just because 'I paid for it', so did the others.

We are heading to WDW for the first time in Jan 07, and are planning one or two TS dinnings, one with the kids one, without, and one character meal. The rest will be at the hotel or CS in the parks. We know what our kids like and don't. The TS place we have chosen was with them in mind.

I can tell you without this site though, I may have been one of those poorly planned parents with overly tired whinney kids, but it would not have lasted long! This site and all the info I have gathered is just amazing! It should be required reading for anyone with or without kids before they go.

Lori

 

[dalt01]

i agree with the age restriction idea for certain spots it does give you a place to hide from the chaos and we all need that after about three days of getted ankle bruises from the strollers.

 

[ducklite]

I am unsure of what society considers it appropriate behaviour to refer to children as farm animals. One thing I am certain of, a polite, well behaved child, much less an adult would never refer to other people in such a manner.
Or maybe this point hits too close to home.

I call it as I see it. I never said the children were animals, only that their behaviour was that of someone who ate out of a trough. Big difference.

When six year olds can't eat with silverware and four year olds throw food and crawl under other diners tables (we had that happen a couple years back) then yes, my description certainly fits.

Anne

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Ok first time parent here and I am older 38. I just learned my first lesson in taking an overtired baby to a nice restaurant. I removed my child from the table and went to look at the fish tank while the rest of our party enjoyed their meal and I ate mine at home. Yes these parents had little respect for the people around them. Yes they should have left. But you really did not need to resort to the name calling to get your point across. I think that is the issue not that anyone would disagree with you on the point you were making.

 

[ducklite]

Cukak6:
I don't think she is saying "without children". I think she is saying without "screaming, yelling, misbehaving, food throwing, plate throwing, crawling on the table, crawling under the table, running around the table, playing tag around the restaurant-- children. While the parents look on with indifferent bemusement.
And she's absolutely right!!

Anne

 

[Kath2003]

I've been to WDW with a huge party (6 adults, 5 kids) and let me tell you, we would have been hauled out of ANY restaraunt, REGARDLESS of how far through the meal we were had anyone even whinged. All 11 of us would have been out of the door - not just for the sanity of the other diners but for the sanity of the adults in our party.

But then my parents did the sensible thing and planned realistically: we normally ate at 5pm as kids, so we ate at 5pm on vacation. We were out of there by 7pm which is when most adults think about eating. We certainly wouldn't have considered going to a TS restaraunt after 7pm in the evening: the youngest child's bedtime was 8pm and short of staying up for the fireworks one night, that routine was followed on vacation too.

 

[dalt01]

i saw parents doing a "baby swap" at Le Cellier last july so they could take turns going outside and eating, i felt so sorry for them i wanted to take my turn in the barrel so they could eat together. nothing ever plays out the way you draw it up.

 

[PatriciaH]

Yes, I hate when there are meltdowns and the parents just sit there ignoring it. I don't know how they do! It seems so cruel. We saw lots of overheated, sunburned, dripping, sad kids this past weekend. It was very very hot.

We went to Coral Reef with a friend that was visiting for the holiday and there was a little one screaming the whole time we were in there. The table next to us was on the dining plan and the dad was looking for something to eat. He ordered the Ruben and when it came to the table, opened the sandwich, smelled it and made an awful face. He then ate his kids mac and cheese. Weird. I never thought people would not know what a Ruben was We see lots of people at the nicer restaurants with baseball hats on. I wish Tony Sopprano would go over and tell them to take it off. I have also had a person ask me what my "fancy drink" was. It was a cappuccino. LOL.