Will these restaurants be Ok for a 4 year old?

[Googilycub]

I have made all of my dining reservations for our trip...but I am afraid my daughter wont enjoy some of them. I was not sure about Narcoosees, The California Grill, and The Yahtsman's Steakhouse. Does anybody have any experience with a young one at these places? Thanks!

 

[Minniemama350]

I have not been to any of these, however in my dining experience at Disney, my younger child that can order off of the kid's menu is always infinitely happier than the older one who has to order off of the adult menu. That is...until the dessert comes around and then the older kid is the happier!

 

[noahdove]

I think she will be ok at the California grill, but no so sure at the other 2...sorry..but, that is my opinion...

 

[Art 1]

I have made all of my dining reservations for our trip...but I am afraid my daughter wont enjoy some of them. I was not sure about Narcoosees, The California Grill, and The Yahtsman's Steakhouse. Does anybody have any experience with a young one at these places? Thanks!

Please, no.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I have made all of my dining reservations for our trip...but I am afraid my daughter wont enjoy some of them. I was not sure about Narcoosees, The California Grill, and The Yahtsman's Steakhouse. Does anybody have any experience with a young one at these places? Thanks!

California Grill and Narcoosees - went to both in 2009 with DS4. Was fine at both places. Both could be long meals if you take your time, have wine, enjoy dessert..... Both restaurants were very flexible with DS4's picky appetite - they basically gave him whatever he wanted to eat - whether on kids menu or not. Service was excellent at both.

We liked California Grill's food, but thought it was kind of boring... we were not there during the fireworks which I understand is the main attraction (the view) but that would be too late for dinner with our young DS4. At one point, I took him out on the deck to take a break and see the view... by the way, the deck is just cement with no chairs and that's where everyone smokes. It was nice to be up high.

Narcoosees was very nice. On the 7 Seas Lagoon. Also, easy to take DS4 for a mid-meal break to walk on a walkway that circles part of the restaurant on the water.

Never been to Yachtsman.

 

[Tam1067]

If she is able to sit quietly for 90 minutes or more without much interesting to look at from her perspective, then she might be okay.

I've never been to Yachtsman, but we've been to CG and Narcoossee's twice. We've taken our kids, but my youngest is 7 and certainly able to sit quietly at this point. I would not have taken them to those places when they were 4 (and did not) merely because I think they'd have been bored, and if the kids are bored, everyone around us would suffer, and certainly it's not fair to others to suffer because a 4 year old is tired and bored.

That said, we have always seen kids at these places, and you know your DD better than anyone else. So if she's not going to cry, run around, or irritate your neighbors, I guess you'd be okay. But we also had the distinct displeasure of listening to a toddler scream for quite a long time at Citricos last month, and it was not fair to anyone in there.

 

[jenjersnap]

If your DD is used to eating out and you have little tricks for distraction, she'll be fine. It's unlikely that she will be the only child in the room - mine never have been while we eat at Signatures!

 

[Jimham4]

I hate to write this because I am a huge fan of the family atmosphere at Disney, but think real hard before taking a four year old to these restaurants. I know other kids are there but it doesn't necessarily make it the right place to be. DW and I scheduled a date night this last trip at Citricos while we let the kids do qs and arcade at the contemporary. We ended up on a dining room surrounded by kids that could not sit still, cried and/or whined throughout our dinner because their parents did not know when to remove them from the restaurant or didn't care. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves anyway nd realize all Disney restaurants can be this way, I think especially now with the DDP, bit it certainly does remove any chance for having a romantic dinner somewhere on the resort.

 

[Googilycub]

Thank you for the responces. I was just a little worried that she would not enjoy the meal (mainly due to length, and an atmosphere that is not geared towards children). If I thought for a minute that she would misbehave, cry, run around the place, or make a scene...I would never take her.

 

[Jimham4]

I hate to write this because I am a huge fan of the family atmosphere at Disney, but think real hard before taking a four year old to these restaurants. I know other kids are there but it doesn't necessarily make it the right place to be. DW and I scheduled a date night this last trip at Citricos while we let the kids do qs and arcade at the contemporary. We ended up on a dining room surrounded by kids that could not sit still, cried and/or whined throughout our dinner because their parents did not know when to remove them from the restaurant or didn't care. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves anyway nd realize all Disney restaurants can be this way, I think especially now with the DDP, bit it certainly does remove any chance for having a romantic dinner somewhere on the resort.

 

[jenjersnap]

I hate to write this because I am a huge fan of the family atmosphere at Disney, but think real hard before taking a four year old to these restaurants. I know other kids are there but it doesn't necessarily make it the right place to be. DW and I scheduled a date night this last trip at Citricos while we let the kids do qs and arcade at the contemporary. We ended up on a dining room surrounded by kids that could not sit still, cried and/or whined throughout our dinner because their parents did not know when to remove them from the restaurant or didn't care. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves anyway nd realize all Disney restaurants can be this way, I think especially now with the DDP, bit it certainly does remove any chance for having a romantic dinner somewhere on the resort.

There are two restaurants without a kid's menu at Disney World: Victoria and Albert's (which doesn't allow children under 10 at all) and Bistro de Paris. Neither accept the regular or deluxe dining plans. Perhaps you ought to consider eating there if you want a child-free environment. Every other restaurant at WDW is fair game and kids are to be expected, though, eating later can minimize the number of kids.

 

[deerhart]

also realize that those restaurants (and I believe all three do) have a dress code.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Edited my post because I started a different thread on this topic. My experience at signature and other Disney Dining is it was fine for our son, age 3 in 2008, 4 in 2009.

I personally like the character meals, dinner shows, and other themed dining at Disney because it's more fun and entertaining for my son (OK, for me too). I can enjoy regular dining at home. But I did like the three signature restaurants we went to -- Citrocos, Narcoosees, and California Grill. I thought California Grill was the best in that we were seated right across from the open kitchen (open to dining room)... so (1) it was much more noisy than my son could ever be.... and (2) it was fun to watch. Plus I got a preview of the dishes before I ordered!


Here are some of my ideas on making the experience good for my son.....

We schedule our dinners at a time that works for us. And I learned the hard way to slow down and not try to do too much beyond the point of being over tired.

If not asked, we tell our waiter how to pace our food. For example, bring our child something to eat when we get our appetizers. Don't delay too long between courses so the meal doesn't take as long.

We take a mid-meal break between courses. Either a parent or older sibling takes our son for a quick walk - outside, to look at restaurant decor, etc.

We offer incentives - item from gift shop in lobby outside restaurant.

We bring some things to do if child gets bored - books, crayons, etc. My DS4 likes to look at the photos on my camera taken earlier in the day.

One of us will leave the restaurant with our son if he is crying or having a tantrum and don't go back until calmed down. If this fails, we are prepared to take the rest of our meal to go and enjoy it outside, back at the room, etc...

We tip big (more than 20%) if the waiter did a great job helping to make the dining experience positive for our son and we tell him/her why.


Here are things we like our waiter to do.

Have conversation with my child just as the waiter would do with the adults at the table. Speak to him at eye level, ask him about his day at Disney, use his name.

Visit my table often. With children, we may need things more often.

Make the meal interesting for children. I do NOT expect my waiter to put on a clown hat and entertain my child... but they could do something... they should have a few tricks up their sleeve. Tell a joke, a funny disney fact, offer to meet the chef, etc.

Be flexible with the child's menu. This is the restaurants' fault. Child menus are too limited. My DS4 has allergies so we always get alternatives that he likes but the signature restaurants especially were flexible anyway. Children are by nature picky eaters. Some menu flexibility would help.

Examples of "Child-Friendly" Restaurant Service:

Ohana - Chef made DS4 a special desert (due to allergies) - a very creative presentation - a tower of fruit.

Restaurant Marrakesh - the waiter talked to DS4 at eye level and made frequent visits to our table asking him questions about his food and his day and posed for a photo with him.

Jiko - our waitress was full of pleasant smiles and talked with DS4 about his day.

Narcoosees - waiter laughed when DS4 held up a stuffed Simba lion and growled at him, and the waiter growled back!

Citrocos (and other restaurants) - our waiter brought a giant bowl of strawberries (DS4's favorite) instead of the usual fruit cup (melon and grapes).

Tusker House Donald's Safari Breakfast - I was about to get up from the table to let mom know the characters were getting close to our table...instead, the waiter told me to relax and went to the buffet himself to let her know.

 

[Pakey]

California Grill has a wonderful view of MK. Narcoosees has a gorgeous view of the water. Both restuarants have many young diners; the wait staff is used to it and go out of their way to make sure that all of their diners enjoy their experience. I've eaten at all of the signatures many times and I've never been to these two where there were not several tables with young diners. Also, both of these restaurants are a bit noisy as CG has all of the glass and Narcoosees has wood floors so sound somewhat echoes anyway.

Yachtsman Steakhouse is a bit stuffier; I don't see children dining here very often. There is not much to look at; the wait staff is not as engaging as the other two places.

All of these restaurants have children's menus and are welcome to dine here. Only the parents know if their children would enjoy it and nobody else can make that decision or form that opinion. My husband and I have hundreds of times at the signatures and we've never had a meal disturbed by a young diner.

I think Ca Grill and Narcoosees are the absolute best to take young diners.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I have made all of my dining reservations for our trip...but I am afraid my daughter wont enjoy some of them. I was not sure about Narcoosees, The California Grill, and The Yahtsman's Steakhouse. Does anybody have any experience with a young one at these places? Thanks!

Only you know your own child. check out the menus on allears and see if they appeal to your DD. Maybe go early to avoid a crowded which would mean longer waits for seating and food.

I was at Narcoosees with a friend and it was pretty late, 9ish. There was a table by us with 2 adults and a few children. One child was literally sleeping with her head on the table, one was playing his DS and the other was sleeping in the stroller. The adults were drinking martinis and wine. I drink wine but i'm not going to make my child sleep on a table while I enjoy my drinks. I felt sad for the kids, they were all misearble.

Not saying you would do that of course but maybe go early. This could be a great opportunity to allow your DD to learn how to be a princess and have a fancy dinner.

 

[waltskids]

I hate to write this because I am a huge fan of the family atmosphere at Disney, but think real hard before taking a four year old to these restaurants. I know other kids are there but it doesn't necessarily make it the right place to be. DW and I scheduled a date night this last trip at Citricos while we let the kids do qs and arcade at the contemporary. We ended up on a dining room surrounded by kids that could not sit still, cried and/or whined throughout our dinner because their parents did not know when to remove them from the restaurant or didn't care. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves anyway nd realize all Disney restaurants can be this way, I think especially now with the DDP, bit it certainly does remove any chance for having a romantic dinner somewhere on the resort.

Unfortunately with the popularity of the DDP, most of the restaurants will have tons of kids. There are lots of options if you want a quiet meal, Victoria and Albert's is wonderful! Also, try some of the restaurants at the Swan/Dolphin; since they aren't on the DDP, they tend to have less children (not always though). We have learned though many trips that when we dine without the kids we know to stay far away from the restaurants on DDP.
To the OP, there will be many children at all of the restaurants that you named, and if your child can sit though a meal, it will be enjoyable. We have dined at Yachtsman and California Grill with kids and will go to Narcosses on our next trip. Have fun!

 

[laura428]

I have made all of my dining reservations for our trip...but I am afraid my daughter wont enjoy some of them. I was not sure about Narcoosees, The California Grill, and The Yahtsman's Steakhouse. Does anybody have any experience with a young one at these places? Thanks!

Our kids, DS6 and DD4, are awesome in restaurants. Very well-behaved, never getting up from the table, very patient in waiting for their meals (with the help of activities like coloring books and such which we bring). Even with this, though, we decided to mostly book restaurants that seemed well-suited to little ones. Trust me, I would have loved to have booked some of the restaurants you listed... I'm a true foodie, and was ga-ga looking through the menus at some of these places. But, because of both food options and the more adult-oriented atmosphere, DH and I decided to pick one of the more sophisticated spots for a night out by ourselves (using Disney's childcare service). We do have a few I'm a wee bit concerned about, but tried to go with as many buffets as possible, or at least those that have mac & cheese on the menu (DD4's favorite). Especially after long days in the parks, we figured the best chance of keeping happy kids (and happy us!) was to make meals a satisfying experience for everyone.

Just my two cents... hope you and your family have a fabulous time!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We've only eaten at CG out of the 3 you mentioned, but my girls loved the experience. They were 4 and 6 at the time and we made a bit of a deal out of getting dressed up and acting fancy. They were so well behaved. We didn't stay any longer than we needed to but have to say it was one of the best meals we had. Especially that Sushi and the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. They loved being able to see MK and the fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant. We had plans to go to Narcoosees but cancelled as it was the end of our 4 week trip and we were just so tired of eating out.

 

[indimom]

It's been a LONG time since my own children were that young, but I know I would have been very embarassed if they were loud or misbehaving in what I considered an upscale restaurant. I would go, but maybe book for earlier in the day, when they are not sooo tired, and bring something new for them to play with if they get bored (something small and quiet). I could have never managed the mid-meal walk when mine were little, they would have taken that to mean we can get up and walk around over and over again.
We did Yachtsman for lunch when DS was five and it was fine. VERY QUIET! There was only one other family (also with a young son) sitting within our line of sight. All the children behaved very well and it was quiet and peaceful, a great midday break from the park. Have a great time!

 

[waltskids]

It's been a LONG time since my own children were that young, but I know I would have been very embarassed if they were loud or misbehaving in what I considered an upscale restaurant. I would go, but maybe book for earlier in the day, when they are not sooo tired, and bring something new for them to play with if they get bored (something small and quiet). I could have never managed the mid-meal walk when mine were little, they would have taken that to mean we can get up and walk around over and over again.
We did Yachtsman for lunch when DS was five and it was fine. VERY QUIET! There was only one other family (also with a young son) sitting within our line of sight. All the children behaved very well and it was quiet and peaceful, a great midday break from the park. Have a great time!

See, many people (including myself) do not consider these restaurants to be 'upscale' anymore since the populatiry of the DDP has changed the quality of food (again in my opinion). As a result, many of us diners who opt for a night out without kids and utilize babysitting will never frequent the ones listed for that very reason. We tried it once, and very quickly realized that they are now family restaurants and although we weren't bringing our children there, many other diners were. So it changed the way we dine at those restaurants, now our children frequent them as well. Of course, it goes without saying that we get up as soon as the kids start to get loud and we bring plenty of activities, but DS is wonderful as restaurants so far (It's too soon to tell for DD lol!) I understand how people spend lots of money at the signatures, but living near a foodie city (Philly), we spend the same amount of money (sometimes a bit more) for honestly better food and little to no children when we dine. So we don't look at many of the signatures as a true dining experience anymore. I would hope other parents going to the signatures (and any restaurant) would make sure their children are well behaved but we have seen many times where this wasn't the case. It's a shame it's like this now but on the plus side it does allow our own children to enjoy something that may have been frowned upon years ago (eating at a nice restaurant, not misbehaving in one).