Would you do Palio with kids???

[KayakDaddy]

I'm surprising my family with a long weekend trip to WDW at the end of the month. We are staying at the Swan. I'd like to dine in a nice restaurant on our arrival day and the menu at Palio is attractive to me.

Here are my questions:
Would it be a good idea to bring our kids to Palio? (DS-5, DD-1.5)

or,

Would you recommend leaving the kids at the resort's evening child watch center?

or,

Would you recommend a nearby restaurant with similar quality food that would have a more kid friendly atmosphere? (Spoodles maybe?)

I want to surprise/spoil my wife with a posh place, but I feel funny about going on vacation to dump my kids of at the child watch center. Would they have fun? Is it worth the money for a quiet evening alone? Is Palio that good, or is there better food in the area? Any help, suggestions, reviews, etc. are welcome and appreciated.

 

[maggiew]

We went to Palio with our kids. We went one night after EPCOT. I think we might have been the last table they seated that night. DH & I each got a pizza and the kids each got spaghetti. WRONG CHOICE. We had so much food. One pizza and one spaghetti would have been enough. In fact, it would have been TOO much!

The pizza was good, though.

Maggie

 

[KayakDaddy]

Original poster here...

I'm cosidering Spoodles as a possible alternative to Palio, so I go to the menu section of AllEarsNet. I pulled up the Spoodles dinner menu and the selection looks very limited. The menu lists only 5 entree choices. Surely they have more that that!?!?

Has anyone been to Spoodles recently that can confirm or deny the accuracy of the AllEarsNet menu. Here is the link:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_spd.htm

Also, how would you compare Spoodles to Palio? Is there a comparison? Which has better food & atmosphere? I assume Spoodles has a better environment for kids, but would I be missing something special at Palio?

 

[Uncleromulus]

First thing--we've always seen kids at Palio every time we've dined there. It really isn't "geared" toward children per se, but the strolling musicians will always play a Disney song at any table with kids.
Personally, I think it's the best Italian spot on property and as WDW restaurants go, somewhat romantic.
So --food-wise and adult ambiance-- definitely Palio. Spoodles is probably more kid friendly, tho it's been some time since we've been there.

The Allears menus are usually very accurate. She prints them right off the menus that are sent to the site by folks just returning from WDW.

 

[paras4ri]

Spoodles menu is accurate.....the number of entrees were reduced a few months ago. We ate there about 6 weeks ago and enjoyed it. They also had a few specials in addition to the items on the menu.

We stayed at the Swan and although we didn't eat at Palio we walked by it many times and we did see children there regularly. It is definately more romantic than Spoodles.

You know your kids. If you think they'd be fine there then go for it - and enjoy!