Yachtsman Steakhouse - with a 13 month old?

[DrKnow]

Hi all - would you consider the Yachtsman Steakhouse to be too "fancy" to bring a 13 month old? I doubt we'll order a steak for him this time, but my wife and I would still like to go. He's pretty well behaved (as much as a one year old can be). Would you have reservations taking a small toddler to YS?

 

[solus909]

I recently went to WDW with a 19-month-old toddler. We didn't eat at YS but we did eat at Artist Point at WL which is similar in price and "prestige." It was perfectly fine. Even the "fancy" restaurants give the kids crayons.

I would recommend going with the attitude that nothing is off-limits. Most of the people who would frown at toddlers in a nice restaurant don't go to Disney anyway. It's a family resort, restaurants included. But for a full disclosure I will mention that there was one restaurant we went to where our little one starting crying, so I took him out for 5 minutes and let him run around the lobby. And yeah, we did get that "look" from a couple of people, but whatever!

 

[Tara]

No, no problem with this at all.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Technically it is not a problem. As long as your child can put up with a meal of about two hours.

And as long as you are willing to interrupt your meal to take your child out of the restaurant if he starts fussing or crying so other people looking for fine dining are not disturbed.

 

[Hopefully]

It depends on your child. You say he is as good as a one year old can be. That makes me wonder if this is the right time for him to go.
YS is a signature restaurant. My DH and I go for a fine dining experience. We have taken our Grandchildren to Jiko and they were great, so it is not out of the question.
If he is quiet and can tolerate a 2 hour dinner, than I would say yes. If this scenario is questionable, I would say no, not this trip. It is up to your judgement.

 

[princesscharming]

Well I suppose we can only do so much to answer your question, not knowing your son. I think some folks are giving you the perspective of the "other patrons". They are paying more $ to have a more mature dining experience. (I'm not sure if you are primarily concerned with this.) I believe every restaurant at WDW, except for Victoria and Albert's, allows children. And I've seen them at YS. (Although maybe not that young -but let's face it a 1 yr. old can behave better than a 3 yr. old many times). So as other posters have said, they'll be prepared for him.

What you might also want to ask yourself is how YOUR meal will go. Will spending $$$ make you more frustrated when you son gets antsy? Maybe less so at a more casual restauarant? Will you feel more self conscious at YS? That might not be very relaxing. If you are looking for a good steak, you could try Captain's Grille. That's a little more laid back. I haven't dined there. But I hear the steaks are good, and less expensive. Also, you could look into babysitting. I think 1 might be too young for the kids' clubs. But you could get a personal sitter. I found this:

(800-696-8105 or 407-828-0920). If a babysitter is needed throughout your stay, the Walt Disney Company recommends utilizing the services of Kid’s Nite Out. Kid’s Nite Out Caregivers can provide one-on-one in-room childcare in the comfort of your Walt Disney World Resort room or can just hang out with your family if you need a father’s/mother’s helper.

It said the cost was $16 for one child.

If it were me, I wouldn't take my little ones to a really nice restaurant until I knew they were well adjusted to eating at restaurants. (Which is what we have practice with our three kids.) This is because I would feel more uptight about wanting a perfect meal, and wasting money if they didn't eat etc. But that's just me. You are well within your rights to take him. It just depends on all of your temperments.