Yachtsman Steakhouse with kids?

[Dopey's Girl]

Husband and I planning on doing dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse with our two DS (ages 7 and 4). What do you think?
To me, it's Disney so kids are OK everywhere and generally my kids are well behaved. (but anything can happen with kids at any time with kids ) I never would've thought twice about it until I read some posts on the boards, now I'm nervous that people will be irritated that we brought our kids to a nice restaurant. Opinions please.

 

[DVCconvert]

I think you'll be fine.
If it were me, I'd proably shoot for an earlier PM -- as the 'stuffier crowd' tends to move in later.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

If you are really worried about it, get there early (they open at 5:30pm) and request a table in the back near the fireplace. The staff is great with kids, don't worry, enjoy yourself!

 

[CamColt]

I agree with the "its Disney" way of thinking and think they would be fine there. Personally, I wouldnt want to take my kids because I wouldnt enjoy the meal as much as I should, but there is nothing wrong with taking well behaved children. Last year when we went I made note of whether kids were there or not and there were quite a few.

 

[ducklite]

As long as theya re well behaved and used to sitting through a meal that will last about 90 minutes, absolutely. If they can't sit still at Bennigans for an hour at home, then please don't. And as you pointed out, kids can act up out of no where. As long as you are ready to remove them immediately if they start to become at all disruptive, and cancel if it's just one of those days, then I see no problem with it.

BTW--I agree about an earlier seating, not because of "stuffy people", but because very simply put, kids should be kept on schedule as much as possible, even on vacation. Makes for a happier everyone.

Anne

 

[roxwithears]

We went last year at a 5:30 reservation without our kids but there were quite a few children there. We didn't experience any problems.

 

[akghutton]

We took our 4-year-old and 14-month-old sons to the Yachtsman in October. Dinner went smoothly. Our 4-year-old was very well behaved, and he loved the mickey puzzle dessert. We fed our 14-month-old before we went to the restaurant and had snacks on hand, but he ended up sleeping through most of the meal. The waitstaff was very kid friendly.

Sidenote: My DH and I had agreed before going to WDW that if either of our children got too noisy or out of hand at any of the sit-down restaurants, one of us would leave the restaurant with that child. I only had to do this once at Jikos with the 14 month old, who was fine after we walked around a bit outside looking at the animals.

Enjoy the Yachtsman Steakhouse; it is one of our favorites and a must-do on every trip for our family.

 

[ziggystardust]

We went last Dec and there were a few tables w/ children, some as young as 2. They were all well behaved, didn't hear a scream once. It was one of the more enjoyable dinners we had that week.

If your child does get antsy, the way the restaurant is set up, there is a long hallway right outside, you could also walk outside-outside very easily to try and calm the little ones down.

You'll really enjoy it.

 

[MamaQuack]

we go every trip and there are always kids in there of all ages - the staff is great with kids - not snobby at all - ds14 has enjoyed this place since age 4 - go, take your kids and don't worry

 

[raidermatt]

The fact that you are aware of the need for your kids to be reasonably well behaved tells me you should be fine. Remember, they don't have to be able to sit absolutely quiet through the whole meal. Just not truly disruptive to others.

My guess is that those who have kids that truly shouldn't be in a restaurant like that wouldn't bother to ask.

 

[webray]

You will be fine. We took our grandaughter (2), although she is extremely well behaved. There were plenty of other kids.

Just don't be expecting to much food wise. Yachtsman was by far one of the worst meals we have ever had on disney property. Absolutely the worst.
Service wasn't all that great either.

 

[MinnieMe67]

Just don't be expecting to much food wise. Yachtsman was by far one of the worst meals we have ever had on disney property. Absolutely the worst.
Service wasn't all that great either.

Wow, I can't disagree more. We loved the Yachtsman both on our honeymoon and last trip with our kids. We thought the food and service were excellent. Guess this just proves everyone can have completely opposite experiences!

 

[Aimeedyan]

As long as theya re well behaved and used to sitting through a meal that will last about 90 minutes, absolutely. If they can't sit still at Bennigans for an hour at home, then please don't. And as you pointed out, kids can act up out of no where. As long as you are ready to remove them immediately if they start to become at all disruptive, and cancel if it's just one of those days, then I see no problem with it.

BTW--I agree about an earlier seating, not because of "stuffy people", but because very simply put, kids should be kept on schedule as much as possible, even on vacation. Makes for a happier everyone.

Anne

I agree. Also, we are far from stuffy but had a later PS time so we could have a more romantic, more upscale dining experience that we knew would be easier to have later at night. I also think children shouldn't be forced to wait until 9pm to eat - esp on vacation when they're prone to meltdowns =)

We had the BEST meal at Disney ever there - incredible food, incredible service. I hope you have the same exp!

 

[bavaria]

I think you'll be fine.
If it were me, I'd proably shoot for an earlier PM -- as the 'stuffier crowd' tends to move in later.

Hey, I resent that - I actually get there early

There are a lot more convention guests at the YC restaurants, but kids will be fine. There are lots of nooks and crannys in this restaurant, and I have never been bothered by kids yet here.

I plan on being stuffy this coming Sunday, so I'll let you know if any pesky kids get in the way

 

[Dopey's Girl]

Thanks everyone, I DO feel better about it. We have a 7:00 ressie. It's a little later than our usual "time", but it's our first day there and we'll still be on central time (so it's like 6:00 for our tummies). We're doing AK that day and figured we could stay til after the parade, go back to the hotel, dress a little nicer for dinner and get there. Plus a 7:00 ressie will still get the kids in bed around 9 (I hope). We have our own car, so transportation won't hold us up.
Group hug to everyone who offered support! I guess I was starting to question some of my planning (I'm sure none of you can relate to that! Thanks again!

 

[Philly81]

I plan on being stuffy this coming Sunday, so I'll let you know if any pesky kids get in the way

P.S. I think you are cool on the stuffiness level. Have fun!

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

YM's is definately kid friendly (like you said - "It's Disney"). My only concern is could your kids hold out for the duration of the dinner?

We took DS (granted, he was only 2.5 at the time) and he "crashed" during the time. For what we spent on dinner and a good bottle of wine, we could of/should of gotten a fairygodmother and gone to a less expensive venue. I wouldn't say that the evening was ruined, but it definately put a damper on things.

BTW - The food is absolutely awesome there. I would go back again (but leave DS with the sitter.)

Mrs. PB

 

[bavaria]

P.S. I think you are cool on the stuffiness level. Have fun!

Welcome to my fan club!

I will be the one reading the New Yorker over my veggie meal (hope that's not too stuffy) - I am taking a few weekends off while working on a project in the Orlando area - sigh - and visiting the mouse again!

 

[DVCconvert]

Hey, I resent that - ....[snip}.....I plan on being stuffy this coming Sunday, so I'll let you know if any pesky kids get in the way

Well, there you go then!!l......everyone with children should aviod YMSH on sunday, lest you be accosted with a DVC sales pitch and a mandatory treat from Norway!!!!

 

[NMW]

Please go and don't worry about it. I always hate it when people suggest that people with young children should avoid places like Yachtsman. We have been taking our children out to eat since they were babies with out a problem. We did Yachtman with 7, 5 and 23 mos old children. They were fine. It's Disney after all, and children are everywhere! That being said, when the kids were babies if they ever had a meltdown, one of us would leave the restaurant with that baby! It didn't happen often and now all three of them 8, 6 and 3 can eat in any restaurant with out incident. They are used to eating out though.

My kids enjoyed Yachtsman, esp the dessert puzzle they could paint. There were plenty of other kids there too!