Yachtsman with a 20 month old?

[Sazzo'sMommy]

My DH and I were planning on trying some new places for dinner during our March WDW vacation. Has anyone ever eaten at the YS with a small one? If you have, how was it? Food and all? Thanks!

 

[CarolA]

This is NOT a little one resturant. It is a LONG meal and people are dressed up. IMO, not really much fun if you are trying to keep your child happy so he/she won't bother others.

 

[jodifla]

Food is excellent. It's one of our favorite restaurants. I've seen toddlers in there, too. We took our son when he was 6 months and he slept in his stroller -- but now that he's 2 we get a sitter so we can enjoy a quiet meal together.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Sazzo'smommy,
Don't worry. My DH and I have a 10yr. old and a 16month old. We go to YS all the time (since youngest was 4 months!) We have seen MANY small babies there. We have never had a problem. Just a suggestion - If the little one does get fussy, just take turns going outside with him or her.

 

[JoiseyMom]

My husband and I dined there with our 8 month old. The restaurant wasn't very crowded that nite. When our son got fussy, I went outside and fed (nursed) him and then went back in. The waiter (wonderful server) made sure the chef kept my food warm until I came back. It was a great night.. the best filet mignon and lobster I have ever had, and awesome creme brulee.

 

[Gluman11]

We just ate there on 1/26 with a 5:30pm PS......16 month old was with us.......excellent meal....excellent service and many young children in the restaurant.......

There actually is a kid's menu, so that was my hint that there was no problem with children in the place.......and the servers are always prepared with crayons and paper.......although our little guy prefers to 'eat' the crayons. my wife was prepared with some of DS's favorite small toys to occupy his 'down time'.....

I say "go for it"........

I just try to keep in mind that Walt's dream was to make "Families" happy.............

 

[MamaQuack]

DS(12) and I were there - AGAIN - in late December. There may be some dressed up folks but it is definitely kid friendly. At the table next to us were a 4 year old and a 13 month old. DS and I ended up holding and/or playing with the 13 month old while the rest of the family ate. We shared the same waiter and he was wonderful. My child has enjoyed this place since age 4. I have always found them more than accepting of kids of all ages and very ready to prepare a steamed veggie or noodle is needed. Go, and don't worry - you are at DisneyWorld!!

MamaQuack

 

[crisi]

I wouldn't, because I would stress if my children were disturbing other diners - even if they didn't, it wouldn't be pleasant for me because I'd be too busy worrying. The dinner is too expensive for me to feel guilt over spoiling someone elses special night out. There are a lot of restuarants that I don't guilt out if they forget "inside voices" or throw a little bit of a fit at Disney World. Yachtsman is on the list where I would.

Other people either have more confidence in their children, or feel less guilt and stress.

(Yep, raised Catholic, why do you ask?)

 

[CamColt]

We plan to go here to celebrate our anniversary this summer while my mother watches our kids. Personally I wouldnt take my kids(4 &7) there because I wouldnt want to spend that much money for a dinner where I was stressed and rushed. However, if I were to see a toddler there, even one acting up, it wouldnt bother me at all. It is Disney World after all, and considering there is a kids menu there I would think kids are welcome. As long as it isnt my kid and Im not worrying about keeping them happy, then Im not bothered.
I guess what Im trying to say is if you think you can enjoy that type of restuarant with your child, then go for it!

 

[dznyntnh]

It would really depend on the child and how they do at restarants. If you we determined to do a 'nice' steak house and had to bring kids, I would definitely bring them here rather than somewhere like Shula's.

When I was there in October, on a Sunday night, there were many kids. It is a rather loud place, constant background noise. Because of this I really didn't notice any one family or child in particular.

Unless you know your child just cannot handle a nice sitdown place, give it a whirl.

 

[Halle]

We first experienced Yachtsman a few months after it opened. Our kids were 7 -10 at the time. The wait staff was phenomenal then and that is why we go back every year. The staff is very accomodating. Enjoy!!

 

[Snurk71]

We're not really into the "whole experience" of dining - we just like good food.

We took DD when she was 15 or 27 months (can't remember which year) and we had a great server that helped us complete our meal in under 45 minutes. And we didn't feel rushed. But again, eating quicker is more our style. We'd probably die at V&A where dinner can take over 3 hours.

 

[Rafikifan]

We have been to the Yachtsman 3 times and always taken our children. The first trip our youngest was 22 months, and then one 4 and one 7. The staff was wonderful, attentive and friendly to our children, and always got our meals out promptly. We have always enjoyed our meals there, and the kids enjoyed their food. It has been said many times on these boards but really the only restaurant that it is frowned upon to take children is Victoria and Albert's. It all depends on your child. If a child is accustomed to eating at sit down restaurants you will be fine. At any sit down restaurant when we took our children when they were younger we always made early p.s. because the restaurant is not so busy and there have always been other families when we've dined there. We always made sure that they weren't tired and cranky which can make a world of difference too. If mine were ever disruptive I would take them out in a heartbeat but I'd do that at ANY restaurant. I for one like to dress for dinner out especially on vacation but I have also seen many people at the Yachtsman in khaki shorts and short sleeve shirts. So it is not as formal, pretentious, or stuffy as some make it sound, in fact it's down right comfortable. YOU know your child and I think the overwhelming majority of the people on the forums would agree. There are some who for some reason I will never understand get agitated just SEEING children be seated at a sit down restaurant when for all they know the kids may have better manners than the adults only sitting next to them! Maybe they are older and their kids weren't used to eating at nice restaurants or were the run around the table kind and that's why they feel that way or maybe they don't have kids yet and don't realize that there is a lot to be said in sharing dinner as a family. But those people are few and far between. I've read numerous posts on multiple Disney forums from couples only who (as long as they aren't disruptive) don't mind dining with families around at all either. So definitely go!

 

[Epcotgal8]

As others have said, don't worry about taking your child to the Yachtsman although I do agree the earlier the seating the more comfortable you will be. We've eaten there with our kids and never had a problem and the staff has always been wonderful. It's Disney World - they are accustomed to seeing kids at all restaurants (except V&A's and I've recently read the new "Blue Zoo" doesn't have a kids menu but the rest of the restaurants do).

 

[Shannon G]

When we dined at YS in September, there was an incredible mix of people there. On one side of us, a couple of tables away, were a bride & groom and their parents. A few tables away in the other direction was a family with fairly young children. One of the things I really liked about YS was that no one seemed out of place! Not to mention that the food was absolutely wonderful (filet mignon that melts in your mouth)! If you think that your child will behave well enough that you will be comfortable and will be able to enjoy your meal, then go for it.