Yachtsmans...How Kid Friendly?

[allie5]

Ive got an early dinner PS for the Yachtsmans Steakhouse on Christmas day. We have two small children aged 4 and 2. Although the 4 year old is impeccably behaved, my 2 year old son can be "difficult". Now of course, if he was in anyway disturbing other diners I would remove him immediately, but my question is, just how kid friendly is this place?

Am I likely to feel out of place with two under 5s here? Have I made a bad choice? I mean, my son may playfully grab the servers pen or something (you know, just general kid behaviour)..its not so stuffy for us to be frowned on for bringing a child that wont just sit quietly in his high chair for an hour is it??

Dont get me wrong, as I said before, if EITHER of my kids were in any way disturbing anyone, then we would leave anyway, but I just need reassurance that this restaurant is OK with small children??

Thanks for any feedback.

Allie

 

[OKW Lover]

I've been to the Yachtsman several times -- in fact I'm going again tonight. Seldom have I seen young children there since this tends to be a bit more up-scale than most of the other Disney places. Please don't take offence here, but if your 2 YO has a tendency to be "difficult", you might consider a different place.

Thanks for asking.

 

[Rafikifan]

To the contrary (just our experiences though) we have often seen children of all ages at the Yachtsman. We've been 3 or 4 times, the first time when our kids were 2, 4, and 7 and the last being just 2 months ago when there was a large party and there were several young children. The staff at the YS have always been FABULOUS with our kids. We have never felt uncomfortable with them there. Of course I wouldn't let my child's behavior bother other diners but that would be the case whether we're dining at YS or any restaurant. You sound like you feel the same. So go ahead and if you can, ask for John. That was our server in Aug. and he was very friendly!

 

[CamColt]

We went for the first time this past summer. We were there at prime dining times before 7:00- about 8:00 and saw kids of all ages there then. I was surprised as I had heard it was a little more upscale, but we saw kids of all ages and attire of all kinds. I think you will be fine with the kids...it is Disney World after all.
BTW, it was an amzaing meal!!! Enjoy!

 

[daannzzz]

I have eaten here a couple of times and have seen a few kids. Not a lot. While the wait staff was friendly ans expaect children it is not the most "fun" place for kids. There is no entertainment, characters or colorful decor for them to watch or look at.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

Children are welcome in any Disney restaurant and they will accomodate you at YS if that's where you choose to dine.

However, I agree that it is a bit more refined and adult oriented. On our last trip, our kids thought it would be boring or stuffy to eat there because of the dark furniture, white tablecloths and formal looking servers.

So we fed them something casual from room service and since they were old enough to stay alone, DH and myself had a date at the YS where we had a wonderful dinner.

 

[allie5]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

We have lots of character meals booked for the children to enjoy over our 3 week stay, this is the only "adult" style meal we have planned. I think I am going to stick with it. If our 2 year old really cant settle, then there are 3 adults who can take turns in walking him round the resort.

I have booked a very early dinner (just after 6pm) so I would imagine children would be more welcome in this earlier slot, than later, when couples would choose to dine. If it was just DH and myself then between 8pm and 9pm would be our preferred dining time.

After pondering this last night I came to the conclusion that IF the restaurant was really not kid friendly, then I would have thought the CM that took my booking would have said something. She did comment that there was a dress code (smart casual, no short trousers etc) so if under 5s were not expected / welcome here I would have imagined she would have mentioned that too.

As some of you said, it IS Disney World after all, and the majority of guests come with kids!

If its a disaster, then we can always drive to Denny's...they are open Christmas Day arent they .

Thanks again.
Allie

 

[CindyAnn]

I think you've made a good choice. As others have said, while the restaurant doesn't specifically cater to children with entertainment or characters, you will see children there (my own went at 4 & 7), especially earlier in the evening, and especially on Christmas day, I would think.

In fact, if they have their usual menu, Yachtsmans offers one of the best kid desserts ever - "Mickey's Dessert Puzzle". It's a white chocolate jigsaw puzzle (maybe 6 pieces or so?) that comes with "paint" icing and a paintbrush. It's more or less guaranteed to occupy the attention of any toddler or preschooler for quite some time.

Hope your trip is fantastic!

 

[danicaw]

We ate at the Yachtsman in Jan with our then 8 month old. Now he wasn't all that wiggley but still.
We ate around 6, maybe a bit earlier and it was great. It seemed like they had one room or area they seated the familes with younger kids in. Our servers were wonderful and we had a great meal.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you like make your ressier for earlier in the evening and let them know you have two little ones.
Hope you have a great meal.

 

[Epcotgal8]

The waitstaff at the Yachtsman are great with kids. They won't rush you but they also won't drag things out if you have children with you and they can see they're getting bored. My kids love it there. So do we. Enjoy!

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by allie5
She did comment that there was a dress code (smart casual, no short trousers etc) so if under 5s were not expected / welcome here I would have imagined she would have mentioned that too.

Actually shorts are fine to wear at YSH. We saw plenty of people in them. DH wore dress/khakii type shorts with a button down shirt & boat shoes, however we saw people who looked like they just came from the parks in regular shorts & tshirts too.

You guys will do fine! Enjoy!

 

[Cris]

when I was there in August I found quite a bit of families.

 

[Lynn CC]

I would go if I were you, it's a great meal and the kids will enjoy it too, the staff go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy!
We were running late and didn't have time to change from our shorts, I felt funny about going but they didn't even care. There was plenty of people in shorts, as well as suits and in between too.

 

[eeyore0062]

We went on Tuesday night for our aniversary, and although there were kids there, and they were made to feel welcome, I don't think it didn't appear that the kids were having a particularly great time--- many were restless.

We noticed many business type dinners taking place while we were there. Most people had on what would be considered "smart casual"... most of the men had on either Docker style slacks or bermuda shorts w/ collared shirts and most of the women had on dress shorts or sundresses (some even had on cocktail dresses).

For the price, I would check out the Yachtsman for an adult night out and take the kids somewhere where they would have a better time.

 

[DebbieB]

We ate at YS about a year ago and were told no tank tops, no swimwear. It was early October, we wore shorts. We ate early, probably around 5:30-6:00, they were not busy. I don't recall alot of kids, mostly adult groups.

 

[MamaQuack]

Go!!! Take the kids and don't fret. We have stayed at the YC for 7 straight years and we always eat at least one dinner there. I have been at all times and have always seen kids there. My son has never been treated rudely or ignored. In fact, during our April visit he became queasy right after we ordered (it was late and I think he was just tired). I could not find our server but told another server. My son went on up to the room while I waited to pay for my glass of wine and his coke. The manager came out and was very concerned. He insisted I not pay for anything and that I take some ginger ale up to the room. He later telephoned the room to find out how ds was feeling and to ask if he could send up some soup and crackers for him! This is not a snooty place. Go enjoy!

MamaQuack

 

[hookedup]

From reading your posts it sounds like you are a considerate diner and if your 2 yr old is making a scene or causing others to not enjoy their meals you would do something about it.
I think it's good for kids to have a wide variety of experiences and learn to appreciate going out. We are extemely careful about not letting our son disturb others meals - but I know a 2 year old can have a hard time sitting still and sometimes it's hit or miss if they are well behaved.
I am not one who subcribes to taking kids only to places like Mc Donalds, Denny's or character meals. IMO variety is great for children to learn skills and grow up well rounded.

I say go for it and have a memorable holiday meal. Enjoy!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

I am not one who subcribes to taking kids only to places like Mc Donalds, Denny's or character meals. IMO variety is great for children to learn skills and grow up well rounded.

I totally agree that children shouldn't be relegated to only these types of restaurants, and certainly anywhere at WDW is kid friendly, but I know from being there last week that our dinner took no less than 1 1/2 hours (and we did not camp!), and I cannot imagine, nor expect a child to sit without getting restless or bored. My DD has been going to restaurants from the age of 6 weeks old, and only once did we have to get up and leave. However, even at 10 years old, I would not expect that she would have enjoyed being with us at the Yacht Club that night.

 

[Epcotgal8]

My children are almost 9, almost 11, and 14 and they actually enjoy dressing up a bit and going to a nice restauarant. It makes them feel grown up. We've been taking them since they were young. The YS staff is very good about keeping the kids and parents happy so if they see you have little ones they will make sure that they get their food promptly, and guage the timing of how they bring out your meals. They won't rush you at all, but if they see that you are nervous about the kids they will not drag out a meal like they might if it was adults who looked like they wanted a slower pace.