Yikes! I can't go to Narcoossee's!!!

[BfloChick]

My family (with two kids - 5 and 2 - you can see where I'm going with this) is meeting up in Disney this winter. My parents are not really Disney lovers, but they've agreed to go so that we can spend some time together. My father has decided to stay in the Grand Floridian, and suggested "meeting up at the seafood place there." I'm pretty sure he means Narcoossee's. After looking at some basic information on the restaurant, I can't in good conscience take my two year old there. It is simply too fancy. We can get away with some acting-out at Whispering Canyon Cafe (where the ambient noise level drowns out anything annoying) or other casual places, but Narcoossee's?! My 5 year old has learned to (mostly) behave at restaurants, but my younger son is not there yet.

So my question is, are there any other GF restaurants you can recommend that are more kid-friendly? I'm thinking it's either suggest a change of venue, or offer to my parents that they have a nice, relaxing dinner alone while my DH and I dine with Crazy Boys somewhere that is more welcoming to Crazy Boys.

 

[flevy]

I have no suggestions for you, but I wanted to let you know how wonderful it is that you know the limits of your children.

 

[vicki_c]

You could consider the character dinner at 1900 Park Fair (Cinderella, stepsisters) if your parents would be up for that -- definitely not in the same class as going to Narcoossee's, but same location.

 

[rlovew]

While I wouldn't say it is extremelyt kid friendly- The Grand Floridian Cafe is definately the most casual (other than character dining) at the resort.

 

[OKW Lover]

How about giving the children a night in the kid's club and having an adult only dinner instead?

 

[TillyMarigold]

Kids' Club sounds great, but there was a little girl at the table across from ours at Narcoossee's who was about 3, who ate her dinner and then happily watched a new DVD her mom had bought just for this occasion on a laptop they'd brought. What impressed me was that it wasn't like "here, watch this and let the grown-ups talk," the adults were definitely engaging the little girl in conversation about what was happening on the DVD between their own conversation. It was also a pretty early dinner time, and that family had a window seat so the little girl was pretty engrossed in watching the boats and monorail at times, too. And partway through one of the adults took her outside to walk around the deck for a few minutes--she wasn't fussing or anything, it was more of a preventive measure, I think.

In other words, while I agree with the comments above, I want to say that if Narcoossee's is somewhere you *really* want to eat, it is possible for at least some small children to eat there without it being a huge disaster (but of course, I don't know your kids!).

 

[EvilQueenT]

the grand floridian cafe has a fair dinner menu and would be more casual. i had a really good steak there in october. avoid the cheese soup there tho... worst thing i've ever eaten. i've eaten there for lunch as well when we stayed at the gf and it was a nice lunch. there is also 1900 park fare, it's a character buffet. our family isn't big on buffets but had a fantastic and relaxed time there, the step sisters had our entire table rolling on the floor laughing. citricos is a lot like narcossee's in terms of ambiance so if you avoid one i'd avoid the other. when my husband and i stayed at gf we also took one evening where we got sandwiches, took a couple pool towels and had a picnic outside and watched the fireworks from the gf.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Narcoossee's is not kid-unfriendly. Sure, it's "fancy" - but it's at Walt Disney World. If you opt to eat there with your kids (your dd may be too young for a kid club), just respect your fellow diners if she starts to act up and take her outside for a stroll on the deck.

If your reservation can be planned accordingly, the deck is a great place from which to view Wishes.

 

[winterman]

Why don't you tell your parents just what you told us. Then you can make a decision together. It sounds as though neither you nor you two year old would enjoy this.

I would like to thank you for thinking about the other guests. Even though it is Disney World, not every restaurant is appropriate for every child. DH and I just ate at Narcoossee's for the first time. We loved it but our meal cost $140. We would not have been happy if our meal had been disturbed by the out of control behavior of kids. Yes, there were kids there but they were either very well behaved or they were taken outside by parents.

 

[purpliequeen]

Some great responses on this thread- great ideas as well. I think it's wonderful that the OP knows the limits of her own children. I wish more parents were like that. It's unfortunate how many ruined dinners I can count (on both hands) in WDW due to parents ignoring their children and their children's needs and wants at WDW. So kudos to you, OP!

PS: If you know that Narcoosee's isn't for you, try 1900 Park Fare if your entire party is OK with that. GFC is casual, but it's also not a very loud/busy restaurant, it's more subdued. You could also try the other restaurants on the monorail loop. All in all, I would try the kids' club for one night. Or hire a babysitter.

 

[lady_hlh]

I think this is actually a great restaraunt for younger kids, if your 2 year old gets antsy you can go out any door to walk around outside. Also the waitstaff here were wonderful with my DD when she was younger. Plus this is a pretty loud restaraunt so little kids don't really distract from the experience.

 

[tedisney]

Great point, and very true! We ate there with our occasionally rambunctious DD3 back in May, and she was fine. When she got a bit antsy (as they seem to do at the longer meals), she just went out for a walk on the dock with Grandma. Great meal, btw!

Narcoossee's is not kid-unfriendly. Sure, it's "fancy" - but it's at Walt Disney World. If you opt to eat there with your kids (your dd may be too young for a kid club), just respect your fellow diners if she starts to act up and take her outside for a stroll on the deck..

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I just ate at Narcoosees in Oct. It is not the quietest restaurant. Kids are find, I think... and there's a walkway around the outside of the restaurant along the water - makes for a quick break from the boredom. Take kids outside between courses. My DS4 brought a plush toy - Simba and growled at one of the waiters passing by. The waiter growled back..... this went on a few times and was fun. No one was bothered.

We also ate at Citrocos in the Grand Floridian... that was much quieter than Narcoosees and kind of boring for kids.

I ate at 1900 Park Fare supercalifragilistic breakfast. That was fun - characters you don't always meet up close like Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, and Mad Hatter. Tigger and Pooh were there too.

And don't forget other restaurants on the monorail like Ohana's at the Polynesian and California Grill at the Contemporary - both child friendly.

 

[billsfan]

Disney is for CHILDREN! There is only one Disney resturant that people should expect no children at and that is Victoria & Alberts. If Disney didn't want children in signature resturants they would not offer kids menus. We just got back from WDW traveling with our friends and their two children of 2 and 4 and we ate at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. It was a great meal. The two year old got a bit restless after about an hour and he was taken on a short walk. When he got back he was entertained by the wait staff. We have eaten at Narcoossee's in 2005. At the table next to us was young children. After about an hour they started to act up. That's what kids do. The parents apoliged to us and seemed a bit embaressed but we told them not a problem since it is Disney and Disney is for CHILDREN. As long as you do not allow your children to yell at the top of their and run around the restaurant it will be fine.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

We tried to take our granddaughter to the Neverland Club at the Poly last year, and were told that she had to be 4 to be able to use their services. I do believe that there is also a disney sitter service in which grandmotherly types come to your room and keep the children safe and entertained.
We also took her to Narcoossee's and did as previous posters suggested - took her outside when she started getting antsy. Worked like a charm. We came back inside just in time for dessert, and had a wonderful evening.
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you and your family have a great time!
Gretchen

 

[fairestoneofall]

both of my children fell asleep at narcoossees! lol!

seriously, i didn't find it stuffy or overly fancy. and we saw several other children there. it definitely is not a "quiet" restaurant, as one PP mentioned.

our waitress was wonderful with my kids (when they were awake). they even have kid menus and crayons there! so, it's definitely not limited to adults.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I like your post! Waiters/Waitresses who want a good tip will do their best to entertain children at a dinner table. Because my son was overtired by dinner time (he never takes a nap), I felt like I was rolling the dice some meals! But he was great and all the waiters/waitresses were very helpful too. I can't imagine going to any Disney Restaurant and expecting a super quiet meal.... maybe a later dinner around 8pm+

Reminds me of church when people would give the evil eye and expect parents to hush a loud or crying child. One of the best churches I ever went to... the reverend would respond to a crying infant/child by immediately changing his sermon/scripture to one related to children and would insist the parent stay in the service with the child.

Disney is for CHILDREN! There is only one Disney resturant that people should expect no children at and that is Victoria & Alberts. If Disney didn't want children in signature resturants they would not offer kids menus. We just got back from WDW traveling with our friends and their two children of 2 and 4 and we ate at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. It was a great meal. The two year old got a bit restless after about an hour and he was taken on a short walk. When he got back he was entertained by the wait staff. We have eaten at Narcoossee's in 2005. At the table next to us was young children. After about an hour they started to act up. That's what kids do. The parents apoliged to us and seemed a bit embaressed but we told them not a problem since it is Disney and Disney is for CHILDREN. As long as you do not allow your children to yell at the top of their and run around the restaurant it will be fine.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I like your post! Waiters/Waitresses who want a good tip will do their best to entertain children at a dinner table.

Respectfully, no. Servers who want a good tip will do their best to provide ALL their customers with excellent and equal service. It's the parent's job to keep their children occupied during a restaurant meal.

 

[badblackpug]

I wouldn't call Narcoosee's "fancy." We ate there last year, with our kids, the youngest being 8 months at the time. There were no problems.

 

[shellybaxter]

Disney is for CHILDREN! There is only one Disney resturant that people should expect no children at and that is Victoria & Alberts. If Disney didn't want children in signature resturants they would not offer kids menus. We just got back from WDW traveling with our friends and their two children of 2 and 4 and we ate at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. It was a great meal. The two year old got a bit restless after about an hour and he was taken on a short walk. When he got back he was entertained by the wait staff. We have eaten at Narcoossee's in 2005. At the table next to us was young children. After about an hour they started to act up. That's what kids do. The parents apoliged to us and seemed a bit embaressed but we told them not a problem since it is Disney and Disney is for CHILDREN. As long as you do not allow your children to yell at the top of their and run around the restaurant it will be fine.

No Disney is for EVERYONE - not just children and parents should not be so arrogant as to assume it is okay for their child to "act up" by screaming, crying, running around, and bothering others in a signature restaurant. This kind of behavior is inappropriate. The OP was polite enough to realize that her children would not behave appropriately and wants a more appropriate venue. I applaude her for that.

Disney doesn't just advertise to families. They advertise to honeymooners, wedding parties, empty nesters, conventioneers, etc. Places like Narcoosees are designed for a quieter, more upscale meal. That is what a patron (with or without children) should expect and those expectations should guide one's behavior