Young kids @ nicer restaurants

[tyzzle]

Hello, I am new to the boards, and I have a question. This is my daughter's first trip, she is about two and a half. We have the dining plan, and we made reservations at some "nicer" restaurants (i.e. LeCellier, The Wave) our reservationns are all around five. My question is, although it is Disney World, are people annoyed when you bring young kids into the nicer table service restaurants? Thanks for any help.

 

[Tony-NJ]

Nope - it's expected . Like you said you are in WDW after all.

 

[MNRMommy]

I once heard of someone asking the greeter at LeCellier if he could have a table away from children. She just looked at him and said "Sir this is Disney World, I'm not sure there is a place away from children." We have taken ours since they were 6 months old. Of course if they start to act up one of us takes them outside until the situation can be controlled. No reason you should miss out on a great meal, or that your daughter should either

Edited to add that when DS was 6 months and we were at the Yachtsman. He woke up just as dessert was being served and our waiter was so excited he finally woke up he entertained him until our dessert was through. We still ask for him when we go back to the Yachtsman.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I really wouldn't worry about whether other people are annoyed or not. You're there to have a good time too!

That being said, only you know how your daughter is when eating out. When my daughter was young, we stopped taking her anywhere because it always ended in a tantrum. I remember eating out with my in-laws, when I had to take her out to the car because she was being loud, crying, etc. When my father-in-law finished his dinner, he came out so I could go back and finish my dinner.

My 3 year old son on the other hand is usually well behaved, so I wouldn't think twice about making a reservation with him.

 

[waltskids]

You will be fine. Tons of families dine at many restaurants at WDW (all times of the evening as well). Enjoy your trip!

 

[Pakey]

The last time we ate at Le Cellier, there were so many young diners that they had run out of available high chairs.

 

[Judy in Texas]

OK with me as long as your daughter knows how to behave at a sit down restaurant. It shouldn't matter whether it is a nicer restaurant or not... I've seen too many parents who insist on taking their children to sit down restaurants and then allow them to run around between tables. It is not only annoying to the other patrons... it is dangerous for both the children and the waitstaff. It is also annoying when the parent stands right beside me holding the child the entire time I am eating. Only you know how well behaved your child is and what time of day it would be best to visit a sit down restaurant. It is always a joy to see a young family enjoying a meal together where the children are well behaved and an active participant in the conversation.

 

[TDC Nala]

These restaurants will be full of children. Unless your child is one to scream incessantly, throw food, or walk/run among the tables during the meal, it's doubtful anyone will even notice you have a child with you.

 

[tyzzle]

Thanks everyone. We eat out regularly so she should behave okay, but I am not afraid or to get up and leave if she is having an "off" day. She doesn't run around or throw food, but she does like to chit chat w/ other tables sometimes. She is a bit of a social butterfly. I just try to distract her, but people are generally good natured about it.

 

[Pakey]

Thanks everyone. We eat out regularly so she should behave okay, but I am not afraid or to get up and leave if she is having an "off" day. She doesn't run around or throw food, but she does like to chit chat w/ other tables sometimes. She is a bit of a social butterfly. I just try to distract her, but people are generally good natured about it.

The tables are so close at many WDW restaurants that she'll be able to make lots of new friends then.

 

[Lynne M]

And I'll add that those restaurants aren't particularly fancy. I mean, they're perfectly nice, but they both cater to families, very much so. You'll find that both are packed to the walls with little ones.

Virtually every TS restaurant in the theme parks is going to be full of children. The one and only exception to that rule is Bistro de Paris in Epcot; it's the one place in the parks that I wouldn't bring a toddler.

In the resorts, you'll find two tiers of restaurants. The signature restaurants (like Yachtsman's Steakhouse, Citricos, Artist Point) are the fancy ones; they're more expensive (> $50/60 per person for dinner), are usually quiet, meals take longer (around two hours), and they tend to attract more adults. You will see children at these places, but not nearly as many as at the non-signature restaurants. The other resort restaurants, (like The Wave, WCC, Kona Cafe), cater to families, and you'll see many, many children there.

 

[inkkognito]

Edited to add that when DS was 6 months and we were at the Yachtsman. He woke up just as dessert was being served and our waiter was so excited he finally woke up he entertained him until our dessert was through. We still ask for him when we go back to the Yachtsman.

LOL, for some reason that reminded me of a meal at one of the teppan-style Japanese restaurants in the Disney area. We (childless) were seated with a couple and their todddler. Kids don't bother us unless they are climbing on our table or grabbing our food or somesuch so that was no biggie (like the food fight and kids rolling around the flooor at Citrico's but that's another story). It was a very, very long meal and it was funny for me to watch the kid go from wide away and relatively energetic into full-blown nap mode and then to suddenly wake up 100 percent recharged and full of energy again. Wish I could tap into those batteries or recharge nearly as quickly!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

are people annoyed when you bring young kids into the nicer table service restaurants?

1) As long as they behave, no problem.
2) If they interfere with other's enjoyment, you betcha they are annoyed.
3) I have been known to get up and tell people to control their kid(s).
4) After all, I have a right for an enjoyable mealtime.

 

[si-am]

Thanks everyone. We eat out regularly so she should behave okay, but I am not afraid or to get up and leave if she is having an "off" day. She doesn't run around or throw food, but she does like to chit chat w/ other tables sometimes. She is a bit of a social butterfly. I just try to distract her, but people are generally good natured about it.

I don't mind kids at restaurants at all, as long as they are well-behaved and aren't screaming. It's to be expected at Disney, especially!

I really don't like random kids who try to interact with me at dinner, though. I think that is a behavior to be discouraged.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Welcome

we took our son to his first Disney trip when he turned 2...we took him to signature meals and stuck to his dinner schedule. He did great. When we are in Disney, if he is too tired that evening I do cancel my ADR and just have room service.
You'll be fine, Have a magical vacation.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I must second Tyzzle's comment about keeping the kids on their regular schedule. It sounds like five p.m. dining plans are doing just that. I have found our kids do SO MUCH BETTER when we can keep their schedule.

It is so tempting to take the "late reservation" if that is all that is open for a favorite restaurant, but DO NOT. It is much better to eat at a less preferred restaurant with happy kids than to be at a preferred restaurant with kids who are melting down.

Eeyore's Wife