Originally Posted By dshyates "I think I'd be hard pressed to find very many children who are all that interested in having a restaurant experience be the tentpole event of their day at WDW." Can you say, Cinderella's Royal Table. Mary Poppins doesn't walk through V$As, but it looks like she could, any second. As I said, it feels very Amusement Park Chic. BY FAAAR the most kid oriented 5 star on the planet (to the best of my knowledge).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks for the perspective juicer. It is a shame there are so many poor parents out there. It's funny how people can discrimintate against kids, but not other bad behaviours. In this PC world, it seems tolerance has actually lead to other forms of intollerance. Some of us choose WDW as a vacation destination because it offers something for everyone, and until about 20 years ago, you could do virtually everything together as a family. I miss the inclusiveness Disney used to offer (not just V&A, but also PI, thrill rides, toddler playgrounds etc. show the divides). I would not necessarily plan a week of culture at NYC or Paris and high end restaurants with little ones. The beauty is, I can go to WDW and spend a day park hopping, another day by the pool with dinner at V&As, and so on. Disney resorts used to offer a place for everyone to come together. But with the Walmarting and rubber heading at one extreme, the dumbing down of menus and hotel service in the middle section, and the exclusion of kids at the top section, there is little left for us. I think next year, we'll stay in Europe or go to the Far East. Now, smoking is virtually a crime - check. Kids not allowed - check. when can I have a place where swearing and sports are banned, and people do not get too drunk?
Originally Posted By mousermerf I went to Fark to read per nbody's reccomendation. I learned a wonderful term! "Precious Snowflake" It's for people's children, because everything think their "prcious snowflake" is special, will behave, should experience everything, never does wrong, and is a beacon of light to the world. Special little precious snowflake - everyone's got one but they're all different and unique! Yeah, not quite. They're all snowflakes.
Originally Posted By danyoung >This attitude is more likely the reason for the ban than actual unruly children. Spoiled whiny adults.< I just can't agree with this. Other than Mr. X, I don't think most people are freaked out by kids, if they're properly behaving. But I'd wager that long experience at V&A's of kids cutting up and disrupting a nice quiet adult meal is the real reason for this change. No one said that some kids can and do behave properly in this environment. But I'm betting that a large chunk of kids aren't comfortable with it. Judging by my nieces & nephews, I'd NEVER take them into a place like V&A's and expect them to appreciate the quality of the food, service and surroundings - they just haven't been raised that way.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Judging by my nieces & nephews, I'd NEVER take them into a place like V&A's and expect them to appreciate the quality of the food, service and surroundings - they just haven't been raised that way. >> I'm not sure I'd want to raise kids to have an appreciation for a pretentious restaurant atmosphere. I think I would want to expose kids to more worthwhile priorities than blowing a wad of money on overindulgence at the dinner table.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I have 4 kids, now 25-42. Although there were some very long moments, I really didn't have them for that much of my life. I feel that as a parent I should cater to their needs, but not cater to their whims. There is a difference people. Would all kids WANT to eat at V&A, some yes, some no. The same with adults. My grandchildren, 4, 7 & 9, will be eating at 1900 Park Faire this summer. At their ages, I'm sure they would enjoy that much more than V&A.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...a pretentious restaurant atmosphere...blowing a wad of money on overindulgence...< I'm guessing that you've never been to V&A's? It seems that you have a pretty strong prejudice against truly fine dining. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it seems to color your arguments somewhat. I have yet to go to V&A's, but hope to someday. That said, I'm not really one to go to the super high end places, where the presentation is beautiful on the plate but it's really 3 or 4 mouthfuls of food. Gimme a steak or a nice slab of fish, some cheesy potatos, & some tasty sourdough bread & I'm a happy camper!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << I'm guessing that you've never been to V&A's? It seems that you have a pretty strong prejudice against truly fine dining. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it seems to color your arguments somewhat. >> I'm not much for overindulgence in anything, food or otherwise. I think for the average middle class person, these sorts of indulgences should be saved for a special occasion, and not just something you do on a regular vacation. I would really feel uncomfortable promoting this sort of atmosphere to young children as being something that you aspire to achieve or appreciate. I also stick to a pretty strict diet to keep me on track with my physical fitness and workout plan. I usually find that eating out anywhere sets me back from the right combination of calories, protein, and other nutrients that I need to keep going every day. I spend a lot of money on eating the right kind of food, and you are probably right that I am prejudiced a bit about spending big bucks on food that I know isn't going to contribute a whole lot to fueling what my body needs. I've never tried V&A's. I think I would need a pretty strong occasion to choose that restaurant over others. I ate at the California Grill once to watch the evening fireworks, which was nice, but the food itself was a secondary diversion.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Mousemerf - wasn't that thread fun? I thought the "Precious Snowflake" comment was really rather interesting. My most favorite post in the thread was from Mugato: "If only Disney World had a second restaurant, one where kids were welcome." I thought that was classic.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Now, what can we do about the boorish camo ball cap wearing Bubba drinking Merlot from the bottle? << You won't have to do nothin' 'bout me. I promise I won't ever go to V&A. For your information I tend to wrap my merlot in a brown paper bag.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I received a gift card to my favorite 5 star restaurant today (In and Out Burger). Just thought I'd share.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> I just can't agree with this. Other than Mr. X, I don't think most people are freaked out by kids, if they're properly behaving. << I love kids, I really like to see well-behaved children as well. I don't think that V&A is pretentious, just higher end. Sort of like the Pop Century vs. Grand - one isn't necessarily pretentious, just different. V&A is an experience, not just a meal. Unfortunately I never had kids. But had I, I would have been fine taking them to nearly any restaurant on property. Not V&A, not CA Grill, probably not Shulas at a young age. I'm curious why nobody seems to have a problem with Palo on the DCL, that is one restaurant out of about 4, maybe 5 (trying to count DCL restaurants..) V&A is one restaurant out of 150, and it's only banning kids 9 and under, it isn't even adult only.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> received a gift card to my favorite 5 star restaurant today (In and Out Burger). Just thought I'd share. << Congradulations Denise, I don't even know if we have those in Texas. I don't remember ever seeing one.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome No, they are only in California, Nevada and Arizona (or so it appears on the site). I knew CA and Nevada - there is one (at least) in Vegas. I'm looking forward to March.
Originally Posted By dshyates I don't want my kids to be pretentious, but I do want them to be as comfortable at V$As as they would be at Chuck E. Cheese's. Fortunately even my 7 year old would now rather go to Dave and Buster's than Chuck's. Better games. And I never want my kids hindered professionally or socially because they don't know how to behave. And as far as the regular vacation thing. I don't know about you guys but Disney in general is the "special vacation". Its on par with a NYC vacation if you throw in a few plays and, well, I was going to say "good restaurants", but I don't want to get flamed for being pretentious. We only make it to Disney once every 3-4 years. A regular vacation is a long weekend in Gatlinburg that includes Dollywood for a day. I find it amusing anyone would imply that this WV hillbilly is pretentious because I like good food and I want to show my kids. Don't you just love the anonimity of the internet. I am pretty sure I'm not your average V$As guest. Muscular, hairy, divorced, gay hillbilly with 2 daughters. The "butlers" love when you say, "Bring me a bottle of your cheapest Cab." But I take off my dress Kennywood ball cap and I actually use a glass or mason jar for my wine. Its not like its something we do all the time, but I still want my kids to know how to do it. We do go over to The Greenbrier several times a year for things like Mother's Day Brunch. There is one they should ban kids from. For some wierd reason the room seems filled with them. And usually dinner at least once a year. And, sorry, I really don't think we a bad parants or restaurant patrons for it.
Originally Posted By Mr X **In the unimaginable event they were to even start to get loud** I'm sorry, but anyone who finds it "unimaginable" that a 7 or 11 year old might act up either has some extremely abnormal kids or is a true tyrant of a parent. How could that possibly be "unimaginable"??
Originally Posted By danyoung > I knew CA and Nevada - there is one (at least) in Vegas.< I can confirm the In 'n' Out in Vegas, very near the convention center. I've introduced many Texans to the fine dining that is In 'n' Out! >We do go over to The Greenbrier several times a year for things like Mother's Day Brunch.< Back in my road musician days we played a few events at the Greenbriar. Boy, talk about yer place that's way too classy for the likes of me!!! I enjoyed working there, but I'd never go out of my way to actually stay there.
Originally Posted By jonvn As a parent, I know that there are simply some places that are not appropriate for children, for different reasons. A high end restaurant such as V&A is not one of them. For some reason, people have taken on the attitude that everyone else should accomidate THEM. That no one else matters. That you can dress how you want, behave how you want, do whatever you want, and everyone else has to just sit back and take it. That's wrong. Everyone needs to cooperate and behave together in order for everything to work well. This is how society operates. If you are going to go to a place like V&A, then you should expect to have a nice quiet evening. If your kid can do that, fine. If not, then they don't belong there. Sometimes people just want to get away from kids. Sometimes they want to just go where adults are and it is quiet. It is the height of selfishness to force your children on other people when it is a place that they should not be at. V&A is for grown ups. You wear a jacket and tie, and you sit and enjoy a quiet meal. I've eaten there, it's nice. Pricey, but nice. There is a time and place for everything. V&A is not a place for little kids, nor dressing as a pirate.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> I can confirm the In 'n' Out in Vegas, very near the convention center. I've introduced many Texans to the fine dining that is In 'n' Out! << There is one near the top of the strip, right near the Hampton Inn. I just looked online, and the road is now actually Dean Martin Drive (formerly Industrial Road). I have stayed at the Hampton Inn, with easy access to In and Out. The fries aren't as good as Chik Fi La, but the burgers are nearly my favorite anywhere. (especially for the price). And if there are screaming kids in the restaurant, I can always take the food to my car.
Originally Posted By figment1986 << I received a gift card to my favorite 5 star restaurant today (In and Out Burger). Just thought I'd share. >> Lucky, I have never gotten to eat there in my 2 trips to california... Maybe in may.
