Originally Posted By juicer Let's think of the staff at V&A... If we bring kids in this restaurant where all of the patrons are paying over $150 each for dinner And let's say there as a party that included some small, bored children whom after a while started crawling around and/or making loud noises disturbing other patrons - Those patrons feeling like they need to call the manager or server over and bring it to their attention - That server or manager has to go to that table with the kids and ask them to quiet down their children - Creating a negative situation - Its like putting the server or manager between a rock and a hard place - And making a negative (and should be not necessary) scene - Would you want to be that server or manager? No Would you want to be that patron who feels they need to call over a server or manager to let them know about the unruly children? No Would you want to be the parents who are being asked to quiet down their children? No
Originally Posted By dshyates From what I've heard there never was a problem with unruely kids. They are making the change based on resort surveys asking if they would like an adults only restaurant on property. They determined that people WOULD like an adults only restaurant. I don't believe the question was regarding V$As specifically. Or a reaction to beastly kids. Simply people not liking them near them. Thats all. Kinda like Mr. X said to start with: "I, personally, would not be happy to see any young kids in a classy restaurant..." Everyone knows if you want to get away from kids WDW is simply the best place to not be subjected to children. I can go to a 5 star that has been a five star for 100 years before there was a star system. They cater to king and queens, presidents, and movie stars. The wait staff knew my name before I did. And they know my kids by their first names. and always comment on how much they have grown, etc. This resort has allowed kids in their dining room since George Washinton ate there. If they can still allow kids then I don't see why V$As can't other than ADULTS don't want them there. Since it reportedly only involves 3 families a month, I see it more as an advertising bragging right that they ban kids as opposed to there ever being a problem with them. I am sure those same people would love a kid free night/month at the MK also. Maybe WDW isn't really the place to vacation if kids piss you off. There are plenty of other 5 stars in this country that aren't surrounded by 47 square miles of Walt Disney World.
Originally Posted By Mr X **Simply people not liking them near them. Thats all.** Don't put words in my mouth. I never said I didn't like kids or anything like that. I simply stated that I would be concerned if I walked into an expensive place and saw young kids (young being the operative word), because the odds of an evening being ruined just increased. That, plus like I said I feel bad for the kids that have to sit through such a boring ordeal.
Originally Posted By dshyates I think my first suggestion, no wait it was my second. The first was 1st and 2nd seatings. But I really think the best answer would to be build a small 250 room resort and 5 star restaurant and make the entire place kids free. That way thay aren't changing an existing restaurant which will ALWAYS piss people off. And still offering an adults only restaurant, no squealing kids at the pool (as well behaved as my kids are at restaurants I would never claim they are quiet at the pool), and no kids running up and down the halls. A nice relaxing place.
Originally Posted By Mr X That's already in the planning stages. It's called the Four Seasons. Oh, wait. Kids are allowed there, huh.
Originally Posted By dshyates Maybe I just don't get it. Maybe too midwastern, or not LA enough or something. Everybody keeps talking about V$As and equating it to a schmooze-type networking businessfest pretentious laa-tii-da. See, I see a 5 star like V$As as a great place for a family to celebrate a landmark anniversary while visiting WDW. But I guess since Disney is banning families (with kids under 10)and only 3 a month went anyway, maybe it is a corporate write off place. I can't imagine they can fill the place with empty-nesters and lovey dovey couples.
Originally Posted By dshyates By the way, If I can get a low season deal at the 4Seasons, that will be the closest chance of me staying on property anytime soon. What with the Ritz just up the road and all. I'll pay considerably more for the 4Seasons than the Ritz, location and what not. But the Ritz is a suitable fall back if the rates are too ridiculous. I am also really interested in seeing what The Waldorf Reedy Creek is all about.
Originally Posted By Ursula I've been thinking about this for some time. I am okay with the ruling at a nice restaurant in/at WDW, but I wouldn't like it at DL. There are more upscale and nice places to eat in WDW, unlike at DL. I guess why as a whole, I like the decision. Would I like it if Club 33 went child-free? No, that would just be too weird because it is inside of DL. You expect to see kids inside of DL.
Originally Posted By Mr X So, you wouldn't be okay with Napa Rose instituting the same policy? I do understand your point...there is INFINITELY more diversity at WDW for all tastes, wallets, and yes..reasonably childless atmospheres (not a lot of kids on the golf courses are there? for example). In a funny way though, I would think that Club 33 SHOULD be the place that has no kids. Heck, it's exclusive enough to exclude most adults! Why should kids be any different? lol.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> So, you wouldn't be okay with Napa Rose instituting the same policy? << I didn't realize that the Napa Rose was so high-end until I started seeing many posts wishing Napa would have a similar policy. DL might not have as many restaurants, but the audience isn't really captive either. You can walk or drive off propert, and there are plenty of restaurants very close by.
Originally Posted By dshyates I don't really see much difference between V$As and Napa Rose. Both are the high end "gourmet"restaurant in Disney's Grand Whatever Hotel. They also both happen to be the most high-end joint on the property. And there are other chioces for families close by. They can eat at Storytellers. Thats where I'd let the families eat. I know that any normal kid would like Storyteller more anyway. Then I can actually enjoy MY meal that I paid a bunch for. Actually since I enjoy Storyteller too I have decided that it is simply too boring for kids also and we should ban them there too. Goofy's kitchen I don't care for much (too many kids and too loud) so let the families eat there. Goofy's Kitchen and Counter Service, those obviously are really the only kid appropriate options. And parents who force thier kids into boring sit down restaurants are abusing their kids and torturing their fellow diners with the fear the kids may explode at any second. Its like eating next to a time bomb.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I just went to Storytellers in July with a friend for the first time. (Nice, not memorable for me - no reflection on my friend!) I had no idea Napa was supposed to be similar to V&A, I thought maybe closer to CA Grill. There are many places still for families - the steakhouse (I know it changed names in the past couple of years - I think it was Granvilles, now Steakhouse 55?), Storytellers, PCH Grill, restaurants in the parks, DD, etc. Lots of choices. My favorite meal at DL probably was a few years back at the Whitewater Cafe (they had a very good french dip sandwich!) I need to see if it's still good.
Originally Posted By dshyates I think the bottom line is there is a startling number of inconsiderate adults with poor parenting skills. While I have been snarky about some of the attitudes here, these attitudes are probably well earned from having to suffer through plenty of wild monkeys that are being allowed to act that way by dismissive adults who are too busy bragging about the new Escalade. I actually saw a couple in their 20s arguing so loud they were asked to leave McDonalds. I have also seen similar incidents at nice restaurants on Valentines Day. The level of decorum across the board these days seems a bit lacking. So any attempts at enforcing it are probably a good thing. I'd like to see more dress codes around the resorts. Long pants and a jacket aren't too much to ask for a place like Ca Grill. And Gentlemen, ball caps are hats, and hats are to be removed inside.
Originally Posted By Ursula Whitewater Snacks still has a rocking French Dip! Yeah, I don't think it would work to have Napa Rose with an age limit considering that there are so few nicer and high-end places to go in that area. I figure with the club, if x number of members complain, I could see some changes, but frankly, I've never had a problem with it there. (I'm guessing the exclusiveness of it precludes it from happening?)
Originally Posted By u k fan I'd said days ago I'd comment on this and then forgot so here goes. Firstly, I've never visited V&A's, nor do I have any burning desire to do so for two reasons. First, I don't drink and as someone said the wine pairings do seem to be very much part of the experience (I can't picture myself ordering a coke whilst there!) Secondly, I can totally see how a meal with that price tag could be classed as overpriced. Our office Xmas party was in a lovely restaurant and the food was delicious, but the portions were tiny. It looked like someone had dipped their thumb in the sauce and spread it across the plate! IMHO, overpriced. Also I'd rather spend the money on tacky souvenirs. On my last WDW trip I came home with 15+ T Shirts! On the subject of the rule against kids I have no problems with kids being excluded from a restaurant. My guess is that this wasn't done lightly and was either based on customer feedback or even for the bragging rights of having an adult only restaurant. If that's the case there must be a reason that they want to brag about this and I would assume that's to attract extra customers at the risk of excluding 3 families a month (who can admittedly go elsewhere). On the subject of kids in restaurants, I do think it's dependant on the kids more than the age. I have known kids who are great in the preschool years who pick up bad habits aged 5 only to lose them again a year later. I think all kids go through a period of a year or so when they are more likely to act out. Yes, even yours. I do agree with the posters who are saying that kids will feed off of the situation and how the adults are dealing with it and act accordingly. About 18 months ago my sister and I took her kids to DLP. We had reservations for Walt's to watch the afternoon parade. About an hour before we were due to go to the restaurant sis's 18 month old totally freaked out at the Animation Tour when we had to move from one room to another. She cryed and screamed throughout one whole portion of the show and no doubt spoilt things for other guests (we didn't feel particularly great either). We were very nervous about visiting Walt's and made plans to take her out if needed as she really hadn't settled properly by the time we got there. I think it was the heat to be honest. As soon as we entered the restaurant her mood changed and she was a model child through the whole meal. She ate all of her food, stood at the window to watch the parade and made friends with the people at the table next to us (who also had a little girl with them). I think the key is that we were less harrassed and even at 18 months she knew that she should behave herself in an establishment of this kind. Having said that I wouldn't want to guarantee that this would happen again, even though she's now 3. I could easily be taking my life into my own hands by taking her to Casey's for a hotdog!!!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Actually since I enjoy Storyteller too I have decided that it is simply too boring for kids also and we should ban them there too. Goofy's kitchen I don't care for much (too many kids and too loud) so let the families eat there. Goofy's Kitchen and Counter Service, those obviously are really the only kid appropriate options. And parents who force thier kids into boring sit down restaurants are abusing their kids and torturing their fellow diners with the fear the kids may explode at any second. Its like eating next to a time bomb. << I knew you would come around, and see the light those are some great ideas.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> And Gentlemen, ball caps are hats, and hats are to be removed inside. << I only take my CAT diesel cap off for two things, and one of them is the National Anthem!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy ^^ Well all my ballcaps are camouflage, so people can't really tell if I've got them on or not.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> Whitewater Snacks still has a rocking French Dip! << Good, I'm glad it still rocks! I am not sure I'll be able to try Napa Rose this trip, but I definitely will stop by Whitewater. Denise
