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Disney World bans children from swanky restaurant
The family-oriented Disney World resort became a little less family-friendly recently. Children were once welcome in Disney's posh Victoria & Albert's, the only restaurant with a AAA 5-diamond rating. No more. Evidently, the adults need a break -- and what a better place to take one than in an intimate dining room? Besides, do kids like fancy-schmancy food? I know I didn't when I was a kid. Disney claims that it is responding to guests desires, and that children dined at Victoria & Albert's only around three times a month.
Prices at the restaurant start at $125 per person -- a bit pricey for someone who just wants grilled cheese and chicken fingers.
I'm with Disney (not that I'd ever be able to eat a Victoria & Albert's, but I'm with them on principle) -- grown-ups sometimes need some grown-up time. What do you think?
Gallery: Disneyworld
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Filed under: Food and Drink, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 16)
Juan Abeyta Jan 14th 2008 9:12AM
I've been to Disney only once and found it to be a grossly over-priced version of 6 Flags. I will never go back again and and am not hesitant to express my opinion of the place. No amusement park is worth anything close to what Disney charges. People who go there are completely wasting their money. Bottomline...it ain't what it's cracked up to be...not even close.
Trish Jan 14th 2008 9:01AM
Jessie...I love people like you who, because they can't have something want to spoil it for others. Food isn't food. If you had a palate and some experience you would understand that. If I want to spend my money for a special occasion on a 5 star meal...that is my business. And obviously, their are plenty of people who agree or the restaurant would not remain open. And Disney isn't just for children. It is one of the number one honeymoon and wedding destinations. I for one, look forward to going there again some day now that my children are grown, and enjoying the things I want to enjoy. That is my reward for 23 years of stay at home, self sacrificing parenting. So enjoy your time with your children, and let those who are done, or who choose not to have children, enjoy ourselves too.
W Jan 14th 2008 9:02AM
So when the adults are having their "swanky adult dinner," who's watching the kids? Anyone remember Madeleine in Portugal?
angis1971 Jan 14th 2008 9:59AM
Amen!!!!!!!!
reddog2patrick Jan 14th 2008 9:05AM
the first time i went to disney land was in 1958 an they didn't have all that is there now , back then ,of course i was 10yr at the time. i still had a great time. but getting to the point about the restrant we have no kids allowed here in mt to. pat
kimba Jan 14th 2008 9:29AM
Well, leave it to Disney to do something that multi-millions of adults have wished at least once in their lives. I see absolutely nothing wrong with this. Especially at Victoria and Albert's. If w have a negative experience at an expensive restaurant - we won't return. I can pretty much guarantee that I'm not the only one who feels that way.
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Being a parent of three, (ages 9/16/25) I'm well aware of the challenges of not only enjoying a peaceful dinner at a family restaurant, let alone the ability to be able to always offer one to neighboring tables. My first born was so disruptive at a restaurant that I immediately asked for my the check and to go boxes, and let him know how disappointed I was, and that he wouldn't come to a restaurant with us again. My meal had been ruined, I can only imagine those around us. I was mortified. He was three, but knew better. His next visit to a "sit-down" restaurant was not until he was five. He didn't repeat his mistake. Harsh? Maybe. Politically Incorrect? Not by a long shot! My daughters were told as soon as they were old enough to understand that they get one chance for going "out" to dinner.
Every establishment has the right to refuse service to anyone they choose. In addition, Disney has the reputation for tossing any disruptive patrons out of the park. So, the comment pertaining to disruptive adults in a nice restaurant - at Disney World no less, is a moot topic.
I personally feel that the "politically correct" population is more annoying than anyone speaking their non-politically correct mind - regardless of the possible backlash of offense. As a citizen of the United States, nothing rubs me the wrong way more than a group telling us how we shoud think, feel and speak - at the risk of not offending others. Our rights have been trampled on quite enough, thank you.
While Disney offers literally dozens of NICE meal options in all of the individual parks, they are simply exercising their right to refuse service to children in this one restaurant. Thus, saving them the need to be politically correct toward a family allowing their child/children to be disruptive ... hence ruining what was to be a 5 Star meal for others around them. Because, face it - it is not possible to be PC in that situation. The parents of these precious angels would be outraged if anyone actually "spoke up" during a disruptive episode. They don't have control of their children, and would not appreciate it being pointed out to them.
My husband and I look forward to revisiting V & A's on our next visit south. As for our minor children, they could care less one way or the other.
Kudos to Disney for making the decision for lifting the height requirement ... to age on this ride.
heidi Jan 14th 2008 9:16AM
LOL I do agree to what someone said about the people complaining prob wouldn't eat there anyway. However I do think if you're at Disney, like someone said, it depends on your children. Yes I would take MY 7 year old here. Whether or not I paid $125 for chicken fingers is my stupidity. True of any restaurant not just an expensive one at Disney, parents know your child. If she/he can't sit still at McDonald's you prob shouldn't be here. However if your child regularly eats out and attends say the Nutcracker, Symphony Orchestras & such like my 7 year old, I'd take her. I would not have when she was 3 but I would now.
I'd be more annoyed by some idiot on a cell phone or farting than a child speaking during dinner!
Julia Cason Jan 14th 2008 9:39AM
I think this is a great idea. I love all 5 of my children and like to believe that their behaviour in public is above reproach. However, we all know that appropriate behaviour is in the eye of the beholder and can, to say the least, be very subjective. That said, sometimes it's nice just to be with the grownups no matter how well behaved junior diners may be.
Askia Apr 7th 2008 11:08AM
I am open minded,broad minded,friendly,caring,lovely, honest,considerate,faithful and have real good sense of humour.My favorite hobbies would include the outdoors,
and all kinds of sporting activities,hiking,daytrips,
movies, cooking,and most anything that makes both partners happy
Fndolly Jan 14th 2008 1:17PM
It is Friendly's and it seem sto be a sophistocated restuarant. Therefore, it is about time. Those of us who dont have kids (by choice) need one place where we can have a romantic evening without disruption. Kudos to Disney for this decision.
The little ones tend to like burgers/chicken fingers anyway and would fare better in a theme restuarant ...
carole Jan 14th 2008 10:04AM
PERHAPS PARENTS CAN LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN ALONE IN THEIR HOTEL ROOM WHILE THEY DINE NEARBY, WAIT, SOMEONE HAS ALREADY DONE THAT, AND A POOR INNOCENT LITTLE GIRL IS MISSING IN A FOREIGN LAND.
HEIDI Jan 14th 2008 9:17AM
LOL I do agree to what someone said about the people complaining prob
wouldn't eat there anyway. However I do think if you're at Disney,
like someone said, it depends on your children. Yes I would take MY 7
year old here. Whether or not I paid $125 for chicken fingers is my
stupidity. True of any restaurant not just an expensive one at
Disney, parents know your child. If she/he can't sit still at
McDonald's you prob shouldn't be here. However if your child
regularly eats out and attends say the Nutcracker, Symphony
Orchestras & such like my 7 year old, I'd take her. I would not have
when she was 3 but I would now.
I'd be more annoyed by some idiot on a cell phone or farting than a
child speaking during dinner!
Peter Jan 14th 2008 9:18AM
Bravo to Disney. My wife and I look forward to our Saturday evening dinners at fine restaurants as a way to relax. On more that one occasion, we've been seated next to some family with bratty, uncontrollable kids. It is something we expect and tolerate when we go to McDonald's. However, when we're shelling $200+ for a dinner, we want peace and quiet!
john Jan 14th 2008 9:18AM
That is great.I have had many nites when seeking a nice quiet romantic dinner that was diminished because of noisy,or crying children,I hope the idea spreads
HEIDI Jan 14th 2008 9:18AM
LOL I do agree to what someone said about the people complaining prob
wouldn't eat there anyway. However I do think if you're at Disney,
like someone said, it depends on your children. Yes I would take MY 7
year old here. Whether or not I paid $125 for chicken fingers is my
stupidity. True of any restaurant not just an expensive one at
Disney, parents know your child. If she/he can't sit still at
McDonald's you prob shouldn't be here. However if your child
regularly eats out and attends say the Nutcracker, Symphony
Orchestras & such like my 7 year old, I'd take her. I would not have
when she was 3 but I would now.
I'd be more annoyed by some idiot on a cell phone or farting than a
child speaking during dinner!
Debs Jan 14th 2008 9:26AM
sure.. it's a great idea.. but uhm, whose watching my kids while I have a fancy schmanzy meal?
Not that I don't like the idea, but I'd be wondering about my kids the whole time.. (I have small kids)
kris Jan 14th 2008 9:25AM
give me a break...my husband and I expirienced this resturant on our 25th wedding aniversary-6 years ago--no kids then...why the BIG DEAL NOW??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Faye Gillow Jan 14th 2008 9:28AM
I, like you cannot afford 125.00 per plate, but when I took my children to DISNEY WORLD when they were young, I hoped even back then that they had a restaraunt just for the adults. Therefore I am very glad that they have one for adults now. What DISNEY and Company need to do now is have one that is affordable.
Laura Jan 14th 2008 9:31AM
Perhaps if you were to look at it not so much as the adults needing a break away from the kids, but more the kids needing a break from the adults, you wouldn't have such a hard time swallowing this one.
Now, please understand, this isn't coming from a childless, unsympathetic adult who tries to dodge children at all costs because of thier keen abilities to annoy. I am a mother of two very rambuncious boys, 16 and 6. And if we are all honest with ourselves, children aren't perfect, our own children aren't perfect, and well, ok, as adults, we, um, well, ok. We aren't perfect either! It is much easier coming from ones own mouth then from the mouthes of friends or strangers when speaking of our little ones downfalls.
As far as Victorias and Alberts. Bravo! For providing an all adult evening (or afternoon or morning) encounter where one can relax and not have to worry about the little ones and to WDW for providing an equally fun time for the kids on thier 'no adults allowed' evening.
Actually this is purely speculation, but being part of a 19 person (8 adult 11 non-adult) family trip this coming July where we will be staying at the Grand Floridian and certainly dining at V and A's at least once during our week long excursion, I have high expectations and look forward to that 'swanky' resturant as much as I look forward to breakfast with Mickey!
Ishmael Jan 14th 2008 10:24AM
I agree. Devoting an entire week to family time with the kids is just asking too much.