I just saw this article and thought it was interesting. Thought I would share.
Disney World bans children from swanky restaurant
by Catherine Bodry Jan 10th 2008 @ 3:30PM
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?
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
I saw that, too. But I
I saw that, too. But I thought it was terrible PR for them. Yes, adults need adult time, but given the menu prices, I'd say it almost naturally becomes an adult place. If the place only has to deal with children three times a month, why create a PR issue. They take reservations...they can make sure only one family with kids is there at a time, if they fear too many little ones at once....you know they will ask number in the party, as well as kids.
I love the idea of a venue
I love the idea of a venue with no kids, especially at those prices. I mean, why would you torture other diners who are paying that much for their meals with little kids, unless they are particularly well behaved - and I mean really well behaved, not just by their parents' standards. I love kids - hell, I have a few of my own - but I know where they're not welcomed: fancy restaurants, cocktail parties, dinner parties and weddings when the invitation says "No children, please." I've never understood why parents insist on bringing their kids to those venues.
I think parents should
I think parents should respect invitations with "no children, pls." And kids don't belong at cocktail parties, but I think older children should be allowed at fancy restaurants, if parents are willing to foot the bill and know that they will be kicked out for bad behavior.
I've eaten at V&A's. Lovely
I've eaten at V&A's. Lovely place.
At the time, it was $100/person for the tasting menu or $125 with paired wines.
There were no kids dining there that night (they are not open for lunch).
It was an odd group of people there though.....while I was there with a work colleague and we expensed the meal, the room was full of young Asian couples from Japan that the waiter told us were all on their honeymoons. He indicated that most spoke no English, and that some had not met their brides until the wedding day!
The waiter indicated that this was typical of V&As.
The young couple next to us was quite a site. The "groom" fell asleep early in the meal, literally snoring at the table. The young bride was so shy that she didn't even wake him...eating course after course alone by herself. She looked utterly miserable. The waiter would bring a plate to the sleeper, then simply pull it away 20 minutes later; replacing it with another. It was hilarious.
They woke him at the end to pay the bill!
Perhaps they don't want kids in the restaurant b/c they might wake up the diners!! har har
Happy2BMommy, is a stay-at-home mom who just turned 40 (argh!) with a 6 yr. old daughter and a 4 yr. old son, and is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Scottsdale.