I'm just wondering if there is a nicer restaurant outside the park maybe in Downtown Disney or at one of the hotels that is at least a little nicer than casual and that is kid friendly? My eight month old might decide to exercise his newly discovered vocal cords.
Is Napa Rose a good choice?

Are you driving or flying?

I think all the restaurants are kid friendly. It is Disneyland.

I'm just wondering if there is a nicer restaurant outside the park maybe in Downtown Disney or at one of the hotels that is at least a little nicer than casual and that is kid friendly? My eight month old might decide to exercise his newly discovered vocal cords.
Is Napa Rose a good choice?

If you know your child is likely to scream a bit, I'd probably suggest against Napa Rose. They would of course accommodate children, but unless you can be seated on the patio or in one of the rooms, I wouldn't recommend it.

Storytellers is a decent restaurant for dinner that is a lot more kid friendly, so I'd suggest that. Catal might be good too, if you sit on the balcony. Otherwise, sound echoes fairly intensely in the restaurant.

And before I get yelled at by parents, yes, kids are going to make noise here and there, but I just don't think that a small child who isn't used to something like Napa Rose and who might be screaming a bit should really be there.

What about the Rainforest Café? Or where you looking for somewhere a bit more up-market?

My eight month old might decide to exercise his newly discovered vocal cords.
Is Napa Rose a good choice?

A meal at Napa Rose is a leisurely affair, maybe 2 hours. If Napa Rose isn't in the cards now, it will be in, say, ten years when your child can enjoy the experience.

For the 3894 family, dining with young kids was always an Israeli paratrooper affair: get in, get your food, eat it, and get out.

That said, the Rainforest Café is a compromise to consider. The food and drinks are fun and the atmosphere provides plenty for the baby to look at. I agree that Storytellers would work, too. The atmosphere is casual but considerably more sedate than Rainforest. The food is very nice.

What about the Rainforest Café? Or where you looking for somewhere a bit more up-market?

The animals are so noisy, they cover-up almost everything! ;)

Thanks for the suggestions.
We are driving. And also eating brunch at Storyteller's the day prior to our attempted dinner with an infant.
Exactly why I don't want to bring an infant to Napa Rose if it's a little more on the adult side, is that I don't want to be pointed at and stared at (get enough of that already) and ruin anybody's special dinner.

Ralph Brennan's in DTD also has outdoor seating, which might be more suited to your situation.

For the 3894 family, dining with young kids was always an Israeli paratrooper affair: get in, get your food, eat it, and get out.
I LOVE this description!!! And it fits this family too!

One place that we go to is Mimi's Cafe. It is about a 5-10 minute walk- but we would call ahead to put our names on the waiting list. That saved time with our 4 & 2 year old. Their children meals are large enough to split between the two boys. They are nice enough to give them both their own dessert and drink. With an 8 month old, you could feed him from your plate. It is noisy in there, so another child will not make a difference.

Another one is Whitewater Snacks in Grand California Hotel. The most people I have seen there is 10, and if you want you can take your food and eat it outside.

Most of the on property places are good. Our main goal is to avoid anything breakable. If you can find a place with outdoor seating you won't have to worry as much.

My 2-yr-old child is scared of the Rainforrest Cafe. He does not like any of the animals, and I can't get him to go see the fishes anymore either. (We have one here in Arizona.) You may want to keep that in mind.

Also I have to remind myself that most of us have gone through these stages with our children, or will go through them. More people are tolerant than you think of children- especially at Disneyland.

The animals are so noisy, they cover-up almost everything! ;)
I was thinking that! Then if the baby is noisy, nobody will even notice!

And before I get yelled at by parents, yes, kids are going to make noise here and there, but I just don't think that a small child who isn't used to something like Napa Rose and who might be screaming a bit should really be there.

I'm a parent and I agree with you. To the OP: How the other patrons would respond is just one consideration. If I were there with my baby who I had to take out of the restaurant, I'd get a major resentment that I was missing out on my fantabulous meal. ;)

I think Rainforest is really loud.

Whitewater Snacks is a great little place to grab a bite to eat, but it's more 'coffee shop/fast food' than 'nice restaurant.'

I might consider Naples at Downtown Disney. It's a little more appropriate for children but still a "nice" restaurant. (I've heard they're working on improving their service issues of the past.)

Brennan's is not one of my favorite restaurtants- I've found myself disappointed more often than not. But if someone else is paying to eat there, I'll go with my kids. I won't spend my personal money there because I think there are better values elsewhere.

Adrienne

Is there still a Coco's restaurant kitty-corner from DCA's Southwest corner on Katella? It's been a decade, but I remember them having good breakfast specials before we would walk to the park.

Is there still a Coco's restaurant kitty-corner from DCA's Southwest corner on Katella? It's been a decade, but I remember them having good breakfast specials before we would walk to the park.
Yes, it was there a month or so ago, anyway. We're in the Millie's group too, we walk there, it's usually full of families.

-TLMt

I also vote for Mimi's. You can also drive toward Garden Grove and hit Outback or Red Robin (same parking lot). These places are fun, good food, but no so fancy. I gave up on fancy restaurants about 9 years ago, when my oldest turned 2. A quiet dinner with my hubby or my mom fits the bill better than worrying about what the kids are doing, or how much they're going to whine about the food (kids are 4, 8 and 11).

I also vote for Mimi's. You can also drive toward Garden Grove and hit Outback or Red Robin (same parking lot). These places are fun, good food, but no so fancy. I gave up on fancy restaurants about 9 years ago, when my oldest turned 2. A quiet dinner with my hubby or my mom fits the bill better than worrying about what the kids are doing, or how much they're going to whine about the food (kids are 4, 8 and 11).

We ate at that red robin in October. They are open late and that is a plus. Being burger fans, RR is one of my familys favorite places. Prices are reasonable, kids are loud (special kids meals that include a drink and cup) and they have great shakes and lemonades.

Outback sounds like a good idea. I have a reservatioin at Rainforest but just may keep it.
I wouldn't be attempting to take an infant to a nicer dinner, but we're also celebrating my friend's end of cancer treatment. So I feel obligated to tuff it out for an hour or two.