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Mark My Words

Victoria & Albert are childless

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6 Comments
by
Mark Goldhaber
, 01-05-2008 at 07:22 AM (3781 Views)
I see that Victoria & Albert's has implemented a policy barring children under 10 years of age. So far, this has passed without comment after being noted on our MousePad discussion forums. Am I surprised? In a word, no.

At $125 prix fixe (plus tax & tip) per person ($185 with wine pairing, $175/$245 at the Chef's Table) and no children's menu or children's pricing, V&A's is not exactly the most child-friendly dining establishment at the resort. However, apparently a couple of times a month or so someone decides that it would be fine to bring their children along. Now, it's possible that kids under 10 might be able to deal with a 2-3 hour, 7 course limited-menu meal. However, that's really got to be the exception to the rule. I certainly won't be bringing my 9-year-old to Chef Scott Hunnel's establishment any time in the near future. If I want him to get a nice, upscale dining experience, we'll go to Flying Fish Cafe (still doing well despite the departure of Chef Jens Dahlmann to the California Grill) or one of the many other dining locations where there's more of a menu selection for him and it won't cost me $160 for him to eat just a little of the food available.

It's also not as if this is the first Disney experience to be restricted to adults-only. Palo aboard the Disney Cruise Line does just fine, with no complaints from anyone, despite the much smaller overall number of dining locations aboard the ship. In fact, there are probably just as many places to eat at the Grand Floridian as there are aboard a Disney cruise ship.

In the meanwhile, Victoria & Albert's will gain added cachet as a fine dining location, perhaps solidifying its AAA five-diamond rating even more. After all, just because the Walt Disney World Resort is designed for the entire family to have fun together, that doesn't mean that parents might still not want a night out that doesn't include having any kids around and isn't an adults-only club at Pleasure Island.

Updated 01-05-2008 at 04:30 PM by Mark Goldhaber

Categories
Walt Disney World , Policies

Comments

  1. adriennek's Avatar
    I'm on the fence about this one. We're in the process of getting ready to take our eldest to his first fine dining experience - at Napa Rose. On the one hand, we're all very excited about it. On the other hand, the only times I've felt disrupted at Napa Rose have been when there have been tables of younger children there.

    M's 9. If we had to wait to take him to NR until he was 10, I probably wouldn't mind. The price point is close (if not higher becaues 7 course at NR would be more than $125,) but NR isn't prix fixe - which is one of the reasons it's a 'safe' place for us to take him: We know we'll be able to find something he'll eat while we encourage him to taste new foods off of our plates.

    This is a good thing. Most kids under 10 wouldn't be able to handle V&A. There will be exceptions but I suspect this is one of those "a few parents with really bad decision making skills and poor parental control" spoil the pot for the exceptions.
  2. AVP's Avatar
    I've been to V&A twice and I'm glad they made this change. Heck, I'd be happier if they raised the age to 13. This restaurant is not like Napa Rose or any of the other "fine dining" restaurants. Yes, it's in a Disney hotel and it has a nice wine list, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. V&A is a formal, white-linen restaurant with a dress code and lots of lit candles. No crayons, no high chairs, no sippy cups, no kids menus. (You know that Baby Blues strip with the caption "How Nice Restaurants Stay Nice?" That's V&A)

    It's a LONG meal, and I can see how kids would get bored and restless there. It's an occasion restaurant - you dress up and spend a nice evening there. The room is TINY compared to most restaurants, and a single cranky child is going to ruin the experience for pretty much everyone.
  3. WDW heart's Avatar
    I have to say AVP, I think my 11 year old would be able to swing V & A. She loves different kinds of food, is interested in cooking, is well mannered and quiet. I am always saying I can't afford her because years ago, she stopped ordering off the children's menu. She is just as addicted to Top Chef as I am and knows what truffle oil is. Now my 15 year old would order onion rings and have to text her friends in the middle of the meal.

    However, I do agree with Mark, there are enough fine dining child friendly options in WDW to make this new policy a no brainer.
  4. Lani's Avatar
    As well-mannered as many children are, some places should be restricted. V&A isn't just a "fancy restaurant" -- its' an experience that's very adult in nature. Hooray to Disney for adding this new restriction. If we're going to spend $300 on dinner, I do NOT want it spoiled by squealing children. How many well-behaved 10-year-olds will be able to sit, quietly, without fidgeting or fussing or even being a distraction, for three hours?
  5. stan4d_steph's Avatar
    I agree with Disney's decision. Some kids can handle fine dining, but the length of the meal at V&A should be taken into account. Most children would not be able to sit that long.
  6. Kel's Avatar
    I agree with Disney. Kids couldn't last that long! Heck, i'm 15 next month and I couldn't last that long!