Age Appropriate

     

     At Disney's Magic Kingdom there are lots of rides for children.  But not all of them are suited for toddlers and infants.  For the safety and security of all involved height standards have been set and are in full view on placards by the entrance to each ride.  That's good policy.  I only wish the folks at Disney would create similar standards when it comes to their dining venues.

     While there are literally hundreds of places to eat within the sprawling Disney complex of parks, not all of them are appropriate for small children.  I expected lots of children to be running around excited to meet their favorite cartoon characters at Chef Mickey's buffet breakfast.  But I was less than enthused to be seated next to a table of 4 unruly offspring while dining at the very high-end Artist Point Restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge.  

     It's difficult to savor a $49 aged buffalo strip loin in jus sineann with barley risotto, roasted root vegetables, chanterelles and winter greens when the ambiance is shattered by screams and whines.  Unfortunately this was not an isolated case.  A similar scenario was played out at dinner at the Flying Fish Restaurant at the Boardwalk.  Two young brothers were running rampant through the restaurant, mom attempting to corral them while dad was busy trying to get down every last bite of his meal, totally oblivious to the mayhem.  At another restaurant small children were being so disruptive that I summoned the manager.  He seemed well aware of the unfortunate situation and was apologetic but explained that it was Disney policy "not to offend families."

     But then it's OK to offend the rest of us?  My suggestion is that similar height placards be placed at the reception desk of restaurants, just like the ones in front of the rides.  That would be a simple way to determine the age appropriateness of Disney dining locations.