A Seat at the Bar?

by Kristin Ford
AllEars® Staff Writer

Feature Article

This article appeared in the May 12, 2015 Issue #816 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)

Editor’s Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.

Trader Sam's Grog GrottoWith the recent opening of the much-anticipated Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Walt Disney World also introduced to guests a new policy for a hotel bar and lounge on its property. After 8 p.m., patrons inside Trader Sam’s must be at least 21 years old.

That policy got me thinking more about children in bars and lounges at Walt Disney World. Should they be allowed to sit at the bars? Is a table in the lounge more acceptable for a family with young children? Or should these places be strictly for adults?

Although my husband and I have not taken our children into bars and lounges, we often see kids of all ages dining in these traditionally adult spaces. So, I asked AllEars.Net readers to let us know what they think about the practice, and they had a lot to say! The majority of those who commented on my blog think that bars at Walt Disney World should have an age restriction, though there certainly were opposing viewpoints and gray areas.

“There are so very many places at Disney World for children, as there should be. Can’t there be a few that are just for adults?” wrote Erin. “There are times when a grown-up just wants adult company and a little more quiet than can be found on Main Street or next to the pool. Having a space reserved for adults is appropriate. I like the compromise offered at Trader Sam’s, I believe it provides a fair balance. It’s also worth noting that Disney provides a significant amount of adults-only space on their cruise ships. I think it’s reasonable to expect some in the resorts as well. ”

One anonymous reader spoke for several when writing that the adult-only spaces should extend to signature restaurants at the resort, as well: “As others have said better here, there are tons of places for kids at WDW. Can we have somewhere for adults only? I stopped going to California Grill because trying to have a nice EXPENSIVE dinner with tons of kids making a lot of noise and no one enforcing the dress code is impossible. It’s not exactly the romantic, quiet dinner you expect away from the parks at that price.”

Many readers commented about children sitting at the actual bar.

“Children at the bars at WDW is a pet peeve of mine. I know I probably sound like a prude, but I don’t think it’s appropriate,” wrote Barrie. “As a solo traveler, I often eat at the bars in nicer restaurants. I’ve had parents set their diaper-clad children ON the bar right next to my dinner plate. Yuck. When you’re sitting at the bar, it’s like sharing the dinner table with everyone else there. For some reason when sitting at the bar, some parents feel like they can be more casual than if they were at a table at the same restaurant, so I have had dinner with many misbehaved children. Conversations at the bars are often not kid-friendly, and the later it gets, the looser everything gets at the bars, even at WDW. There are SO many options for families; my opinion is that the bars should be adult-only space. ”

Evans chimed in: “I realize that Disney is all about families and I totally accept that, but a few adult-only escapes will not take away from that! As one who also makes several solo trips a year to Disney World, I don’t mind sitting at a bar and ordering dinner (along with a couple of cocktails). This doesn’t tie up a table for four that could go to a family. However, the last couple of trips I’ve found that I can’t get a spot at the bar and as I look around I see several families sitting there with their kids. I guess I shouldn’t be so worried and just go ahead and reserve a large table for myself. ”

Gail wrote: “Bar = Adults only. No question needed. When you take on the responsibility of parenting children, your lifestyle changes. When they have grown, or, you hire a babysitter, enjoy those child-free activities.”

But some say that Walt Disney World is different than the “real world” because families are vacationing together and staying up later than they usually would at home, so behaviors are different. Several readers had varied reasons for seeking out the bars and lounges.

“First off, it is DISNEY WORLD and you should expect kids everywhere,” George wrote. “Secondly, there is nothing wrong with my wife and I wanting to sit in the lounge of The California Grill, Tambu Lounge, Crew’s Cup or whatever lounge we choose after a long day at the parks/pools have a drink and/or a light meal and enjoy our family in a casual setting. In fact, some dishes are only offered in the lounges and are some of our favorites. You MIGHT be able to make a case for [no kids at] the bar counters.”

Allison commented: “I visited WDW for years before having a child and have enjoyed vacations there for the last year with my infant daughter. We have taken her into the wine bar in the Italy pavilion at EPCOT and, until reading this article, I didn’t think anything of it. The bar was actually a relief to find! An infant in particular (not to mention one on vacation) is very difficult to plan around, as their schedule is not consistent. There was no way my family and I could have scheduled ADRs. When my daughter was growing hot in the sun and getting hungry, it was comforting to find a cool spot where we could go and where my husband and I could eat a nice meal while I nursed the baby. No one at the restaurant seemed bothered by us — and the staff had no problem with us being there. I think, like most things, it depends on the child — and the parents. If my daughter had fussed we would have immediately left so as to spare the other diners, but I would do the same in any restaurant. I also think the bars provide an option for Florida residents — we often plan trips at the last minute and therefore cannot make ADRs. The bars allow us (and other families) the opportunity to have a nice meal with requiring reservations.”

At least one reader had a different take on the bars at Disney World’s expensive restaurants.

“One of my fondest memories when I was a kid was going to the bar at the California Grill (whatever it was named then) with my dad,” Tiffany wrote. “He got me a virgin strawberry daiquiri and we watched the fireworks. I had on a pretty dress and felt important out with my dad. I knew that I had to behave my best. … My husband and I have been going to Disney both before we had kids and now that we have two. I don’t think people should expect that the bars in Disney be kid-free. I do think both kids and adults should be expected to behave appropriately in public and judge for themselves what is good for their family. When at Disney there will be kids. For a kid-free experience, go elsewhere. ”

Not all families without children think kids should be restricted from the bars.

“I have to admit that as part of an adult couple with no kids, we rarely if ever think about this when we’re at WDW and we often stop for cocktails in the hotels or parks prior to dinner,” Dave wrote. “Outside in the ‘real world’ I do find it at times improper or a bit of an invasion into an adult space, but never crosses my mind at WDW. I think adults should expect it there. And I don’t think parents should have to worry about it either unless WDW management as they’ve done [with Trader Sam’s] make it clear that there is an age limit. BUT … kids of any age should not sit at bar stools or be up against the bar. That is truly an adult space and it is not an appropriate spot for a kid. As a matter of fact, I recall when I was a kid in the 1980s, the bartender at the Pub & Crown in the UK pavilion, politely telling my parents I could stay in the bar area, but I couldn’t be up against the bar. I recall that I hadn’t been in there more than a minute asking my folks for money no doubt for the toy store across the way.”

Others say there is a big difference between toddlers and teenagers in a bar or lounge.

Keith wrote: “An age requirement of 18 is more appropriate. If someone can serve our country or vote, they should be able to sit at a bar at the very least.”

“While I think bars late at night are not the place for children, I disagree that the lounges at WDW should be restricted to those 21 or over, ” Pam wrote. “As a Canadian, our children were legal to drink alcohol (in Canada) at 18 and they had certainly seen people drink before that. I see no harm in a family eating a light meal and the parents or those over 21 having a glass of wine or beer or whatever in the company of their minor children, if they so choose. … AS ALWAYS, young children should be supervised by their parents and not allowed to run around. That applies even in the most family-friendly restaurants and is a completely different matter than being “allowed” in the lounge.”

Some readers said it’s not the behavior of the children that should be considered, but that of the adults.

“Never seated at the actual bar, but yes to tables in a lounge area,” wrote Chris. “I’m of the theory that a glass or two of an alcoholic beverage is a normal part of life. Drinking should not be taboo. Children should see their parents and other adults enjoying alcohol responsibly as to develop a healthy relationship with alcohol when they are of age. The problem is that many people have a ‘spring break’ mentality the minute they step foot in a bar. If you are behaving in a way that may be offensive to children, you are probably offending the other adult patrons as well. All that being said, any parent who is letting their child run around and disturb others in a bar or restaurant should be asked to control their offspring or leave. However, as a responsibly-drinking parent of a well-behaved 7-year old, I feel we have the same right to be at Trader Sam’s as the next person.”

Kristin FordWould you like to join the conversation? Email us or comment on the original blog HERE.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Kristin writes about Disney news from a parent’s perspective, and her blog, “A Mom and the Magic,” appears three times a week in AllEars.Net’s Blog Central. You also can follow her adventures through the parks with her husband and two school-age children on Twitter and Instagram @Kristin_B_Ford.

Should children be allowed in Disney World Bars_

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Editor’s Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.