Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Disney's Victoria and Albert's Restaurant Bans Children... so what?

There has been quite a lot of press recently from the announcement that Walt Disney World's Victoria and Albert's restaurant, a 5-star designated restaurant, has decided to "ban" children under 10 from dining there. Now, I should reveal that I am a current Disney Cast Member although I have nothing to do with the restaurants or any decisions they make. However, when I heard that announcement I thought it was a good decision.

For those who have never dined at Victoria and Albert's (I have, twice), it is a very high-end restaurant with an ever-changing prix fixe daily menu that runs over $100 per person, even without any drinks. It is comprised of several courses served over a 2-hour period. They also have a strict dress code requiring gentlemen to wear a jacket (and if you don't, the "community" jacket will be provided for you to wear that night). I am quite sure they do not have a children's menu and I believe when they have made reservations in the past, they have always discouraged guests from bringing their children. Apparently, some guests didn't take the hint and must have brought their children. And some of those children must have acted up and other guests must have taken notice. And so, the recent "ban" was enacted.

This could only happen in Walt Disney World, I believe. I would hope that when parents are in their hometown, they would not think of bringing their 4-year-old with them to an exclusive, expensive, 5-star restaurant, no matter how well-behaved they believe their child to be. I know I wouldn't dream of taking my 4-year-old to a place like that. And now, the ban makes sure of that at Victoria and Albert's.