California Grill closing... (rumor)

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I've searched high and low for a reliable source to confirm this "rumor" and have been unable to find anything.

Yes, why would they kill something so good, so popular.

Because it's a dated concept and could be even better. Hoping this rumor is true!

 

[chartle]

1. I've searched high and low for a reliable source to confirm this "rumor" and have been unable to find anything.

Post 17, a couple above yours, is the best you could get for right now.

CF re-posted it directly from the internal cast member website.

 

[melmlantz]

I would be very sad CG is my favorite restaurant in all of WDW. Very glad we scheduled our 10th anniversary dinner there later this month.

 

[OhThePain]

A big change might get us back in the restaurant. Our last couple of meals there were extreamily disappointing and caused CG to drop drastically on our list of Signatures. The only thing it really had going for it anymore was the view. A brand new menu may be just what CG needs.

 

[Cinders Mum]

I have mixed feelings over this one.
our meal there last year was not a resounding success, 3 of us dining there, and only 1 of us had a good meal. the other 2 diners said they would not return....

So a change of style/theme etc may reopen this as an option for our family, but i do understand why a lot of people will be upset on hearing this .

 

[jfinke]

That was the first "signature" restaurant that my wife (then girlfriend) and I ate at. It is also where we had our wedding reception. I have been disappointed with the place for the last several years. Between the dumbing down of the menu, people pushing and shoving for the fireworks, and lack of enforcement of the dress code (which may not even exist anymore), it is time for a change.

However, I do not hold much hope as dining across the board seems to have gone downhill.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am adding the word "rumor" to the thread title as a cast member has posted Disney's official word to its cast members - which is that at this time there are no details regarding any planned renovation to the California Grill restaurant.

 

[Empress Room]

I am adding the word "rumor" to the thread title as a cast member has posted Disney's official word to its cast members - which is that at this time there are no details regarding any planned renovation to the California Grill restaurant.

It is interesting that Disney's own internal announcement chooses its words extremely carefully. Most importantly, it does NOT deny that the California Grill is being renovated, it simply says that there are "no details" regarding any planned renovation, which is consistent with what I had also heard from our CM friend (i.e. CG will be renovated but would reopen as a different themed and purposed restaurant of some kind). In addition, it also states affirmatively that Disney "routinely renovates AND refurbishes" its locations (i.e. a refurbishment of the present location resulting in a new concept).

This silence reinforces what we have been hearing, IMHO.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm sure something will happen change-wise. But again--why tamper with a good thing??
Unless, considering the location, they feel they can put any old thing there and folks will come anyway.

Hope that's not what they're thinking--

 

[Colleen27]

However, I do not hold much hope as dining across the board seems to have gone downhill.

That's why I'd hate to see CG go... Because given the way things have been going, they'd probably take a page out of the character dining playbook and figure people will book for the view so they don't have to put together a menu and concept that "wows", much less incur the extra expenses that are no doubt involved in things like flatbread ovens, a sushi chef, and seasonal menu changes. As much as I'd like to think otherwise, I believe a re-themed Cali Grill would be the next CRT - high prices/two DDP credits for mediocre food in a memorable location.

 

[TDC Nala]

It is interesting that Disney's own internal announcement chooses its words extremely carefully. Most importantly, it does NOT deny that the California Grill is being renovated, it simply says that there are "no details" regarding any planned renovation, which is consistent with what I had also heard from our CM friend (i.e. CG will be renovated but would reopen as a different themed and purposed restaurant of some kind). In addition, it also states affirmatively that Disney "routinely renovates AND refurbishes" its locations (i.e. a refurbishment of the present location resulting in a new concept).

This silence reinforces what we have been hearing, IMHO.

Without official public confirmation from Walt Disney World itself, it needs to be treated as a rumor. We've been through that before on the boards. Disney changes its mind on a regular basis and CMs on site are often not the most up to date source of information.

 

[darthtatty]

Im another one hoping it is true

After a very poor experience there, we have decided not to return. Such a shame as the CR is where we stay.
It will be nice to have the restaurant as somewhere we would visit again.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm sure something will happen change-wise. But again--why tamper with a good thing??
Unless, considering the location, they feel they can put any old thing there and folks will come anyway.

Hope that's not what they're thinking--

OMG Uncle, I hadn't thought that! Oh, my. An upscale Mickey d's would draw like crazy with wdw's target demographic and they could probably charge twenty bucks for a big Mac!

On another note why does anyone wish for CG to close? Arguably the best restaurant on property, Is it just the me, me, me attitude?

 

[jeepwreck]

we have reservation in feb for this place..

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

OMG Uncle, I hadn't thought that! Oh, my. An upscale Mickey d's would draw like crazy with wdw's target demographic and they could probably charge twenty bucks for a big Mac!

On another note why does anyone wish for CG to close? Arguably the best restaurant on property, Is it just the me, me, me attitude?

People have already provided reasons. Declining food and menu quality. Decor and cuisine that are based on a trend and don't feel timeless. The potential for a more modern upscale restaurant. It's quite rude of you to make such a harsh judgment call about people who would be happy for the rumor to be true.

 

[anthony2k7]

OMG Uncle, I hadn't thought that! Oh, my. An upscale Mickey d's would draw like crazy with wdw's target demographic and they could probably charge twenty bucks for a big Mac!

On another note why does anyone wish for CG to close? Arguably the best restaurant on property, Is it just the me, me, me attitude?

haha I was going to post something similar.... something along the lines of Disney unveiling their revolutionary new concept of a CS signature restaurant (signature in that it costs 2xTS on the DDP, not in the food quality obviously!) with RFID nextgen enabled amazing walk through ordering and collection system.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

People have already provided reasons. Declining food and menu quality. Decor and cuisine that are based on a trend and don't feel timeless. The potential for a more modern upscale restaurant. It's quite rude of you to make such a harsh judgment call about people who would be happy for the rumor to be true.

A single diner's opinion, yours or mine, are meaningless in the big picture. What is significant though is that this restaurant has long and still does receive among the best reviews on property and for people to openly root for an established favorite to fail because they simply didn't like it seems quite selfish to me.

I find it contradictory that you seem to value your views above anyone else's though and then call me rude. I accept that you've had two bad meals and find the decor dated but most people disagree. BUT that doesn't make you wrong, only a little overzealous, IMO.

BTW, while I don't always agree with your reviews I nonetheless enjoy them
very much for their descriptiveness and clarity. I always know why you like or
don't like a restaurant. Sorry I've rubbed you the wrong way.

 

[Jennasis]

CG was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. If they close for a refurb that's fine...as long as they don't get rid of the restaurant all together. Hopefully they won't do it until the end of 2012 as we have plans for a dinner there in September.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

A single diner's opinion, yours or mine, are meaningless in the big picture. What is significant though is that this restaurant has long and still does receive among the best reviews on property and for people to openly root for an established favorite to fail because they simply didn't like it seems quite selfish to me.

I find it contradictory that you seem to value your views above anyone else's though and then call me rude. I accept that you've had two bad meals and find the decor dated but most people disagree. BUT that doesn't make you wrong, only a little overzealous, IMO.

BTW, while I don't always agree with your reviews I nonetheless enjoy them
very much for their descriptiveness and clarity. I always know why you like or
don't like a restaurant. Sorry I've rubbed you the wrong way.

I'm not rooting for it to fail, I'm rooting for it to be better.

And no, I wouldn't call it selfish. The fact that some people (not necessarily everyone) see California Grill as dated and underwhelming makes it likely that the idea of change has crossed Disney's mind as well. I respect that many people like it, but who's to say they wouldn't like a new restaurant with upscale food even if it's no longer called California Grill? Like I pointed out, California Grill wasn't originally there. A lot of people loved the previous concept, and a lot of people love California Grill. Citricos also replaced an older restaurant, and a lot of people love Citricos. I don't see 90s-inspired California fusion cuisine as timeless (in comparison to, say, a New England steakhouse, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant, a 40's-inspired re-creation of a Hollywood icon, etc). In a place like Disney (where rides, restaurants, and even resorts have gotten name changes and re-themes over the years), a restaurant replacement doesn't imply failure. It's just progress. I accept the fact that other people have fond memories at California Grill; so do I. But a change in name, decor, and menu, if (for the better) could be a positive thing. Just like the rest of Contemporary's refreshment (sleeker room design, The Wave, lobby refurbishment, etc) has been a big success in updating the resort's aesthetic.

I don't value my opinion above anyone else's. I value my right to have an opinion and not be blasted because it contradicts the status quo or majority view. I won't cry if California Grill isn't replaced. But if it's replaced by a concept that doesn't worsen the food à la Cinderella's Royal Table, then I'm in favor of the change.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'm not rooting for it to fail, I'm rooting for it to be better.

And no, I wouldn't call it selfish. The fact that some people (not necessarily everyone) see California Grill as dated and underwhelming makes it likely that the idea of change has crossed Disney's mind as well. I respect that many people like it, but who's to say they wouldn't like a new restaurant with upscale food even if it's no longer called California Grill? Like I pointed out, California Grill wasn't originally there. A lot of people loved the previous concept, and a lot of people love California Grill. Citricos also replaced an older restaurant, and a lot of people love Citricos. I don't see 90s-inspired California fusion cuisine as timeless (in comparison to, say, a New England steakhouse, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant, a 40's-inspired re-creation of a Hollywood icon, etc). In a place like Disney (where rides, restaurants, and even resorts have gotten name changes and re-themes over the years), a restaurant replacement doesn't imply failure. It's just progress. I accept the fact that other people have fond memories at California Grill; so do I. But a change in name, decor, and menu, if (for the better) could be a positive thing. Just like the rest of Contemporary's refreshment (sleeker room design, The Wave, lobby refurbishment, etc) has been a big success in updating the resort's aesthetic.

I don't value my opinion above anyone else's. I value my right to have an opinion and not be blasted because it contradicts the status quo or majority view. I won't cry if California Grill isn't replaced. But if it's replaced by a concept that doesn't worsen the food à la Cinderella's Royal Table, then I'm in favor of the change.

We're getting petty and boring I think so I hope this is my last post on the subject.

I hardly "blasted" anyone but I do find entitlement is always an issue. If that wasn't your intent (I don't think it was) you should not feel my comments were directed at you.

Re: CG it's hardly operating on a dated concept as 'California cuisine' is still at the forefront of modern culinary concepts renowned world wide.

It's totally your right to have a contrary opinion to mine but yours seems based on two bad outings which makes me wonder if you'd had GREAT meals on those trips how would you be feeling.