Official California Grill Open ADR Watch Thread

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

Read on the disneyfoodblog today:

California Grill Re-Opening Rumor: According to a Cast Member, the California Grill will “soft” open on September 2 and 3 with a Cast Member meeting on September 4th. Tentatively opening September 5th!

This gives me hope for our October trip

Yea! Thanks for sharing!

 

[gettinlm]

For us newbies, can you explain what is so good about the California Grill?

 

[Franciani]

For us newbies, can you explain what is so good about the California Grill?

I'm a newbie either. I'm from Brazil. But as far as I read about it, It's a signature restaurant, the menu/food is amazing. The view is also fantastic, and watching/listening to Wishes Fireworks is a must do.

It's not our first visit, but when we "discovered" CG from youtube and other sites surfing the Internet, we are trying everyday to book a table, despite the RED message on Disney site (...check back for.... reopening)

 

[WDWFANCBIIIME]

I'm a newbie either. I'm from Brazil. But as far as I read about it, It's a signature restaurant, the menu/food is amazing. The view is also fantastic, and watching/listening to Wishes Fireworks is a must do.

It's not our first visit, but when we "discovered" CG from youtube and other sites surfing the Internet, we are trying everyday to book a table, despite the RED message on Disney site (...check back for.... reopening)

I hope you get to dine at Cali Grill on your trip my fingers are crossed

Your description is perfect it really is a special restaurant the view is really amazing that alone is worth a visit... if you like sushi and flatbreads they are both specialities of the old California Grill as well as a fantastic filet and great desserts!

The refurb is going to spice up the menu and the decor was getting a little old so I think it will help with the aging atmosphere... the new restaurant will be like the old we are describing but even better!

 

[gettinlm]

I hope we can get an ADR for November! It would be amazing to dine there during the fireworks. Does anybody know if it's kid friendly?

 

[akadada]

I hope we can get an ADR for November! It would be amazing to dine there during the fireworks. Does anybody know if it's kid friendly?

Very kid friendly in my opinion from a staff (they are very accommodating) and atmosphere (it's kind of loud in there, drowns out kid noise). But some folks go there for fine-adult-only-dining and unfortunately you can notice their annoyance with kids. I don't blame them given you're likely dropping $100 per person there, but at the same time, it's Disney.

All that said, it's possible the renovations will change my opinion on atmosphere.

We bring our kids every-time. Our kids are good restaurant kids though (so far), we'll be bringing them next time we go.

 

[akadada]

I hope you get to dine at Cali Grill on your trip my fingers are crossed

Your description is perfect it really is a special restaurant the view is really amazing that alone is worth a visit... if you like sushi and flatbreads they are both specialities of the old California Grill as well as a fantastic filet and great desserts!

The refurb is going to spice up the menu and the decor was getting a little old so I think it will help with the aging atmosphere... the new restaurant will be like the old we are describing but even better!

Our favorite restaurant by far. Then Citricos as noted above. Our other favorites in Disney area are not Disney owned...

The restaurant atmosphere, wine, food, and historically, sushi, are all fantastic.

FYI - The sushi chef, though, has left, so sushi future there is unknown. Presumably still great, but we won't know probably until post-opening.

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

I hope we can get an ADR for November! It would be amazing to dine there during the fireworks. Does anybody know if it's kid friendly?

It's one of my kid's favorite restaurants from our last trip when they were 5 and 8. But, it is a long meal (at least in our experience) and a slightly nicer atmosphere than most restaurants, so it helps if your kids are already use to good restaurant manners. My kids loved their menu options - hoping it's the same with the new menu!

 

[sjs314]

Now that it is rumored to be opening early September instead of Late November I need to see if I can fit it in somewhere.

 

[MyHappilyEverAfter]

Putting out some good karma & pixie dust that everyone is able to get the dates, times, etc... this whole waiting thing is driving me NUTS!!!

But... there is nothing I'd rather be doing than planning a Disney trip!!

 

[mefordis]

I want to eat there the night of MNSSHP -- do you think it is appropriate to go in our costumes?

Thx!

 

[Missyrose]

I want to eat there the night of MNSSHP -- do you think it is appropriate to go in our costumes?

Thx!

Bring a duffel and change after dinner, it's a signature restaurant. If you want to eat in costume, eat somewhere inside the park. The Plaza perhaps?

 

[LovesTimone]

I have not had a chance to read this in full. So sorry if this has been asked or discussed. But any idea in what the new menu is going to look like? or décor ?

 

[mefordis]

Bring a duffel and change after dinner, it's a signature restaurant. If you want to eat in costume, eat somewhere inside the park. The Plaza perhaps?

Since we are staying at BLT we'll just go down and change before the party. Or maybe we can get an ADR the night before.

Any strategy on finding out when they open for ADRs? I think by the time the news is posted on this thread they may be booked.

 

[goofy4prez]

Putting out some good karma & pixie dust that everyone is able to get the dates, times, etc... this whole waiting thing is driving me NUTS!!!

But... there is nothing I'd rather be doing than planning a Disney trip!!

I can think of one..... Actually enjoying all those plans come to fruition.

 

[Missyrose]

Since we are staying at BLT we'll just go down and change before the party. Or maybe we can get an ADR the night before.

Any strategy on finding out when they open for ADRs? I think by the time the news is posted on this thread they may be booked.

Honestly? I would not be doing a signature dinner on a party day. You can get into the park with your party ticket starting at 4 p.m. And if you want to do any of the special meet and greets, plan to be in line for that by 6.

And I think reservations will get posted to this thread quicker than you realize. Following Disney Food Blog on FB and Twitter, might help too.

 

[TravelGrl]

Honestly? I would not be doing a signature dinner on a party day. You can get into the park with your party ticket starting at 4 p.m. And if you want to do any of the special meet and greets, plan to be in line for that by 6.

And I think reservations will get posted to this thread quicker than you realize. Following Disney Food Blog on FB and Twitter, might help too.

I second what Missyrose wrote. On the night of the party, eat early or get a quick service in the park. You should want to spend as much time as possible at the party since it's special. Go trick or treating, as many times as you'd like (you only get a few candies in each and it's fun to interact with the CMs), enjoy the rides with the low crows and the decoration (my favorite is what they do to Pirates of the Caribbean).

Go to a signature dining when you have at least 2 hours to enjoy dinner.

 

[disneynanacat]

Ditto the advice above. Eat around 4:00 or so.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I hope we can get an ADR for November! It would be amazing to dine there during the fireworks. Does anybody know if it's kid friendly?

It's very kid friendly - we've taken my daughter when she was 2 ys 8mos, and am hoping to take her this fall when she will be 4 yrs 8mos along with her brother who will be 22mos

We have also gone out alone on "date night" and one thing I did find was that after the fireworks the families/kids clear out so later in the evening is quieter/more romantic

... of course this is how it used to be, but I don't think they are changing the actual structure or openness of the place so I would think it would still be relatively loud

 

[nighttowll]

Should I wait for a window table to open up if I want to watch wishes or is it open enough to see from any table?