Help! Which two? Cali grill (Wishes) or Artists Point or Flying Fish???

hello Dis experts! We want to bookend our first time 3 generations trip in Oct with two signatures. We currently have ressies for Cali Grill (Wishes) first night and Flying Fish at the end. Wondering if I should sub in AP instead? Worried about the inconsistent reviews I've read with both.

What are your absolute favorite signatures and why?

Thanks for your help!!!

Flying fish was our favorite until we are at Artist Point. Both were below California Grill for us. If you want to see wishes, I'd recommend Narcoossees.

wdwpracticalprincess said:

hello Dis experts! We want to bookend our first time 3 generations trip in Oct with two signatures. We currently have ressies for Cali Grill (Wishes) first night and Flying Fish at the end. Wondering if I should sub in AP instead? Worried about the inconsistent reviews I've read with both.

What are your absolute favorite signatures and why?

Thanks for your help!!!

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The most consistent thing about Disney restaurants is inconsistency of their Signatures.

In fairness to Disney, they serve huge amounts of food to enormous amounts of people. There will always be mixed reviews.

And most people are quick to write about bad experiences, not the good ones.

One other thing - most folks reviews aren't telling you anything other than, "We didn't like it." Further, should you be taking food advice about Signatures from the person who is otherwise complaining that their well-done steak was tough or the ketchup wasn't served along with their scrambled eggs?

My two cents:

CA Grill can be spectacular to disappointing. I am one of the people who is disappointed when I'm eating my $50 buffalo and sitting next to folks in shorts and t-shirts coming from the Parks (and smelling that way). Where you are seated matters too - since not all views from your table are equal. But nothing compares to the MK view from CA Grill. We found the fireworks view to be better from Narcoossee's and 'Ohana (but we don't care too much for 'Ohana).

Flying Fish - if you're on the dining plans, it's fine. We prefer seafood and ambiance from BlueZoo at the nearby Dolphin.

Artists Point - unless you're staying on the Monorail line, going resort to resort can be a hassle unless you're willing to take a taxi or drive. AP was fine, and our experience was that is was less hectic than most other Signatures - we liked that. Plank-cooked Salmon is a must for someone at your table. Wilderness Lodge is second in theming only to AKLodge, IMHO. But we also prefer the shopping and music at Grand Floridian and find Narcoossee's to be an alternative experience to AP.

In general, we prefer all the Signature at Swan & Dolphin versus Disney run places. We are looking forward to trying Capa inside recently opened Four Seasons or maybe the Boathouse.

We found Artist's Point to be meh. To be fair, they could have had an off night when we went. I was willing to give it a second chance but the menu hasn't resonated with me and it's a little more difficult to get to than California Grill or Flying Fish. I loved the food at California Grill so we're going back this December. I can't comment on Flying Fish as I'm allergic to seafood so it's not one that we would ever go to.

Our first experience at Artist Point was fantastic. Great food and service. Second time not so much. So-so food and poor service. The food was passable just not "WOW" like our first trip and very disinterested waitstaff. These were a year apart, late May 2013 and 2014.

2104 was our first experience at California Grill. It was the highlight meal of that trip. Fabulous food, great wine(recommended by our server), outstanding service. Our server timed everything perfectly so that we were able to take our wine out on the deck to watch Wishes after our appetizers and return to the table just in time for piping hot entrees to be served.

Narcoossee's was really good too, but it has been 4 years since we ate there. Watched Wishes from the outside deck.

Never been to Flying Fish so no opinion there.

I think every Disney restaurant can have an off night. Every restaurant can and I know that people are more likely to post about bad experience that a good one.

Cheers!!

I've never been to Cali Grill, but if you've already got an ADR timed for Wishes, I'd keep it. Seems to me it's super hard-to-get, and the "event" element of it makes it worth keeping even if the food ends up not being your favorite.

I have been to the other 2, although not as often as many people here. AP was very good, and I would not hesitate to go back, although I haven't been back yet. (I think this was 2013, trying to remember). In 2012 I went to Flying Fish for the first time and loved it. I kept putting off the return trip because I always wanted to try new places (and was always going back to Via Napoli!), but finally for 2015 I said, "That's it, I'm going back to Flying Fish this year!" Loved Flying Fish again this year, so much that now, as I'm planning next year, I've already decided to go back. It doesn't hurt that I also spend my share of time at Epcot and DHS and love the Epcot resorts area.

I never do the dining plan, but still have never ventured into the Swan/Dolphin restaurants. I know we're at Disney, but they still seem a bit "hoity-toity" for me. I'm fine at "nice" Disney restaurants but just don't feel hip/stylish/cool enough for the S/D.

we live in Chicago and have access to a wonderful array of food. we're looking for that holy grail of quality food AND amazing theming that Disney does best. paying OOP.

I am inclined to keep Cali because of Wishes as OP suggested but open to options. Less inclined to do Swan/Dolphin restaurants because we have Shula's, etc in Chicago. Definitely intrigued by spending time on Boardwalk, but would we have more fun seeing/spending time at Wilderness?

We will have a car so getting around is not a problem. This will be our last night dinner after an early Beaches and Cream lunch.

Also doing Kona, BOG, Plaza, Via Napoli, Food & Wine, and GFC.

Thanks everyone for your input!!!

Good choice sticking with Cali grill. While I like both flying fish and artist point, have you considered Jiko? It is without question our favorite signature and it beats AP and FF for uniqueness and ambiance any day.

totally forgot to mention that we are splitting our group and trying Sanaa (my mom and DD) and Boma (us and DH parents) at the end of our AK day. kastoney, your review of Jiko makes me think we should split even more and the DH and I should do a date night there!

What about The Boathouse?

Totally intrigued by Boathouse but awaiting more reviews. Also can't seem to score a table for our selected day on Oct. Open Table says none available. Should I try calling directly?

The Aquicars look so incredibly cool!