Am I the only one who doesn't like Cali Grill?

[gillep]

We have been twice, and although I have enjoyed the service and atmosphere (we have always been in the quieter smaller side room, which we like, as the main dining room seems very loud) I do not like the food at all. DH has enjoyed the sushi, but we have never enjoyed the other foods, as I personally have always found the food to be incredibly salty, and just not enjoyable as a result. I have also been underwhelmed by the desserts, not bad, just not that good either.

 

[CaliTex]

We were there on our honeymoon, and I can say I was very unimpressed. The service was ok, the food was fine(ish), but the hostesses and their little crew of 'Sex and the City' wannabe buddies, slurping up cocktails and playing dress-up in mommy's heels were a real negative, for sure. It was backing up the tables, and it's pretty clear they were being comped by their little friends at the back and front of the house. It might have been amusing if it were not for the $$$$ we were paying.

I would not go back.

It's a shame, but Disney really needs to up their game-- or get out of the hospitality business. Sheesh. Stop pretending you care. Decide who you are, Disney. What is your brand?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I go, a lot. I sit at the bar or the lounge tables, no ADR. I don't order entrees (I like sushi and flatbreads). I'm not a dessert person but I can ask for some ice cream if that's all I want. and the drinks are awesome. So no, it doesn't disappoint me, but I don't approach it like most guests do.

 

[OhThePain]

My thoughts on CG are that it's... fine.

The service is fine. We have had both good and very poor service there.

The sushi is fine. Edible but nothing to write home about and not worth the price tag it comes with (can get much better elsewhere for less, both home and at WDW).

The entrees are fine. Food is always prepared well and I find the menu to be disappointing, especially for what they charge.

The desserts are fine. Last time (it's been a while) we had bacon ice cream with apple bread pudding, where the ice cream was awesome but the bread pudding was not too good.

The view is fine. Getting a table by the window is great, but most seats are not by the window. I would also rather watch Wishes from MSUSA.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm getting married at WDW on my next trip and I've got California Grill as our evening meal (also on DDP)

I've heard so great things about it but for me, I need it to be perfect

Oh dear, this is problematic, IMO. CG is not that romantic restaurant many envision. It is a large space with a lovely panoramic view and is populated by families. I have not been since the refurb, but even then when it was known for its high quality food, it was not known for the total dining experience. If you want an experience that is perfect in Disney, you need to book V&A. I am not being snippy, I am being realistic. A lot of families book CG, bring the kids, keep them up late for Wishes, and the kids are tired.

Victims again of their own success?

I think perhaps. I have said that 'Ohana is as well.

 

[Hopefully]

We were there on our honeymoon, and I can say I was very unimpressed. The service was ok, the food was fine(ish), but the hostesses and their little crew of 'Sex and the City' wannabe buddies, slurping up cocktails and playing dress-up in mommy's heels were a real negative, for sure. It was backing up the tables, and it's pretty clear they were being comped by their little friends at the back and front of the house. It might have been amusing if it were not for the $$$$ we were paying.

I would not go back.

It's a shame, but Disney really needs to up their game-- or get out of the hospitality business. Sheesh. Stop pretending you care. Decide who you are, Disney. What is your brand?

Someone having a bad night? Pretty sarcastic

 

[Lisa F]

There isn't a Disney restaurant on property that doesn't have at least someone who is not a fan... whether it is the occasional off night by a server or off night in the kitchen... it happens. And when you are going once on a vacation and spending the disney premium to be there, you're not likely to give it another chance like you might a more reasonably priced neighborhood restaurant.

 

[Lisa F]

Oh dear, this is problematic, IMO. CG is not that romantic restaurant many envision. It is a large space with a lovely panoramic view and is populated by families. I have not been since the refurb, but even then when it was known for its high quality food, it was not known for the total dining experience. If you want an experience that is perfect in Disney, you need to book V&A. I am not being snippy, I am being realistic. A lot of families book CG, bring the kids, keep them up late for Wishes, and the kids are tired.


I think perhaps. I have said that 'Ohana is as well.

I agree with this. It is my top choice of a signature to dine with my kiddo - he was 6 in 2014 and will be 8 on our next trip. The view is enthralling but I like to take him right at opening time of 5pm because it is not crowded yet and service is more efficient before they get bogged down by full tables. It's not a romantic dinner and while I might not mind sitting for a while with an adult, with a kiddo pace matters. This worked out great for us. The place also was not the zoo it is later in the evening.

Also know that if you dine at ANY time you are welcome to go back up to view the fireworks from the observation deck. You could make an evening of a nice earlier dinner at CA Grill, then monorail resort hop to enjoy drinks and come back for fireworks.

 

[crabbygal902]

I love it, but I understand what you are saying about atmosphere. On our last visit, we went about an hour before closing time to get a quick drink and appetizer in the lounge. There were tired kids everywhere, 2 who were playing keep away with an oversized character balloon right beside our table until I used my teacher voice and asked them to stop. I love kids, but I was so surprised to see so many up and running around without apparent supervision in a signature restaurant at a late hour. Next time, we will sit at the bar where kids aren't allowed.

 

[L&Lfan]

Having a signature meal affected by unruly kids and inattentive parents seems to be becoming the rule rather than the exception at WDW these days. I speak from what I hear and our own recent experiences.

 

[Nancyg56]

Having a signature meal affected by unruly kids and inattentive parents seems to be becoming the rule rather than the exception at WDW these days. I speak from what I've hear and our own recent experiences.

WE have been fortunate and our signature meals have been enjoyable, but if I was planning a wedding dinner and wanted it to be perfect, I would move the meal from CG to Narcoosses or Citricos. Still a chance for issues, but I believe that they are reduced.

 

[Nancyg56]

I love it, but I understand what you are saying about atmosphere. On our last visit, we went about an hour before closing time to get a quick drink and appetizer in the lounge. There were tired kids everywhere, 2 who were playing keep away with an oversized character balloon right beside our table until I used my teacher voice and asked them to stop. I love kids, but I was so surprised to see so many up and running around without apparent supervision in a signature restaurant at a late hour. Next time, we will sit at the bar where kids aren't allowed.

This happened to us in 'Ohana last August. It was the worst meal. WE sat next to a table filled with hooligans, 6 of them! And totally disengaged parents. Our poor server hid most of the night, and I did not blame her.

I think that management needs to take a stand because some of these "family" restaurants are out of control!

 

[Lee Matthews]

Oh dear, this is problematic, IMO. CG is not that romantic restaurant many envision. It is a large space with a lovely panoramic view and is populated by families. I have not been since the refurb, but even then when it was known for its high quality food, it was not known for the total dining experience. If you want an experience that is perfect in Disney, you need to book V&A. I am not being snippy, I am being realistic. A lot of families book CG, bring the kids, keep them up late for Wishes, and the kids are tired.


I think perhaps. I have said that 'Ohana is as well.

I really don't like the look of the menu of Victoria and Alberts.

If CG is that bad then where else is an option?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

CG isn't bad. It just will not be a quiet romantic evening, if that is what you are expecting. It might be a little less hectic to be seated in the wine room, but then you don't get the MK view.

You won't find a place with no kids, but maybe Citricos or Narcoosees?

 

[Minnesota!]

Not a fan either. Been there twice and both were a bust in different ways. The first time, I had a horrible MSG reaction to something in the appetizer and was unable to enjoy the rest of the meal. The second visit, we were seated behind someone wearing flashing/strobing Minnie-Ears which gave DP a major headache and the extreme distraction made it hard to enjoy the meal. I ask the other guest politely to turn the off because they were bothering us, and that only lasted about three minutes. After than, we asked our server and the manager several time for help to get them turned off, but no one was willing to ask the other guest to turn them off. The manager actually got very defensive and rude with us.

Either way, we might go back for cocktails, but never again for dinner.

I would have spazzed at the lights. I am not someone who gets angry at little things, most everything I can let roll off my back. However, flashing lights make me throw up in a very short amount of time. Even driving behind a garbage truck makes me sick, quickly. I would have had to be moved, or them to be talked to. Sorry that happened to you..

I'm getting married at WDW on my next trip and I've got California Grill as our evening meal (also on DDP)

I've heard so great things about it but for me, I need it to be perfect

Quick advice - don't expect perfection on your wedding day. Just sets up disappointment and hard feelings. Roll with whatever comes your way. Seriously. The wedding day is so small and inconsequential compared to what looms in front of you. Just enjoy it and if there are any snags...just laugh it off

 

[crabbygal902]

I really don't like the look of the menu of Victoria and Alberts.

If CG is that bad then where else is an option?

I still love CG! We have learned to arrive early when the place is practically empty and very quiet. We don't make dinner reservations, preferring to sit in the lounge and order apps and drinks.

f you arrive earlier in the evening, you may be able to see the sun setting during your meal (which is fantastic) and then come back for fireworks later on the outside viewing area. If you show your receipt, you will be allowed to come back later for this. My favorite part of this is that you are allowed to take your wine glass with you out on the observation deck. Wine and Wishes!

 

[goofy4prez]

I like CG as a whole but here are my impressions when broken down.

• View: Spectacular
• Atmosphere: Very loud
• Service: Perhaps the most inconsistent of any signature I have been to.
• Appetizers: OK... Just don't wow me all that much.
• Sushi: Excellent
• Entrees: Very Good... I love the Bison Strip-loin, swordfish, filet of beef and the Ahi Tuna.
• Desserts: Pathetic... Just my opinion... I can't get excited about Fritters, Sunday Sampler or a Breakfast for Dessert (cinnamon roll with ice cream) I expect more from a signature restaurant than this. I no longer order desserts from here.

 

[fauntleroy1953]

We ate there once,during Wishes. We chose to keep eating and not go outside to see the fireworks. There were less people in the room,and, thus,much quieter. The food was fine. Our server was wonderful. But it took forever to get apps and even longer to get entrees. We really don't mind waiting for our food,but there is a limit........
It was okay,but there are so many better places to eat.

 

[kiford]

We've done Cali Grill the last two times we've gone and had good food, service and drink. DH did eat the sushi and enjoyed it but I can't eat seafood. I had the goat cheese ravioli appetizer (delicious) and the flatbread. We didn't see any children behaving badly, but even if I did, I put that down to the parents, not the restaurant and that can happen anywhere. It's very difficult for wait staff to discipline children if the parents won't so I wouldn't ever hold it against the restaurant or wait staff. Both times we were there before going to MVMCP so we were't there for the fireworks. We had early dining times (early for me) - about 5:30-6:00 and lingered for a while over drinks both before the meal and during dessert. Had very attentive and friendly service. We'll definitely put it on our list for next visit.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

We love Narcoossee's, loved Artist Point, but Cali Grill didn't do it for us.

Don't get me wrong, it was an outstanding meal. It was perfectly timed (with the fireworks), our server was great and the view was outstanding. We were seated in the back room, overlooking the Bay Lake. It was definitely nice and something every Disney fan should experience once, but when it comes to 2-credit restaurants, we prefer Artist Point or Narcoossee's. Just seemed like better food, offerings and better value for the price. Of course, now that Narcoossee's took the surf & turf off the meal plan, Cali Grill probably moves up in the rankings.

I'd recommend it, but OOP.