Anyone go to Calif Grill with a 2 year old?

[mefordis]

There are some sig restaurants that I want to go to with my 6 year old, 2 year old, and mom.

Has anyone been to Calif Grill, or other restaurant with a 2 year old?

 

[jdisnut]

The only two restaurants on property I can think of that does not cater to children are Victoria & Albert's and Bistro de Paris. You will see lots of families at California Grill, especially early in the night.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We waited to try CG until our kids were older.

The meal is meant to be enjoyed over a few hours. Most toddlers do not have a tolerance for that (nor would I expect them to). When a 2 yo has had enough they let you know it in no uncertain terms I think even expecting the 6 yo to sit in his/her chair for this amount of time can be an unreasonable expectation as well.

You would not be the first or the last to bring a toddler to CG so its not as if you are going to get the evil eye (unless of course you let a tantrum go on or allow the 6 yo to "play" out of his/her seat or otherwise disrupt other diners). That said, I knew I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the experience while having to properly tend to a child in that situation which is why we waited.

Only you know your children & your own situation.

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for the replies! Since I have my mom there if my 2 yr old throws a tantrum she or I can take her out and take turns eating with my 6 year old, who is very well behaved.

 

[brendaziz]

I am taking my 6,4, and 1 yo's this trip to cali grill and i think we'll be just fine. Not even worried about it. Disney is kid friendly. And you sound like you're aware of your kids behavior and i'm the same way. As long as we're reasonable there's very rarely a problem.
Watch now my kids all scream their heads off the whole meal and i have to leav early

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

We took a 2 year old to Chef Mickey's, Akershus, Garden Grill, 'Ohana, Mama Melrose, Le Cellier, and Crystal Palace on our last trip. We had no problems, but she's a very mellow little girl (and she slept through Le Cellier until dessert). Not to mention, she had 4 older cousins and siblings to keep her occupied.

We're still putting off California Grill, not because of the 2 year old (who doesn't generally travel with us) but because of our 10 and 13 year old. Sure, they know how to behave. But the food and atmosphere of CG just doesn't appeal to them. We figure while we're still travelling with our kids, we should take their interests into account as well, at least when we're at Disney World. I would think a 2 year old would be bored senseless at CG.

 

[pennyplanner]

Well-behaved or not, two plus hours for dinner is a long time to ask any youngster to sit for dinner. Given the expense even if you are on a dining plan, I'd want to savor every expensive bite!

We also opted to wait until our boys were older. Even then the entrees were a little upscale for them.

Wishing you a enjoyable dining experience!


--pplanner

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We took our then 9 month old to CG and it was fine.

And DD9 LOVED her filet

 

[mefordis]

Thanks for the responses! Why is the meal so long at CG?

 

[JMD]

We took my son to CG at 9mo and at 2yrs old, and he was fine.

 

[JMD]

Thanks for the responses! Why is the meal so long at CG?

I've eaten at CG 5 or 6 times now, and I've never found it to take very long. I don't think it's ever taken more than an hour or so.

 

[mefordis]

I've eaten at CG 5 or 6 times now, and I've never found it to take very long. I don't think it's ever taken more than an hour or so.

Yeah, I was thinking that they would want a higher turn over since it is a popular restaurant. If everyone stayed for 2-3 hours there wouldn't be as much turn over.

I am hoping none of my meals last longer than an hour!

Thanks for the reply!

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks to OP for posting this question - I appreciate all the responses, and I'm looking forward to more!

We've not been to CG before, but we just switched our ADRs for July, and got 5:35pm at CG. We're taking our two pre-teen boys and our pre-schooler. Our pre-schooler is not always great in restaurants outside WDW, but he does very well with just about any 1-hour Disney meal. We are quick removers - even if his behavior is generally appropriate but his voice level is a little too loud for the environment.

We use TIW, and no dining plan. So we're hoping for good food, a great view, and hopefully not a long dinner because 1) we are not ordering multiple courses - no appetizers, dessert or coffee when we're out with our pre-schooler; and 2) it's early in the evening.

So I think we're OK, but I could be wrong.

One other question: For those who bring kids in the summer, do your boys wear collared shirts?

 

[gillep]

DH and I went to CG in January and saw lots of children there of all ages. DH and I each had an app entree and dessert plus we took time out between our entrees and dessert to watch the fireworks from the observation deck, so our meal took about 2 hours. If you are not watching the fireworks or if you are not getting many courses then it shouldn't take you any longer than any other restaurant. Since it is a signature dining experience they do try to pace your meal really well so that is why if you are getting multiple courses it takes longer as they don't generally want you to feel rushed or have multiple courses on the table at the same time.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

One other question: For those who bring kids in the summer, do your boys wear collared shirts?

Yes. Khaki shorts & a polo shirt would be fine for them.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we went in april a week before ds turned three. hes an incredibly active three yr old. and he honestly behaved better than i expected. our waiter, gary was awesome and even said to us, dont worry if they color on the tablecloth! lol so i guess their used to it. the only downside he was expected to share his meal with us or his sister. he didnt like any of it(very fussy) but gary saved the day with goldfish crackers! we were also there about two hrs, i think he tried to stretch it out for us to catch the fireworks, wasnt going to happen.

 

[pixarmom]

Yes. Khaki shorts & a polo shirt would be fine for them.

Thanks! That's what we'll do!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually as you near fireworks time, there is very LITTLE turnover at CG tables. Everyone is staying put to watch the fireworks. The kitchen is humming and can easily get backed up.
Our meals at CG are generally in the 1 and 1/2 to 2 hour range. Of course we like a slow pace and get drinks, appetizers and dessert along with the meal. I guess you could do it in an hour if you went early and didn't get anything except the actual entree---

 

[jiminyfan]

We take him everywhere as he loves to eat out and always have. I see no problems with this at all. You know your children better than anyone else, can they handle the long time 2 hours possibly sitting in one place.

Do not let others make this decision it is one that your family needs to make together. Some children do fine and others do not. Of course, you can always take them for a short walk outside if they need a break from the sitting. The view is amazing up there.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

We love the signature restaurants. We went to WDW for my DD's first birthday in Jan, and we at at Cal Grill, Narcossee's, Jiko, and Yachtsmen with her. We are going back when she'll be 18 months and will be eating at many of those again as well as some new ones. She actually loves dining out. She is an adventurous eater. (At Cal Grill she reached over and took cooked sushi off my plate and chowed down.) She also likes looking around at the people, etc.

We found all of the waiters to be wonderful. They were very sweet and accommodating to her. We also found that we often were seated near other families with children which I think is great. Many restaurants also have a good place to take a young one if they get antsy. At Cal Grill my DH took her out to the observation deck for a bit while waiting for our entrees. At Jiko I took her out by the pool for a bit. Narcossee's was the best as she loved walking around out on the porch.

I always figure, worse case scenario, I'll have to get it boxed up to eat back at my room. haha