Cali Grill, Narcoossee, or Le Cellier

[AA25]

We are traveling with our extended family in July on a Disney cruise, then 3 nights in DW, (8 adults, and 3 children ages 6, 4, 1). My in-laws said that they would like one "nicer" meal during this trip and had mentioned these 3 restaurants.

We will be staying at the Grand Floridian and have park hopper passes for 3 days- we def want to go to MK and Epcot, unsure about the others but could be swayed. Which one of these would you choose? Is there a different one that we should consider? (I am gluten free if that means anything)

Also... is there any convenient way to get from GF to Sanaa? If it requires 2 forms of transportation (which I think it does), I am probably going to nix it for this trip.

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes, 2 forms of transportation to Sanaa unless you take a cab/uber. Since you are staying at GF then Narcoosees or California Grill would be best. From what I read lately La Cellier can be hit or miss plus needing park admission.

 

[AA25]

Yes, 2 forms of transportation to Sanaa unless you take a cab/uber. Since you are staying at GF then Narcoosees or California Grill would be best. From what I read lately La Cellier can be hit or miss plus needing park admission.

We will be going to Epcot one of the nights... I will add that to my original post

 

[cedricandsophie]

We tried cellier last year after my daughter raved about it. I like a good steak but I found it very overrated and my 50 steak was good but not worth it. Narcoosees is great with really good food options and the view of fireworks is terrific from the porch. The sppetizers there are excellent as is the tuna fish. California Grill is a favorite too. Love the sushi and can't wait for my next Saki martini!

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I enjoy all 3 that you mentioned however, CG is my favorite of those.

We always end our trip with supper at CG & even after dining at lots of great places all week CG still serves the best steak that tops them all.

I had the BLT flatbread for a starter this year too & it was delicious too.

 

[nilla]

Narcoossee's is our favorite restaurant in WDW. Service is great, and the food is amazing. Great view, too.

We never ate at CG, but LC was my favorite before it became a two-credit meal. We ate there last year for the first time since the switch, and while it was really good, it certainly wasn't worth 2 credits, IMO. If it went back to 2 credits, I'd go back in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'd skip it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Since you're staying at GF, i'd pick Narcossee's.

LC is nothing to write home about....CG use to be my fave before the refurbishment.

 

[Shellyb84]

Le Cellier was our favorite meal of our last trip. Best filet I've ever had. Cali Grill was also excellent, just not my favorite. I had the pork two ways and loved my entree, but I felt that the sushi could have been better. Their creme brulee is the best ever. I can't speak to Narcoossees, but am looking forward to trying it in July!

 

[Hopefully]

I would choose Narcoosees. Excellent food terrific service nice view & very convenient

 

[Aurora0427]

Narcoosees. Excellent all around

 

[AA25]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking Cali grill for the view- but with a 1 year old we won't be there during wishes anyway. Maybe we will do narcoossee early since its at our hotel and then head to mk after.

 

[nhasler]

We ate at CG and LC last week. Hands down California Grill. I've always loved LC, but it has really gone downhill.

We are traveling with our extended family in July on a Disney cruise, then 3 nights in DW, (8 adults, and 3 children ages 6, 4, 1). My in-laws said that they would like one "nicer" meal during this trip and had mentioned these 3 restaurants.

We will be staying at the Grand Floridian and have park hopper passes for 3 days- we def want to go to MK and Epcot, unsure about the others but could be swayed. Which one of these would you choose? Is there a different one that we should consider? (I am gluten free if that means anything)

Also... is there any convenient way to get from GF to Sanaa? If it requires 2 forms of transportation (which I think it does), I am probably going to nix it for this trip.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

Since you are staying at GF I would try Narcossee's it's always been a favourite for us, if you seafood! DH loves sushi at CG and love the steak at Le Cellier. They are all good choices IMHO so I would do the most convenient.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We ate at Narcoossee last night and had a marvelous meal, from the appetizer to the dessert.

 

[Dug720]

Yes, 2 forms of transportation to Sanaa unless you take a cab/uber. Since you are staying at GF then Narcoosees or California Grill would be best. From what I read lately La Cellier can be hit or miss plus needing park admission.

If they went directly from a park, why would Sana'a take two forms of transportation?

 

[Pepper pots]

Loved CG, but loathed Le Cellier.. Looking forward to Narcoossee this year..

 

[JZCubed]

We are traveling with our extended family in July on a Disney cruise, then 3 nights in DW, (8 adults, and 3 children ages 6, 4, 1). My in-laws said that they would like one "nicer" meal during this trip and had mentioned these 3 restaurants.

We will be staying at the Grand Floridian and have park hopper passes for 3 days- we def want to go to MK and Epcot, unsure about the others but could be swayed. Which one of these would you choose? Is there a different one that we should consider? (I am gluten free if that means anything)

Also... is there any convenient way to get from GF to Sanaa? If it requires 2 forms of transportation (which I think it does), I am probably going to nix it for this trip.

Resort-to-Resort with Disney transportation is not easy. If time is a factor - Cab it or skip it.

With young children that require strollers, bring umbrella-type that can be folded.

The Monorail is a long ride for the children (depending on experiences of 6 year old). Buses may be even more exhausting for the youngest one.

Gluten-free means contacting Disney before you arrive and someone from the kitchen will likely greet you at your table.

As is often said, "Location, location, location." Narcoossee's is easiest if staying at Grand Floridian. Here or Citrico's would be fine. With your large group, Citrico's may offer additional dining configurations.

CA Grill is pricey, but delivers with best Park view (of Magic Kingdom) of any place at Disney World. Monorail can take time and hassle too if this was a similar concern from GFHotel to Sanaa. CA Grill ambiance can sometimes be too loud for some folks to consider it 'worth the price'. But if there was one place for a 'magical moment' - it's CA Grill. In a nutshell - can be too hit-or-miss for the price. Also, may be too much stimuli for young children, but outdoor terrace also offers a distraction.

Le Cellier - better steak at Shula's.

Sanaa - best themed hotel/resort at Disney. Animals on the Savannah can be viewed from many vantage points throughout, including from inside Sanaa, during daylight hours. Given it's relative proximity to Animal Kingdom (family favorite Park), strategy often includes - Animal Kingdom, Sanaa for lunch, and stopping at Magic Kingdom before going back to Grand Floridian. It's a long day for adults, yet alone children, and that's why some people visit Sanaa (or or favorite restaurants) on non-Park days; others prefer the buffet at Boma....because you can still see animals just by walking around the resort.

 

[Ewoks]

It's a hard choice, considering I've always had good experiences at all three. But I think hands-down I'd go California Grill. There's a ton of hate for CG here on Disboards, which I've always been baffled by. I feel like either my husband and I are the lucky two who always have stellar food there every time, or maybe everyone else is just ordering the wrong things. Either way, they have excellent food and the atmosphere is very nice. If you go in the evening you can see fireworks, but that's totally not necessary.. just an added bonus to top off an awesome meal. If you like steak, I'd highly recommend the bison filet. I order it every time and it's consistently been the best steak I've ever eaten, better even than those I've had at very fine steakhouses that charge more than CG charges. My husband got some amazing wagyu beef last time we were there, too. I also recommend the goat cheese ravioli appetizer.

Narcoossee's is an excellent option, too. I've always been indifferent to lobster, even when it's prepared perfectly, but I really enjoyed the butter poached lobster there with the corn soufflé side dish it comes with. Whoever decided to pair those two together knows what they're doing, cause the favors compliment each other in such a nice way. The view of the water is lovely, too, and if you go in the evening you get a front-row seat to the Electrical Water Pageant.

Le Cellier is good, but it'd be my last choice. I've heard it can be hit-or-miss, but then again, I've had good experiences, and if I'd gone strictly by the opinions on these boards I would've never discovered how wonderful California Grill is. So don't be afraid to try Le Cellier!