Calif. Grill Brunch reservations

[Pdollar88]

How difficult is it to grab a reservation for California Grill brunch for two? I understand that depends on when I'm going (late January), etc. etc.

I just wondered if that needs to be the first reservation I plan on booking. So far, I've not had any difficult getting an ADR I wanted, from Ohana, BOG, Akershus, etc.

 

[gillep]

I booked a reservation for September at my 180 day opening and had a few different times to choose from, however, I was only booking for 2 people and it was the second reservation that I made. I was able to make a reservation just a couple months out for our last trip in April by checking for reservations a couple times a week, and then used the Touring Plans finder to change the time.

 

[rentayenta]

I booked at about 180 days out but saw openings just last week for summer.

 

[bluejasmine]

I booked at about 160 days but only had 1230 times, I took it and just kept looking until I was able to change it to 10 am bc we wanted to spend the day at the pool so wanted to eat earlier.. We will go to MNSSHP that night

 

[jenjersnap]

I booked at 180 for one Sunday in September, decided to switch to the next Sunday about a week later and that date was completely booked. Party of 2.

 

[Brocktoon]

Yes it can be very difficult to get. I recently booked it at my 180+10 for 10/28 which was actually 180+5 for a party of 3. The actual 180 date for off-site guests would be 5/1, just two days ago. For the heck of it I checked today and it looks like 10/28 is already booked solid for party size 2,3,4.

 

[Pdollar88]

I really want to do this, so I think I’ll book this one first when my 180+ days window opens.

None of our other restaurants are as in demand.

 

[eileen2664]

I'm no expert but I booked about 2 weeks ago for mid-August. It took some checking/searching though. I ended up booking for 5 thinking worst case scenario we'd pay the $10 no-show fee (since there's only 4 of us) but immediately after booking I went in and changed the reservation to 4 with no problem.

 

[gillep]

I'm no expert but I booked about 2 weeks ago for mid-August. It took some checking/searching though. I ended up booking for 5 thinking worst case scenario we'd pay the $10 no-show fee (since there's only 4 of us) but immediately after booking I went in and changed the reservation to 4 with no problem.

Just a note for the future, as long as someone shows up to the reservation you will not be charged a no show fee, so if you had kept your reservation for 5 and only 4 showed up that would be fine and would not have cost you the $10.

 

[NYCgrrl]

When I made our forthcoming ADR for CG brunch it was probably about 6 weeks after my reservation window opened. Searched a few times before it came up but yes snagged it. Looks like a worthy expenditure of 2 table credits and I'm really looking forward to the meal.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I wish I had read more reviews about it when I was at 180. We decided a couple of months ago that we’d like to do it, but I haven’t been able to find an ADR.

We are there only one Sunday and I keep checking. I even broke down and activated my TP account.

We need an ADR for 10 on 5/20. Would take it at any time.

 

[mystery222184]

I normally book this 180 days out just in case and haven’t had any issues. It’s not the easiest reservation but certainly not as tough as Ohana for example.

Just to add this is consistently our favorite meal on property- fantastic.

 

[Brocktoon]

I normally book this 180 days out just in case and haven’t had any issues. It’s not the easiest reservation but certainly not as tough as Ohana for example

Yeah, I figure places like Ohana and BOG would be higher priority. I didn't think the Cali Grill Brunch was as difficult to get as it is now. But it gets amazing reviews ... based on those reviews I had to try it this year. The demand may be seasonal, but it's definitely popular. I was told it can book fast during F&W in Sept/Oct as you have a lot of adult only trips with people who are there to eat and spend $$$, and the brunch fits in well with a F&W weekend.

 

[vinotinto]

It's possible that during Free Dining, it may be more difficult to get an ADR, but there should be plenty of reservations. We're going in July (we're just over two months from our ADR) and there are plenty of timeslots left (more than 8 time slots). I booked about 5 months out, just in case, and at that time I had every single 15-minute increment option available.

We're really looking forward to it, but not everyone sees "value" out of $80 eggs and pancakes, even with the mimosas and the buffet (Note: I see the issue of value come up a lot on Disboards and what represents value for one person is not value for the next. With DDP, the 1 TS dinner buffets would represent more "value").

 

[JerseyJanice]

IMO, the “value” of this $80 meal is in the bottomless mimosas. I could easily put down four of those.

My Sunday is all booked. I keep checking with and without my baby nieces in the count. They can stay at the resort with grandpa if I can get an ADR for only 6 instead of 10.

 

[NYCgrrl]

And for my money the value also lies in the steak, lobster, and pork entrees which come with the eggs. Since we are changing our regular practice of eating our largest meal of the day from dinner to early afternoon we'll probably "nosh" around the World Showcase that night.

 

[jsmla]

I was able to book for 5/20 on 4/26 so it pays to keep trying!