California Grill - Concern

[TDC Nala]

I still enjoy California Grill but there's no way I am going to book there within 2 hours of Wishes.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've eaten at CG twice now. Both times during Wishes. Both times we were seated fairly quickly.

Sept. 05 was pretty good. We were there for my DM's actual birthday. CG did nothing special for her day, even though I mentioned it to everyone I spoke to. Our waiter was not particularly good, maybe a little aloof? Also, that evening, the windows of the restaurant were completely covered in condensation so you had to go on the deck to see fireworks. There were lots of little flying things flying around the lights-didn't bite but were annoying!

Last year, Sept 06, was better. I scheduled our ADR based on that days sunset, and it worked out really well. The sun was just setting as we got upstairs. We had Mickey confetti on our table for DD birthday, window seat, and a great waiter (Billy). I don't know if it mattered but I did mention our last experience with CG with the concierge at our resort and asked if he could call and ask for something special this time (maybe a little confetti?) That may have made the difference. Our waiter couldn't have been any better, and, he compd, my DD meal, for her birthday (she only had the pizza and cake).

The restaurant was very noisy. The lights were not dimmed for Wishes, and due to the noise level, it was hard to hear the music. However, the food was excellent and we had a wonderful meal. If you're not going for Wishes, then I think you'd do fine.

However, our best meal was at Narcoossee's with the added benefit of seeing Wishes, with lights dimmed, and music piped in. I think the view of Wishes was much better than CG too!

We will return to Narcoossee's this Sept. but we will most likely skip CG (along with LC) I would like to try Citricos or maybe Artist's Point this time.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I have the same question as Sotolaf--the new check-in policy was supposed to prevent a lot of the mayhem upstairs. Of course, they still haven't found a good way to keep folks from "lingering" for hours, but at least you weren't supposed to even be allowed upstairs unless a table (or bar seat) was actually available.

 

[jakenjess]

We've had dinner at CG twice, both times Wishes took place during our meal. Both visits we were seated promptly at our ADR time and had wonderful service and excellent food. It's not the quietest place, but I didn't find it particularly noisy, either. Our party of six was able to easily have a conversation without raising our voices. Maybe our good luck was due to being there during a slower time of year, once in late August and this last visit was just a couple weeks ago. We'd definitely go again.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

I just posted a rant not too long ago about CG...less than a month ago we went.

It was an awful experience:
Seated like 45 mins after our reservations
CMs were rude
It was crowded and we had to wait in the hall by the elevators
The bar was so crowded that we could not even get a drink while waiting
The bartenders were arguing and ignoring people trying to get drinks
After being seated we waited another 20 mins for a server

Overall it was an awful experience and we wont go back. Even though the food was amazing!! The mess of the restaurant, seating etc is just not worth it.

 

[BensMom]

I just posted a rant not too long ago about CG...less than a month ago we went.

It was an awful experience:
Seated like 45 mins after our reservations
CMs were rude
It was crowded and we had to wait in the hall by the elevators
The bar was so crowded that we could not even get a drink while waiting
The bartenders were arguing and ignoring people trying to get drinks
After being seated we waited another 20 mins for a server

Overall it was an awful experience and we wont go back. Even though the food was amazing!! The mess of the restaurant, seating etc is just not worth it.

You know what they say, "The better the view, the worse the service"! I believe they have become a bit more strict as far as who they allow access. Perhaps this will cut down on the crowd at the bar and lounge. You just can't beat the view, especially during Wishes or the P&P event. If I were to choose a restaurant for the food, I would be at Le Cellier, FF and Jiko. As far as service at these establishments, Don, the manager at Le Cellier, is top-notch, Bob at the Flying Fish brings service to an artform, and Karim at Jiko is outstanding.

Give CG a try again, you may change your mind and hopefully for the better.

 

[BensMom]

I have the same question as Sotolaf--the new check-in policy was supposed to prevent a lot of the mayhem upstairs. Of course, they still haven't found a good way to keep folks from "lingering" for hours, but at least you weren't supposed to even be allowed upstairs unless a table (or bar seat) was actually available.

What is the new check-in policy?

 

[snowbunny]

3 years ago, we waited almost 45 minutes beyond our PS. The restaurant was extremely hectic at the time and the waiting area was very crowded.....

Has this changed any?

No it hasn't, as of three months ago. And they do let you upstairs even though your table is not ready - we were told right at checkin downstairs that even though our ADR was in 5 minutes, it was going to be a bit of a wait upstairs for our table. Which turned out to be almost an hour. "Mayhem" is the word I would use to describe the scene outside the elevators and in the bar upstairs.

 

[MushyMushy]

I've been wondering if all of the crowds and noise are centered around the Wishes times? I've got a 6:10 reservation and Wishes isn't until 9:30 that night. I was hoping to be able to get in and eat a nice dinner without worrying about all of the fireworks hoopla.

Maybe it's best not to try for fireworks during dinner and instead just go for the food? Has anyone tried this?

Both times we've gone there, it's been between 5:30 and 6. Wonderful! We were seated promptly and had a nice leisurely (not to mention delicious) dinner, and then went out to take pictures on the lookout. We were really never interested in seeing fireworks from there.

 

[curiouser]

Cali Grill is my choice for my birthday dinner for our upcoming trip. I've really wanted to try there for a long time now. Our ADRs are for 7:20ish, on a Grad Nite at MK with no fireworks. Will it still be chaotic? Are people pretty much agreed that the chaos surrounds Wishes viewing?

 

[sajetto]

I noticed that no one has mentioned it, so I guess it doesn't bother anyone, but there is a dress code at CG that very FEW follow. While we were there I was wearing a nice, but not to over the top dress and my husband wore kakhis and a dress shirt. Almost no one other than us were wearing what would be considered "dress casual"

 

[BensMom]

Cali Grill is my choice for my birthday dinner for our upcoming trip. I've really wanted to try there for a long time now. Our ADRs are for 7:20ish, on a Grad Nite at MK with no fireworks. Will it still be chaotic? Are people pretty much agreed that the chaos surrounds Wishes viewing?

In one word, no. I am not in agreement. We eat there probably six times a year, and I have rarely thought it was chaotic.

 

[BensMom]

Most all "Signature Dining" restaurants are what Disney calls DCBC...which stands for "Dress Code Business Casual." Disney is not in the business of turning away guests unless they are way off base.

It just reminds me of the last time we at at The Plaza Restaurant at MK. We sat next to four people, I have no idea where they were from, but classless. One of the guys was wearing a Hustler longsleeve teeshirt with naked woman silhouettes running up and down them. No CM said a word! My son kept staring at the shirt. I was po'd, to say the least. But getting back to the biz casual, I have even worn jeans and a blouse, and no one has ever said anything to me.