California Grill dinner worth Two TS Credits?

[baleeve]

I did the breakdown for 2A and 2C and it looks like based off the menu the total cost of dinner is aprox $180. The other meals I broke down average between $75 and $110.

Is the California Grill worth two credits?

I've never been there so this would be a rare treat.

Must mention we upgraded from free QS to TS for $260

 

[Belle5]

The general consensus seems to be that the signature restaurants are a bad use of your regular DDP dining credits. Many say, however, that financially speaking, Cali Grill may be the one exception to that rule. It can become so pricey that it may not be a bad use of your credits to use them at that restaurant. Other bad uses (financially speaking) would be using even 1 credit at a place like Beaches n Cream or Sci-Fi. These are places that you would be better off paying OOP and using your credits at more expensive locations.

 

[Sugardimples]

Its worth it to me. I don't understand the rationale that you must totally maximize every dollar of the dining plan. I go where I want and order what I want. I think it is well worth it to use two credits at Calfornia Grill (or Flying Fish or Yachtsman's Steak House) and not have to pay a bill at the end of the meal.

A few times we have ordered a couple of appetizers and a salad OOP, shared one entree and one dessert and have a great meal using just 2 drecits for the two of us.

 

[sndral]

I really enjoyed my dinner there 12/1 - there truly is a difference in quality between CG and most 1 ts restaurants. I was able to use a desert credit for the cheese plate appetizer, we ordered it intending to pay OP, but the waiter told us we could order it rather than one of the deserts if we liked. In budgeting keep in mind that your tip @ 2 ts restaurants will be higher than @ less expensive 1 ts.

 

[timandheather]

I did the breakdown for 2A and 2C and it looks like based off the menu the total cost of dinner is aprox $180. The other meals I broke down average between $75 and $110.

Is the California Grill worth two credits?

I've never been there so this would be a rare treat.

Must mention we upgraded from free QS to TS for $260

We did Cali Grill on our last trip and loved it. We thought it was worth the 2CR.

 

[PoohsFan1]

It is so worth the 2 credits (at least in our minds). Cali Grill is one of our must do restaurants. The food, atmosphere, service, and just being able to look out over at MK while dining is worth the 2 credits alone. I say, if you have never gone there, then by all means go and try it

 

[luvdisney00]

We did Cali Grill on our last trip and we loved it. It was our anniversary and wanted to go somewhere really nice to celebrate, and they made it a beautiful celebration. They gave us a great table overlooking Bay Lake, decorated the table with Mickey confetti, gave us complimentay Anniversary champagne and decorated our desserts wth "Happy Anniversary" plaques made of chocolate. The food was very good, even my kids enjoyed their meal very much and the place was beautiful. We also loved going out on the deck to see the fireworks over the castle. I don't know if we'll do it again this year, but it's something that you really want to try at least once. I thought it was worth the 2 credits.

 

[Tauwillow]

We adore Cali Grill and look forward to getting the deluxe dining plan again, just so we can go to signature restaurants!

Cali Grill and Jiko are two of our absolute favorites.

 

[ElizabethB]

Based on our recent experience, it has declined in quality. Our $20 cheese plate was not very fresh and tasted like it had been plated hours before. When we ordered one 2-3 years ago, the chef brought it out with great aplomb and obvious pride -- and it was amazing. Not any more.

The wines by the glass had been in bottles that had been opened far too long. We gave up and ordered a bottle instead. We were disappointed overall. In the past we've always enjoyed it.

We think CG's decline has been particularly precipitous with the DDP, probably because many people elect to spend their TS credits there due to the fireworks. Jiko has held up much better, IMO, although its desserts are a shadow of the desserts Jiko used to offer (again, no doubt due to DDP and the fact that everybody gets a dessert and orders it.)

We no longer think it is worth dining at CG OOP with the TiW discount. As for DDP credits, we don't use DDP, so don't have an opinion on that.

I guess if you're really keen on seeing the fireworks from there, it may be worth it. Not for us.

 

[Rumpus]

Based on our recent experience, it has declined in quality. Our $20 cheese plate was not very fresh and tasted like it had been plated hours before. When we ordered one 2-3 years ago, the chef brought it out with great aplomb and obvious pride -- and it was amazing. Not any more.

The wines by the glass had been in bottles that had been opened far too long. We gave up and ordered a bottle instead. We were disappointed overall. In the past we've always enjoyed it.

We think CG's decline has been particularly precipitous with the DDP, probably because many people elect to spend their TS credits there due to the fireworks. Jiko has held up much better, IMO, although its desserts are a shadow of the desserts Jiko used to offer (again, no doubt due to DDP and the fact that everybody gets a dessert and orders it.)

We no longer think it is worth dining at CG OOP with the TiW discount. As for DDP credits, we don't use DDP, so don't have an opinion on that.

I guess if you're really keen on seeing the fireworks from there, it may be worth it. Not for us.

I have noticed a decline as well, but I have to say, that the best fireworks show we had was during a prolonged, severe lightening storm. We were by the window and there were lightening bolts striking low and all around WDW. I had never seen anything like that in my life and that alone was worth the price of admission. Unfortunately, it would be hard to make such a reservation.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

As far as financially, maybe not the best use of credits, but we still do it every trip (except one). The frugal me (ie: cheapskate ) doesn't like to use 2 credits, but the foodie in me LOVES it! And hubby loves it and that's his one MUST DO every trip, so we do it and we love it! The filet is to die for, the desserts-YUM! And the atmosphere can't be beat!! DO IT!! Esp since you only had to pay for the upgrade! That makes it WELL worth it!!!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We had a view of the castle from our table at California Grill last week. The mussels appetizer was great.... and my main dish was Pacific Monchong (deep sea Hawaiian fish) that was awesome and interesting!

We do the deluxe plan so appetizers are included.... California Grill was more than twice the cost of the average of our 1 credit meals. So, worth 2 credits? Sure. But given you could have 2 meals somewhere else, then not worth it. But on the deluxe plan, we do several signature restaurants to use up credits. If not on deluxe, I'd probably choose a 1 credit restaurant.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I dont think so...we ate there last month and were not impressed at all...now if you were talking Citricos or Flying Fish I would tell you yes it is totally worth it.

Go to the Wave for a 1 credit meal...it is phenomenal!

 

[purpliequeen]

IMHO, YES! We love CG and have eaten there (and will continue to eat there) many times. It's worth the "signature" experience. (Had to add this note: It's worth 2 credits to eat at the CG as long as your fellow patrons are respectful. Loud/obnoxious children are especially hard to stand in this restaurant b/c it's noisy with the glass windows everywhere and the fireworks sometimes cause children to run up to the window and press themselves in-between your seat and the glass). Usually CMs step in with these issues, but I just wanted to bring the OP's attention to this, as it's different from other signature restaurants, as it seems that there are more children in this signature than others we've dined at (Jiko, Narcoosee's, etc.)

 

[Pakey]

If you are not going for sushi, then no, I don't think it's worth it. There are better 2TS restaurants. but I don't think the signatures are a good value on the dining plan.