California Grill experience

[BobaFettFan]

Edit: thank you everyone! The wife decided she'll pass this time. She didn't like the menu and paying premium to lose some of the firework experience and have people crowd around our table doesn't seem as magical.

Thank you all again for your observations and experiences.


California Grill.

My wife said this was the one ADR she wanted. The new menu came out and except for the tomahawk steak, I was just not thrilled. My wife also looked a bit bummed out that it would cost so much and the menu looked so-so.

I have a couple if questions if you all could help me out to decide if I want to get this ADR.


1. You do get a different view of the fireworks I guess. Is the view worth the extra hundred or so dollars to be able to watch from the 15th floor?

2. How hard is it to leave Epcot, get to the viewing area, and then see the show?

3. Is the food better than Steakhouse 71 which is in the same building?

Thank you for your time everyone. I can technically afford this dinner, but I'm at the end of filling up my reservations and the cost is stacking up, so I might prune back a meal or two.

 

[NYCgrrl]

1. The value of the view is a something only you can put a dollar sign on.

2. Not sure I understand your question as the meal and firework viewing is within the confines of the Contemporary. Epcot to the Contemporary is easiest via the monorail. Think it’s about 3 stops.

3. CG is a Signature and by design meant to be better than the TS category. Will they be successful in this new experience? Only time will tell.

Have fun, be safe no matter where you plan to eat.

 

[Eastern]

California Grill.

My wife said this was the one ADR she wanted. The new menu came out and except for the tomahawk steak, I was just not thrilled. My wife also looked a bit bummed out that it would cost so much and the menu looked so-so.

I have a couple if questions if you all could help me out to decide if I want to get this ADR.


1. You do get a different view of the fireworks I guess. Is the view worth the extra hundred or so dollars to be able to watch from the 15th floor?

2. How hard is it to leave Epcot, get to the viewing area, and then see the show?

3. Is the food better than Steakhouse 71 which is in the same building?

Thank you for your time everyone. I can technically afford this dinner, but I'm at the end of filling up my reservations and the cost is stacking up, so I might prune back a meal or two.

The new price of CG is not out of line with other signatures if you got a starter, entree and dessert. If you are unsure, I would book it and wait for reviews to come back. It is usually hard to get ADRs there in the fireworks time zone. You can always eat and come back later for fireworks but that's not as convenient.

 

[MinMou]

2 years ago, you could just go to the lounge for the view. The lounge is no longer listed as a separate restaurant, but the description for the CG says that you can bring a receipt from earlier in the day to the lounge to watch fireworks.
I'm wondering if you can go to CG and just order dessert. Or appetizers and dessert. Since they don't have a prix fixe menu, I think you should be able to go somewhere else for dinner, and still get the view at CG for fireworks.
Another option is to go for lunch at CG, and go back for fireworks.

You also asked about getting from Epcot to the Contemporary. You can get between the 2 by monorail. If there is no crowds, it should take less than 20 minutes, but predicting crowds at WDW is not my forte.

As far as the two restaurants, there was no Steakhouse 71 when I was there last. You might want to start a separate thread under dining for CG vs S71. I know many people would be interested to read that, including me.

 

[Eastern]

2 years ago, you could just go to the lounge for the view. The lounge is no longer listed as a separate restaurant, but the description for the CG says that you can bring a receipt from earlier in the day to the lounge to watch fireworks.
I'm wondering if you can go to CG and just order dessert. Or appetizers and dessert. Since they don't have a prix fixe menu, I think you should be able to go somewhere else for dinner, and still get the view at CG for fireworks.
Another option is to go for lunch at CG, and go back for fireworks.

You also asked about getting from Epcot to the Contemporary. You can get between the 2 by monorail. If there is no crowds, it should take less than 20 minutes, but predicting crowds at WDW is not my forte.

There is no lunch at CG. CG switches to prix fixe menu on Oct 3. I am assuming that you can get individual items in the lounge (or the prix fixe menu) if you are able to get entry to the lounge area, which is limited. We will have to wait for reports.

 

[rangerxenos]

I loved CG both times I ate there (once for dinner, once for Sunday brunch), but am not thrilled with the new limited menu. Hoping that brunch will be back by December, if not I'll probably skip this time.

If you have eaten at CG, you can bring your receipt and come back for the fireworks at night, doesn't matter what time you had your meal. Honestly, I did not like the view of the fireworks from the roof, you can't see the projections on the castle.

 

[gharter]

2 years ago, you could just go to the lounge for the view. The lounge is no longer listed as a separate restaurant, but the description for the CG says that you can bring a receipt from earlier in the day to the lounge to watch fireworks.
I'm wondering if you can go to CG and just order dessert. Or appetizers and dessert. Since they don't have a prix fixe menu, I think you should be able to go somewhere else for dinner, and still get the view at CG for fireworks.
Another option is to go for lunch at CG, and go back for fireworks.

You also asked about getting from Epcot to the Contemporary. You can get between the 2 by monorail. If there is no crowds, it should take less than 20 minutes, but predicting crowds at WDW is not my forte.

As far as the two restaurants, there was no Steakhouse 71 when I was there last. You might want to start a separate thread under dining for CG vs S71. I know many people would be interested to read that, including me.

In the past, you could go to the lounge, if there was room. Unless you were there when it opened, it was full all evening.
As noted above, Oct 3, it switches to a prix fixe so going to the lounge for dessert doesn't appear to be an option after that date.

 

[jimmymc]

1. In my opinion, the best view of the fireworks is always from the hub. Seeing it from other views is cool if I don't have a park ticket, but I would prefer to be in the park. All that said, California Grill is the best fireworks view after being in the park.

2. Not too difficult if you take the monorail. Leave yourself an hour just to be sure you aren't late.

3. Steakhouse 71 hasn't opened yet so nobody knows for sure. But the kitchen is run by the same people from the Wave, which was very good but less fancy than CG.

 

[Eastern]

1. In my opinion, the best view of the fireworks is always from the hub. Seeing it from other views is cool if I don't have a park ticket, but I would prefer to be in the park. All that said, California Grill is the best fireworks view after being in the park.

2. Not too difficult if you take the monorail. Leave yourself an hour just to be sure you aren't late.

3. Steakhouse 71 hasn't opened yet so nobody knows for sure. But the kitchen is run by the same people from the Wave, which was very good but less fancy than CG.

Definitely better viewing in the hub but being able to have a cocktail and not be crowded on the CG outside walkway: priceless.

 

[mkb3]

Watching fireworks from my table at California Grill is my all time favorite Disney World memory.

 

[gharter]

We haven't had a window table in a few years and normally go out on the deck.
The last time we had a window seat, we had people standing all around our table (as well as tables around us) watching the fireworks. Sort of ruined the whole thing. And it wasn't cold or raining outside.

 

[twincruisers]

1. In my opinion, the best view of the fireworks is always from the hub. Seeing it from other views is cool if I don't have a park ticket, but I would prefer to be in the park. All that said, California Grill is the best fireworks view after being in the park.

How about CG vs the Ferrytale fireworks cruise?

 

[keishashadow]

the best view of the fireworks is always from the hub

Beg to differ. There is something to be said for the luxury of not being cheek to cheek in the hub.

Since the member lounge at BLT is still closed, had wanted to get an ADR for CG For upcoming Xmas party night. Not now since the new menu has been announced.

at this point will be doubly happy this Saturday to be at the Poly & at least be able watch from the pool.

 

[Moms]

We are in the minority here but we really think CF is overrated (full disclosure, we live in the Chicago area and, at least pre-COVID, ate at wonderful restaurants regularly). The last time we were there we were seated in one of the yellow booths (near the kitchen and “counter” seats. It was very uncomfortable and “because they were booked solid” they had no other place to seat us.it was a disappointing $200+ meal!

The view of the fireworks is (IMO) not worth the price of the meal. You miss the projections on the castle … which is a significant part of the experience.

 

[jimmymc]

How about CG vs the Ferrytale fireworks cruise?

I've never done the fireworks cruise, so I'm not sure how the view is.

 

[jimmymc]

Beg to differ. There is something to be said for the luxury of not being cheek to cheek in the hub.

Since the member lounge at BLT is still closed, had wanted to get an ADR for CG For upcoming Xmas party night. Not now since the new menu has been announced.

at this point will be doubly happy this Saturday to be at the Poly & at least be able watch from the pool.

I'm personally not bothered by large crowds, but I think the best of both worlds is the dessert party with reserved hub standing room. You're in a prime spot but spaced out from others.

Have fun at the Poly! Top 3 resort for me.

 

[focusondisney]

1. Depends how you prefer to see fireworks. If you like to look up in the sky & see big overhead bursts, this isn’t it. You’ll be looking straight across, seeing them in the sky about a mile away. Pretty, but not awe inspiring IMO.

2. Monorail from Epcot, change at the transportation center to resorts monorail, 4th stop from there ( Poly, GF, MK then CR). The monorail ride from Epcot is about 10 minutes. But you might have to wait 10 minutes for it in the first place. A few minutes to disembark & walk to other line at TTC. Wait a few minutes for next monorail. The trip around to CR could take another 10-20 minutes. Depends on other monorail traffic & crowds loading/ unloading.

3. Steakhouse 71 isn’t open yet, so no reviews yet. But “better” is pretty subjective. My DH & I are basic meat & potatoes people. We don’t like fancy sauces & lots of spices. Everyone’s tastes are different, so you need to pick the menu that appeals to you.

 

[JenBush]

1. I think it’s a lovely view. Worth seeing at least once. Not something I think is a must do every trip though.
2. Not difficult, but be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get from EPCOT to the Contemporary.
3. No one knows, in theory it should be better, but that’s not always the case.

 

[Wendydagny]

2 years ago, you could just go to the lounge for the view. The lounge is no longer listed as a separate restaurant, but the description for the CG says that you can bring a receipt from earlier in the day to the lounge to watch fireworks.
I'm wondering if you can go to CG and just order dessert. Or appetizers and dessert. Since they don't have a prix fixe menu, I think you should be able to go somewhere else for dinner, and still get the view at CG for fireworks.
Another option is to go for lunch at CG, and go back for fireworks.

We ate at CG last week, and sadly we saw a couple turned away from lounge seating because they are currently using that area to seat regular diners to allow for greater distance between tables. They are still allowing bar seating, however.

Also, CG has never served lunch. Their Sunday brunch has not been reinstated since the reopening.