California Grill...HELP please

[krolyat]

I have just made a reservation for the California Grill and I'm not sure if it was the right thing to do or not I have a few questions. I have looked over the boards at some of the meals and they look delightful so I'm not worried about the food just the

This will essentially be our welcome back to Disney dinner with a time slot that will allow us to see the MK fireworks.

Question:
1. We are on the Basic Dining Plan. This being a signature restaurant it will cost us 4 total table service credits out of our allotment of 10. Do you think this is a good idea or should we just pay out of pocket? (I myself do not eat sushi but my DBF is able to eat sushi as his whole meal.)

2. Do I still have to pay the $20/person if I cancel before 24 hours or is that a no show fee?

Thanks I greatly appreciate any help that the board members can offer.

 

[rockydek]

We love the California Grill.... So for us, it would be worth it.

I would not order the chicken ......as it was the only thing on the menu that was awful.

The best thing is the ambiance!

Have fun!

 

[krolyat]

We love the California Grill.... So for us, it would be worth it.

I would not order the chicken ......as it was the only thing on the menu that was awful.

The best thing is the ambiance!

Have fun!

Thanks, It's funny you say that because that's what I was going to order.

 

[pianoronni37]

Mmmm... the pork was delicious there, and my DH got a filet that was just soo good!

I'd pay OOP for Cali Grill, but would much prefer using the dining plan!! We only had the basic plan when we went for our honeymoon and did ONE signature meal, which was the Cali Grill!

I would actually use the DDP for Cali Grill, and pay OOP for one basic meal during the trip, that's what we did - we got turkey legs one night OOP and used the 2 TS credits for Cali Grill!

 

[catne]

I wouldn't do it again...we ate there on the dining plan last May (2008) The food & service was good, but we just did not think it was worth anywhere near 2 table credits (just our opinion...many people do!)

We had steaks that were just as good at many 1 credit places - including Kona Cafe, The Wave & Le Cellier.

At Cali Grille, you're paying for the "view" too...but when we went, they actually had the blinds closed! And said they would not be opened until "the sun went down" which would have been at least an hour after we left. So our perfect window seat was absolute waste...only view was almose totally obscured by the window coverings.

If you're going for the view-the-fireworks experience, keep in mind that you may not get a window seat...then you're sharing the observation deck with a whole lot of people, so your view may not be too great anyway.

 

[BriarRosie]

I also wanted to add that yes, you most definitely will be charged the no-show fee if you don't cancel within the required time frame.

 

[krolyat]

Thank you all for the responses they are very helpful. Seems as thought the DDP is way to go for this meal.

I'd pay OOP for Cali Grill, but would much prefer using the dining plan!! We only had the basic plan when we went for our honeymoon and did ONE signature meal, which was the Cali Grill!

I would actually use the DDP for Cali Grill, and pay OOP for one basic meal during the trip, that's what we did - we got turkey legs one night OOP and used the 2 TS credits for Cali Grill!

That is a good idea to use the CS for a dinner or pay for a meal that's a bit less expensive OOP. ( we are new to the dining plan and aren't quite used to it's full capabilities )

I also wanted to add that yes, you most definitely will be charged the no-show fee if you don't cancel within the required time frame.

Thanks I was confused earlier because when I asked the CM she said it was regardless of the 24 hour window. But I do not foresee us canceling the reservation but more so being just a cautious concern.

 

[RIPaula]

Here's a suggestion that works for us. One person, in our case DH, uses 2 dining credits. Then we pay OOP for an apetizer for me (Sonoma goat cheese revioli..my favorite thing in the world... a double order is $18...a cheap meal at CG) . There are many wonderful apps and if your husband is the sushi fan this may work for him.

I'd also add that IMO the whole ambience of CG makes it a signature dining experience, not just the view. Excellent attentive wait staff, ... a really special place that feels in-"the World"...yet a world away from the hustle bustle.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I don't know anything about the Dining Plan because we never get it, but as for Cali Grill, this is by far our favorite restaurant in all of WDW. We went there 2 years ago and it was the best experience that we had. The service was outstanding and you could not beat the view. We had a 5:30pm dinner reservation and we were the second table to be seated. After our dinner was over, our waiter told us to keep our receipt and come back for Wishes which we did. After Wishes we stayed around the bar and had a wonderful conversation with both the bartenders. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to have a romantic night out. Sorry this does not answer any of your questions about the dining plan, but I just had to give my 2 cents about Cali Grill.

 

[ScottJoseph]

I agree with Poohsfan. It seems to me there is a lot of angst involving dining plan options when the real goal is to go and have a good time. California Grill is not only one of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World, it's one of the best in Central Florida -- one that many of us locals go to for a special occasion. So, yes, it's probably worth the credits; it's almost always worth the money.
I hope you have a wonderful time.
Scott
ScottJosephOrlando.com

 

[slimplaw]

We ate at CG in Dec. and were very pleased with it. We did use our TS credits for the meal. I had a steak that would have cost $44. I could cut my steak with a fork. It was one of the best steaks I've had. We've had steaks elsewhere at WDW, but none like this. The butternut squash soup was wonderful. We finished before the fireworks, but were told to come back up about 10 minutes before they started and we could watch them on the observation deck.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We love California Grill. We eat there on every trip. On our next trip we are eating there on our first night with a party of 8. We will be on the dining plan.

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We do the dining plan and are doing Cali Grill in 26 days!! YIPPEE!! I think it's worth if for the atmosphere. If you do NOT have a window seat and go out to the observation deck to view fireworks, ask to go out the back. When we've done that there are FAR less people and it's quieter and nicer!

 

[TDC Nala]

If your husband is intending to order the sushi on the basic dining plan, he will have to order it as an entree. The sushi is less expensive than regular entrees. In some cases, the most expensive sushi costs about half as much as a regular entree.

Personally, I like the observation deck for fireworks viewing. Even better that you can take your wine out there with you.

 

[crisi]

I like the CG and we pay OOP for it (we pay OOP for everything - I hate the Dining Plan). But the sushi there was just OK when we had it - it isn't a sushi place. Its a restaurant that serves sushi.

As to the dining plan, I'd look at it carefully and figure out what you get for the 2 DP credits. You may do better paying out of pocket (since sushi isn't an appetizer) or you may do better using two credits and paying out of pocket for one of your less expensive ts meals - or just having counter service one evening. It really depends on what else you are going to do with your credits. When we did use the DDP, we had too many snack credits, too many counter service credits and not enough TS credits for how we ate (which is why I dislike it - it forced me to eat in ways I wouldn't have eaten without the DP)