California Grill - July 4th Special Dinner - Worth it?

[lat]

I just booked this dinner (6-10pm) for July 4th. Including food, entertainment, tax and tips, it is about $500 for 2 adults and 2 kids.

Is this worth it, has anyone done these special dinners at CG?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[lillygator]

what is this?

 

[lat]

It is a special event. It has various food stations, magicians, fortune tellers, balloon animal artists, characters, and wines to go with it. I assume you can watch the special MK firework from the restaurant also. Window seats are done by lottery drawing.

 

[lillygator]

is there info on the net? how much for adults and child 3-9?

 

[lat]

I have not found anything on the net yet. Just booked this with DVC Member Services. I assume you can get the info from Disney Dining. It is $193.78 for adults and $51.23 for kids age 3-9, including tax and tips.

 

[lillygator]

hmmm - is it only for DVC members? I wonder if this is for DDE members as well? ? Wish I could say I've been but I am sure you'll have a great time! CG is awesome!

 

[ElizabethB]

Personally, that seems overpriced to me since it isn't a sit-down dinner but is merely food stations -- cocktail party style. But, what at WDW isn't overpriced!

We've done a few special dinners at California Grill during the Food & Wine Festival. They've been about $125 per person for a private reception followed by a sit-down dinner in the private dining room. They've been very nice. The food should be very good. It just seems pricey for cocktain party style, IMO.

In any event, it should be fun. Enjoy!

 

[Forever42]

hmmm - is it only for DVC members? I wonder if this is for DDE members as well? ? Wish I could say I've been but I am sure you'll have a great time! CG is awesome!

No, it's open to everyone, they've had it for the last few years that I know of. There's usually a basic listing for it on allearsnet on the 4th of July section. FH and I were considering doing it this year, if I get another job again soon we still may. I want to say it includes alcohol as well, but I'm not positive.

 

[majortom]

I just booked this dinner (6-10pm) for July 4th. Including food, entertainment, tax and tips, it is about $500 for 2 adults and 2 kids.

Is this worth it, has anyone done these special dinners at CG?

Thanks in advance!!!

I did one of the dinners in 2000 as a guest of someone from the restaurant. I drank quite a few amazing wines. This was back at California Grill's peak. I am not sure if I had needed to pay for kids I would have done it (there is no way that it is worth it if one does not love great wine). These days, their food is not as good, and their wine cellar is not as good, so I would definitely not spend that much money on it.

/carmi

 

[BCV23]

Although I've not gone to it, I have seen a few reviews of the NYE dinner at CG over the years. It is also served "station" style. Every review I've seen has been very positive including more recent ones.

If you do decide to go, will you do a review?

We're DVC too and I hadn't heard of this year's event yet. Did you learn of it from a mailing or email?

 

[SSSneezy]

We have gone to the NYE party twice and would go again to any special dinner at the CG. We were able to go into the kitchen and pick out our food, talk to the chefs and match our food to the wines that were available. The bar was open and the "good" champagne was flowing!

If you decide to do this, please do a review and let us know what you thought.