California Grill? kids yeah or nay

[java]

I have never eaten here but have been drooling over photos on the review board.
I have 4 children- generally well behaved and if anyone is acting out of sorts one of us would get up and leave with said little one.
But the ? do people bring kids here or is it along the Blue Zoo line(they will accept children but not really....)

I am hoping it is a go!
Oh and I apologize for adding to all the can I bring kids posts but I really want to know and the search isn't working for me today.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

I'd like to know this too. Have been there once without kids and LOVED it. Would like to take girls 12 and 14 this year. They are very well behaved, but will it look funny?? We'd like to maybe see wishes.

 

[java]

Unfortunately I have a teen, a tween, a preschooler and a toddler. So I think we would look much worse than you would!
I would dress us all up though!

 

[Pakey]

We are an adult only party and we eat at Ca Grill every trip. I think it's one of the more kid friendly signature restaurants on property. The place is noisy to begin with because it's all glass and everything echos. So your children, unless screaming like banshees or romping between tables, will not be noticed by anyone. There are many families eating there with young children. To be polite, you could take a screaming child out of the eating area (us adult diners do appreciate that thoughtfulness) but just average activity of small children will be fine there.

The tables are very close together so you will probably hear your neighbor diners and they will probably hear you. If you are fine with that, I'd say go for it.

Most people, including children, will be dressed up a bit here. Slacks or khaki type pants. They do allow jeans and shorts but not many will be wearing them.

The later you book the meal, the more adult only parties will be there. However, since you can see the MK fireworks from here, there are still several parties with children at 8:00 pm.

I hope you really enjoy your meal there.

 

[flagrandma]

I ate there this past May with dh, dd and gdd. Our granddaugher was almost 5 at that time. We had a 5:30 pm ressie. There were quite a few kids there at the same time. It was not a problem. I agree with the previous poster that the later the ressie it might be more adult's than kids. If I remember correctly the tablecloth was paper and the kids were given crayons to draw with. If it wasn't the tablecloth it was a placemat/menu to draw on. Don't remember exactly. I do remember the kids were all behaving. There was noise from the restaurant so if any kids made noise it wasn't noticable.

I'd go for it if I were you.

 

[TreesyB]

I brought my 7 year old to CA Grill for 1/1 dinner. He loved it. He was a little hungry before the bread arrived, but I was having such a fantastic dinner and we were both so relaxed and happy. He had the Mac and Cheese, which turned out to be Mickey Pasta and Cheese. And for dessert he had the RiceKrispy Sushi!

I think CA Grill is very kid friendly. Down to our waiter who was perfectly attentive to my 7 year old.

I say, go and enjoy!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

My DD is very well behaved especially in restaurants, so I'm planning to take her along in December when we plan to go. I hope they don't ban all kids from all the signatures!

 

[Uncleromulus]

California Grill is very kid friendly--don't even worry about it.

 

[tinkandpan]

Very kid friendly as long as you know your limits. We took our 5 year old there but left his 2 yr old sister with a sitter.

 

[java]

Thanks everyone! Looks like we'll try it early. I was hoping my then 3 year old was old enough for kids club but not(I was actually going to leave the 5 and 10 year old there too) Just to do something special with my oldest. But seems like it will be a family affair.
Fingers crossed.

 

[CamColt]

When I first dined there I expected a quiet romantic restaurant, and was very surprised at just how loud and busy it was. I havent yet, but I would take my kids there.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Is it really expensive? Yes, I know it's Disney.

 

[DreaminDisney]

Bring your kids. We did. There were other kids there too.

 

[3for Me]

Last time we ate there (with our three kids in tow) there were more family groups than not. And I totally agree - it is very loud!

 

[Kae]

Yeah

Kae

 

[bkhibiscus]

We took our then 4 year old on DDP. No one batted an eye. The waitress went out of her way to make the time enjoyable, and they had rice krispies sushi for dessert. At the time our daughter got her own appetizer (full adult size) as well as a large kids meal, so it was hilarious to see a 4 year old with all the food they gave her (ok Mom and Dad helped a little). Everyone made room for her with the fireworks too, so not awkward in the least.

 

[jhk1206]

Absolutely kid friendly - been there several times with the kids. They've got a good kids menu, and it's such a great view it can help to keep the kids occupied.

Have a great time! It's my favorite restaurant - have a flatbread and some ravioli for me!

 

[Golden Rose]

I've been with and without our son, and had a great time both ways. Our two year old loved the food and loved the fireworks. (He does not like fireworks in the open air - the booms scare him, but inside standing near a window was FABULOUS.)

For the person who asked about price, yes, it is expensive. Not V & A expensive, of course, but definitely not cheap. It and Jiko were our two most expensive meals other than V & A last trip. ( Our two year old went with us to Cali Grill and Jiko, but not to V & A.) I think I slightly preferred the food at Cali Grill, but my mom preferred the food at Jiko. (Can't remember which DH preferred - he was very happy at both.)

 

[raidermatt]

It's fine, don't worry about it.

One time when we were there with my then 5 year old son, he was chosen to "start the fireworks". They let him push a button behind the podium somewhere that "sent a message to Tinkerbell" that it was time to begin.

Since this was May it was around 8 or 9pm.

There will probably be more kids around earlier, but they're fine anytime.