California Grill - okay with a toddler?

[Rachel77]

Is California Grill okay to eat at with a 2 year old? We're trying to get all our ADRs ready to go if the day finally comes that we can make them The food sounds wonderful, I just wasn't sure on if it was a family atmosphere or not - although we will be trying for an early supper - around 5:30.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If you think your toddler can sit through a two-hour meal or so without being disruptive, go for it. I would also be prepared to leave, if the toddler did become disruptive out of courtesy for other guests.

 

[Rachel77]

Thanks disneyfav4ever! I wasn't sure how long a meal there normally lasted, and 2 hours might be stretching his tolerance level a bit. I'm trying to plan some early dinners to eliminate some of the waiting times - and choose places where his toddler chatter will 'blend' - LOL! It sounds like this might be a place to save for a trip when we'll be able to have a date night.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

If you think your toddler can sit through a two-hour meal or so without being disruptive, go for it. I would also be prepared to leave, if the toddler did become disruptive out of courtesy for other guests.

If your willing to act preemptively and follow the other poster's advice you'd be okay. I wouldn't reccomend it, but nothing is wrong with it.

I'd like to add that the California Grille is more of a romantic/formal restaurant. (Personally, I'd make it a date night rather than bring the toddler) You know your child best, but you will get looks. And I'll be honest as a young twenty something without kids, if there was a screaming toddler I'd ask to be relocated and probably complain about it. It's definitely not a "family" restaurant.


That said, when I was at the California Grille for a HS graduation celebration, there was a family with two wonderfully behaved little girls that were about 4 and 7. It was late so we were a bit worried about how they'd behave, but they were dolls (may be because they were French and used to eating late). The other family there had a 12 and 14 year old boy who were behaved worse than toddlers.

 

[allshookup]

California Grill is fine for a toddler that is used to going out to dinner. We've been taking our kids out to eat literally since they were born. They are teen & pre-teen now, but they have always known how to behave in a restaurant (i.e. napkin on lap, stay in seat, don't stare at other people, use your indoor voice, etc.) I've had people give us "that look" when we've walked into restaurants & those same people would come over later & compliment our children.

They have goldfish for your 2 y/o to snack on & crayons to color with. It is quite loud in there with a lot of loud conversation going on, so if your child is babbling or giggling, that is just fine. They only thing I would recommend is like the other posters have stated, if your child becomes antsy & starts to cry, be prepared to leave. CG is a nice establishment where the meal is purposely dragged out, but check out a menu before you sit & ask to put your order in right away & maybe skip dessert and you should be out in less than 2 hours.

 

[JoanneNC]

We ate there with our 6 year old and 18mth old sons and they did great. It was the last meal of the trip (we were on the DxDDP plan) so they were obviously eating at table meals a lot. We were concerned and were put to rest when a middle aged couple stopped by the table as they were leaving and complimented the behavior of our boys and even admitted that they were concerned when we were sat by them. Another table overhead the conversation and agreed with the comments being said. A few minutes later a group of 9-10 drinking party was sat by us and they were 10 times louder then everyone that was in the room combined. They were definitely more disruptive.

You and your family have every right to have dinner at this restaurant without being concerned about it affecting another table. V & A has appropriately provided a safe haven for those wishing to have a childfree meal.

Go and enjoy - the food was great.

 

[Rachel77]

Thanks all!

Yep, if he would misbehave (for any restaurant), we would for sure leave. We're on the DDP and most of the places I'm choosing are pretty family friendly - Crystal Palace, Ohana, etc, but DH read the menu for CG and was sold

I think I might tentatively plan it for later in the week, and see how he does with some of the other places first. He's well-behaved, but this will be his 1st trip to Disney, so I'm not really sure what to expect! We'll always have the food court as a backup option!

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

We have ADR's there in March with our 2 boys. They will be 3 and 6. They are pretty well behaved so I am not worried about it. But I also feel like we have just as much right to be there as anyone else. Disney is full of kids and like the PP said, they can go to V&A if they want a child free meal.

Of course if my child was be really disruptive I would get up and take them out. But I would do that at any restaurant.

I say go and enjoy it!!

 

[Pakey]

I've eaten at CG several times and have seen tons of well behaved children dining here. I would think that anybody making reservations for 5:30 would expect that there will be a lot of young families here. We are an adult only group, we go late, but if you are there with your children and they are not screaming or running around my table, I would probably not even notice you.

And like a PP stated, I've had more disruptions from loud adult only parties than I've ever had from toddlers here.

 

[jenjersnap]

I didn't find CG particularly romantic. There were many, many children there (including mine) and it is quite loud (caused by the din of conversation not screaming kids). I think you have a handle on what it takes - distraction, maybe a special new item, and being mentally prepared to take the toddler for a walk.

Our waiter didn't rush us but I know he brought courses more quickly than a date night couple would get them. We were in and out in 90 minutes and that was fine with us. I'd mention to the server that you'd like to pace your dinner a bit faster, if you feel inclined.

GL!

 

[vs1023]

We have a 3 year old and I made an early ADR there as well and hope it'll be ok. She's been out to eat a lot, but you know kids can be unpredicable. I'm bringing the dvd player and headphones just in case :lol:

 

[wlwilliams9]

We ate at the CG last May with our DD (she was 22 months) and had a fantastic time. The meal was great and there were many other children of all ages there. We had a 5:30 ressie and we were back at the MK by 6:45. I say, if you want to eat there, do it, toddler and all! You won't regret it!

 

[my3sons77]

We had dining reservations there back in October. Our boys are 9,8 and 2. They did great! The waiter brought out our 2 year old dinner with our appetizers. He gave them coloring pages and crayons and said don't worry if they get it on the table cloth. It was a long dinner and only towards the very end did my toodler get ansy, but by then it was time to leave so I got up with him while hubby got the check.

If you think your 2 year old can do it, then make the reservation. California Grill is not to be missed. Ask for a window seat (they only seat 4) and that will probably occupy him time a good bit.

HTH

 

[SandrainNC]

We had to remove our youngest son from California Grill few times when we ate there last November. He had been so good at restaurants when I booked the ADRs and then everything went down hill. We keep saying he can't go back there until he is 20! That had to have been the fastest meal eaten at California Grill ever! Our waiter was so nice and sped things along. Even started the desserts early. I kept apologizing and he was like, do you think your child is the first one to do that in here? No, but I was still embarrassed!!! It is noisy in there though and there were a lot of children. So like others have said, if your little one can sit there you will be good! The food is wonderful!

Sandra

 

[Booyakasha]

Disney is obviously very adept at dealing with Children in nicer restaurants like CG. That being said out of all of the signature restaurants you will find the most kids at CG and it is also very loud in the main dining room around fireworks time which may help if your son talks loud.

B.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Your son will probably be right at home there.

I know that parents have every right to take their young kids there but that is totally not what we were expecting. We were eating at 9 pm and there were small children everywhere. It was so noisy. We also thought that there was a dress code but that wasn't the case. People were there in park clothes. I wondered why I had bothered to get dressed up.

We would probably go back because it was the best sushi I've ever had but for those without children looking for a romantic dinner that that menu and restaurant description would imply, look elsewhere.

So, OP, don't hesitate to take your toddler there. Seems like lots of people do.

 

[Frothy]

Completely agree with Mr. & Mrs. Smith. We have been to California Grill twice and each time it was an experience ruined by parents not controlling their kids. I don't blame the kids at all as they get tired but if you're going to go, go early. Just being selfish

 

[thesupersmartguy]

The atmostphere is upscale. Your 2 year old should not have a problem. Might I recomend the Pork Tenderloin?