California Grill Review

[pennyplanner]

I wore khakis and made the kids wear collared polo shirts. We rode up in the elevator with people who looked like they were going to clean their garage. Anything goes!

Neat and tidy does it for me.

We did not see a huge of amount of kids and no infants the night we were there but the restaurant was so large, I really couldn't tell.

Prices are commensurate with the quality of food. I wouldn't want to spend that much and not totally relax. I didn't find it too noisy but it definintely is not what I would call an intimate setting. It does have a sophitiscated feel to it. I think our exceptional waitress had something to do with making all of us feel really comfortable.

Enjoy!

--penny

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks for the great review. We ate at CG in Sept. & Dec. last year and loved it both times. The food is so good and fresh.

 

[jmsvss]

I am so excited...after going to Disney for about 30 years this will be our first time at the Cal. grill! We are staying at the CR for a class DH is taking, and thought what a great time to finally try it! Was a bit unsure of the menu, but sounds like it ought to be fun!

Hi disgal! We are also staying at CR for a class DH is taking and have our first ever ADRs at Cal Grill. When are you going?

Thanks for the review! It makes the anticipation even greater. I'm already pouring over the menus.

 

[CarolynK]

I wore khakis and made the kids wear collared polo shirts. We rode up in the elevator with people who looked like they were going to clean their garage. Anything goes!

--penny

I have seen people go to nicer WDW restaurants wearing a coverup over a bathing suit, as a dress!
Thanks for the info. We are each taking a nice shirt to wear with jeans, even the kids.

 

[isyne4u]

UrsalasShadow and Pennyplanner...thanks for the responses. I thought about taking my oldest to the Poly for their kid club, but I have to find out if you have to be staying there to do it. We are staying at the CBR. I don't have any other place to put the 2 year old. hmm...I'll have to see what I can do.

It sounds like a good place.

tara

 

[Nancyg56]

I enjoyed your review of CG. I also enjoyed every bite of my meal as well as the excellent service. We did take our 4 year old dgd, and she was fine. The server brought paper and crayons over to her, and she colored away. This was the one place that we paid OOP for her, as she was not hungry that evening, and the 2 TS credits was had to give up if she would not eat. I think that kids are fine there if you are fine taking them. I did read earlier that one poster saw two little ones dressed in Disney jammies one evening when the family enjoyed a late dinner. She said they were so cute.

 

[pennyplanner]

Kids in pajamas for a late dinner at California Grill. That one has me shaking my head in wonder.

--penny

 

[BlueFairy]

And there have alway kids aplenty (including infants and preschoolers) at CG every time we've dined there.

Can you comment on your experience with infants there in particular? I've read your posts before and I think your opinion would be useful. Planning whether or not to take DD (10 mos).

 

[pennyplanner]

Bump for Blue Fairy!

Calling Uncleromulus...

--penny

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--since CG is a pretty noisy place anyway, any "kid noise" tends to get blended in with the rest. And the staff is fine with kids--well used to them. The only drawback to taking a child (infant) is the possible length of the meal. Since CG is crowded most of the time, dinner can take a little while--ours easily take 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours.
So I guess it boils down to how YOUR children will behave and adjust to such a dinner. But if the question is CAN you take them, the answer is certainly yes.
And last trip there we were in that Wine Room--where there was a "family" gathering and about 6 children at the table right next to us!!

 

[BlueFairy]

Thanks. That puts me at ease about the response of most other guests. Now I just have to decide if it's worth it to go with her. You make a great point about the time factor. That would definitely affect our enjoyment.

 

[NewYawker]

I always felt that Calif Grill was one of those few WDW restaurants where people with young children should really take a good look at their situation before dining there. Yes, you may feel you dont want to spoil your own experience in such a nice rerstaurant by tending to your kids. How do you think the childless couple next to you who are trying to enjoy a romantic meal will feel? Sorry if I step on anyones toes here, but I strongly feel that people should be considerate when choosing their restaurant.

 

[pennyplanner]

As long as there are no restrictions on children dining at the California Grill, it is up to the discretion of the parents to bring them along or not. Any restaurant at WDW is fair game except Victoria and Albert's.

Everyone has a different idea of what is acceptable or "right" for his or her family so it's a fair game kind of situation.

Right for my family when we had young children? No. I would not have been able to enjoy a leisurely dinner there. No matter how well behaved my boys were in a restaurant, it would have been too much to ask of them.

It's up to the individual and goodness knows, now that my kids are older, I don't have to worry about them getting antsy.

--penny