California Grill & The Dining Plan?

[CathrynRose]

Can anyone tell me how California Grill "works" with the dining plan?

It's a 2 credit meal - so I'm curious if it's more than just an entree? Would I be better off just saving those 2 credits and paying out of pocket?

I'm really excited about eating here. I haven't been here since it was.... that other place.... what was it called???

I thought it would be a wonderful treat if we could plan it around fireworks too. Any suggestions on that, would be appreciated too!

Thanks!

 

[rentayenta]

Now that the app is not included in the DDP it might be better to pay OOP but when we were there, and on the DDP, our server suggested we share. As far as the fireworks, try to schedule your meal for 90 minutes prior to the fireworks. That will give you plenty of time to dine and enjoy dessert. If you are a faster diner then maybe 60 minutes before.

 

[Stitch_Is_King]

If you are on the deluxe dining plan, your app is included on the plan. If you are on the regular dining plan, then the app is not included. We are doing Cali Grill for the 1st time on this trip and can not wait to try it.

 

[CathrynRose]

Now that the app is not included in the DDP it might be better to pay OOP but when we were there, and on the DDP, our server suggested we share. As far as the fireworks, try to schedule your meal for 90 minutes prior to the fireworks. That will give you plenty of time to dine and enjoy dessert. If you are a faster diner then maybe 60 minutes before.

OKay - thank you!

 

[uncleleo]

We ate at CG last Sunday (April 5) and the meal lasted more than 2 hours. Our server, Ron, was very conscientious about pacing the meal, but the kitchen was rather slow with dessert (we saw Ron arguing with the dessert chef) so we had to get up in the middle of eating dessert to watch Wishes.

I would recommend that you not see Wishes in the park first because that would diminish the experience of seeing it at CG.

 

[wilde_oscar]

deluxe makes sense for two credit meals, the standard does not

 

[cascivic]

here's how i worked it last year on free dining and it seems to work well

the first day your at disney you usually have a lot of energy and also depending on when you get to the hotel you usually are ready to go to a park that night. so we just used a counter service for dinner the first night then when we did narcooses on night #2 we had the extra ts credit to combine for the signature restaurant. Then we ordered 1 app and payed out of pocket for it

 

[Piglet843]

It's a 2 credit meal - so I'm curious if it's more than just an entree? Would I be better off just saving those 2 credits and paying out of pocket?

My 2 cents...
If you are on the Free Dining deal - then ignore this...

The Dining plan costs you $39.99 a person per day.

You get 1 Snack - 1 Counter service - and 1 Table service per day per person for that $39.99.

1 Snack is anywhere from $2-4.
1 Counter service (food & a dessert) is $10-12
That leaves about $25-28 for your Table Service Meal. (for 1 person)

California Grill is gonna take 2 Table Services per person away from you - or $50-56 of the money you've already paid.

Will you - by your self - order an entree, a dessert, and a non - alcoholic beverage that will equal $50-56 (or more to be saving money with the plan)?

You can if you get the most expensive items on the menu - like the $41 Beef Filet. Then $10 for Dessert - $3 for your coke and ~ $4 for tax. Thats about $58 total.

But - If you plan to get one of the sushi entree's ($18-24) - then you're not gonna spend your $50-56 (that you've already paid)

So it depends on what you are going to order.
Look at the menu - and decide if your family will get your money's worth.
Remember though -the kids pay a lot less for their dining plan.
Some say that will make it worth it - even if the adults meals aren't.

Like I said - just my 2 cents... or Food For Thought

 

[brocklesnar69]

Anyone know if you can go up to the California Grill just to watch Wishes and the other fireworks? Or do you have to eat something to be up there?

 

[Lynne M]

Anyone know if you can go up to the California Grill just to watch Wishes and the other fireworks? Or do you have to eat something to be up there?

Yes, you do have to be dining at CG to get to that floor. The check-in desk for CG is on one of the lower floors; once your reservation is confirmed, you're allowed to enter the special elevator for CG.

They used to allow anyone up to the CG floor, but it was overrun by people just wanting to see fireworks, ruining the experience for people who were paying $$$$ to dine there.

 

[SLM]

Don't forget to allow enough time to sit in the bar area with a drink-the view is spectacular!

 

[MickeysMommy]

This is our first visit to Cali Grill as well - I am hoping to get a ressie for my mother's birthday. That being said...if we finish dinner before Wishes, will they allow us to wait to see it? Like if our ressie is 6 and we get done with dinner at 7:30?

 

[tinkerbella69]

just ate at cali grill for dinner and fireworks on apr 7th soooooooooooo good was on deluxe plan when we got the bill it saud $160 and change but then we gave the dining card and it was two credits i was glad about that. i will never go to disney again without doing the dining plan enjoy cali grill one of my favs