California Grill with little ones?

[Lollipop Mom]

Anyone ever taken little ones (mine will be 4½ and almost 3) to dinner at California Grill? We are going to be at WDW for my husband's birthday (12/27) and he has requested either Ohana or CG for his birthday dinner. We are having Christmas dinner at Ohana (I can't tell you how shocked I was that was available!) so obviously we don't want to do dinner there again 2 days later.

We have a PS for 6:10 so it's not fireworks time or anything. My kids are generally very well behaved and between DH and I and my parents, if they can't be well behaved for any reason, we will remove them. I was just wondering if the food, atmosphere and staff are kid friendly. We were going to go and check in early and request a window seat. My parents would wait for us to be called while we walked around with the kids till they are ready to seat us. I thought the view out the window may keep them entertained for a bit.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or experience with dinner here with kids in tow.

 

[BCV23]

Children are welcomed and expected at the CG. There are children's meals, special children's desserts, etc..

When our children were small it seemed as if all the restaurants paced the meals with a family in mind. So your meals may come out a little faster than if it were just a romantic dinner for two.

Don't worry....just enjoy!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Agree--they are well used to children of that age at CG and it won't be any sort of problem.

 

[tlev]

It seems all Disney restaurants are ready to cater to children, but I am always amazed at the lack of behavior of some PARENTS. We were at the CG in September and there was a large group of what looked like two familes, and while the four adults sat and had their drinks the children were playing on the floor between the different tables. After almost tripping over the kids three times, one of the wiaters had to finally go over and ask the parents to please keep their kids at the table and he got a snide look and remark from the parents. Unbelievable!

 

[lillygator]

Take your children and enjoy - we took our 18 month old there and had a wonderful time....we are taking her back in December - she'll be two....

 

[allicat]

At CG they have a paper tablecloth that the kids can color on to keep them occupied. I think your kids would be fine at CG. My DD has been dining there since she was 4- (she is 9 now)and its one of her favorites. Last time, our waiter even cut up her steak for her!

 

[MamaQuack]

Go! Take your children - they can color on the tablecloth, eat special pizza and will be accepted just fine. Mine, now 13, has been dining there since age 4 also! He loves it - never ate off the kid menu because he just loved many of the other choices. He has never been treated badly. I agree with other posts, its usually the rude, ill behaved 'adults' you have to look out for!!

MamaQuack

 

[allie5]

I was interested in this as well. Our children will be 4 1/2 and 2, and I was a little worried. We have a 7:10pm PS for Christmas Day (originally had booked the Yachtsman's, but I had a change of heart!). The Cali Grill was in the top ten of Orlando Restaurants so DH asked if I could change our booking. I was lucky and got one of the last remaining PSs for that day. Its nice to know that they welcome and expect small children.

 

[mom2bcr]

Glad to see this thread - I was wondering the same thing.

My girls are 11, 9 and 4 and we have PS for 7:30pm on 11/8 (fireworks are at 9 that night.)

We have looked at the menu online and shown the girls pictures of the restaurant and the view of the castle from there. They are very excited and have packed a special outfit for that meal.

I am so happy to see so many encouraging posts in this thread!! Thanks!