California Grill without fireworks

[Capitalangel]

My family and I will be in WDW post cruise in Feb. I was able to book my kids on the Capitain Hooks Pirate Crew that is at the Beach Club. I can drop them off between 4:30 and 5:00 and will pick them up at 8:30. I am trying to decide between The Yachtsman or California Grill for my husband and I. I have always heard good things about California Grill but most of the time it is stated that one of the best parts of eating there is watching the fireworks from the restraunt or their viewing area. If fireworks are at 8pm there is no way we will be able to see them and still get our kids at 8:30. Is California Grill worth the effort to get to from Beach Club and back just for the food alone? Or should we do the Yachtsman since it is already right there and also seems to get good reviews. Both menus look appealing and we are most excited about having a "date" if I'm honest.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The view from Cali Grill is spectacular with or without the fireworks. That being said, it is not, IMHO, worth going all the way over there for dinner. If you are on the dining plan, I would consider Yachtsman, as you mentioned, or Flying Fish which is a short walk away on the Boardwalk. If you aren't on the dining plan, consider Shula's or bluezoo at the Dolphin or Il Mulino or Kimono's at the Swan. They are all, also, within short walking distance of BC.

 

[Capitalangel]

No dining plan, so thanks for those other places to look at.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I think the food alone is worth the trip.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think its very telling that so many people rave about the view. IMHO, you should go to a restaurant for the food and service, with the view being only a side benefit.

 

[MaidMarian444]

We paid for an in-room sitter to watch our kids while we (two couples) went out to Cali Grill in December 2017. Food was pretty good, though expensive and the apps were better than the entrees. Our main issue with the place was that it was crawling with kids! We were near a table that was all kids while the parents all sat at a separate table. If we had our own kids with us, we wouldn't have minded, of course, but when we're paying big sitter $$ for a night out without kids, it was a little disappointing. I think the families go to Cal Grill because of the fireworks and the Contemporary has a lot of kids anyway due to being near MK. We did another date night and this time went to Artist Point (RIP) and it felt much more "datey" because that restaurant didn't attract as many families. I've never been to Yachtsmen but if it's more of an adulty, boring-for-kids vibe, you may enjoy it more.

 

[NYCgrrl]

As much as I like CG, given your scenario and time frame, I'd eat at Yachtsman',s and avoid the stress of getting back and forth, possibly eating hurriedly and enjoy an eatery closer to where your children are.
There are so many places to watch the MK fireworks from and the food at CG stands firmly on it's own so I wouldn't make it the be all end all for making a choice.

Add me to the list of FF over Yachtsman's for a grown up meal.

HTH and have a lovely time no matter where you opt to spend your date night.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Or if not Yachtsman or Flying Fish, what about a stroll or boat over to the Swan/Dolphin? Shula's, bluezoo...

 

[NickDubs34]

My family and I used to love Cali Grill and, frankly, never stayed to watch fireworks there unless it just timed up that way. We'd go there for the food and service. But when we went in summer of '18, the food had taken a turn for the worse. It was still good, just not as good as it used to be or up to par for the cost. We're gonna try for brunch next summer to see if that's better but for your needs, I think Yachtsman (which has always been consistently excellent) or Flying Fish (which has gone the opposite of CG for us, didn't like initially but loved last time there) would be a better bet and more convenient.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We paid for an in-room sitter to watch our kids while we (two couples) went out to Cali Grill in December 2017. Food was pretty good, though expensive and the apps were better than the entrees. Our main issue with the place was that it was crawling with kids! We were near a table that was all kids while the parents all sat at a separate table. If we had our own kids with us, we wouldn't have minded, of course, but when we're paying big sitter $$ for a night out without kids, it was a little disappointing. I think the families go to Cal Grill because of the fireworks and the Contemporary has a lot of kids anyway due to being near MK. We did another date night and this time went to Artist Point (RIP) and it felt much more "datey" because that restaurant didn't attract as many families. I've never been to Yachtsmen but if it's more of an adulty, boring-for-kids vibe, you may enjoy it more.

I never thought about it before but when eating at CG for dinner I always eat appetizers (more than one) as opposed to an app and entree. Thanks for the eating connection. As for Yachtsman, probably due to it's proximity to BC/YC at least early in the evening there are quite a few children there. Less at FF probably due to the darker atmosphere and lack of chicken nuggets and mac + cheese on the the childrens' menu.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would go to Flying FIsh. It seems to be one that is not filled with children. I like kids but if mine were off on an adventure and I wanted an adult meal, I would look for a restaurant that is not as conducive. To youngsters. FF is that one for me.

 

[DisneyRobin]

Yes - I would definitely go to the Cali grill! It’s our favorite restaurant in all of Disney by far and we try to go at least once each trip. You can uber back and forth to make it easy and save time. The whole atmosphere is great up there - even if you don’t go for the fireworks which we don’t always do.

When the sun is about to set, one of the chefs comes out by the windows and says, “ladies and gentlemen, the California grill sunset.” It’s beautiful - right over the grand Floridian.

Enjoy!!

 

[kiford]

I think it's worth a trip for the food. We were there earlier this year at a time when we would have been able to watch the fireworks but we ended up not paying any attention. We were enjoying ourselves and the food too much to look outside.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

On a vacation with my kids in care of people I don’t know, I’d be more comfortable with walking distance. That might be irrational, but I think that would sway me to an Epcot resort area restaurant.

That said, we were just at CG earlier in the week and although we had an amazing view from our table of the fireworks, the food itself was very good too.

 

[clayfolks]

Shula’s is exceptional. Our last meal at Cali Grill was very good, but the parents ignoring their children is unpleasant, to say the least. I’ve never seen a child at Shula’s.

 

[kastoney]

As others have said California Grill is amazing, and we often eat there without seeing the fireworks and its definitely "worth" it. That said you may be close on time with an 8:30 pick-up time. I'd suggest sticking in the Boardwalk area and having some of the great options there. Yachtsman is great, though we tried Shula's for the first time and I'd give it the nod in terms of steak. BlueZoo and Flying Fish are also great options. Since its just the 2 of you, you may also just want to try a few places and going to the bar to get an app or 2 and then moving somewhere else. When we are childless in Disney this is what my hubby and I prefer to do so we can try different things and more importantly eat at the bar something we desperately miss doing

 

[carol48b]

I agree with the posters about the children at the CG. We spent all that money for our 51st anniversary last year and it was a total bust with kids running around all over the place. I was told that kids were only allowed only if they were "well behaved". Not so. As for the fireworks - never saw them - heard them, but if you're in the middle of the meal, you won't get up to watch them. The views are spectacular, but the food was a little pricy - which I would not have minded, but in our opinion, was not worth it. To top it all off, the monorail broke down as we were boarding it, and we had to walk from MK to the Contemporary - I in high heels and long dress and DH in suit and tie in the FL heat! (of course I could just be a complaining old lady!)

 

[Malyficent]

I have my boys booked into the Captain Hooks crew in December. We were told there’s an add of for $15/child to extend until 9:30. Not sure if that would make it easier for you. We’re going to Toledo for dinner but I don’t think we’re stay for the fireworks as I want to take the boys to Epcot forever.

 

[Capitalangel]

Thank you all for your help! I think we will stay with Yachtsman or Flying Fish and not add the stress of trying to get to and from California Grill with the time crunch. I agree that having a night to relax at a lounge before/ after our meal or going to explore the Boardwalk sounds like a lot of fun. We will be back so we will try California Grill at some point, I'm sure