California Grill, yes or no???

[DisneyMommy77]

Hello,

I have just made ADR's for California Grill for 5:40PM in February. I was hoping to get it closer to 7PM, so we can watch the fireworks at 8PM. (I will keep checking for cancellations) Do you think it is worth going at 5:40PM?

I have a DD3, so hopefully since it is WDW she will also enjoy it. I am on the Deluxe Dining Plan, but if I wasn't I doubt I would make reservations here. I guess I am just looking for people who have eaten there with young children to see if they thought it was an appropriate choice. I already have about 4 characters meals scheduled as well, so this one is mostly for my husband. I thought it would be a nice restaurant with a nice view, and I heard they have sushi and he loves sushi.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[Colleen27]

I personally love the early seatings at the signatures. I think the sunset view from California Grill is just as spectacular as the Wishes view (which I don't really think is all it is hyped to be - because of the angle you lose some of the effect and the fireworks aren't over the castle the way they are when you watch from Main Street), and with a little one earlier seatings are easier to manage in our experience. I'd absolutely keep the earlier reservation; the sushi is fabulous, the view is beautiful, and we've very much enjoyed both of our meals there so much that it has made our must-do list.

Not the greatest photo but this kind of shows the angle on the fireworks from CA Grill; notice how they look like they're over Space Mountain rather than the castle.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

Thanks you for your response. I never thought about sunset. That would be pretty. I wonder what time the sun goes down in February in Florida??

 

[Tara]

Thanks you for your response. I never thought about sunset. That would be pretty. I wonder what time the sun goes down in February in Florida??

For what it's worth, I totally agree with Colleen on this. The sunsets can be spectacular and after a lot of viewing Wishes from CG, I find I'd rather have an early dinner there and then walk over to the park and see them properly. I don't know what sunset times are, but I imagine they're easily googled or found in an online almanac.

 

[cbg1027]

I would just keep the 5:40 seating because it gives you two options:

A) You can have your meal and then go to the MK to see Wishes at 8.

or

B) You can have your meal and linger around the CR (there are shops and an arcade) until it's time for Wishes. Cali Grill allows anyone with an ADR for that day to come up to see the fireworks. So if you finish before 8, you can leave and come back to watch Wishes from the observation deck.

Florida sunset time in February will be 6-6:30. so you will definitely get to catch that while you eat!

I don't have kids, but I see plenty of people with children eating at Cali Grill. It's the most popular signature to take kids to. They have a nice kids menu with some very fun items and the servers there are used to people dining with children. The restaurant is not quiet or what I would call romantic - it's a boisterous place with an on-stage kitchen, so kids don't seem too out of place there. It is Disney after all.

Oh, and the food is wonderful!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I personally love the early seatings at the signatures. I think the sunset view from California Grill is just as spectacular as the Wishes view (which I don't really think is all it is hyped to be - because of the angle you lose some of the effect and the fireworks aren't over the castle the way they are when you watch from Main Street), and with a little one earlier seatings are easier to manage in our experience. I'd absolutely keep the earlier reservation; the sushi is fabulous, the view is beautiful, and we've very much enjoyed both of our meals there so much that it has made our must-do list.

Not the greatest photo but this kind of shows the angle on the fireworks from CA Grill; notice how they look like they're over Space Mountain rather than the castle.

I could not agree more with Colleen, except that we don't mind the distorted angle of the fireworks over SM than over the castle....it gives a different perspective. Anyway, when we dine there (which is everytime we go to Disney) we always make a 5:30pm seating, this is the earliest seating that you can get because we love how it is not as crowded than if you were going at 7pm and we too love watching the sun set over MK, plus watching MK in the swing of things as you eat is really cool too. I too say stick with the 5:40pm ADR and if you are really wanting to see Wishes from up there, you can easily go back up for the fireworks, just show your dinner receipt to the front desk and they will let you back on the elevator. As for your DD3, don't worry there are lots of kids that eat here (mine are 9 and 7 and CG is one of their favorite Signatures), there is so much for her to see while dining there she won't get bored

 

[blake.daly95]

This is one place I would love to go to. OP, do let us know about your sunset experience. This place has amazing reviews I see: tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34515-d451087-Reviews-California_Grill-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[Angila]

keep on sharing.....

 

[Colleen27]

Thanks you for your response. I never thought about sunset. That would be pretty. I wonder what time the sun goes down in February in Florida??

6 to 6:20ish, depending on what time of the month you're there. We're going on March 6 and sunset that night is 6:27.

Sunset calendar for FL - http://www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/florida.asp

 

[Colleen27]

I just realized I didn't even comment on the "kids friendly" aspect!

My older kids were 9 & 7 on our first visit, and they both loved it. CG serves goldfish crackers with the bread course and has the coolest kids' dessert anywhere on Disney property, the rice krispy treat sushi plate. DS actually asked me to learn to make this when we got home, and now it is our "usual" for birthday parties, treats for school, the winter carnival cakewalk, etc.

Our first experience there was really magical, DD was chosen to "start" the fireworks (as I understand it they no longer do this) and got a magical moment certificate in a little folder with a photo of her flipping the switch, and we had a window table with an amazing view. That photo I posted was taken from my seat. DS loves sushi but was a child on the dining plan that trip, and I was pregnant so I stuck to the safe (cooked) California roll, so when planning our next trip he and I both really wanted to go back.

On our second visit, the kids were 11, 8, and 16mo and all three enjoyed their dinner. The baby loved the goldfish crackers and the fruit bowl loaded with raspberries and blackberries that is one of the kids' appetizer choices, and DS & I got to be more adventurous with our sushi. Our server was excellent, keeping a nice pace without rushing us at all and keeping the goldfish crackers topped off for DD while we waited for our first course, and she was more than happy to let DS (now an adult on the plan) to order the kids' dessert so he could have his candy-sushi again.

A full review of that second visit: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34890162&postcount=28

 

[MoonFaerie]

Cali Grill was hands down my fave meal of the trip. (With Raglan Road coming in a very close second, but for different reasons.) Even with the large group with several unruly kids next to us on our date night. I would have no problem taking my kids there, but they are used to going out for dinner. (And I have back up fun stuff with me, just in case. )

We were there for sunset last year. It was Dec 15, 2009, and our ADR was for 5:40. You could always head down and hit the gift shops and head back up, f you really wanted to see the fireworks from there. We didn't stay because we were going on an Illuminations Cruise.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

Thanks, you have all been so helpful!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We often travel with my SIL and her family, and we've taken kids ranging from 9 mos old to 9 yrs old. We've always had great service and fabulous food. The only slightly negative is that it is a bit longer of a meal, so the kids sometimes do get a bit antsy. We'll bring their Ipod touches or DS's to (hopefully) keep them occupied in a few weeks when we're there for daddy's birthday! Enjoy your meal!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We like California Grill and would definitely return!

Went to CA Grill in 2009 (DS was 4) and in Dec. 2010 (DS was 5). DS is used to dining out... but CA Grill is not a "can hear a pin drop" restaurant due to the open kitchen and large windows that bounce sound off. So, I don't think anyone would notice kids being a little noisy. Walking outside on the observation deck can give restless children a little break but be careful... a child could fall through the railings and people smoke out there too.

The food was very good. A link to my most recent review is below. DS also had the "sushi" dessert... It looked the same as the picture posted by someone else on this thead but had gummy worms coming out of the center of the "sushi rolls".

Thumps up to California Grill for the food... the decor, view, etc. doesn't thrill me but it's something different. DW says they have the best filet of beef. I prefer the sushi appetizers and seafood entrees. My problem with the kids menu is the same for all the signature restaurants. For 2 credits, the menu should have more choices for kids, not the same stuff as 1 credit restaurants. But, when we asked for special items for DS, we have usually been accommodated, for example getting real vegetables, or a bowl of strawberries instead of a fruit cup (melon, grapes, etc.).

My Review of California Grill

Sunset View from California Grill (2009 trip)

Other View (2009 trip)