California Grill

[lovetotravel07]

Do they still dim lights for fireworks and is it worth the money for 4 adults--two older teens and my husband and I?

 

[disney fan 2013]

I'd say it's definitely worth the money! I am an older teen (19), and last trip I ate here with my siblings (16 and 14) and parents. I knew that the meal was expensive, but it was absolutely the best meal of the trip. I'm going back with my boyfriend next week and absoultely HAD to make an ADR so he can experience it, too. And last time I was there for Wishes, a couple of trips ago, the lights were dimmed and it was awesome.

If your two teens can eat like my siblings and I (and all the rest of the teens I know!), you will definitely get your money's worth!! Have fun!

 

[LorieR]

Dh and I were very unhappy with our experience there in November. Flatbread was good, salad was good, but entrees were overcooked and/or tough! Service was slow, the restaurant was very noisy, and we thought it was not worth the price we paid. We did get to see the fireworks though and that was very nice. I am glad we can say we were there once and we really don't plan on going back again (unless it is free!)

 

[_queenie_]

I thought it was fantastic, but I think you have to be a true foodie to fully take advantage of it. We've been going there for years and haven't had too many disappointments. It is fun to watch the fireworks there, you can see them inside if you have a good table, but otherwise you'll have to go outside on the catwalk. We were there on the night when they did the PPP so we got to watch two sets of fireworks, the normal ones and the special ones!

 

[Uncleromulus]

They pipe in the music I think, but they no longer dim the lights.
I think it's worth the $$$, but if ALL you want to do is see the fireworks, then perhaps not.

 

[UGAFan0829]

The DH and I ate dinner there during our last trip for our anniversary. We LOVED it. The food was very good. For some reason, I'm thinking that they did dim the lights when we were there. It was a very nice experience, and we would definitely recommend it!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes, Yes, Yes. California Grill is worth the money. It along with Jiko are our two favorite places to dine at WDW.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

I would LOVE to eat there, but is it child-friendly? Like for a 5 year old?

 

[lovetotravel07]

Thanks to everyone. Yes, we enjoy good food so that would be our main reason to go to the california grill, but thought it would be neat to see the fireworks from a restaurant. Saw them once a long time ago from the beach at the Polnesyian. And, saw them from the roof of our hotel in Disneyland California, where they pipe in the music.

Just a different/nicer experience instead of standing in a crowd looking up at the sky!


From our experience in several Disney World, Disney California and even Disney Paris restaurants children are welcome everywhere in "the World". In a fancier restaurant such as this one, just make sure your 5-year old son is accumstomed to eating out alot and is as well behaved as a 5-year old could be. Bring some quiet entertainment, coloring books, books, etc. and little snack foods and maybe ask the waiter to speed up serving a little. When our children were younger and we were in longer/fancier meals we would order the appetizers and main course together and then the desert and bill when we were almost finished with our entrees, so it didn't drag on as long for them.

 

[Pakey]

Have eaten at Ca Grill on several occasions. Although it's one of my favs, it has been hit and miss in the past with the quality of our entrees. Like a PP said, we have had problems with very overdone entrees. Still we like to go here as we love the views, enjoy sushi and the wine selections are nice.

Regarding taking a 5 year old. The meal does take some time here. As long as your child is not real antsy, it is no problem. There are many families with children here. The place is pretty noisy on most nights. We try to dine late here as we are adults only but even at 9:00 pm, several tables will have young children.

Out of the signature places to dine, I think that Ca Grill is one of the better ones in which to take children.