California Grill

[charlielinda]

Hi! We love fine dining but have never been to California Grill and would like to try it on our next visit. Have you been there? Do you enjoy it? Can you watch the fireworks from there? Would you make early reservations and then watch the fireworks or later reservations? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[faeriegrl]

We had our wedding reception there.

The cuisine is just amazing, the menu is ever changing to maintain the freshest ingredients.

The fireworks are great, and the music is piped into the balcony outdoors.

You could make early dinner reservations and then take the monorail over to MK to check out Wishes, or you could make a late reservation to see Wishes from the CG. Both are equally cool experiences (although it is quite nice to watch Wishes with a good adult beverage!).

If you are going there, I would recommend the goat cheese ravioli!

Brittany

 

[jlewisinsyr]

We go there every time we go to Disney and make reservations to catch Wishes while we are eating dessert. Usually a good time is right around 7:30 to catch Wishes.

The food is good, but it can be a little loud at times. The lights are dimmed when Wishes starts and the music is played through-out the restaurant and balcony areas.

You can request a window seat, but there are no guarantees for one, and most are tables for 2.

FYI if you care as some don't like this, but the angle of the restaruant from Disney means the fireworks don't appear as if they are behind the Castle like if you were on the ground, so it may ruin some the magic. We still really enjoy it though.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We eat there on every trip. CG along with Jiko is our favorite place to dine at WDW. Yes you can see the fireworks or you can walk outside on the observation platform to watch the show. I would make a reservation for around 7;30 or 8:00 which should be good for the fireworks.

 

[manliusfamily]

We ate there for the first time in April and it was amazing. Easily the best meal we have ever had at Disney and we have been regulars since 1997. The view of the MK is amazing especially at night and what a great place to watch Wishes(we had a window table). The kids(10 and 13) were in awe. The food was very very good. 3 of us had the filet and my duaghter had the fish which she loved. Best steak we've had at Disney by far and that includes Jiko and Le Cellier and Yachtsman which are pretty good. The flatbreads are awesome as well. The wine list is incredible and the service was impeccable. All in all a great family experience and well worth the 2 table service credits on DDP.
Our new favorite and a must do from now on.

 

[ciera321]

We go there every time we go to Disney and make reservations to catch Wishes while we are eating dessert.

We do the same thing...We also request a window seat and have never had to wait more than an extra 15 - 20 minutes...The food is wonderful!!!

 

[mskayjay]

We will be there on 9/3 at 9:20PM to celebrate our 25th Anniversary and to watch the fireworks. There was no doubt in my mind or DHs mind whatsoever about where to go. That speaks volumes about the place!

 

[thepwa]

Go! GO!

I cannot stress enough...GO!

As others have recommended, time the ADR around Wishes.

I have found the staff knows exactly why I picked the time I did, and they are very accomodating holding off appetizers, main course, or whatever so that the food does not suffer because I went out on the balcony to watch the show.

Just be sure what time Wishes is being done that particular night!

For my upcoming trip in August, our flight leaves for home early Sunday AM. I made my CG ADR for Saturday night, about an hour before Wishes. It will be the last Disney activity for this year's vacation. I thought it would be neat to go out with a bang, so to speak!

 

[Disney Princess]

Everyone has already said the great reasons to go - and I second (third, fourth?) them.

I want to add that if they don't have an ADR close to Wishes time or you prefer to eat early they will allow you access to the balcony the whole evening of your ADR. At least they did a couple of years ago. We had an earlier dinner, finished up and left our table so others could eat, but they told us to do what we wanted and come back for Wishes. We went to the lobby and looked through the shops on the concourse. We went back up for the show and watched from the balcony. You may want to double check that they still allow this when you make an ADR. But it was convenient for us to eat earlier and go back.

Enjoy the meal! (And have the chocolate cake with molten center )