California Grill

[Tdisney]

We have never eaten at the California Grill. I was wondering if it is "kid" friendly or more of an adult experience. Our kids are 4 and 6 but well behaved.

Thanks for any input.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Eventhough California Grill is a Signature restaurant, it is kid friendly. You will see more kids up there than you would see at other signature restaurants, especially closer to Wishes time. We have 2 girls who have eaten at CG for the past 3 trips and will be eating there again on our upcoming trip. They do have a kids menu and they also bring out a plate of gold fish crackers for them to snack on while you have your apps. Plus if you can get a seat close to the window, just watching the MK and all of Disney from up there will keep them entertained. CG is a wonderful restaurant that is a must do for our family...enjoy

 

[JimmyV]

It is not a "kid experience" in the way that Chef Mickey's is. But it is also not an adult atmosphere the way Victoria and Albert's is. Well behaved kids who are not forced to dine well past their "melt-down" hour can do just fine at the California Grill. The only problems that I have seen are when parents insist on dining at late hours with young children so that they can watch the later hour fireworks (9:00 or later). If your kids are not used to being wide awake and well behaved for dinner at 8:30-9:30, trying to get them to adjust to that timing after a busy and tiring day at WDW is asking way too much. But from 5:00-7:00, California Grill can be perfectly fine for kids.

 

[PoohsFan1]

It is not a "kid experience" in the way that Chef Mickey's is. But it is also not an adult atmosphere the way Victoria and Albert's is. Well behaved kids who are not forced to dine well past their "melt-down" hour can do just fine at the California Grill. The only problems that I have seen are when parents insist on dining at late hours with young children so that they can watch the later hour fireworks (9:00 or later). If your kids are not used to being wide awake and well behaved for dinner at 8:30-9:30, trying to get them to adjust to that timing after a busy and tiring day at WDW is asking way too much. But from 5:00-7:00, California Grill can be perfectly fine for kids.

I agree with this statement, and forgot to mention it in my original post. When we dine there we always eat at the first seating which is 5:30pm, it is less chaotic compared to the later hours. We have gone back up there to watch Wishes (you can do this as long as you show your dining receipt to the hostess) and it seemed more chaotic then. So a word to the wise, if you are wanting to eat at CG with the ages of your kids, then I would go with an earlier time.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am never sure what anyone means by "is it kid-friendly." It is, in the sense that children are allowed and there is a children's menu. But if you mean is the restaurant geared toward and providing entertainment specifically for children, no, it doesn't. There is also noplace other than the outside observation deck to take a restless little kid to run off steam without getting in the elevator and leaving the restaurant.

People are always bringing children. If you're trying to avoid getting the stinkeye for coming in with children, that would probably not happen with well-behaved children. The restaurant is generally full of children in the early hours up to whenever the MK fireworks are set off, and it is not a quiet restaurant; it is a busy, bustling, noisy restaurant (with the possible exception of the Wine Room).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am not sure how many of the other signature restaurants have them but I know California Grill does have a kids menu and that should mean they get more kids up there then you would think.

 

[Sgt Tibbs]

IMHO it's very kid friendly our son has dined there many times infact it's usually his must do place.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The view of the fireworks guarantees there will ALWAYS be plenty of kids at California Grill.

Tdisney: Your kids should be just fine there.

 

[lilandvisma]

It has a very unique feel to it IMO. I actually chose to put my Kids in the kids club while DH and I had a lovely dinner there. It was the best $ we had spent in a while lol. The kids clubs (esp.the neverland club) are awesome and my kids LOVED it there. I enjoyed our dinner at Cali Grill, probably the best meal of our trip. The sushi is incredible and the filet is fantastic! Dessert was fab as well. The views are great too. That being said there were a TON of kids there the night we went and we had a later ADR even. The table behind us had a table with 3 boys...probably around 6-9 and they were pretty hyped up and not wanting to sit in their seats. I really don't pay attention to others while I am dining but I could tell where others were bothered by it.

Your decision to make really but I'd personally throw the kids in the kids club while you guys treat yourself to a nice dinner together. I do think its kid friendly but its def. aimed more towards adults IMO.

 

[vinotinto]

I thought it was kid-friendly. Our ADR was for 5:45 pm and there were plenty of tables with kids at that time. Our DD3 was very, very tired and they made a sleeping alcove for her by putting three chairs together. She slept through the entire meal. The kids' entrees and desserts were very good (the app was weak, though). My DS6 has requested that we go eat there again in May.

 

[tinkandpan]

We have always taken our kids there (starting when they turn about 3 or so) but we always go to the early seating. I know my kids and it's not fair to make them hold out at a dinner until Wishes. They are now 10 and 6 but we are still booked for a 6:30 reservation on our upcoming trip. Of all the signatures, i think this is the most relaxed atmosphere for kids.

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

We're looking forward to CG in Sept. We're going with friends; 10 of us all together. Two are little ones they'll be 2 and 7. We are going for a later ADR at 7:45. We'll be spending all afternoon at the resort so that the kiddos can rest up and watch the fireworks.

 

[StalkerX]

Very much child friendly! I mean, Mickey and Donald won't be coming over to say hello or nothing, but it is not really needed. Of the many times I have dined there, the children are usually memorized by the wonderful views CG has to offer. Combined with the outside deck and the great food, I don't think you will have anything to worry about

 

[mousegear]

Deinitely as with all Disney. I took my son who was 6 y/o at the time to Cali Grill and enjoyed it very much. He enjoys good food just as us adults and loved sushi and appreciated watching wishes away from the crowds.
Now he's asking to go back on our next trip.

 

[wdwislife]

If your kids are well behaved like you say you should be just fine! We saw quite a few families with small children when we were there last year.