California Grill

[hinodis]

What is a good time to go for dinner here? Is 8 or 9 good? Is it worth 2 table service credits?

 

[concept5123]

yes it is worth it and 8 or 9 is a great time. one of our fave resturants in the world "disney world"....lol

 

[Pakey]

I don't think any of the signatures are a good value when using dining plan credits.

The time you dine there greatly affects the dining experience. Before fireworks, it's noisy and crowded and has a busy family dining vibe. After fireworks is more intimate and adult feeling.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

The time you dine there greatly affects the dining experience. Before fireworks, it's noisy and crowded and has a busy family dining vibe. After fireworks is more intimate and adult feeling.

Been there twice at 5:30pm when it opens.... nice atmosphere and depending on the time of year, can enjoy a nice sunset view. We like the food. I had a very nice seafood dish - Pacific Monchong - a deep sea Hawaiian fish. We do the deluxe dining plan so don't mind using 2 credits (lots to use). On average... our signature restaurant costs were about double the 1 credit restaurants. Depends on what you order. We usually stick with steak or seafood entrees which tend to be the more expensive.

 

[smalltowngirl504]

Our reservation was 915 or 945, why I cant remember Ill never know, but it was after 9 PM, 4 adults, I was shocked that some people didnt follow dress code, but thats a story for another day, by the time we left, the place was deserted, it was very loud at first, but it died off after the fireworks at 10... We used two TS credits for it, and will be doing it again this coming trip!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

If seeing the fireworks are the main concern, then an hour to an hour and half before the fireworks should be ok.
But it will be crowded. If you want a more "relaxed" meal, do as Pakey suggests. Or go just as soon as they open.
Since I never do the DP, I can't offer any advice there.

 

[NewCruiser2011]

I feel the quality of the food and ambience definitely warrants the required 2 dining credits when using the DP. If you are using the DDP and plan on frequenting Signature restaurants on most nights of your vacation, then you definitely get more than your money's worth out of it. CG's Sushi Chef, who created their sushi menu, still works there 4 days a week -- her food is superb. Some of the best sushi I've had outside of Japan. We make a point to start and end each vacation here!

 

[PoohsFan1]

Been there twice at 5:30pm when it opens.... nice atmosphere and depending on the time of year, can enjoy a nice sunset view

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I couldn't agree more with this. We always get a 5:30pm ADR because we love watching the sunset over WDW, I think that is just as pretty as watching Wishes from out on their balcony, plus you can always go back up to the restaurant for Wishes by just showing the check-in desk your dining receipt. As for food, it is excellent...California Grill is our favorite Signature restaurant and a must do each time we go. My DH and I both love the Oak Fired Filet .

 

[Ron from Michigan]

California Grill is our favorite place to dine at WDW. We try to dine at the first sitting at 5:30. It is worth 2 dining credits.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have always gone at 5:30, right when they open...this works out great for us because we prefer to be in the parks for fireworks.

The view at that time is gorgeous...in the Fall we watched the sunset, in the summer we watched a huge storm blow in and in May we just had a great view of the parks.

And the plus is we get seated right on time, no waiting past our ADR time to be seated.

 

[vettegirl]

It is so worth the 2 credits IMO. I love the sushi there and the filet is very good as well. The best part is the view!

 

[bluejasmine]

Love love love the sushi here and the view.. Id say its worth the 2 credits, especially for a family.. Last yr DH and I paid OOP and for 2 sushi rolls, 2 cocktails and 2 desserts with tip was over $100! We normally spend about $130 on 4 ppl dining at 1 TS credit places..

 

[starrysky]

We love the Cali Grill and have two adrs for our up coming trip, we are on thre DDP so we don't mind that its 8 credits. got it sorted so we get to see both Wishes and Hallowishes. Food and service both outstanding.

 

[Ramsfan28]

It is my favorite place to have dinner at the World and I do enjoy being able to sit at me table and watch Wishes.

 

[cdtommie]

I think CG is one of the better two credit values DP wise as long as you are on the deluxe plan - on the regular plan I would not use two credits since the strength of this restaurant is their appetizer menu (esp. suishi).

 

[GeneralTso]

You guys are really starting to win me over with this place! I've had no desire to eat here before, but a friend just returned and loved it there.

We will be there the first week of October. To see sunset and fireworks, what would be the best time to be there?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can't help with the sunset question, but once you find out what time the fireworks are that night, about an hour and a half ahead should be fine.
That's how we always plan things at CG.

 

[ChefMickey123]

Go, it is totally worth it. I've been twice now on the deluxe plan. Even with the signature prices, and double credits, it is still like getting your lunch and snacks for "free". Plus, it is very nummy.

 

[goofyintoronto]

We have always gone at 5:30, right when they open...this works out great for us because we prefer to be in the parks for fireworks.

The view at that time is gorgeous...in the Fall we watched the sunset, in the summer we watched a huge storm blow in and in May we just had a great view of the parks.

And the plus is we get seated right on time, no waiting past our ADR time to be seated.

I totally agree. I prefer to be up close for fireworks, which is why i scheduled a 545pm ADR instead. It was nice watching the sunset from Cali Grill. So pretty. Great window table we had too.

If you plan on ordering sushi, I wouldnt use DP credits for it. I planned on the steak, which is why I used the DP credits. And wow was it ever worth it. It was the best steak I have EVER had in my life! So tender and flavourful. I asked for the sauce on the side thou, thank god I did cause I tried a bit of it and didnt like it. I would highly recommend their steak.

Because we also ordered app's, my DS11 decided to order the steak from the kids menu instead because he didnt think he could eat it all. He also wanted to try the kids sushi dessert....so I paid for his OOP meal, and used the 2 DP credits for my own meal (bonus, cause it saves us 2 credits to use elsewhere....we were able to go to Teppan Edo at the end of our trip).

Overall, this place is definitely worth the 2 TS credits. But as I said, i would pay OOP if ordering sushi.

I should also add that we got our meals very quickly. I was a bit worried cause I heard from many that the service is slow. The tables next to us (who had diff servers) got their food quicker than us, but we were still out of there in under 1.5 hours.

 

[nightshaderose]

You guys are really starting to win me over with this place! I've had no desire to eat here before, but a friend just returned and loved it there.

We will be there the first week of October. To see sunset and fireworks, what would be the best time to be there?

For sunrise/sunset times on any given day, go here: US Naval Obsevatory sun and moon data. I USNO for this kind of thing. Put in Lake Buena Vista (or just Orlando) for the city.

I much prefer sunset at CG. I'm not a huge fan of the viewing angle on the fireworks.