California Grill

[TinkerbellW]

I need reassurance
DS is a chef and a total food snob so we've booked CG. 8:55 reservation so a great idea you would think...I'm not so sure.
Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to see the views of Wishes and the food looks fantastic too. However there is one slight problem, I'm terrified of lifts!

I have emailed Disney who have confirmed the only way to access CG is by lift.
Can anyone tell me
A how big the lift is
B how long you're in it for
C are you accompanied by a CM

Pathetic, I know but really don't want to miss out.
TIA

 

[Elise79]

The lift is the same as all the others at the contemporary they are fairly large. I would guess they are probably about 2m x 3m.

It's a quick ride as it goes direct from the 2nd floor check in to the 15th floor where CA Grill is you are not accompanied by a CM - they just load you and send you up.

 

[scoobydooby]

There will be stairs. Legally there will have to be due to fire regs so if you explain your position to them perhaps they will be able to help you out. It's worth a try because obviously there will be stairs somewhere even if guests can not generally see them.

 

[m1ckeymouse]

Hi Tia

I know exactly how you feel. California Grill has been on our disney bucket list for years and for this trip I actually have the opportunity to go as we are taking my mother in law and have a built in babysitter . It is also hubbys 40th so I would love to think I could get in the lift and we could have a wonderful evening, but previous experience tells me I will either make it but be in floods of tears and spend the whole evening panicking about getting back down or we'll get there and I won't be able to get in. Hubby understands and doesn't want to put me through the stress, so it's likely we'll skip it. But there must be another way? what if there is a fire or a power cut? There has to be stairs and I would happily walk 15 floors to avoid a lift, it would help to burn some calories too! I wonder if a cast member could come up in the lift with you, that has been the only way I've made it in the past, still a mess, but I made it.

Hope you can get there
Suzanne

 

[mickeyforpresident]

There HAS to be stairs to meet fire regulations... I can't imagine Disney not helping you out!! I so hope you get there. We're booking CG for the first time this summer and we are very excited about it!

 

[disneyholic family]

or you could switch to a restaurant that doesn't have an elevator....
i know what you mean by the way...
my mom's apartment is on the 17th floor...for years i walked up and down...
but now she needs me to help her with groceries and stuff on the elevator, so i have no choice but to ride...
on more than one occassion, i've ended up screaming in a panic when something happened..
but now i have a new trick that maybe might help you out..
i read or play a game on my iphone while on the elevator...
i always have a book on my iphone....
so i open it up before i get on the elevator and start reading..
if not that, then i play a game on my iphone..
something that will completely distract me (usually sudoku)..
but the reading is best....
it's the only way i can get up and down the elevator in her building!!

 

[Elise79]

If you can get up there you can use the fire escape to get down - they are at the end of the viewing platform at the MK end. They are external so I would avoid walking up if you can otherwise you will be a hot sweaty mess which isn't the best way to enjoy a nice meal

There escalators from both the 4th and 1st floors to the second floor check in desk - it will only be the one journey from the 2nd to the 15th floors you would need to do.

 

[TinkerbellW]

Thanks for all your replies. It is such an irrational fear...I blame Towering Inferno.
I also was of the opinion that there must be stairs and tbh 15 flights of stairs doesn't phase me in the slightest.
I've wanted to visit CG for the last few years so I will get there...even if it means a couple of drinks prior to getting in to the lift!

 

[Portugal1000]

I too am terrified of lifts but honestly the one for CG was really quick and I felt safe. I also dont like heights but felt safe in CG as not a straight down drop when you are watching fireworks. It really is great to see them and then go bac in and eat dessert!
I wish I could get over my fear of lifts but dont think I ever will. Have been invites to corporate events at Shard twice but no way I can go. Also going to New York next year but no way will I be able to go up Empire State Building or Rockafella building and will have to stay in a hotel where we can stay no higher than 6th floor (thats usually my limit)
The strange thing is though that my absolute favourite ride is Tower of Terror. Took me years to go on it and then read that the lift doesn't drop, it is actually pushed down.

 

[disneyholic family]

I too am terrified of lifts but honestly the one for CG was really quick and I felt safe. I also dont like heights but felt safe in CG as not a straight down drop when you are watching fireworks. It really is great to see them and then go bac in and eat dessert!
I wish I could get over my fear of lifts but dont think I ever will. Have been invites to corporate events at Shard twice but no way I can go. Also going to New York next year but no way will I be able to go up Empire State Building or Rockafella building and will have to stay in a hotel where we can stay no higher than 6th floor (thats usually my limit)
The strange thing is though that my absolute favourite ride is Tower of Terror. Took me years to go on it and then read that the lift doesn't drop, it is actually pushed down.

i love tower of terror too...the scariest part for me is the elevator at the beginning of the ride!

 

[gavvy]

Unless you are willing to take the Elevator I would consider a different restaurant. It would be a heck of a hike up the stairs to the grill - 14 stories or more, Thats even if disney let you. Unless you are very fit you are going to either struggle or be a sweaty mess by the time you arrive- not what you want for a relaxed and expensive meal.

I do understand your fear of elevators though- my sister is the same. But it really is a quick ride- it does not stop on the way and takes less than 30 seconds.

 

[saintrob]

If you explain your fear to the CM at the check in podium I'm sure someone would accompany you in the lift. I have seen on occasion the odd CM come into the lift when necessary if the party needed assistance.

 

[bubblefactory]

We have visited CG at least half a dozen times since the refurb and each time a CM accompanied us in the lift.

 

[LumosQ102]

There is always a CM in the lift.

I'm not a big fan of lifts. At all.

However the CG lift is quick and smooth, you can barely feel it moving. The food and view is so very worth it. If you really can't do it and you want a great dinner elsewhere, Artist Point is just lovely and you can take a really charming boat ride over from MK.

 

[tinkerpea]

You can definitely be accompanied by a CM,you can check in down stairs and the CM's access the lift on a few occasions they have come in the lift with us, so I can not imagine that being a problem.
The lift is really very decently sized,it's a smooth ride very quick your in there for about 5-10 seconds!
It's a really beautiful restaurant with amazing food and views! It would be a real shame to miss it.

 

[tinkerpea]

Just to add, if you really don't think you can manage cali grill then the absolute next best restaurants are narcooses and citricus.
You can see the fireworks from narcooses and it's an amazing view,they also do fantastic seafood and steaks!!
And would be a great alternative to cali grill, you can watch the fireworks from the balcony outside,and it's a great view they also pipe the music through.