CG or Kona? Help Decide!

[firkat]

Hello. I have an ADR for Cal Grill for 7 pm on the Friday night we arrive. Our plane lands at 5:30 p.m. and we are using Magical Express. I am worried that we may be late or feel exceptionally rushed as we arrive for our vacation. In addition, we will have to dress for dinner before we leave home since we will not have our luggage yet. Problem is that it will be difficult to find another great night to switch Cal Grill to.

Either I keep CG and hope for the best. Or I can make an ADR for Kona on that first night. (We already have an ADR for Kona before the MNSSHP. If we do Kona on night one, we can then opt out of the second ADR in favor of getting to MK early on the MNSSHP night or we can keep the second Kona ADR if we love it and want to go back.)

I suppose the bottom line question is Cal Grill really worth it? I have seen the menu and to be honest it looks a little frufru for my family. I know we will likely not go for the sushi . . . We are also staying at the Poly, so we will already have great views for Wishes.

Thanks in advance for your input. I appreciate any ideas.

 

[gokenin]

I know that the CG is only a monorail ride away but for my peice of mind I would do Kona on the first night no need to add the stress of travel and time and everything just for dinner would suggest relaxing and eating in the same hotel you are staying at without having to change clothes and rushing but thats me

 

[pammypooh]

While we enjoyed the California Grill, we loved our dinner at Kona. Go for the easy for the first night. You can hop over to CG after a day at MK. Have a great trip.

 

[CindyAnn]

California Grill is a nice restaurant, but IMHO your timing sounds way too tight. With a 5:30 landing I wouldn't want anything before 8:30 at the very earliest, and even that would be pushing it.

 

[Leota]

California Grill is a nice restaurant, but IMHO your timing sounds way too tight. With a 5:30 landing I wouldn't want anything before 8:30 at the very earliest, and even that would be pushing it.

I totally agree, especially using ME. I don't see any remote possibility of making a 7pm ADR, esp. one not even at your resort. If your plane lands at 5:30, the very earliest you would leave MCO is 6-6:15. Even if you are the first stop on MEs route, you won't arrive at the front of your resort til 6:30 - 6:45. Figure another 1/2 hour to check in, then another 1/2 hour to get you to the Contemporary - that won't put you at the check-in kiosk until 7:30 at the very earliest if there are no delays along the way.

If you want to eat at CG & don't mind the pressure, I agree with CindyAnn that you're going to need at least til 8:30 for your ADR. If you eat at Kona, I'd say you might make an 8:00 one.

 

[firkat]

I appreciate all of your input!