Disney is refunding our less than satisfying California Grill meal!

[Lewisc]

The blog was linked to show the size of the appetizer.

Did you read that I pointed out the PHOTO and not the rest of the meal in the link that I referenced?

The blog sort of proves the OPs point. My point is continued.....

Here is a much more recent review with pictures: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/11/20/review-california-grill/

Both blogs are from couples which ordered at least 3 appetizers, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. Makes sense to me that a couple who only ordered one appetizer and one entree each might leave hungry. Why do posters continue to quote blogs which supports the OPs point?

I don't think you can go by a plate of food that was served to someone else, as a means to judge the OP's circumstance. It wasn't his plate.

+1

I agree 100%. I also think that it is unrealistic to expect CG to provided unlimited amounts a food or a refund to people that are 'big eaters' and who left hungry. Had the OP received a smaller portions than those around them, than sure you have a portion complaint (that should have been made then) but otherwise, I think there is no basis for an email complaint after the fact.

I also think that if more and more people pull this little stunt or ones similar that the price of food at WDW is going to continue to rise as will the price of the dining plans because Disney will have to recoup that money from somewhere.

ETA: We have eaten at CG every trip we have made to WDW and we have always found their portions sizes to be more than adequate. We also find them to be very much in line with the portion sizes of similar dining experiences elsewhere in the US.

Who suggested the CG provide unlimited quantities of food? Disney wouldn't have give a complete refund, really a credit, if the complaint had no merit.

 

[MarieA]

MY DH and I dined at CG many times and have never left there hungry (we are big eaters). Our last trip we ate there twice and loved our meals. We shared 2 appetizers, the tuna 3 ways and one of the flatbreads. For my entree I had the Artic Char over a sweet pea risotto and my DH had duck. We ordered dessert - mine was a butterscotch bread pudding and my DH had a lemon trio. We had a hard time finishing our dessert.

We have an ADR scheduled for our next trip in May and I am looking forward to it.

 

[ScoJo15]

The blog sort of proves the OPs point. My point is continued.....



Both blogs are from couples which ordered at least 3 appetizers, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. Makes sense to me that a couple who only ordered one appetizer and one entree each might leave hungry. Why do posters continue to quote blogs which supports the OPs point?



+1



Who suggested the CG provide unlimited quantities of food? Disney wouldn't have give a complete refund, really a credit, if the complaint had no merit.

So the OP should be fully refunded for their meal?

 

[MSLRAC]

Who suggested the CG provide unlimited quantities of food?

Well what do all of your screaming inadequate portion size ithink they should do if a person eats all of their food and is still hungry? There is really only two options....provide more food or comp the meal?

Also, if Disney really and truly saw merit in this complaint then they would be revamping CG's portion sizes (doubt that happens) or they would have comped all the meals served that night (seriously doubt that happened). They simply provided the customer service they are known for and oiled a squeeky wheel in hopes that it would quit squeeking but nope, it squeeked on over here to tell us all about it.

 

[Jennasis]

Wait wait wait...so because the OP is a "big eater" and neglected to purchase enough food to satisfy themselves, WDW owed them a REFUND??

Insanity.


I ate there last year. DH and I split an app, had an entree and literally had to force dessert down because we were so full. They also provide bread, which you can ask for refills on. Maybe I should have demanded a refund because we left feeling too full?

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Both blogs are from couples which ordered at least 3 appetizers, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. Makes sense to me that a couple who only ordered one appetizer and one entree each might leave hungry. Why do posters continue to quote blogs which supports the OPs point?

They are not ordering the extras to fill themselves up, they are ordering multiple items so that they can have an entire eating experience. Eating at a place like CG, or any other upscale restaurant is about experiencing the tastes and flavors that the chef is able to put together. It has nothing to do with feasting mindlessly, but more about careful tasting.

I'm saddened that Disney gave a refund, as this is setting a poor precedent.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I guess my issue is this, I have the opposite problem. If I go to a restaurant and a heaping plate of food is laid in front of me it actually makes me lose my appetite. I prefer smaller size entrees of high quality food. It's why I choose to not eat at certain country style chain food restaurants because honestly I lose my appetite when given enough food to feed a family of 5. I know what I like, I am willing to spend the money on it, and I do my research. I am shocked that Disney would refund the money on a perfectly good tasting meal. That is mind boggling frankly.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Disney wouldn't have give a complete refund, really a credit, if the complaint had no merit.

Really, I've often found that those who think it doesn't hurt to ask often get comped, what's the worst that can happen, to be told "no"! It pays to complain, merit doesn't much enter into it! And really, how would the Cust. Rep have determined merit after the fact!

If the OP had asked at the time they were served, would the CG have given them extra food, would they have comped the meal, who knows. Most establishments, when someone complains, they give you something like dessert or take the price off of an item, something to make you feel better. What they don't do is comp your meal once you've licked your plate clean!

By the way Disney's not setting a precedent, it's an arbitrary decision made by whoever picks up the phone! Let's all start calling.....

 

[AmyBeth68]

They are not ordering the extras to fill themselves up, they are ordering multiple items so that they can have an entire eating experience. Eating at a place like CG, or any other upscale restaurant is about experiencing the tastes and flavors that the chef is able to put together. It has nothing to do with feasting mindlessly, but more about careful tasting.

I'm saddened that Disney gave a refund, as this is setting a poor precedent.

Thank you for eloquently stating exactly how I feel!

Also wanted to add that Cali Grill is actually not my favorite or even near favorite Signature Restaurant on property. For my time and money I prefer Bistro de Paris, Artist Point and Citricos.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am going to close this now as it has turned into a debate over whether or not the OP SHOULD have been disappointed in the portion sizes at CA Grill.