Flying Fish Cafe or California Grill

[disneylissy]

Hi everyone. I'm new to these boards and was wondering if you had to pick between these two restaurants which would you pick? Keep in mind that it will be our first time at a signature restaurant. It will be myself (33), hubby (37), and our two boys ages 4 and 9. DH will eat just about anything, the boys and I are a little picky. Also, we've been to the Cotemporary Resort before and will be dining at Chef Mickey's again this year. We have never been to the BW resort. Thanks.

 

[jacksmom]

California grill! The views are great as is the food!

 

[BLTLDZ]

Hmm....Tough one!

With the ages of your children, I would suggest Cali grill....try to get a reservation close to fireworks time. The menu is more diverse here as well. I would choose flying fish for a date night.

 

[4EvrSoarin]

Ditto the previous posts. Both are excellent, but with the views and menu selections, California Grill is the better choice. Enjoy!

 

[itchin2go]

You will love both!

It kind of depends on the kind of experience you want. Do you want to watch the fireworks from CG or spend your evening strolling the Boardwalk? Both are great experiences. Truth be told, we would rather spend an evening on the Boardwalk, but that's a personal preference.

IMHO, Flying Fish feels more laid back than CG. It's a stunningly beautiful restaurant, but in a whimsical, laid back way. CG is not stuffy at all, but I consider it the more formal of the two. That said, CG is noisy and kids are not out of place at all.

I would also look at the menus and see if one appeals to you more.

I really think you'll enjoy yourself either way. Have fun!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I was actually thinking FF is more family friendly! I love both as well. CG seems more involved to me though than FF. CG seems much more date night to me with the bar seeming much more obvious and centered at CG.

I like being able to stroll around the boardwalk and stop into the candy store after.

Both are excellent choices with great atmosphere and food.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Honestly, I would say only go to Flying Fish if at least one of you is really into seafood. There are non-seafood entrees (one pork, one steak, one vegetarian), but if you're not into seafood you won't have much of a choice. So I'd only go if at least 1 of the adults is a real seafood lover.

The kids' meals are relatively diverse--beef, chicken, fish sticks, grilled cheese, or pasta (according to AllEars).

 

[psindone]

The fireworks are nice to watch from the CG, but after dinner the Boardwalk has alot for the kids. Games, face painting and sometimes a show. You can always go to the MK to see the fireworks.......

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We were never so disappointed as we were with the terrible food and horrible service at California Grill.

Skip it and go for Flying Fish.

 

[Pakey]

We like Flying Fish a lot more than Ca Grill.

 

[crisi]

Both are nice and favorites of ours.

I, personally, would not take a four year old to either one as our meals at both tend to run two hours or better. And that is a long time to expect a four year old to sit. We just skipped signature dining until our kids were around six - when they would sit for two hours so we could give the meal the attention it deserved.

 

[itchin2go]

Both are nice and favorites of ours.

I, personally, would not take a four year old to either one as our meals at both tend to run two hours or better. And that is a long time to expect a four year old to sit. We just skipped signature dining until our kids were around six - when they would sit for two hours so we could give the meal the attention it deserved.

We took my daughter to CG when she was 5 and had zero problems with it. Of course, she was tired from the parks, so I think we had a more docile child than normal. I'm pretty sure we didn't spend 2 hours there either, but we had a Pirate and Princess Party to get to so we may have been in more of a hurry than normal.

Anyway, your post brings up a really good point, which is that if a child starts acting up at FF, you can walk with them outside on the Boardwalk or in the adjacent candy store. At CG, you could take him to the elevator area, but it's not as good of an option.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

California Grill

 

[java]

We took our 4 children to California Grill twice so far and are going back this year- there is something magical about eating overlooking the castle. It really is great food too! We had fantastic waiters both times. Suggesting things- that were wonderful. And then we got to see the fireworks. It was a magical meal!

Flying fish was nice too- but really just like a nice restaurant you can eat at at home- CG you can't get at home!

I would say do both. But if I had to pick just one it would be CG!

 

[MarieA]

My DH and I prefer Flying Fish over CG. We've eaten at both many times and really enjoy the food at FF. Service and atmosphere at both FF and CG are pretty equal. However, if you don't like seafood, then definitely go to CG.

 

[galaxyrar]

Our family prefers the Flying Fish over CG. The food at FF is amazing and it has a great atmosphere. We love enjoying the Boardwalk before and after our meal. Our DD(6) loves the magicians and jugglers on the Boardwalk too. CG is good too but to us there is no competition.

 

[crisi]

We took my daughter to CG when she was 5 and had zero problems with it. Of course, she was tired from the parks, so I think we had a more docile child than normal. I'm pretty sure we didn't spend 2 hours there either, but we had a Pirate and Princess Party to get to so we may have been in more of a hurry than normal.

Anyway, your post brings up a really good point, which is that if a child starts acting up at FF, you can walk with them outside on the Boardwalk or in the adjacent candy store. At CG, you could take him to the elevator area, but it's not as good of an option.

Yep, that's why I made sure to say PERSONALLY. Our own children may have been squirmier than someone else's. I have a very low tolerance for a rushed meal when I'm paying $40 for a steak. We do four courses, five at California Grill and consume a bottle of wine.

We did do FF once as a walk in with a 5:30 walk in and made it to a 7:00 Fantasmic showing. Even our squirmy kids could have handled the land speed record we set. But it wasn't a pleasant meal and we didn't do credit to it. That meal may have been the start of "if I'm going to bother to eat signature at Disney, I'm going to make sure I'm set up to be able to enjoy it."

Still, if someone hasn't thought through the logistics of a longish meal with younger kids, its worth mentioning so you don't say "I never considered this meal might be longer - or that I'd want to spend more time over it than my kids would tolerate." We certainly didn't with our first few signature meals (see "lets make Fantasmic!" above.)

The Boardwalk can be a lot of fun in the evening. And while you can't watch Illuminations from the FF, if you are around the area, a lot of the fireworks can be seen from the bridge to the Swalphin. We once had a boat driver who stopped in the middle of the lake for a mini Illuminations cruise.