How would California Grill do if it DIDN'T have that view?

[Uncleromulus]

Location. Location. Location.
California Grill always seems to be discussed in terms of the fireworks. Thus, as a potential dining spot, it has a real advantage over many other WDW spots.
But what if it were located elsewhere--let's say, where Citrico's is now. How do you think it would rate then????

 

[Dana49]

I think the CG would still be in the top "5" of Disney restaurants. However, even with the CG's great location, I feel that Jiko edges it out, even with its remote location.

 

[BCV23]

Good question.

I know I would still love to dine at CG. We have 3 meals/day because DS2 has to. We do sitdown spots for lunch and dinner and usually breakfast because we like to. As a result of all this good food, a flatbread and salad are often perfect for me for dinner. I love all the options available there.

 

[doodle]

We've been to CG several times but are not planning to go there next trip. Probably will go again another time. We really have enjoyed the service, atmosphere, and food there but the great view does create some problems. There are the crowds standing around in the lounge and "table sitters" that monopolize tables waiting for the fireworks after they have finished their meal.

If CG did not have the view, some would not go there but perhaps others, like us, would like CG to be free from the problem of everyone trying to get that window table at fireworks time!

 

[allicat]

Honestly, I dont really pay too much attention to the view anymore. We go back for the delicious meal and the view is a nice extra.

 

[chipnwendy]

If you want to get a good idea of what the California Grill would be like without the view, I suggest trying the Flying Fish at Disney's Boardwalk.

 

[UKDEB]

Hmm, very good question, Uncleromulus. Any good dining experience is about much more than the food itself - the service, the ambiance and, of course, the dining space.

I've never managed to time my PS to coincide with the fireworks and, although the view is incredible when you see it for the first time, for me it's more about getting a perception of the sheer scale of WDW and the percentage of undeveloped land, rather than the view of MK.

doodle, I'd heard that those without a PS can no longer visit the CG lounge and that you now check-in on a lower floor.

 

[webray]

Without the view..CG would have to work a bit harder on the food to bring it up to par with the other fine dining places on property.

 

[ILUVDXL]

Keeping in mind that you can see WISHES from Citrico, that location makes it a moot point. Standing on it's own I have to admit it's not one of my favorites. We tried it twice and had poor service almost to the point of snobbery and I didn'r feel the food was all it was cracked up to be.

 

[BCV23]

Since only a handful of table at Citricos have a view of Wishes and even then through the canyonmade by the GF buildings, the view of the fireworks doesn't begin to compare in my mind.

Without Wishes, CG still enjoys an incredible view as UKDeb described so well. Citricos has a view of the pretty grounds of the GF but again doesn't compare at least for me.

I wonder if people ever booked Broadway at the Top for the view?

 

[Uncleromulus]

I just used Citrico's as an "off the top of my head" example--and the few tables there that do have a " view" aren't likely to be compared with the CG's.

But just put CG anywhere on property---

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We'll be eating there in Dec. and it has nothing to do with the view. I have Acrophobia, so I for one will be more than happy not to get a window seat. Plus, we're eating at 5:30, because I have a show I want to see much more than fireworks at 8:00. The UNC Tarheels, of course! That said, do I think it would have the same appeal to all, if it were not at the top of the CR? Probably not, based on the fact that so many seem to book with the fireworks or view in mind. Some people are willing to pay more for a meal, only if there is an added benefit to dining at that location.

 

[Jen D]

View matters. I have been to California Grill 2 out of my 3 trips to WDW and had excellent food and service both times, nothing to be disappointed about. But I think the view (never done fireworks) gives it that nudge into special occasion dining. On our last trip we were celebrating a birthday and I really wanted to try one of the fine restaurants we hadn't tried yet, like Citricos or Jiko, but the occasion seemed to warrant the grand setting.

But in my opinion the restaurant is truly excellent and matches the view. In many cities, my own being one of them, the places with the best view usually have pretty ordinary or unremarkable food!

 

[stitch79]

I go to CG because I really enjoy the food, not the view. I think that the view is an extra perk, and if I don't get a window seat then its not the end of the world.

 

[sotoalf]

Diners who come for the view tend to be diners who are indifferent at best to good cuisine. If the California Grill were on the second floor - as the Gulf Coast Room years ago used to be - it wouldn't be as popular, but it would deter a lot of gawkers.

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't watch the fireworks anymore, I barely even look out the window, but I still like eating at CG.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We went to CG the first time because of the view & reviews I had read on these boards. Since then we have been back several times because of the food. There pork tenderloin is fantastic.

 

[lark]

If you're talking solely about the view, I don't think it would fare nearly as well. But there's more to the ambiance than just the view. The set up and open kitchen feel; the airy feel with all the windows, etc., are what make it great, and I think those things would exist even if it were on the other side and faced bay lake and had no view of the fireworks. If you're asking how the restaurant would do if it were just that menu transferred to a big room in the lobby of the Dolphin, I would think not well at those prices.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would still rate it one of the best on WDW. The food is delicious and service is wonderful. We love the atmosphere and always enjoy our meal here. The view is a bonus!