I have a bad feeling about this...(venting)

[pixarmom]

I don't have any advice to offer regarding the adults because all the adults in my family and extended family really enjoy the menu at CG. As for the kids, one of our boys is a very picky eater and he LOVES the mac and cheese there. He says it's not only the best mac and cheese at Disney, but the best mac and cheese anywhere. They have great kids' menu and in our experience, are great with kids.

 

[Mikey'swife]

On our last trip we ate there and Yachtman as our 2 Signature meals. The sushi was wonderful and the rest of our meal so was good but Yachtsman was WAY better, HUGE steaks, wonderful salads and bread. The only thing better at California Grill was dessert, next time I will just order cheese since they Signature desserts tend to look great and not taste that well.

California Grill is neat but Yachtsman is better especially if you are looking for beef, not sure about burgers. Kind of sounds like a nice meal might even be a regular disney place with more variety.

 

[danceintherain]

I'd also take away the descriptions and the prices, and just show the names. Short and sweet.

Sorry. Honestly, I would just take them and watch them when they see the menu. You told them about it already, and they won't listen, so there's not much you can do past that. If you really want out of the meal, then use your kids as an excuse and convince them to let you change it.

Personally, I love watching stupid people when they realize how stupid they are.

 

[ShariVT]

I would say go and make them suffer, however, I would hate to pay that much for dinner and have to listen to people complain the whole time.

 

[seadd67]

we are going, and I am a 100% non seafood eatter!. The one steak item,yep thats what I am getting. My DS and his DGF to be fair love sushi(yuck!) so its a fifty deal. Hay you warend them!,i would just make the best. They should still love the view

 

[myhoney]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone! And while I do live close (next door!) I'm going to leave it alone. Hopefully they enjoy the great food at CG, and if not, well, I'll enjoy my dinner. And thanks for the tip about the flatbreads -maybe I'll look at those for the kids. They only like Kraft's mac & cheese, and not all that much, either.

My ILs aren't planners -they are on the ddp, but have no ADRs scheduled, and aren't going to make any. I explained that the dining system has changed since they were there 9 years ago, but FIL keeps telling me they can just walk up and eat somewhere, since that's what they did last time. I have decided that I can (and will) control my family's vacation, but not theirs. I feel much better for getting my frustration out, so thank you all for "listening"!

 

[winterman]

Just want to say that I have read plenty of reviews of CG and many of them have included little to no seafood. I think there will be plenty of items that they will enjoy.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I think what you have done is really nice, however don't beat yourself up over this. They have to learn from experience...if they are insisting on going there and no where else, then fine so be it. If they don't like it then tough cookies...at least you tried. As for California Grill, my family loves this restaurant, it is a must do for us. And don't worry about the sushi, you don't have to get it....the wait staff knows that sushi is not for everyone so just let them know you are not going to order any and they won't tell you about the different selections. Good luck....I am guessing you will need it

 

[robinb]

I really wouldn't worry about it ... you've done enough of that already. Just go to the CG and have a great time. FWIW, I don't think "sushi" when I think of the CG and even I (a total seafood lover) have a hard time not ordering the steak when I go there. I also love the view and the open kitchen. Your family will have the option of the beautiful steak, or the chicken or I bet they would even serve up an adult portion of the mac n cheese. They also have flatbreads (like pizza). They will also work with your family on adjusting food to their taste.

Good luck!

 

[littlbugmom]

My first thought was "they're going to have something to say no matter what".


If you stick with their choice, they will complain about the lack of options.

If you DON'T stick with their choice, they'll complain that you are controlling and they'll be 100% positive that CG would have been better than whatever restaurant you decided on.


I'd let the CG decision ride because imo, it will give them less to gripe about.

 

[Lynn57]

My ILs aren't planners -they are on the ddp, but have no ADRs scheduled, and aren't going to make any. I explained that the dining system has changed since they were there 9 years ago, but FIL keeps telling me they can just walk up and eat somewhere, since that's what they did last time.

Well, they may end up loving it since depending on when you are going, they may not get many other TS restaurants! Let us know how everything works out!

 

[tigger536]

Personally, I love watching stupid people when they realize how stupid they are.

Exactly.

Also, are you going during wishes? That is worth it for the experience alone.

I love California Grill, it is one of my favorite restaurants. I've found lately service can be hit or miss, though. Ask for Ron - over the years he has been one of my favorite waiters there (we have had the luck to have had him a couple of times).

They will accomodate a less adventurous eater too. We have never done this, but I've seen people ask for the steak with no sauce, etc, so it can be done.

Its a fun restaurant and worth doing at least once, IMO.

Also, the kids meals (from what I've seen here on the DIS, I don't have kids) are a notch above the normal WDW kids meals.

I think everyone should be able to find something they like. Maybe even try something new and actually like it! And if they don't, hey, they picked it.

 

[basketlacey]

I am going to go slightly against the crowd on this one.

It sounds like YOU (and your dh) don't really want to eat at Cali Grill. If it was MY vacation, I wouldn't spend 2 dining credits per person to eat somewhere I didn't want to go.

I have never been to CG but based on the menu, I think my family would love it. If I didn't feel that way, I don't think I would want to spend the money (and especially not the credits).

 

[myhoney]

I am going to go slightly against the crowd on this one.

It sounds like YOU (and your dh) don't really want to eat at Cali Grill. If it was MY vacation, I wouldn't spend 2 dining credits per person to eat somewhere I didn't want to go.

I have never been to CG but based on the menu, I think my family would love it. If I didn't feel that way, I don't think I would want to spend the money (and especially not the credits).

I completely agree with you. We originally rented a private pool home and planned to eat offsite, as this is a unexpected/budget trip. ILs were always staying onsite (we have different budgets!) They wanted to do one big family meal, which was great since we wanted our kids to have one onsite Disney meal. We thought they'd pick someplace in Epcot as they always talk about the meals they have had there. Cali Grill was a surprise, and honestly, the expense was, too!

We don't consider CG to be a Disney experience for our kids, so we priced out a second meal for just our famly. But at that point, our food budget was getting crazy, and DH said to just stay onsite, adjust the budget (!) and let's be on a real vacation. I'd still rather be off, for space and money reasons, but I'm good with eating onsite, and am really looking forward to the places we have picked.

I don't reallywant to drop $170 on any dinner, but don't mind for a special family event. I like sushi, as well as fish/beef/chicken, so I'm good. DH doesn't consider himself to be picky, but when he saw the menu, he was like, um....wow. Not much on there for me. At home, ILs go to the same diner restaurant. When they go for a "fancy" dinner, they go to Olive Garden. They are very much meat and potatoes kind of people. Maybe I'm just hoping that if they saw the menu they'd change their minds. Or questions if we need a signature meal - it is much fancier than any of us are used to. (seriously - MIL served DiGiorno pizza for Christmas last year on paper plates. Usually it's cold ham sandwiches with potato chips. *sigh*)

 

[soarinup]

They won't be happy anyway. You've advised them of the menu, your obligations are over. They will complain, just understand that's coming and enjoy your meal.

 

[hookedonears]

We are meeting up with inlaws on vacation for a "nice" dinner. Someone told my SIL California Grill is nice, so that is the only place they want to go. I booked the reservation. But, they are not seafood people. I've suggested more than once that they look at the menu and make sure that is where they want to go since there are a lot of "nice" restaurants at Disney to choose from. They can't be bothered.

Now, we are paying oop, but any signature is going to be pricey. And I don't really mind because it is a special evening. So tonight, MIL asks if I'm really ok going there, because I seem like I'm not. So I tell them again, I eat almost anything (and I really do!), but I would never in a million years look at the menu, and think of ILs wanting to eat there. For myself, I already have a meal picked out and think it sounds delicious!

I mentioned that the place is heavy on sushi, and she says how that's not for her. (no kidding) She asks if they have steaks. I tell her there is one steak entree, one pork, one chicken and one veal. She looks at me and says, well they must have burgers? and when I say no, SIL says, what kind of grill is this?? I'm like the California grill. It's like, Californian style of food. No lie, SIL says, they have cows in California.

Honestly, I don't want to eat there. I'd rather go to Yachtsman or Narcoossee's. I can't get them to look at the menu, and they don't seem to get the fact that it's not their type of food. And they are not adventurous people. DH is not thrilled with the menu, either, but has found an entree that he will get. Don't get me started on DD6 and DD4 and what they will eat there. I don't know who made this recommendation to SIL, but I'd like a strong word with them!

It appears that your husband needs to run interference for you here. If it really means that much to you, let your husband tell them that y'all would love to meet them for lunch some where, but as far as dinner goes, he had always wanted to have a nice dinner at Narcoosees, or where ever, and for them to go ahead and enjoy California Grill. Either that, suck it up and enjoy California Grill. It could be worse.

 

[Lynne M]

I
At home, ILs go to the same diner restaurant. When they go for a "fancy" dinner, they go to Olive Garden. They are very much meat and potatoes kind of people. Maybe I'm just hoping that if they saw the menu they'd change their minds. Or questions if we need a signature meal - it is much fancier than any of us are used to. (seriously - MIL served DiGiorno pizza for Christmas last year on paper plates. Usually it's cold ham sandwiches with potato chips. *sigh*)

I'm sorry, it does sound like a disaster in the making, doesn't it?

Just to give you a little tiny ray of hope.....a friend of mine recently got a gift certificate for an expensive local restaurant. I've been hoping he wouldn't ask me to come along, since I KNEW he'd hate the food there and it would be a lousy time for all. I've known the guy for 15 years, and he very rarely strays from a steak and a plain baked potato and a salad with French dressing. Hates fancy places. Thinks Olive Garden is too fancy. I couldn't see a thing he'd eat on the menu.

Imagine my shock as he happily ordered crab-stuffed bistro steak with truffled fingerling potatoes and zucchini with balsamic drizzle. And plowed through every bite of it.

The moral of the story.....sometimes people surprise ya. Just because the ILs haven't been exposed to 'fancy' food, doesn't mean they won't like it.

 

[TDC Nala]

If they think Olive Garden is haute cuisine, what makes you think they'd like Narcoosees or Yachtsman? Well, maybe Yachtsman, if what they want is steak. Those are just as much signature restaurants as California Grill is. I think you need to try and talk your in-laws out of a signature. Try telling them you think it's too expensive and giving them some non-signature alternatives. Unless what they really want to do is eat at California Grill to see fireworks; if that's the case you probably won't dissuade them. You've already stated that you do not want to eat at California Grill. If you really want out of CG and it's not just about the in-laws not liking the food, you are going to have to persuade the in-laws to go somewhere else.

 

[myhoney]

You've already stated that you do not want to eat at California Grill. If you really want out of CG and it's not just about the in-laws not liking the food, you are going to have to persuade the in-laws to go somewhere else.

I guess I'm indifferent. I don't mind eating there, but it is not first on my list. But, I made that list by looking at the signature options and entrees. My sister and I like some restaurants when we go out, but we don't pick those places with other members of my family. That's how I feel about this. I would eat there, but I would never have suggested it for this group.

But, as I said, I'm keeping the reservation, and I'm looking forward to going. I think ILs are just draining me lately. They are asking me lots of questions about the vacation, but then don't make any decisions, and then FIL makes questionable judgement calls (would you voluntarily raise the issue of cancer with a 6 year old for no reason?), so I think I'm just cranky. Maybe I could use a nap!

 

[BriarRosie]

Ok, if they think Olive Garden is fancy, I think they'd be comfortable at Kona Cafe. It's very casual, and I thought the food was good. But it's been a few years since I last had dinner there. If you had time before the fireworks, you can go out to the beach to watch them after dinner.

I think that's a MUCH better alternative to California Grill if the in-laws are mostly comfortable at casual places.