Is California Grill worth it??

[richard220]

We made ADR's for the Calinfornia Grill using free Dining. It is a "Signature Restaurant" thus requiring two dinner credits per person. I'm wondering if people think the Cali Grill is worth 4 TS credits (or 2 full TS meals for two). We originally chose a signature restaurant because we had 2 extra credits, but now our flights have changed. What do you think....one dinner at the California Grill, or two dinners at other restaurants?

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

California Grill is one of our FAVORITES! We make reservations evry trip to WDW. The food is wonderful & decent portions. Atmosphere is great. We walked out onto the outlook deck over MK & watched the fireworks each time. The menu is diverse too...Pork loin, filet mignon, fish, sushi, pastas etc.

Treat yourself!! I don't think you will be disappointed...we NEVER are!
Enjoy

 

[glawgirl]

California Grill is def. worth it. The food there has always been excellent - from the appetizers to dessert - you cannot go wrong. You can also see the Magic Kingdom's fireworks from the restaurant. The service is also excellent. Have fun and enjoy.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

way worth it!!! CG is one of our favorites! Enjoy!!

 

[Cookie Princess]

SOOOO worth it! While some signature restaurants I would never shell out 2 credits for (Coral Reef), I wouldn't think twice at CA Grill!!

 

[Kteacher]

Yes worth it We eat here every trip now- my kids pick this as their must-do restaurant as well ( my 15 year old described the food as the best meal he had ever eaten! )

 

[alexcturner]

In my opinion,,,YES!

 

[Beauty]

another yes vote, its some of the best food we have ever eaten.

 

[indymom1]

I am so glad to see that this is a favorite of so many Disers. We will be eating there on August 3rd the celebration of our 14th anniversary!! We are so excited Any recommendations of things not to miss on the menu??

 

[lillygator]

yes!

 

[DeborahA]

Do not miss the Castroville stuffed artichoke, the Filet of Beef--the potatoes they serve with it were amazing, or the Valrhona Molten Choc. Cake.
We celebrated our 25th anniversary there. It was the most fabulous meal and atmosphere. Very very special!
Deb

 

[karma3939]

I am getting ready to make my ADR and am having trouble deciding what time to make them for CG.... I want to see the fireworks and we are going to be coming straight from MK.... which option would be better for viewing the fireworks with least stress:

1. Watch fireworks in park and then go to dinner (but we will experience a lot of crowds from what I have read leaving the park and may be late for dinner)

2. Make ADR for 1/2 an hour before fireworks start so we can get out of the park before the crowds and be seated just as they are starting hopefully at a window seat (however this requires us eating a little on the early side for us since Wishes will be at 7 on this day and rushes everything)

3. Make ADR for an hour after the fireworks end, leave park 1/2 hour before fireworks begin, and enjoy cocktails at the CG while watching Wishes on the outdoor patio and then have dinner afterwards.

Which of these ideas seems best for a young couple? We don't mind eating late and we are not getting up super early that day to get to the park so I want to have as much time as possible there.

Thanks!

 

[piglet1234]

I would have to say YES! _

 

[WDW LOVR]

Karma, I think #2 would be the best, but I would leave a little more than 1/2 hour before Wishes begins. By the time you get to CR, get checked in, get escorted up to CG and get a drink, the fireworks might be over.

We arrived before the fireworks, got a drink and even though we were seated prior to Wishes starting at a non-window table, we went out on the observation deck and enjoyed the show during the meal. Wasn't a problem at all.

 

[eeyore45]

I too struggled with this question. For me, I went to allearsnet.com read the menu added up (approximately, I did round up!) app ($10), main course ($35) and dessert ($10)... so I figured app $55 per person would be an average estimate for food. (and based on what I've read, we'll pay out of pocket for our DD 8, child's menu is $6, but to use her child credit at a signature rest. doesnt make sense, we wont be using her credits on our adult meals - promise!!)

Anyway, I still go back and forth, but I figure, why not!! I may never get another opportunity!! We're going in October, so it was hard to figure Wishes timing, so I just picked a time we usually eat dinner, and hope that works!!

 

[jcsbama]

Ok, I'm going against the grain and say that we will probably never eat there again. We went in June and it was by far the worst place we ate, however, my sister went to Disney the following week and California Grill was their favorite. To spare everyone the boring details, DH and I arrived at 7:45 (seated promptly) and didn't get to leave until 11:30!!! It was all on account of our horrible, horrible service. We had finished eating our entree for 45 minutes (no joke, I timed it) before we saw our waiter to even discuss dessert. We were so mad when we left because our waiter would not wait on us, a party of two, but constantly checked on the tables of 6 or more right behind us and we felt like it was because he would get a bigger tip. He completely ignored us the whole time.

We loved Artist Point, it was our absolute favorite and can't wait to go next year.

 

[babybunrab]

I had a similar service experiene to jcsbama--things were tasty, but very slow. It turned out the waitress thought we were waiting for Wishes, which started at 10:00 PM (we had gotten there at 7:00). When we told her we weren't, she said, "Oh, I'm sorry" and things went back to a more reasonable speed.