Jiko vs. California Grill

[boycom]

Never been to any. Currently holding one ADR for Jiko, but afraid we won't be able to make it on time, after Fantasmic! (show starts at 8:30 PM, ADR for 9:30 PM).

There is availability for California Grill for 5:35 PM on another day, but I'm not sure if that's a good time for dinner.. we will be, though, at the Magic Kingdom that day, so getting there would be much simpler.

So - what do you say: Late Dinner at Jiko with a chance not to be on time, or Early dinner at California Grill?

looking forward to read your thoughts.

 

[momtobrynncess]

Never been to any. Currently holding one ADR for Jiko, but afraid we won't be able to make it on time, after Fantasmic! (show starts at 8:30 PM, ADR for 9:30 PM).

There is availability for California Grill for 5:35 PM on another day, but I'm not sure if that's a good time for dinner.. we will be, though, at the Magic Kingdom that day, so getting there would be much simpler.

So - what do you say: Late Dinner at Jiko with a chance not to be on time, or Early dinner at California Grill?

looking forward to read your thoughts.

Having eaten at Cali Grill at least a dozen times, I can tell you it's simply AWESOME!!! The food is ALWAYS outstanding. From a time perspective, that is a perfect time to eat, not yet very busy, and yes, very easy and quick to get to from MK. There is no way (imo) that you would make it to Jiko from DHS in time. Having not yet had the pleasure of dining at Jiko, I can't speak for the food, but unless I am missing something, I don't think you'll make it. You can't go wrong with CG.....Good luck!!

 

[laughinplace199]

Those are my 2 favorite restaurants! I don't think you'll make it form HS to AKL in time for your ADR, so I'd go with Cal Grill.

 

[kmk1180]

Well I personally give Cal Grill a thumbs down.
(2nd most overrated resturant at Disney IMO)
And would choose Jiko over it any day!!! Way better!!!

But I don't think you would make Jiko based on your schedule.
So if those were your only choices it would have to be CG.
But know it might not be the romantic quiet meal your hoping for.
if that's what the intent is.

Could I suggest Narcossee's instead? you could get there just as easy
and have a much nicer meal with gorgeous views.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Never been to any. Currently holding one ADR for Jiko, but afraid we won't be able to make it on time, after Fantasmic! (show starts at 8:30 PM, ADR for 9:30 PM).

Even if you had written that that Fantasmic! would end at 8:30 PM, I would say that you would have insufficient time to make it to Jiko by 9:30 PM. It takes a long time after Fantasmic! to get out of the huge amphitheater, wind you way to the park exit, get to the AKL bus stop, wait for a bus (or possibly wait for a second bus if too many people are in front of you after Fantasmic!), take the ride to AKL, and walk from the AKL bus area to Jiko.

However, if Fantasmic! starts at 8:30 PM, it will be impossible to get to Jiko by 9:30 PM. In fact, you might not get there until after they stop seating anyone for dinner.

Jiko and California Grill are both wonderful restaurants, with memorable food, service, and atmosphere. They're expensive, but I'd rather eat one meal at Jiko and California Grill than two meals at ordinary restaurants.

Under the circumstances, and given the two choices that you presented, I would go with California Grill.

 

[boycom]

someone told me we could catch seats by the aisle at Fantasmic! and practically RUN to the buses, and if we call them and let them know we're a bit late - they won't make a big deal out of it.

I've heard a lot of good things about both restaurants, and I know you can't go wrong with either of them, but for now it seems like Jiko's cuisine would be more of something you don't usually get to taste, while CG is a very good - but more familiar - cuisine.

what do you say? am I right with my diagnosis? have you even arrived late for an ADR and was accepted/turn down?

 

[ToddyLu]

As the other posters have said there is no way you can get out of Fantasmic, even running out, get on the bus to AKL and be there in time for 9:30.....maybe getting a taxi.... It just isn't realistic. If you really want to eat at Jiko, skip Fantasmic and watch it on You Tube ( I promise I am not trying to be sarcastic) I really am trying to help as are the other Posters. You can't Fantasmic and Jiko both. I am sure they would hold a table for 5-10 minutes but you are talking probably going to be at least 30 minutes late. I would be interested in how you make out and wish you luck.

JMO, I just don't think it is right for someone to book an ADR knowing they can't get there in a decent amount of time. Especially at a Signiture type place. Please I am not trying to be mean. WDW is a very expensive trip and it is a lot about planning and execution to get all of your wishes included in the trip. Every poster has said you will not have time. Even if you stood up in the Back of Fantasmic and used a motorcycle to get to the front gate you aren't going to hit the 9:30 ressie. Again I hope you have a great trip.

 

[Inkmahm]

Those are my 2 favorite restaurants! I don't think you'll make it form HS to AKL in time for your ADR, so I'd go with Cal Grill.

I agree with this post. These are my top two favorite restaurants but you won't make it in timefor the Jiko ADR.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We enjoyed California Grill!

 

[boycom]

ok, so thanks to you guys' advice, I've changed my ADR for Jiko from 9:30 PM to 5:40 PM, which means we'll have to break from DHS to AK Lodge in the middle of the day, and then back to DHS for Fantasmic! Still there's a question if by the time we're back, we'll have seats (but there's another show at 10:00 PM).

So now, when both CG and Jiko dinners are at the same time of the day - which one is better??

 

[ajleone]

So now, when both CG and Jiko dinners are at the same time of the day - which one is better??

I ate at both within the last week and I feel they were equal on both having an amazing menu and the quality of food however I felt the service at Jiko was horrible. We ended up eating at CG 3 times and the service was simply amazing!!

 

[ToddyLu]

We have eaten at Ca Grill every year since or first trip in 2002. It is alwasy fantastic. However, it has gotten a lot more noisy over the last two years. There are more people bringing children to dinner, which is fine, just contributes to the noise. Of course, adults can be noisy, too.

 

[Silver Queen]

I am in complete agreement with kmk1180. We prefer Jiko to Cali Grill. In our opinion both the food and service were better at Jiko. We were at Cali Grill in April and again in August. While we enjoyed our dinners we were not overly impressed. We loved Narcoosee's during our August trip and decided that we will go there again before we revisit Cali Grill.

 

[Vaughn4380]

Geez, this is like “Which car is better? Corvette or Mustang?”

Both restaurants are good, if I had to pick one over the other it would be Jiko based on the menu. It has more stuff that you just don’t find outside of an African themed hotel.

If you want a better view than CG would be my choice. You can’t go wrong with either.

ETA: After a meal at Jiko, I like to grab a beer and sit out on the savanna!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have done an early dinner at Jiko and Cali Grill, we loved both..but the winner is Jiko...the filet and the apps we ordered were just out of this world.

DH had the filet at both places and he swears that Jiko is the best onsite filet.

 

[Inkmahm]

We usually do both Jiko and CG on each trip. If the trip is too short to do both, Jiko wins.

 

[Corwin]

We ate at Jiko and CG last week. Overall, both were fantastic.

The filet mignon at Jiko was better than the one at CG. The service at CG was better, but there were also a bunch of kids running around the table next to us (table of 12).

We'd hoped to see Wishes from the observation deck at CG, but it was raining. We would have just put on ponchos when the show started, but the staff invited us into a room with a large window where we could watch it from inside. The music was piped in. It was wonderful.

The server took our dessert order right before Wishes, and it was served as soon as the show ended.

Two very memorable meals.