Official California Grill Open ADR Watch Thread

[clc053103]

Here you go all you people who will be there on September 8th and were sorry that you will miss the opening on the 9th: Disney Parks Blog, just out. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/08/sign-up-now-for-the-disney-parks-blog-california-grill-grand-opening-meet-up/

Of course my flight leaves at 6 that night!

 

[jimim]

Hi Bill,

Another Wilkes-Barre person here, well actually Bear Creek but close enough. I would try to arrive 30 minutes before the show. Just tell them at check in or when you get seated that you will be enjoying the fireworks. The waiters will actually work your meal around the fireworks. It is common place for them so no worries.

We were able to get our reservations for 7:30 on December 15 for a party of 10. I believe we have the Christmas Party Fireworks at 9:30.

Kim

Oh wow Nepa people. Very cool.

Sorry to be off topic but we are a small local area so seeing people from Nepa is kinda cool.

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[Abby's Dad]

Of course my flight leaves at 6 that night!

I'm sorry - But I do hope that some from here get to go. It probably wouldn't be good idea for me to fly down for just that night., but that doesn't mean that the though didn't occur to me.

 

[Kimmy2Disney]

Oh wow Nepa people. Very cool.

Sorry to be off topic but we are a small local area so seeing people from Nepa is kinda cool.

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Haha- hijacking this thread, but another NEPA here! I grew up in the back mountain- now living in NC, closer to the Disney Magic, lol!
We got our ressie for DH and I on 11/6 at 7:30... Yay!!!

 

[tkldisney]

I just booked our 25th anniversary dinner 11/6!!! 5:40 pm.

 

[jimim]

Haha- hijacking this thread, but another NEPA here! I grew up in the back mountain- now living in NC, closer to the Disney Magic, lol!
We got our ressie for DH and I on 11/6 at 7:30... Yay!!!

Lol. Ur going to have a great time!

Back mountain. . . Dallas area?

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[sandhya]

I am a lurker but this year we will be in WDW Dec 21 to 25th. I made all my ADRs(Wave, Maya grill, Kouzzina and GFC). This CG thread helped me to snag a 7.20pm reservation for 8 people. I asked the CM I thought by this time all Christmas spots would be taken. She said " today is our first day to take reservations maybe not many know". I said to myself thank God for DIS Boards. Great job and Thank you.

 

[ToddyLu]

A big thank you to the best TA ever...Becky. She snagged us 10/31 at 7pm and 11/3 with my parents at 7 pm. I am so excited we also scored a night at BLT a while back and I was looking forward to staying close to the resort our first night. Woooohoooo!

 

[Kimmy2Disney]

Lol. Ur going to have a great time!

Back mountain. . . Dallas area?

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Yes! Dallas to be exact!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

So I posted this on another thread, but thought I'd share my opinion here as well. There seems to be a LOT of posts about CG and I feel like a very high percentage of them are critical.

I think that a LOT of people are judging the renovation and new menu before we even have reports of what it is really like . The old California Grill, as much as I loved it, was getting outdated and so was the menu.

The renovations (from the design) are fresh, they showcase the view and compliment the colours of the MK and Cinderella Castle lit at night - rich blues, purples, pinks, cool tones. They even took inspiration from Mary Blair, tying in connection to the Magic Kingdom (It's a Small World) and the Contemporary (the mural in the lobby). The kitchen is showcased better and the area to the right of the bar as you enter has been utilized MUCH more efficiently.

As far as the menu - in my opinion it is highly seasonal and I believe it will change frequently. I am a creature of habit and I like my favorite dishes, but they needed a refresh and needed to step up in my opinion. Jiko, Citricos, Flying Fish - they all frequently offer amuse bouche to guests, they have wine dinners, chefs counters, chefs tables. CG needed to match these expectations. I go to fine dining establishments to experience the chefs creativity - I want dishes that make me think "Wow! I have never heard thought of putting those things together again!"

This might be a bit of a controversial opinion - but CG was becoming more about the view for a lot of patrons and that isn't exactly the best way to generate revenue for a high end restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I don't think CG was suffering in any way but I did hear a lot of people saying "Let's go for dessert and Wishes". But I think they wanted to strongly identify as a signature restaurant - not just a restaurant with a great view. They want to attract patrons that want a fine dining experience.

 

[SarahInMN]

This might be a bit of a controversial opinion - but CG was becoming more about the view for a lot of patrons and that isn't exactly the best way to generate revenue for a high end restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I don't think CG was suffering in any way but I did hear a lot of people saying "Let's go for dessert and Wishes". But I think they wanted to strongly identify as a signature restaurant - not just a restaurant with a great view. They want to attract patrons that want a fine dining experience.

I completely agree - this is why we usually eat at resorts not the parks because the resorts consistently have better food than park TS restaurants. CG was becoming, well, bland and predictable - we're really hoping that the new menu will change regularly and have unique items on it. It's not about the fireworks for us - it's great food, great wine, and great service.

 

[jimim]

Yes! Dallas to be exact!

Lol awesome. My buddy lives on the lake so we spend alot if time in Dallas.

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[mystery222184]

I completely agree - this is why we usually eat at resorts not the parks because the resorts consistently have better food than park TS restaurants. CG was becoming, well, bland and predictable - we're really hoping that the new menu will change regularly and have unique items on it. It's not about the fireworks for us - it's great food, great wine, and great service.

While this will be my first time at CG, some of the menu changes are why I am finally trying it out. For example, the chicken dish seems to be paired with much better sides than before. The new appetizers and desserts look great. Some people love to complain when faced with change :/

 

[Eastern]

I wanted more like 8:30, called in at 7 am, took 20 mins to get an agent so we're there at 9 pm. First, when should we arrive to see the show and what happens if we get called at exactly 9 or a few minutes before? What would you do? We've seen Wishes from Ohana several times, first time for CG.

Thanks,
Bill From PA

I would also keep checking for an earlier time. I think a lot of people probably made a few reservations at first and may cancel some. Especially as it gets closer to the actual dining date (they won't want to lose their deposits if they don't show up).

 

[PSUGuy]

Oh wow Nepa people. Very cool.

Sorry to be off topic but we are a small local area so seeing people from Nepa is kinda cool.

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There are more of us here than you might think, and thanks to all for the valuable advice.

Bill From PA

 

[Abby's Dad]

This might be a bit of a controversial opinion - but CG was becoming more about the view for a lot of patrons and that isn't exactly the best way to generate revenue for a high end restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I don't think CG was suffering in any way but I did hear a lot of people saying "Let's go for dessert and Wishes". But I think they wanted to strongly identify as a signature restaurant - not just a restaurant with a great view. They want to attract patrons that want a fine dining experience.

I agree with much of what you say - I love the service and food at CG, but I also enjoy the view. The new menu may be pointed towards eliminating those who just come for Wishes and desert, as the desert menu has definitely gone downhill, and is pretty everyday as far as I'm concerned.

As to fine dining establishments, Victoria and Al's is the only fine dining establishment on property. The "signature" restaurants are good restaurants, but they are still production restaurants, not fine dining. They offer very good dining, and excellent service for the most part, and an enjoyable evening. They are, for the most part, another level above the common chain restaurants, and I do enjoy them, and look forward to eating in several each trip (and truth be told, these are actually more to my taste - I am more comfortable here than at Vic & Al's, though V&As is an incredible experience). I just don't mistake them for fine dining.

 

[jheltz27]

Could be a special event. They actually cancelled an ADR i had a few years back for a "special person" wanted the whole place.

I am fine with hosting a the restaurant, but don't allow ADR and then cancel them! I am still a bit miffed about that when I think on it! No apology , no offer to book another hard to get ADR....just " sorry, we have the Crystal palace if you want that!

True tale!

They are just toying with me now. I checked via MDE this AM and it showed up as an option for dinner on 12/2 but said "Call to Book". In my past experience this meant it could be booked online via the regular site, just not thru the MDE app due to the credit card reserve. Tried that and showed no availability at all. Agghh. There goes that plan for either CG or hoping that people with earlier Ohana ADRs would switch over to CG so I could pick those up. Who wants to eat dinner @ 9:45???

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[Ana~n~Joseph]

They are just toying with me now. I checked via MDE this AM and it showed up as an option for dinner on 12/2 but said "Call to Book". In my past experience this meant it could be booked online via the regular site, just not thru the MDE app due to the credit card reserve. Tried that and showed no availability at all. Agghh. There goes that plan for either CG or hoping that people with earlier Ohana ADRs would switch over to CG so I could pick those up. Who wants to eat dinner @ 9:45???

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Same thing happened to me. Saw the "call to book" and got all sorts of excited and then..........nothing Ugh! Artist Point it is for us that night... really really wanted Cali Grill though. I'm having no luck with ADRs this year

 

[WDWKOOK]

If this has already been posted, I apologize, but I believe that someone asked about a soft opening. I did see THIS about a gathering on 9/8, but it filled to capacity very quickly after first being advertised yesterday.






Also, I will be canceling the following ADRs for 3 on 8/29, unless PM'd to coordinate:


CA GRILL: 12/23 @ 6:55

CA GRILL: 12/24 @ 7:00

CA GRILL: 12/25 @ 7:20

Don't worry, I'm keeping the first ADR of the day on Christmas

 

[Debijmk]

Unfortunately, I had an unexpected hospitalization when ADR's opened so I am behind. If anyone who has dined at CG and viewed the fireworks could offer your opinion it would be greatly appreciated. I needed December 11th and ended up with two options: 5:25 and 9:10. Would I be better to go at 5:25 and go back with my receipt to view Wishes or take the 9:10 and try to work ordering, appetizers etc. around viewing Wishes? As a single mom just now being able to afford to take my adult children on a vacation, we are looking for a good meal and atmosphere, as well as the surprise treat of viewing Wishes. Of course, I plan to continue to check for cancellations to get a little better time but don't want to hold both of these spots when I can decide between the two and open one up for someone else. This thread has really been helpful even though I unexpectedly ended up a little behind. Thanks for your help!