OMG, 3 Hour meal at California Grill

[lovemickeyshouse]

Might forget this place for 2 reasons one being heights and second being 2 dining credits for not much food.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Loved your review

I took my kids with me as we were celebrating my birthday, they were very well behaved tho

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well, I'll probably get flamed for this but I would NEVER EVER take my 6 year old to Cali Grill. That's what the kid's clubs are for. That being said I A) have a very rambunctious child and B) would not want my $80 meal spoiled by dealing with entertaining a child for 3 hrs. That's just me. I think Disney should have an adults only restaurant like V & A that's Dining Plan friendly. Just my opinion, I have nothing against the very well behaved children that do not register on my radar screen but that restaurant should be enjoyed undisturbed by children running around my table.

BTW, I have food porn of this meal but still processing the pics, will post soon!

I understand your point of view but I have had very enjoyable meals at Cali Grill with my children. I always book and early ADR. I wouldn't have any problem with them having say a time limit on children. No ADR's for parties with children after 7:30pm.

 

[princessfionasmom]

Not to change the subject but how did your kids enjoy the neverland club? I would love to have one diner with just DH and I on our Oct trip. We will be staying at BLT for first part of our trip when we will also be doing deluxe dining plan for those 3 days. Also, is the neverland club a one time fee for the night or is it by the hour? Any info you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated.

TIA,
Carmel

 

[MGNA]

We dined there last week with our 9 & 6 yo DSs and had no issues at all. They're used to dining out & are well behaved so they're not ones who will be seen running around a restaurant. Honestly I saw families with children but never noticed/heard unruly children or shrieks & screams.

For us there is no way we would leave our children with strangers while on vacation. If the restaurant isn't deemed as "child-friendly" then we would opt elsewhere.

When I made our ADRs I had initially tried elsewhere but it was booked so the CM suggested the Cali Grill. I stressed to her several times that we had children & asked if it was a child friendly restaurant. She kept assuring me that children were welcome & that she wouldn't hesitate taking her 8yo DS there either.

We had a wonderful window seat table that fully captured the boys attention, particularly as the sun set. The castle looked beautiful after dark! We also knew that they wouldn't last until Wishes so we didn't spread out the dining time. Instead we took the Monorail to MK and watched the fireworks from Main Street.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Not to change the subject but how did your kids enjoy the neverland club? I would love to have one diner with just DH and I on our Oct trip. We will be staying at BLT for first part of our trip when we will also be doing deluxe dining plan for those 3 days. Also, is the neverland club a one time fee for the night or is it by the hour? Any info you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated.

TIA,
Carmel

My dd has LOVED the Neverland Club previously but this time she did not much care for it. She is not a sit and watch movies type and she said they urged all the kids to watch a movie. I'll probably try another club next time. Usually the Neverland Club has been wonderful, don't know why it failed this time?

I was one who said I'd never leave my dd with strangers either But they have always been over and above with their care and security and kids appreciate time away from the parents too! Especially when I say she is going to her own kid's dinner club where thay don't allow parents! She loves that!

I highly recommend the kid's clubs-it's good for everyone to get some separate time during a vacation or you can all get sick of each other

It costs $11.25 plus tax per hour per child. 2 hour minimum. My dd came home with lots of goodies as the next day was her birthday. They showered her with gifts!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I understand your point of view but I have had very enjoyable meals at Cali Grill with my children. I always book and early ADR. I wouldn't have any problem with them having say a time limit on children. No ADR's for parties with children after 7:30pm.

I wouldn't have a problem with limiting the hours that kids are allowed but I just don't see the value in having the kids attend a dinner that takes that long and is mainly about the food. Not many kids are culinary critics who can appreciate the true quality of a restaurant like Cali Grill. At least not at 6.

But I truly understand parents who want to bring their kids and would never knock someone's choice to bring their own behaved children!

After all, it IS WDW! Everyone is welcome!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

:
I think Walter might be a great waiter, but I don't think he's eaten at Victoria and Albert's Chef's Table to form a qualified opinion. I think I'm qualified enough to say that for me, I find Chef's Table blows California Grill out of the water. And I'm someone who really enjoys California Grill!

Funny you mention this, I actually asked Walter if he's ever dined at V&A chef's table and he said he hadn't. But he did say it beat Narcooses chef's table and went on to say it beat any other on property restaurant hands down!

Plus, V&A chef's table is what? $200 per person? Plus Tip?

That's far and away more expensive and in a different league than Cali Grill. I say, dollars for dollars, Cali Grill is still the best bang for your buck!

 

[taylor3297]

What on earth are bacon hushpuppies?

Hushpuppies are made out of cornmeal and are deep friend, are either a sphere shape or oblong. You usually serve hushpuppies with fried fish and/or barbeque (the food not a way of cooking). So bacon hushpuppies would have bacon added to the cornmeal batter.

My husband had never had a hushpuppy until he married me and moved south. He is originally from the northeast of the US.

 

[mskayjay]

Walter absolutely makes a fabulous dining experience go to a level that is just totally beyond compare for a WDW experience. I would put him up against anyone at V&A and know he would blow them out of the parks. He is beyond compare.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it as much as we did!
hugs
K