Photos from California Grill

[lhermiston]

One item on my Disney photo "bucket list" is to shoot Wishes! from the California Grill. Do any of you have experiences with this or photos to share?

I'd love to see any photos you have taken from California Grill and hear about your experiences getting them. Does the observation deck get crowded during the show? Do I have to stake a claim early?

Obviously, CG is a signature dining restaurant, so I want to enjoy the food, atmosphere and all that, as well, but my primary goal is photos.

 

[boBQuincy]

Yes, it can get crowded and to get space for a tripod you may want to head outside before the big rush starts.

and one that is not exactly real but in the spirit of what WDW might show for advertising:

 

[Pixel Dust]

California Grill is a wonderful experience. After the refurb, there are now two observation decks. The usual one to the right as you get off the elevator, and now to the left more towards the back of the restaurant. If you do get seated and served before the fireworks, you are allowed to leave your table to watch outside. Just let your server know you're not walking out without paying.

In October, there wasn't too much of a crowd on the decks. We went back in August and there were more people. Most of the railing was taken up just before the show.

For the interior shots I used an ultra-wide angle lens. You don't have to. I just like the way it looks for architectural interiors. Fireworks, any kit lens will do. No need to go wide here. Even special fireworks, Hallowishes or Christmas, 18mm on a crop camera should cover the wide perimeter fireworks.

Here is our experience from our trip report "Wait! Where's your wedding ring? An Oct. 2013 Disneymoon TR" back in October last year. Also, with a view from the other deck.

Franklin arrived a few minutes after I finished checking in. We both dropped our stuff in the room and split, we had a dinner to get to! Where were we going, you ask? Oh, just somewhere we’d waited a year to eat at again. California Grill!!!! That year-long refurb had really tested our patience because it’s one of our favorite restaurants. We were sooooo ready to eat there again.

They did a beautiful job with the refub, the restaurant has never looked better.

The had sprinkled Mickey confetti on the table in honor of our honeymoon.

Franklin started with a sake martini.

The waiter brought out our bread. Both were lavender flavored, one was focaccia, the other a whole grain roll.

Franklin went to scope out the new viewing deck to decide where he’d shoot the fireworks from that evening.

He like this angle much better than the old viewing deck, which was much more centered on Space Mountain (rather than the castle). Neither of us could figure out why the lights they installed were this odd yellow-green color.

Back to dinner! Franklin was in a sushi mood, so he ordered his beloved Spicy Kazan roll.

He also got an order of sashimi.

Truth be told, he didn’t love the sashimi. He said that the salmon didn’t taste very fresh and the other fish didn’t have much taste at all. Next time, he’ll just order another sushi roll. But he clearly didn’t hate it so much that he didn’t eat every last bite. He definitely lives life like he’s always going for the “Clean Plate Club” sticker at 50s Primetime Cafe.

I had the goat cheese ravioli.

And something from the new menu that I had been dying to try, the pork belly sushi. A little bit of a description for those who haven’t heard of it. Pork Belly Nigri - House-cured Pork atop a sushi roll that includes bacon and Yuzu rice with a spicy teriyaki sauce.

It tasted every bit as good as it sounds, I could have eaten a couple of more plates’ worth.
The goat cheese ravioli was also delish, but was so outshined by the pork.

We got the sundae sampler as our dessert.

It was easily the most adorable dessert we’ve ever had at Disney. But I would love to see them sub out the strawberry sundae for something in the chocolate universe.

​

A truly spectacular show to kick off our Disneymoon! We went back in to finish our dessert and pay the bill. I know plenty of you have read that California Grill isn’t as good as it was before the refurb, so I will give you my honest opinion. The service isn’t as attentive as it used to be and it was pretty noticeable.But we thought the food was still really good, as was the view and atmosphere. All in all, I have no problems recommending Cali Grill, as long as you go in knowing the service isn’t as spectacular as it once was.​

 

[rdunative]

Best restaurant at WDW.

 

[gorjus121]

Best restaurant at WDW.

great photos!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[fbarker]

Best restaurant at WDW.

what kind of lens and what settings did you use?

 

[rdunative]

what kind of lens and what settings did you use?

Thanks!

EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Shot at 50 mm

Auto exposure, Bulb, 7 sec, f/11, ISO 100