'Rules' for dinner at CA Grill?

[firefly1010]

Hi -

DS (17) and I will be at WDW next week to celebrate my birthday. We managed to get reservations at CA Grill for 7:30 on a day we are at HS. We are also staying at the Contemporary. What time should we leave HS? I am a little worried about leaving HS early, now that they have extended the hours, but it is what it is. I'm planning on using Uber or Lyft, both to the park and back, to save time. Hopefully, have enough time to shower and change before dinner, as well. What are the 'rules' to eating at CA Grill? Can we order 2 appetizers instead of entrees? DS likes sushi a lot, but I'm not sure what else he will eat. Any other tips or tricks? I don't want to make any major faux pas!

 

[Pumbaa_]

You can order anything you like. Just apps, just entree, just dessert. Whatever works for you and your family

as to what time, start w you need to check in at the hostess desk at least 15 minutes before dinner
Add in your shower/dressing time
The absolute latest to leave HS would be around 5/5:30

 

[Bobb_o]

It is not necessary but it'd be nice if you let your server know you're ordering appetizers as entrees.

 

[Marthasor]

There aren't any rules. IMHO, some of the apps at Cali Grill are quite large. I, personally, have ordered 2 apps and the server didn't blink an eye. As PP noted, I would just let the server know which you would like as the app and which you would like as the main course so they can bring the food out at the appropriate time.

 

[freshmanjs]

It is not necessary but it'd be nice if you let your server know you're ordering appetizers as entrees.

How could you order without letting your server know what you're ordering?

 

[HiStitch626]

How could you order without letting your server know what you're ordering?

Sometimes when a table orders appetizers they want them to all come out at the same time so that the table can share them. And then later on they order an entrée. However it would appear that the OP wants to order only appetizers and should let the server know so that they can bring them out all at once or one at a time depending on what the OP would like to do.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I love the sushi at CA grill. That’s what I usually order along with a cheese plate to start and of course a couple glasses of wine. My kids usually get a salad and an appetizer. They could care less what you order, just smile and be kind.

 

[Bobb_o]

How could you order without letting your server know what you're ordering?

The point is the server knows you're ordering appetizers as entrees so that is your meal and they don't need to come back to take your entree order or bother you asking if you're ordering something else and can skip straight to dessert.

 

[cgattis]

Also you didn’t ask this, but the dress code is for no hats for men. Just in case you don’t have time to change and your DS is wearing a hat (we ran into that once; I just shoved it in my bag but he had hat head LOL).

 

[HopperFan]

Hi -

DS (17) and I will be at WDW next week to celebrate my birthday. We managed to get reservations at CA Grill for 7:30 on a day we are at HS. We are also staying at the Contemporary. What time should we leave HS? I am a little worried about leaving HS early, now that they have extended the hours, but it is what it is. I'm planning on using Uber or Lyft, both to the park and back, to save time. Hopefully, have enough time to shower and change before dinner, as well. What are the 'rules' to eating at CA Grill? Can we order 2 appetizers instead of entrees? DS likes sushi a lot, but I'm not sure what else he will eat. Any other tips or tricks? I don't want to make any major faux pas!

We used to go and enjoy the whole big meal thing when we did Dining Plan but in last 7-8 years we do exactly what you say. Sometimes we add dessert. We like to get the flatbreads (great value and always had leftovers) and sushi plates. Eating that way is a great value. We would time our ADR so we could eat then watch fireworks, clears the table for the server to get to next party.

How could you order without letting your server know what you're ordering?

We order multiple appetizers as our meal. We do tell the server our plan so that they bring all the appetizers out together with plates knowing that is our entree. Since we usually time it to be done in time to leave table for good to watch fireworks, we tell server our plan so they know the get our check to us sooner than later. This also opens the table for next group since we weren't spending the usual amount up there. It is helpful for server to know our plan.

 

[freshmanjs]

It is helpful for server to know our plan.

Yes, of course it is. My point was there is no way to execute the plan without telling the server. The alternative of not informing the server of what you're ordering does not exist.

 

[HiStitch626]

Yes, of course it is. My point was there is no way to execute the plan without telling the server. The alternative of not informing the server of what you're ordering does not exist.

Yes, we get it. You're very clever.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes, of course it is. My point was there is no way to execute the plan without telling the server. The alternative of not informing the server of what you're ordering does not exist.

Yes there is which is why we shared ... but we get the "funny".

 

[holden]

Eating appetizers is my favorite way to eat! I love a variety of small plates instead of one big dinner.

 

[B-Ride]

Rules? I love it. You are the customer. Unless you are on the DP you can order whatever you want. Order appetizers for all 3 courses. The sushi is an excellent choice.

 

[Eastern]

We often order an app or sushi with cocktails intead of mains.