Second Guessing California Grill

[happyleesh]

So our next trip is adults-only and originally my plan was to do all dining out of pocket, and eat cheaply. Then I budgeted out and could add in QSDP. THEN I thought it might be fun to splurge for one meal, something we'd never do on a normal trip because our girls are little and we're all about character meals for our family trips. So I looked and was able to snag a 9:40pm Cali Grill reservation for our arrival night. YAY! I budgeted out what I thought we would buy (appetizer to share, sushi for husband, entree, shared desert) and got a total of $140 before drinks (non-alcoholic). So then I got to thinking and figured, "If I got the regular dining plan, the upgrade would be less than the cost of that one meal (plus tips) so I could get a whole second TS meal for "free". All is well, right?

Well now I'm reading the CG is a "waste" of two credits, small portions, not great food, and I'm bummed. We're not really interested in other signature dining, just wanted to try CG for the Wishes view and what I thought was great food.

What would you do? Keep the Cali Grill and use 2 credits? Keep the Cali Grill and pay OOP? Skip it all together?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

With Cali Grill, you are "paying" in part for the experience - that 9:40PM opportunity to see Wishes from the restaurant's deck.

It's not just about "paying for the food."

It's like a character meal. Do you view the cost of a character meal as just the food? Of course not. You're also paying for experience. Cali Grill is like that, only without any furries.

 

[HopperFan]

If you have reservations when there are fireworks then I would keep it.

We used to eat big meals using two credits but I don't think it's worth it anymore.

DS took me in December and we got Appetizer (flatbread that we took half home), a Sushi Platter and a dessert. Split it all. Own drinks. It was cheaper than most our other meals because we avoided the entrees. But honestly the dessert was too much food.

If we went again we would split a sushi and appetizer only. Pay OOP. But only with fireworks.

Oh and we got there 20+ minutes early, they checked us in, sent us up and we were seated immediately. We were done by time the fireworks started, perfect.

 

[kayteekt]

DH and I had an adults trip last fall, I was so excited when i snagged a last minute adr for CG that worked perfectly with fireworks viewing.

I wish it had lived up to our expectations. Food wasn't good. Servings were miniscule and that those prices, arggg... DH said he was glad we didn't have the DP that time bc it would have been a waste of 2 credits. Fireworks viewing was nice, but we wouldn't do it again. You may also consider doing apps and a dessert or something.

Obviously due to the location, it is a special place, we just didn't think the prices were warranted. We've done prob more than 1/2 of the signatures and CG was truly the only one we've ever been disappointed with :/

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We enjoyed the experience with Fireworks. The Bison was good, the desserts were huge, the wine excellent. Just as expected.

Signature dining at Disney really is not for everyone. We went during free dining so the sticker shock was minimal. It was still 60 bucks all done with free dining.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The other option for fireworks, really, is Narcoossee's.

It's underrated as a venue for a fireworks view. CG gets all the hype. But the porch at N's? Quality. No sushi, though.

 

[alex9179]

The best way to decide if you like a place is to go and experience it for yourself. I say keep the ADR.

Somewhat unrelated, we've never used a dining plan and, in our two family trips, always end up spending less than if we had it. Also, we order exactly the way we want to at the time. Sometimes the apps sound better than the entrees. We would rather share a dessert after a full meal. I see no benefit to getting more food on the table than we can eat. Ditch the DDP and go OOP. Put the DDP money on a card if the idea of watching meal prices gets to you. I bet you'll be looking for ways to spend it by the end of the vacation.

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

We went in January and it met my expectations and so much more. I found the portions to be very good-sized and the food was excellent. The experience itself was so wonderful and we can't wait to go again!

 

[kiford]

We found the portion sizes to be just fine. Enjoyed the food, the wine, the experience. Absolutely loved the goat cheese ravioli appetizer. Maybe next time I'll just order two of them and forget an entree.

 

[epcotcenter1982]

We went in February. The food quality was lovely, the sushi was well prepared and I loved my meal, and the fireworks was great.

The atmosphere is my only iffy part. We had a much earlier seating as Wishes was at 8pm so the restaurant was like a zoo of overtired screaming banshees/children.

We would still go back but certainly not to have a romantic meal...just for the food and view. I think Sanaa was a much much better experience in food and atmosphere

 

[Minniesgal]

I love California Grill and thought the portion sizes were perfectly normal for that type of restaurant. It's not like a QS where you get a plate heaped with fries but it is certainly normal portion sizes.

It'snot the sort of restaurant where portions are large enough to share though unless you just want a taste of something.

 

[jrmasm]

We went in January and it met my expectations and so much more. I found the portions to be very good-sized and the food was excellent. The experience itself was so wonderful and we can't wait to go again!

That was our experience in August as well.

 

[Eastern]

If you've never been, I would probably say try CG, mainly to see the fireworks. I think it's smart to review the menu and add up what you would order, so there are no surprises. We usually do drinks, apps, and sushi, and are usually satisfied, but it's still expensive. I would also try to get an earlier reservation because I think that's way too late to eat. I would rather be done with dinner and wait for fireworks, or go earlier and come back later.

 

[strat68]

keep the reservation and drop the dining plan. It's not designed to save you money.

 

[katiea86]

In reading various threads about food at wdw, there are usually people nervous about spending time and money trying a restaurant with "bad" reviews. What I've gathered is that there are a heck of a lot of people who are apparently picky (or "snobbish," if you will) about food at wdw. Of course, I don't know what individual circumstances are, but I wonder how many people's expectations are maybe higher about everything at Disney, therefor, they are disappointed easily.

I was able to get a reservation at CG right after the redo a few years ago for my birthday. It was a great experience. My family and I loved the food and the atmosphere (we did have a later res fyi) and our server was fantastic. Assuming we wanted to be there for the fireworks, he held our entrees back a few minutes so that we would be able to put in our dessert order, go outside for the fireworks, and come back in to enjoy our desserts. I didn't pay for the meal (my dad did), but if I was going now, I would avoid the dining plan. Signature restaurants are places that I want to spurge and get what I want, not worry about what is included in the plan and what isn't.

After that long explanation, here's my two cents. I would keep the reservation. Look at the menu before going in, know its going to be expensive (you are at Disney, after all), and don't hype up your expectations to where you think that since the meal is expensive, it'll be the best of your life. And enjoy the fireworks!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

The food is great, the view of the fireworks amazing. Portions are decent. Our party of six was full with an app, sushi and entrees, too full for dessert. I look forward to doing it again someday.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I've eaten at California Grill recently and really enjoyed it. If anything, I'd just caution thinking about whether you're up for a late dinner on arrival day... You don't want to be too tired to enjoy it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I love going there but I do not use the dining plan. If I had the dining plan I would not use it there. maybe drop into the bar early for drinks and appetizers. Don't order everything you were going to order. Use your receipt from the bar to come back for fireworks.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you have never dined at CG, I would keep the ADR. The view during Wishes is spectacular. I have not dined there since the refurb, and am planning to once again in December because this is an experience I think that my DS and DDIL will enjoy.

In reading various threads about food at wdw, there are usually people nervous about spending time and money trying a restaurant with "bad" reviews. What I've gathered is that there are a heck of a lot of people who are apparently picky (or "snobbish," if you will) about food at wdw. Of course, I don't know what individual circumstances are, but I wonder how many people's expectations are maybe higher about everything at Disney, therefor, they are disappointed easily.
QUOTE]

The issue with Disney Dining is that many times, it is hit or miss. Today the food and service is outstanding, tomorrow both are duds. There are several WDW restaurants that are known for this, Coral Reef, 'Ohana and CG are just a few that are specified a lot when it comes to either very good dining experiences, or the opposite. I do not think that it is unreasonable to expect that a meal that rings in at the prices that many WDW TS restaurants do to be good with decent service.

The OP has every reason to worry about the quality of meal at CG. Since it was refurbished the reviews are all over the place, and many of the less than stellar reviews have been by WDW vets who are not shell shocked by the price of food or the size of the portions.

'Ohana is another that has had a lot of issues recently, and many diners are second guessing their ADR's there given the onslaught of poor reviews.

Coral Reef is a pricey TS restaurant that is notorious for hit of miss food and service. I hesitate when I make this ADR because I know that I have no idea what my family will experience, and often choose another in it's place.

I must say that I am easily pleased when I dine out anywhere, and Disney is no exception, but I am not going to accept poor quality of food, miniscule portions, or horrendous service simply because of the venue. If this makes me a Disney Dining Snob I will wear that title, but I think that it really is an unfair representation of guests who have reasonable expectations.

 

[Quellman]

Remember you won't be getting apps in your dining plan.