Surprise, Honey! You're Taking Me to WDW! (6/10) Coming Soon, to a DISboard Near You!

[All7OfUs]

I'm sorry, Kathy, but I"m going to go against the tide here and say Cali Grill (having tried neither, mind you). I've read a lot of positively awful reviews lately on AP, mostly raking the portions sizes over the coals. For example...

One person ordered the scallops. There were served 3 scallops; they were large, but not nearly enough to fill a person up. If you divided the cost of the meal by 3 scallops, each one would have been around $11!!!!! Not worth it.

Same with the beef. Not one person I've read a review from has thought their meal was worth going back again for.

Generally, I try not to base my meal choices on reviews, but this one restaurant really stood out to me as one I'd stay away from.

 

[KathyRN137]

Generally, I try not to base my meal choices on reviews, but this one restaurant really stood out to me as one I'd stay away from.

Yikes! Could things have changed so much in three years?


Artist Point = 2

California Grill = 1

Undecided = 1


Kathy

 

[All7OfUs]

Yikes! Could things have changed so much in three years?


Artist Point = 2

California Grill = 1

Undecided = 1


Kathy

Like I say, I wouldn't let reviews totally steer your ship, so if proximity and theming and general gut feeling trump that then go for it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I would be all about Cali Grill, personally! A nice, quiet, leisurely dinner at a great restaurant and then, stepping outside to watch the fireworks (or seeing them from your table) sound heavenly to me! Every review I have ever read about CG just raves and raves about it. Since you have never tried it before, that would make me lean towards it, too.

 

[melk]

Having been to Artist Point I can say we loved it and it would be a great choice. But, if it were me, I would go with Calif Grill only because I would like to try someplace new, and it is a place where I would never go with kids in tow, so why not take advantage of the "kid-less-ness" (is there such a word? ). I think watching the fireworks over dessert sounds pretty romantic, then the nice boat ride back to VWL.

Sounds nice...I want to go!!!

 

[Hedy]

I'd go with cg, Mr and Mrs DisneyMsf love it!

 

[kayrosek]

Another vote for California Grill. I haven't been to eigther but I've read some amazing reviews on it. It seems really special and possibly being able to see the fireworks over the castle from your table pushes it over the top for me.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Cali Grill vote here! DH and I eat there years ago...delish! And I think you have a better shot at doing something after dinner if you are a bit tired than if your room in not just upstairs from the restuarant.

 

[mousescrapper]

I have never been to either as well....

But I'd vote for Cali Grill as well...

yes the proximity of AP in your resort has great appeal, but CR is not far from VWL at all...plus could you ever imagine going to CG w/ the kids...NOT!

I love the idea of sitting up high in the sky, looking out at the most magical place EVER! a little wine, a little dine, and who knows what else...

 

[Mickey_Mom]

I haven't been to either as well, but I'm offering another vote for Cali Grill. It'd be a new experience for you, yes I too would think it'd be a better place when you don't have the kids with you and it could offer more options for you after dinner.

 

[Temair]

It's always nice to try something new and the fireworks are a plus. I vote go for Cali Grill.

 

[jenny105]

Hi! I stumbled upon your PTR and am subbing. I'm headed to the World the week after you for MY birthday! VWL, good choice! I stayed at WL last year and fell in love with the place. We're staying at SSR this time. I'm curious, why only meh? I've never stayed there before!

I would go with Cali Grill for your birthday dinner. You've never been there before, why not try something new? And if you see the fireworks, that's a bonus! Last year, I ate at Ohana during the fireworks and they dimmed the lights and piped in the music for Wishes. It was awesome!

 

[KathyRN137]

I would be all about Cali Grill, personally! A nice, quiet, leisurely dinner at a great restaurant and then, stepping outside to watch the fireworks (or seeing them from your table) sound heavenly to me! Every review I have ever read about CG just raves and raves about it. Since you have never tried it before, that would make me lean towards it, too.

Jackie, I do love trying new things at Disney....

Having been to Artist Point I can say we loved it and it would be a great choice. But, if it were me, I would go with Calif Grill only because I would like to try someplace new, and it is a place where I would never go with kids in tow, so why not take advantage of the "kid-less-ness" (is there such a word? ). I think watching the fireworks over dessert sounds pretty romantic, then the nice boat ride back to VWL.

The "kid-lessness" is what would make this evening so special... for sure I wouldn't ever bring Billy to either of these places so he can order mac 'n cheese!!

I'd go with cg, Mr and Mrs DisneyMsf love it!

So I've heard! Lots of rave reviews...

Another vote for California Grill. I haven't been to either but I've read some amazing reviews on it. It seems really special and possibly being able to see the fireworks over the castle from your table pushes it over the top for me.

I understand that even if your table isn't by the window the waiter will let you get up and go out to the observation deck if the timing falls between courses.

But do you think it would have the same romantic vibe with Hallowishes?


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Cali Grill vote here! DH and I eat there years ago...delish! And I think you have a better shot at doing something after dinner if you are a bit tired than if your room in not just upstairs from the restuarant.

True... and Ed does love the Contemporary!

I have never been to either as well....

But I'd vote for Cali Grill as well...

yes the proximity of AP in your resort has great appeal, but CR is not far from VWL at all...plus could you ever imagine going to CG w/ the kids...NOT!

I love the idea of sitting up high in the sky, looking out at the most magical place EVER! a little wine, a little dine, and who knows what else...

Cali Grill is definitely one of those special occasion restaurants as far as I'm concerned... but then again, so is Artist Point! Too bad they're both signature dining (2TS credits), otherwise I'd just do both!

Hmmm. Perhaps I should re-think our use of the DDP...

I haven't been to either as well, but I'm offering another vote for Cali Grill. It'd be a new experience for you, yes I too would think it'd be a better place when you don't have the kids with you and it could offer more options for you after dinner.

Yes, being on the monorail is a definite plus!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

It's always nice to try something new and the fireworks are a plus. I vote go for Cali Grill.

Hello and

Everyone is bringing up such great points... this is going to be harder than I thought!

Hi! I stumbled upon your PTR and am subbing. I'm headed to the World the week after you for MY birthday! VWL, good choice! I stayed at WL last year and fell in love with the place. We're staying at SSR this time. I'm curious, why only meh? I've never stayed there before!

I would go with Cali Grill for your birthday dinner. You've never been there before, why not try something new? And if you see the fireworks, that's a bonus! Last year, I ate at Ohana during the fireworks and they dimmed the lights and piped in the music for Wishes. It was awesome!

Hi Jenny and

I actually had started reading your PTR for the same reason, but got interrupted. I will have to go back and catch up so I can post!

I'm not sure if I would feel the same way about SSR now... we first stayed in 2005 and the resort was still under construction and the landscaping wasn't completely filled in. We lucked out with a great location in Congress Park with a gorgeous view of DTD. I thought the buses were a little slow, but again, the resort was rather new at the time.

The villas are very pretty. Perhaps the theme is just too subtle for me. The spa is amazing... you must schedule some pampering for yourself!

http://www.relaxedyet.com/ss_treatments.asp


Kathy

 

[MeMom]

Cali Grill is definitely one of those special occasion restaurants as far as I'm concerned... but then again, so is Artist Point! Too bad they're both signature dining (2TS credits), otherwise I'd just do both!


Kathy

It's birthday splurge, right?

 

[KathyRN137]

It's birthday splurge, right?

Ah, MeMom, you're going to be a bad influence on me I see!


Kathy

 

[MRYPPNS]

:I understand that even if your table isn't by the window the waiter will let you get up and go out to the observation deck if the timing falls between courses.

But do you think it would have the same romantic vibe with Hallowishes?


Kathy

I really wouldn't call it "romantic" out on that deck with 40+ strangers side by side no matter which fireworks is showing...lol!

 

[KathyRN137]

I really wouldn't call it "romantic" out on that deck with 40+ strangers side by side no matter which fireworks is showing...lol!

Quite true!


Kathy

 

[Goldeelox9]

HI!!!!

I am following along and trying to figure out when I could sneak a weekend trip in. LOL

My vote would be the California Grill for your Birthday Dinner (Friday?) and Artist Point on Saturday.

I love some fireworks and wouldn't want to miss them! Also Hallowishes is awesome viewed from far away. We watched from the Poly last year!

Yes this would use up 4 meal credits....BUT...You could pay out of pocket for one of you (who ever gets the cheaper meal) at Artist Point and use 2 Credits for the other person (more expensive Meal) and it would only cost you 2 credits and some out of pocket money for dinner there. We do this at CRT. We book saying we are using credits (so I don't have to pre pay) then when we get there we split the check and pay cash for one and use two credits for the other.

Oh I have been meaning to tell you this for weeks....Billy has the prettiest eyes, every time I look at his pictures they jump out at me!