Thoughts? Cali Grill or Raglan Road?

[MKCP5]

My college aged daughter and I are taking a wonderful Mother Daughter trip together in a couple of weeks. The trip has come together last minute so an ADR is tough to get. We are staying off property at a Marriott timeshare, and our first night in Orlando I wanted to do something special to kick things off and got a reservation for Raglan Road in Disney Springs. I thought we could wander around there and everyone says RR is fun and a great meal. I just snagged a 6pm Cali grill reservation too. It's too early for the fireworks, but I thought we could have dinner, go walk around the property a bit and then "show our receipt" as others have mentioned and watch the fireworks. Where are you allowed to go if you are not seated for dinner during the fireworks? What would your choice be on this scenario? Trying to decide, then will cancel one of the reservations

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You are allowed on the observation deck for the fireworks as a returning guest.

As far as walking around the property, CR is not especially fab to walk around.

 

[brertoad]

I'd keep Raglan Road, the food is good, good live entertainment, plus, you can go shopping at Disney Springs.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow, tough choice! Before you decide which to keep, decide how you want to spend the evening. If you take the 6 PM at CG, you can enjoy the monorail resorts, and then go back, but can you occupy yourselves for a few hours after dinner? There are shops to visit, as well as lounges for cocktails.

If you keep RR, will you enjoy the evening in DS? I would enjoy either option with my DD, but If I gave her the choice, she would choose RR. What do you think your DD will enjoy the most on this evening?

 

[MKCP5]

Wow, tough choice! Before you decide which to keep, decide how you want to spend the evening. If you take the 6 PM at CG, you can enjoy the monorail resorts, and then go back, but can you occupy yourselves for a few hours after dinner? There are shops to visit, as well as lounges for cocktails.

If you keep RR, will you enjoy the evening in DS? I would enjoy either option with my DD, but If I gave her the choice, she would choose RR. What do you think your DD will enjoy the most on this evening?

I'm super conflicted. Ha ha ha. I think she would love either one to be honest, but I feel like to get the "magic" going, that may be doing Cali grill and wishes might be a better choice. We love to ride the monorail, so after dinner we could ride the monorail around property into Epcot and come back and head up for the fireworks We are staying off site, and I could probably get a reservation for Raglan Road different night we were not going to be going to the park

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm super conflicted. Ha ha ha. I think she would love either one to be honest, but I feel like to get the "magic" going, that may be doing Cali grill and wishes might be a better choice. We love to ride the monorail, so after dinner we could ride the monorail around property into Epcot and come back and head up for the fireworks We are staying off site, and I could probably get a reservation for Raglan Road different night we were not going to be going to the park

I like the idea of jumping into Disney, and this is a lovely way to do this as adults. WE do something similar when we have the kids, by starting at Chef Mickey. WE always take the Epcot loop on the monorail, as well as the resort loop before dinner, or after depending on the time. The Epcot loop s lovely in the evening, and I bet you and your. DD will love that experience.

 

[Disney_Mama]

I would go with CG. Such a beautiful and elegant restaurant. Do some monorail resort hopping after dinner. Then either head back to CG for the fireworks or go to the Polly beach.
I love RR and we do it every visit, but CG to me is more special. Either one is yummy and will be special.

 

[Hopefully]

I'm super conflicted. Ha ha ha. I think she would love either one to be honest, but I feel like to get the "magic" going, that may be doing Cali grill and wishes might be a better choice. We love to ride the monorail, so after dinner we could ride the monorail around property into Epcot and come back and head up for the fireworks We are staying off site, and I could probably get a reservation for Raglan Road different night we were not going to be going to the park

How are you traveling? Arrival day is 1) fraught with unexpected delays and 2) a very tiring day.
If you make a 6 PM Ca Grille ADR are you confident you will make it, or you will be charged the No Show fee if you can't
I you decide to keep it, I would do Ca Grille on arrival night and follow your plan, but I would definitely plan Raglan Road on another night. It is really good food and great fun. You can book Raglan Road through Open Table, and not worry about the No Show fee
Have a Great Trip

 

[MKCP5]

How are you traveling? Arrival day is 1) fraught with unexpected delays and 2) a very tiring day.
If you make a 6 PM Ca Grille ADR are you confident you will make it, or you will be charged the No Show fee if you can't
I you decide to keep it, I would do Ca Grille on arrival night and follow your plan, but I would definitely plan Raglan Road on another night. It is really good food and great fun. You can book Raglan Road through Open Table, and not worry about the No Show fee
Have a Great Trip

We arrive at 930 am so I can't imagine being that delayed lol. We will nap poolside because you are right that we will be tired, but then ready for some fun in the evening

 

[hedberg1661]

I would go with Cali Grill...That is a wonderful experience. You can do RR any time.

 

[DieHardJoe]

We have stayed many times at Bay Lake Tower but have never eaten at the Cali Grill. But it sounds like it is worth a visit, and I can certainly agree with the idea of eating there and then allowing as much time as you have to visit the other monorail resorts. Both the Polynesian and GF are so nice to wander around the grounds, both inside and out. That said, we just got back from a "grandparents" trip last week, and we ate at RR. For us it's the third or 4th time, and we love the food, especially their version of Shepherd's Pie. But one of the highlights of the meal was that we were all seated right under the single-person stage in the middle of the floor where every 15 minutes or so one of the step-dancers (is that what they're called?) came out and performed. The accompanying instrumentation, as well as the singers, kept our two grandsons mesmerized. And we all enjoyed the entertainment. I'm not sure how often they have the live entertainment, but the combination of that and the food makes this a place we definitely love revisiting.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Both are great. However anytime I can get real bangers and mash and Irish/ English beer, That is where you will find me!

Enjoy whichever you pick!

AKK

 

[PSUGuy]

Raglan Road gets my vote for reasons mentioned plus you can stroll over to Jock Lindsay's for a post drink drink.

Bill From PA