to choose only 1 signature adr

[bex7583]

we are going to only do 1 signature , i would like somewhere close enough to a park to either walk, boat or monarail and a nice view of fireworks or something would be a bonus

which do you suggest

 

[BethEJo]

For fireworks and proximity to a park, you can't go wrong with California Grill at the Contemporary resort. I know it's closed/will be closing for a lengthy refurb though - not sure if that affects your dates, as I can't remember when you are going.

You can walk/monorail it from MK if you were already in that park/wanted to go there after dinner. It also has its own viewing balcony, with a nice view of Wishes when it's on.

We ate there in August 2011, and had a lovely meal. Others on here will say they don't like it it's all just a personal choice! We enjoyed a couple of drinks in the bar downstairs in the Contemporary first, and then went up to CG for our meal. I believe we ordered, and then went outside to the balcony thingy to watch Wishes, before coming back inside and having our meal. It really was a lovely night!

We are heading to WDW in April/May this year, and would have happily returned to CG but I believe it's closed during our dates. Therefore, after the recommendation of many, we're going to try Jiko at AKL instead. We have an early dinner reservation (17.30), so hoping that we'll make it to Epcot afterwards for IllumiNations!

I'm sure you'll love whatever you choose

 

[BethEJo]

Also just remembered that I posted a similar thread back in October if you wanted to see some other opinions

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3012380

 

[bex7583]

we are going 22nd aug and there 2 week

how do i know what time to book the dinner ? are the fireworks at a set time / do u just hang round after dinner until they happen

sorry for so many qs i just dont do organistaion well !!

 

[BethEJo]

we are going 22nd aug and there 2 week

how do i know what time to book the dinner ? are the fireworks at a set time / do u just hang round after dinner until they happen

sorry for so many qs i just dont do organistaion well !!

Don't worry, I always have the exact same questions! Re: CG opening back up again, I've just read it as "late summer 2013" - as far as I know, no exact date has been announced yet, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Yes, the fireworks happen at a set time every night. Looking at last year's calendar on WDWInfo for last Aug (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/aug12.cfm), Wishes took place at either 9:00pm or 10:00pm (park closing if no EMH are on that night). If you were wondering about IllumiNations at Epcot, they are 9:00pm. I don't think the exact hours for this Aug/Sept have been released yet, but last year's hours could be a good guide to go by

If you were to want to eat at CG, and considering it had reopened of course, I guess a reservation for around 2 hours before the scheduled time for Wishes at MK would work well? Meaning you could head out to watch it after you had eaten? If you fancy a later reservation, then anytime 'close-ish' to the scheduled Wishes time would work I guess as you could onto the viewing balcony before ordering or something.

This year, I was wondering about the same thing for IllumiNations at Epcot. The Rose and Crown restaurant in the UK pavillion in Epcot, has an outdoor patio area thingy where you can see IllumiNations if your dinner coincides. IllumiNations will take place at 9:00pm when we are there, so we have made a reservation for the R&C at 7:30pm.

I hope that helps somewhat

 

[wayneg]

Only been to 2. Cali Grill was the worst dining experience I have had in Disney, tiny tiny steak, mega slow service, sat under aircon, very poor server.

Other was Yachtsman steakhouse, ate there twice, first time outstanding service, 2nd time average. Both times amazing steak but very poor desserts.

We just don't appreciate the Signature restaurants, give me Hoop Dee Doo food anyday.

 

[torsie24]

We loved CG and had a wonderful view. We don't like to eat late, so didn't time it to work with the fireworks (we had a MK view from our balcony anyway so had already watched Wishes a good few times by that point) but we saw the sun go down and all the lights come on and the water pageant went by while we had dessert.

Narcoosees you can also go out and watch the fireworks, and is very easy Monorail/Boat to MK.

But we also love Jiko. It's probably my favourite Signature. You could have a nice relaxed evening and see the animals etc.

 

[pampat]

Only been to 2. Cali Grill was the worst dining experience I have had in Disney, tiny tiny steak, mega slow service, sat under aircon, very poor server.

We just don't appreciate the Signature restaurants, give me Hoop Dee Doo food anyday.

Wow Wayne, that was exactly our experience of Cali Grill. I hate to say it out loud as everyone else seems to love it!

Pam

 

[penlanspice]

Mines a vote for the Cali grill too.

We were never sure about visiting the first time as the food seemed kind of fancy and not really our thing.
I can honestly say it's the nicest steak ive ever had (all 4 times we've been there) they cook my steak exactly how I like it ((burnt)). We've never had a window seat so it not the view that draws us and we've only stayed once for the fireworks.

Only other place ive eaten at for 2 credit is Yachtsman, the steak was really good but a soso experience and probably wouldn't go back for 2 credits. Le Cellier was great before it turned to 2 credit and in my opinion isn't worth 2 credits.

Im really disappointing its not open for our trip in April, it's the only place I would use 2 credits.

 

[tinks_1989]

Our three signature experience

Artist point at wilderness lodge. Beautiful restaurant lovely high ceilings. DH loved the food here he had buffalo said it was amazing. I know the water pageant goes past but don't think you can see the fireworks from here but there is a boat you could catch to MK

Narcoossees at grand Floridian. My all time favourite WDW restaurant the lobster was amazing the restaurant is small and was lovely and relaxed. They gave us the option to go outside to see the fireworks but we had a perfect view from our table. The weather pageant went straight past the window too. They played the music in to the restaurant as well.

Yachtsman steak house at Yacht Club - this was lovely DH had a huge 24 oz steak. We weren't in any rush we had our meal (oh those were the days before DD) but we were there for 2 and half hours we were offered to have a cocktail each on the house though for the wait unfortunately DH was driving and I was pregnant so we didn't have anything extra we were offered more food but we were so stuffed.

I would love to eat at Cali Grill may be one day when we go with grand parents and can have date night. I personally think that these restaurants aren't about quantity of food but quality I'd rather have a small quality steak then endless supply of fried chicken

 

[Elise79]

We have done:

• California Grill
• Narcoossee's
• Artist Pointe
• Yachtsman Steakhouse
• Flying Fish

Cali Grill we have had bad service and outstanding service and that makes or breaks the meal there or it used to not sure what the new menu or restaurant is going to be like. Best views you will get from a restaurant. As they haven't given an opening date yet I would plan something else as a back up.

Flying Fish has the best steak I have eaten - it was strip but soooo tender and big (unlike the steaks at CG). Too full for dessert!

Artist Pointe - nice and quiet as its not as popular as some of the others. Food and service was both good. Going back in April.

Narcoossee's - not eaten here for a few years and I was pregnant at the time so it is on our to return to list to try it again! Good firework view from the veranda.

Yachtsman - always a good solid steak, desserts are generally disappointing but the onion pull-a-part rolls more than make up for that!! Going back in July.

 

[zippy99]

We have eaten at Hollywood Derby 3 times twice OOP (one of which was paid for by my boss!) and the third time on the DDP - I confess I was ill that day but we had two great experiences and a bad one and then never ate there again.

I can completely understand Wayne not wanting to try again as a Signature is two credits and a bigger risk!

We also ate at Le Cellier before it became and dinner signature - was great food but would not eat there again now as I think it was a greedy decision to make it 2 credits (IMHO)

Cali Grille is currently our fave - two amazing meals followed by the spectacular view of wishes - gutted about the refurb - whilst we travel same sort of time as you Bex - even if it is open again DH is not keen to go if it is only just opened - new kitchen, menu changes, staff changes - he does not want that to taint the experience as there will no doubt be teething problems.

As we are at Wilderness Lodge we thought we might try Artist Pointe this year.

Some of the shows can be good - Wayne mentioned Hoop De Doo - plus there is the Backyard BBQ - I suppose it depends on if you are looking for a dining experience or a dinner show - My DH is not to keen on the show stuff and audience participation so I never get to try the them

May see you around in August!!

 

[WiganTony]

Narcoossees at grand Floridian. My all time favourite WDW restaurant the lobster was amazing the restaurant is small and was lovely and relaxed. They gave us the option to go outside to see the fireworks but we had a perfect view from our table. The weather pageant went straight past the window too. They played the music in to the restaurant as well.

We ate at Narcoossees twice last August - fantastic food, excellent service, and as noted above you can watch the fireworks from the balcony that runs around the restaurant. Unfortunately, on our first visit, it absolutely bucketed down with rain and there was a spectacular storm, but we managed to see Wishes on our final night (although we had also seen it twice when in MK as well).

 

[bex7583]

Only been to 2. Cali Grill was the worst dining experience I have had in Disney, tiny tiny steak, mega slow service, sat under aircon, very poor server.

Other was Yachtsman steakhouse, ate there twice, first time outstanding service, 2nd time average. Both times amazing steak but very poor desserts.

We just don't appreciate the Signature restaurants, give me Hoop Dee Doo food anyday.

this worrys me !! IS IT A REALLY GOOD TINY STEAK THOUGH ? dh is used to eating work lunches in gaucho and blackhouse in leeds and has developed a taste for mega expensive kobe fillet , so i think i wouldnt want to waste 2 credits for him to be dissapointed with his steak !

 

[bex7583]

We have eaten at Hollywood Derby 3 times twice OOP (one of which was paid for by my boss!) and the third time on the DDP - I confess I was ill that day but we had two great experiences and a bad one and then never ate there again.

I can completely understand Wayne not wanting to try again as a Signature is two credits and a bigger risk!

We also ate at Le Cellier before it became and dinner signature - was great food but would not eat there again now as I think it was a greedy decision to make it 2 credits (IMHO)

Cali Grille is currently our fave - two amazing meals followed by the spectacular view of wishes - gutted about the refurb - whilst we travel same sort of time as you Bex - even if it is open again DH is not keen to go if it is only just opened - new kitchen, menu changes, staff changes - he does not want that to taint the experience as there will no doubt be teething problems.

As we are at Wilderness Lodge we thought we might try Artist Pointe this year.

Some of the shows can be good - Wayne mentioned Hoop De Doo - plus there is the Backyard BBQ - I suppose it depends on if you are looking for a dining experience or a dinner show - My DH is not to keen on the show stuff and audience participation so I never get to try the them

May see you around in August!!

we are staying off site for week 2 so i had planned to pay oop for a dinner show in that week, i had read on another thread that they calculated a bit less than the value of 2 table credits and also had planned crt in week 2 as apparantly that worked out cheaper to pay oop ??

wonder if i can control my 3 wild kids to do a relaxing signature meal

 

[torsie24]

I had the filet at CG and didn't think it was small at all.

Exactly the size I expected. Sure if I'd been served it at Outback or somewhere it'd look small. But a filet is never big like a sirloin etc. At least not in my experience. X

I just google image searched "California Grill filet" and all the picture were pretty spot on. So maybe have a look at those for help.

 

[Elise79]

I would guess the CG fillet is 6 to 8 oz. It was nice but I think the strip at FF was better.

We have eaten at both Hollywood Brown Derby & Le Cellier - but I never think if them as "Signatures". Enjoy Le Cellier not fused about HBD.

I also think as most times we pay OOP the cost of eating at Signature isn't as bad as if we were on the dining plan - as they are not double the price. For example most steaks at 1TS places are in the region of $30 - our steak at FF was $43 and oh so much better Bad value on the DDP probably however with our TIW card $33 is good

 

[wayneg]

I would guess the CG fillet is 6 to 8 oz. It was nice but I think the strip at FF was better.

I think they must have given me a childs portion, 4oz max, 2 halves of new potatoes and a few green beans. The only meal I have ever had in Disney I have come out and eaten another meal after it. I wouldn't go back for 1 credit, never mind 2.

 

[MrRomance]

My recommendation would be The Yachtsman, you can walk to Epcot for Illuminations.