Topolino or California Grill

[The Princess]

Cant decide between the 2~what is your opinion?

 

[OKW Lover]

We've done both fairly recently. I'd give the edge to Topolino. CG is good, but relies on the view to compensate for the high price. The view at Topolino is not as good but the food and service works.

 

[eticketplease]

Never have gone to California Grill and will not until the fixed price menu is gone.

Topolino’s is great in our experience. We have always been taken care of at both Dinner and breakfast with DS who is very picky and not a big eater.

We generally ask for Alfred but Chris is also good as far as servers.

 

[Vickie1016]

We have eaten at both on several trips. Can’t go wrong with either.

This July we dined at CG. Nothing beats the fireworks view at CG. The food was very good & service was great. It does get loud around firework time, especially as previous guests from earlier in the evening are allowed back up to watch the fireworks.

Topolino is our favorite . The food selections are wonderful, service is excellent and the atmosphere of the restaurant is, in our opinion, more enjoyable than CG.

 

[john7994]

Personally, I like the breakfast at Top’s - if characters are a priority - the dinner is above average at both in terms of quality. I don’t get worked up about pre-fixe at CG - sometimes it’s nice to have the choices narrowed.

I don’t prioritize or look for fine dining at Disney anyway - so it’s more for the experience - which I think during fireworks - CG would definitely be the winner. So for me, since I can get Top’s dinner fare just about anywhere else (and CG for that matter) - the show at CG wins for me.

 

[jimim]

Personally, I like the breakfast at Top’s - if characters are a priority - the dinner is above average at both in terms of quality. I don’t get worked up about pre-fixe at CG - sometimes it’s nice to have the choices narrowed.

I don’t prioritize or look for fine dining at Disney anyway - so it’s more for the experience - which I think during fireworks - CG would definitely be the winner. So for me, since I can get Top’s dinner fare just about anywhere else (and CG for that matter) - the show at CG wins for me.

So what do you consider fine dining? Like French Laundry tier? I mean alot of the signature restaurants are pretty good. Heck of alot better than most stuff in the parks. "Top's dinner fare" kinda makes it sound like it's diner quality food which it isn't. Top is a darn good place for Disney. We have a set rotation of places that are always good when we go. Most important thing for us is consistency. Resturants need to be consistent when they are good. Every time you go back you get the same tasting food and same quality. I live in a very small town with over 20 plus family run places that have been in business 80 plus years. All solid places. a few "fine dining" for our area others family run places that you always will get good food.

But I don't need fine dining. I want good food. Give me a BBQ place that that you wouldn't stop at unless you knew the food. Give me that mom and pop place with killer pizza or homemade pasta with sauce that you can actually eat out. Give me that bar that has a killer burger that you found when you went for a beer.

Disney has some really great places. They have some really bad places too, but again food is an opinion. I have alot of friends that like places my wife and I feel are garbage. But we also have places we love that other people thing suck.

 

[gmi3804]

I don't like either of the places you've asked about. Neither delivers the kind of experience it should at its price point; no Disney Signature does, frankly. If I'm going to drop that kind of money on a meal I'll go to one of the restaurants at Four Seasons.

Like many things WDW, dining value has gone way down and I no longer consider fine dining a viable option during my visits. If I'm looking for fine dining, I go elsewhere. You may enjoy trying something once, but know that your dollar can be better spent at any other number of places, some as close as Disney Springs.

 

[john7994]

So what do you consider fine dining? Like French Laundry tier? I mean alot of the signature restaurants are pretty good. Heck of alot better than most stuff in the parks. "Top's dinner fare" kinda makes it sound like it's diner quality food which it isn't. Top is a darn good place for Disney. We have a set rotation of places that are always good when we go. Most important thing for us is consistency. Resturants need to be consistent when they are good. Every time you go back you get the same tasting food and same quality. I live in a very small town with over 20 plus family run places that have been in business 80 plus years. All solid places. a few "fine dining" for our area others family run places that you always will get good food.

But I don't need fine dining. I want good food. Give me a BBQ place that that you wouldn't stop at unless you knew the food. Give me that mom and pop place with killer pizza or homemade pasta with sauce that you can actually eat out. Give me that bar that has a killer burger that you found when you went for a beer.

Disney has some really great places. They have some really bad places too, but again food is an opinion. I have alot of friends that like places my wife and I feel are garbage. But we also have places we love that other people thing suck.

My comments are based on my experiences and what I have access to - just as you shared from your perspective. Signature is a tier Disney designed, but often compared to fine dining experiences, and while better than other Disney Table Service (thus the Signature designation), I can only compare other similar experiences.

As others have mentioned - for the price point (which is still below French Laundry level) - Top’s and CG are above average in a general fine dining category from my point of view as I have already said. As you say - food is opinion and I have shared mine.

 

[gharter]

We enjoy both and have not had a bad meal at either.
You can watch MK fireworks at CG.
You can watch the EPCOT evening show from Topolinos.
We often do both. IF you can only do one, I would decide based on the menus.

 

[Brob2132]

Love Topolino’s. We feel comfortable there, enjoy the food, enjoy the experience and the view.

 

[Newsies]

Have had very good experiences at Topolino's recently, dinner here was definitely a highlight of our last trip -- still dreaming about the rigatoni!