Upstairs at California Grill

[loveshak22]

I'm waiting for the menu. Don't really care what they call it. If the menu is as good or better, we're there.
Just worried this will be another opportunity to dumb down a great menu as they have in too many other signature restaurants.

I am so confused by any changes to CA Grill? It's always booked and the PP is already high...it's amazing and loved as it is! I have been a little behind on Disney rumor and news, but I didn't see this coming. I'm going to be there in November and had CA Grill as my first ADR to make and then I saw they were stopping reservations on October 2nd and had to start looking for any info (even wild speculation) on when it would open and what this new experience might be.

That's my fear, that it will be prix fixe and not as good as a regular California Grill meal. I know they've said it's for a limited time, but I wonder if it's going to be for the whole 18 month celebration?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......a prix fixe menu would make me so sad!

I will be shocked if it's not prix fixe. Look at 'Ohana: $55/pp for wings and potstickers. UCG can do way better than that.

See my comment above (NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) - I so hope this doesn't happen to my fav signature restaurant. The look on my face reading this thread...if you all could only see!

I'm guessing CA Grill, like Be Our Guest, turns into prix fixe.

Disney is focusing more and more on profits, and bigger profits come from prix fixe for all, not an a la carte menu.

And for the Anniversary 'special', folks might leave with a Mickey-shaped bag of cookies.

Just for a third time (in case I haven't made my point clear)....noooooooooo!!! I love the menu and food at CA Grill...say prix fixe isn't so!!!!

 

[loveshak22]

Someone posted this on another thread: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/celebration-at-the-top/

Looks like a fancy firework event...instead of a dessert party it's finger foods and cocktails. I was worried it would be a prix fixe menu but this looks even more limited - and not even a sit down meal option!

 

[Eastern]

Someone posted this on another thread: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/celebration-at-the-top/

Looks like a fancy firework event...instead of a dessert party it's finger foods and cocktails. I was worried it would be a prix fixe menu but this looks even more limited - and not even a sit down meal option!

Pricing
Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is $129 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

 

[Eastern]

Someone posted this on another thread: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/celebration-at-the-top/

Looks like a fancy firework event...instead of a dessert party it's finger foods and cocktails. I was worried it would be a prix fixe menu but this looks even more limited - and not even a sit down meal option!

I saw 'beer, wine and cordials'.

 

[gharter]

So, they are only doing 1 seating per night?
their page says:
Indulge in a high-energy cocktail party enjoying fine food, simmering sips and beautiful music while you await an incredible fireworks spectacular.
Upon your arrival, dine on culinary offerings, including sushi, small bites, favorite dishes from the California Grill menu, desserts and even some odes to our past. Guests ages 21 and over can also enjoy such libations from the complimentary bar as California wine, beers and cordials.

Waiting to see an actual menu, but seems like a strange thing to do to a restaurant that fills every seat multiple times a night.

This would make much more sense if they were doing this at Top of The World Lounge instead.

 

[thptrek]

Interesting. Not being a sit down dinner is not appealing. Total cost will be like $170 pp. If you can't reserve a table it will be a mad rush when they open by folks wanting to grab a window table.

 

[Eastern]

So, they are only doing 1 seating per night?
their page says:
Indulge in a high-energy cocktail party enjoying fine food, simmering sips and beautiful music while you await an incredible fireworks spectacular.
Upon your arrival, dine on culinary offerings, including sushi, small bites, favorite dishes from the California Grill menu, desserts and even some odes to our past. Guests ages 21 and over can also enjoy such libations from the complimentary bar as California wine, beers and cordials.

Waiting to see an actual menu, but seems like a strange thing to do to a restaurant that fills every seat multiple times a night.

This would make much more sense if they were doing this at Top of The World Lounge instead.

I don't think the fireworks viewing party is in the restaurant. It only says food 'from CG menu' and 'private observation deck'. I have an ADR on this night and I haven't gotten any notice. Probably why it is 'snacks' and not a full dinner.

 

[snikki]

Will this go for the entire 18 months? Any idea on an end date?

 

[gharter]

I don't think the fireworks viewing party is in the restaurant. It only says food 'from CG menu' and 'private observation deck'. I have an ADR on this night and I haven't gotten any notice. Probably why it is 'snacks' and not a full dinner.

Hoping you are correct. However, if the restaurant is still open, why can't you schedule an ADR after Oct 1? I just looked and Oct 2 on is still grayed out.

 

[Eastern]

Hoping you are correct. However, if the restaurant is still open, why can't you schedule an ADR after Oct 1? I just looked and Oct 2 on is still grayed out.

I have an ADR for Oct 2.

 

[loveshak22]

I don't think the fireworks viewing party is in the restaurant. It only says food 'from CG menu' and 'private observation deck'. I have an ADR on this night and I haven't gotten any notice. Probably why it is 'snacks' and not a full dinner.

I thought the website said ADRs were stopping as of 10/02 and this new event says it starts 10/02? You have an ADR for 10/02?

 

[Eastern]

I thought the website said ADRs were stopping as of 10/02 and this new event says it starts 10/02? You have an ADR for 10/02?

Yes. As I said, I don't think the fireworks viewing party will be in the restaurant.

 

[loveshak22]

I have an ADR for Oct 2.

LOL - disregard my last message as I see you were answering as I was posting. Interesting that you have an ADR for 10/02. I can't load the CA Grill page for some reason. Maybe the last table service is 10/02 and the new event starts 10/03? Keep us updated!

 

[Eastern]

LOL - disregard my last message as I see you were answering as I was posting. Interesting that you have an ADR for 10/02. I can't load the CA Grill page for some reason. Maybe the last table service is 10/02 and the new event starts 10/03? Keep us updated!

I don't think they would close an entire restaurant for a single seating event. I think they will have it somewhere else in the resort with a designated viewing area.

 

[loveshak22]

Interesting. Not being a sit down dinner is not appealing. Total cost will be like $170 pp. If you can't reserve a table it will be a mad rush when they open by folks wanting to grab a window table.

100% agree. Although at the dessert party (at least when I went last) we had a table reserved with our name on it and then we had to walk up and get our food. But for CA Grill I definitely would prefer a sit down meal (signature dining experience).

 

[snikki]

If that’s the case will regular guests dining there still be allowed to go outside and view the fireworks ?

 

[Eastern]

This thread veered off into Celebration at the Top. Upstairs at CG will be the new restaurant when it reopens. Celebration is an apps/dessert party.

 

[OhThePain]

I read this a lot different than some of you. I am reading the description more like it is the Sunday Brunch than just a desert party. "dine on culinary offerings, including sushi, small bites, favorite dishes from the California Grill menu, desserts and even some odes to our past." To me that reads like it is sushi/apps/small bites buffet style and then you pick an entree. Also, the description says to check in at the CG podium to be taken up to the 15th Floor. I don't see this as being just an expensive dessert party like the ones in MK. It reads like there is a lot more to it.

 

[loveshak22]

I don't think they would close an entire restaurant for a single seating event. I think they will have it somewhere else in the resort with a designated viewing area.

This thread veered off into Celebration at the Top. Upstairs at CG will be the new restaurant when it reopens. Celebration is an apps/dessert party.

Hopefully so...but it's easy to see the confusion? The only fireworks viewing deck I'm aware of is off the CA Grill, and it's the CA Grill menu, and the CA Grill page says bookings after October 2nd are unavailable for a new dining experience. And this party says it is a new experience opening October 2nd. I hope the restaurant will reopen as a sit down meal and the FW event with CA Grill food is seperate and located elsewhere!

 

[thptrek]

I guess wait and see. I read this that Cali Grill was transforming into this fireworks party only. Will regular dining be available? Wait and see.