What happened to Cali Grill? And Spice Road is new favorite!

[maxiesmom]

I would expect that at any restaurant actually. I have 5 kids(2 who are unique) and they are not allowed to run around any ts restaurant except to the bathroom if it's an emergency. I think the manager should have warned them and then second time they're out. I would think it would be better to risk upsetting one family over a whole restaurant full of people.

I think that is something that sounds good in theory. In reality that family would then go home and flood the internet with all sorts of negative comments. On the Dis there would be a post about "Rude CMs at the California Grill. Stay away!!" Followed by a long diatribe about how their sweet little child was made to feel unwelcome by the snobby staff, and how Disney isn't a good place for kids anymore.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think that is something that sounds good in theory. In reality that family would then go home and flood the internet with all sorts of negative comments. On the Dis there would be a post about "Rude CMs at the California Grill. Stay away!!" Followed by a long diatribe about how their sweet little child was made to feel unwelcome by the snobby staff, and how Disney isn't a good place for kids anymore.

That's exactly what would transpire. Plus the Orlando Sentinel would quickly spread the word about the new Disney "anti-child" policy. TV stations would interview the family--with the kids quietly sobbing in the background.

BEST that anyone can expect from situations involving obnoxious kids is that they MIGHT move YOU to another table.

They won't like it, but they just might do it.

I would find it hard to imagine Disney ever asking a family to leave a restaurant no matter what the kids were doing. They would much rather have YOU endure the situation than asking guests who are just "having fun"--to leave.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I think that is something that sounds good in theory. In reality that family would then go home and flood the internet with all sorts of negative comments. On the Dis there would be a post about "Rude CMs at the California Grill. Stay away!!" Followed by a long diatribe about how their sweet little child was made to feel unwelcome by the snobby staff, and how Disney isn't a good place for kids anymore.

Wouldn't a post like that be to the advantage of most guests? Parents who require their children to behave appropriately wouldn't have a problem with kids not being allowed to run around or scream to the top of their lungs & adult only couples would be booking that restaurant in droves. Fewer misbehaving people in general would make the server's & manager's jobs much easier.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Wouldn't a post like that be to the advantage of most guests? Parents who require their children to behave appropriately wouldn't have a problem with kids not being allowed to run around or scream to the top of their lungs & adult only couples would be booking that restaurant in droves. Fewer misbehaving people in general would make the server's & manager's jobs much easier.

I agree in theory--But once CG got wind of any controversy, they would NEVER do such a thing again.

And anyway--they aren't going to do it in the first place

As a server friend of mine at JIko once told me (as we both watched a group of kids throwing paper and utensils at each other)-- he pointed to the kids and shook his head: "We can't say a thing--it's all about THEM"

 

[maxiesmom]

Wouldn't a post like that be to the advantage of most guests? Parents who require their children to behave appropriately wouldn't have a problem with kids not being allowed to run around or scream to the top of their lungs & adult only couples would be booking that restaurant in droves. Fewer misbehaving people in general would make the server's & manager's jobs much easier.

Nope. Because it would be worded in such a way that their child was 'just behaving like a child" and the CMs were the ones out of line. And people would believe them.

Don't get me wrong, it irritates the tar out of me too to see kids carrying on like brats. One meal at Le Ceiller the child at the table next to me was rarely in their seat. They rolled around on the floor, almost tripping more than on server. They threw food, and then shoved so much in their mouth at one time that they started gagging. I don't blame the servers, I blame the parents who let their kids act worse than wild animals.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Nope. Because it would be worded in such a way that their child was 'just behaving like a child" and the CMs were the ones out of line. And people would believe them.

Don't get me wrong, it irritates the tar out of me too to see kids carrying on like brats. One meal at Le Ceiller the child at the table next to me was rarely in their seat. They rolled around on the floor, almost tripping more than on server. They threw food, and then shoved so much in their mouth at one time that they started gagging. I don't blame the servers, I blame the parents who let their kids act worse than wild animals.

Most of us can read between the lines in the "kids will be kids" posts though. The majority doesn't buy it. They just let the minority get away with it.

I also blame the parents for misbehaving kids, but also think WDW is responsible for allowing it to happen. To me the poster asking others to speak up makes a lot of sense. Admittedly, we've never said anything. If everyone would, the policy would change. IME, there are many more all adult couples & parents with behaving children than parents with misbehaving children. The majority rules, unless they bow to the vocal minority. That's what's happening now. As I said, we're as guilty as anyone for that.

 

[GeorgeG]

I have never been a fan of CG, mostly because the atmosphere and menu didn't fit my taste (I was a huge fan of Top of the World pre-California Grill). It seems this latest re-furb has taken what was originally a good restaurant with great entertainment to a new low. The only thing we can do is be more selective in our dining plans. The good dining we used to look forward to is almost gone from the parks and Disney-run resorts, save a handful. We can point fingers all day and night, but the painful truth is people, in general, just don't have the respect that people a generation or two back had. Disney has been catering to a lower class of people for the past decade or two. By lower class, I refer to behavior more than financial status. That's what fills the parks, resorts and restaurants these days and with Disney the bottom line is profits. It's just a shame that those of us who grew up with manners and respect get the dirty end of that stick. There are still a few good restaurants that maintain a good reputation, but most of those are not run by Disney. I guess some of us are just meant to be snobs, but so be it. I'd rather be a snob than a slob.

 

[smcabee]

I have never been a fan of CG, mostly because the atmosphere and menu didn't fit my taste (I was a huge fan of Top of the World pre-California Grill). It seems this latest re-furb has taken what was originally a good restaurant with great entertainment to a new low. The only thing we can do is be more selective in our dining plans. The good dining we used to look forward to is almost gone from the parks and Disney-run resorts, save a handful. We can point fingers all day and night, but the painful truth is people, in general, just don't have the respect that people a generation or two back had. Disney has been catering to a lower class of people for the past decade or two. By lower class, I refer to behavior more than financial status. That's what fills the parks, resorts and restaurants these days and with Disney the bottom line is profits. It's just a shame that those of us who grew up with manners and respect get the dirty end of that stick. There are still a few good restaurants that maintain a good reputation, but most of those are not run by Disney. I guess some of us are just meant to be snobs, but so be it. I'd rather be a snob than a slob.

IF there was a Like button I would hit it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Most of us can read between the lines in the "kids will be kids" posts though. The majority doesn't buy it. They just let the minority get away with it.

I also blame the parents for misbehaving kids, but also think WDW is responsible for allowing it to happen. To me the poster asking others to speak up makes a lot of sense. Admittedly, we've never said anything. If everyone would, the policy would change. IME, there are many more all adult couples & parents with behaving children than parents with misbehaving children. The majority rules, unless they bow to the vocal minority. That's what's happening now. As I said, we're as guilty as anyone for that.

WDW is responsible--no doubt. But that's the way they WANT it. Unless everyone in the dining room got up and left, nothing would ever happen--and that will NEVER happen.

A phone call or two after the fact will have no effect whatsoever--except maybe to get a call back saying how sorry the restaurant was that it happened.

And if you complain "on the spot" the best you can expect is that they will move YOU!!

Misbehaving kids at WDW restaurants are one major reason we ALWAYS eat at the bar!!!

 

[sotoalf]

We can point fingers all day and night, but the painful truth is people, in general, just don't have the respect that people a generation or two back had. Disney has been catering to a lower class of people for the past decade or two. By lower class, I refer to behavior more than financial status. That's what fills the parks, resorts and restaurants these days and with Disney the bottom line is profits. It's just a shame that those of us who grew up with manners and respect get the dirty end of that stick. There are still a few good restaurants that maintain a good reputation, but most of those are not run by Disney. I guess some of us are just meant to be snobs, but so be it. I'd rather be a snob than a slob.

Sorry – I don't buy it. I saw plenty of outrageous behavior in Disney restaurants in the eighties and nineties: adults sticking fingers into salad bar dressings, kids throwing tantrums that looked like convulsions, a livid mother destroying a Disney Inn front desk clerk because her room "didn't look like the ones in the guidebook," the man who told the woman who when she politely asked him during Hall of Presidents to remove his hat said, "Find another seat."

All this "back in my day" thinking doesn't address the saddest irony: the customer service we expect from Disney is exactly what allows them to get stepped on by people like us. Not reprimanding the woman for treating the thousand island dressing like Play-Doh or politely asking the parents of the hysterical child if there is a problem – that's the Disney way, always has been.

If we're going to criticize Disney for failing to live up to a phantom idea of customer service, or worse, pat ourselves on the back for behaving exceptionally, we better remember what keeps us returning to WDW every year, what keeps us posting on these boards.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sorry – I don't buy it. I saw plenty of outrageous behavior in Disney restaurants in the eighties and nineties: adults sticking fingers into salad bar dressings, kids throwing tantrums that looked like convulsions, a livid mother destroying a Disney Inn front desk clerk because her room "didn't look like the ones in the guidebook," the man who told the woman who when she politely asked him during Hall of Presidents to remove his hat said, "Find another seat."

All this "back in my day" thinking doesn't address the saddest irony: the customer service we expect from Disney is exactly what allows them to get stepped on by people like us. Not reprimanding the woman for treating the thousand island dressing like Play-Doh or politely asking the parents of the hysterical child if there is a problem – that's the Disney way, always has been.

If we're going to criticize Disney for failing to live up to a phantom idea of customer service, or worse, pat ourselves on the back for behaving exceptionally, we better remember what keeps us returning to WDW every year, what keeps us posting on these boards.

Well stated!

We each have to deal with this sort of stuff in our own way I guess--tho I would ad that it does seem to get worse and worse as the years go by. OR maybe I just notice it now.

I do thank the screaming kids some years ago at our local Outback who first drove us out of a dining area and into the bar--best thing that ever happened to us!!

 

[dfherrera]

Screaming kids??? WDW's fault? I do not think so. This is 100% the families fault. To those posters, saying that they are seeing the trend, this is because parents seem to care less. We have always made sure our kid was occupied when he was younger and knew how to act in a restaurant and in public. Being at Disney and the long days that we put our kids through creates a possible powder keg of emotions. Plan better, if you want to take your kids out to Cali Grill or any other sit down restaurant that will require a longer time for them to sit still. Have a shorter day in the park, bring something that amuses them and keeps them busy, or leave when they can't take it any longer. Don't ruin everyone's meal around you because you are too lazy to parent properly.

As for Cali Grill, I had never been there previously so I can attest to what it was like before. I ate there back in April this past year and had a very nice meal. I dined at the bar because I was alone and had a very nice meal. The woman to my right ordered the Filet and was not happy. The manager came out, took it back, made her a new one and comped it. I was quite impressed with the service. I had a few glasses of wine and the pork loin that was very good. To all the comments on the price, I agree, seems quite high for what you get. I very much enjoyed my meal and the view of the Park but I think the price was about $25 more than a similar meal at Couzzina's would be.

Sorry for my earlier rant but I am seeing so much blamed on others when it really is the parents lax ways that lead to the kids actions.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have been to CG many times including last march. Thought the food and service was excellent. They gave us one table I didn't like and asked for another...no problem. It was me and my disabled adult daughter and her friend who was wearing a birthday button. Dessert was comped. Server was wonderful with my daughter and her friend. We all enjoyed our food and the saki martini and wine I had was very good. I have the tables in wonderland card so the 20% discount is quite helpful given that it covers alcohol and the bill was almost 200 for the three if us. No unruly children that I can remember but I always eat later so our reservations were at 8 30. I have noticed over the years that the dress code has definitely declined. But didn't see anyone in sleeveless t shirts or cutoffs. In the past I have complained about obnoxious children but to their parents not staff. Most parents are embarrassed and others are shocked you would criticize their little darlings. My daughter has Down syndrome and she has never been allowed to act out in restaurants. She has been taken for a time out a few times when she was younger. And once I even left a restaurant with her while others stayed for dinner. She didn't eat that night nor did I but it was a good lesson. If kids were fencing with plastic swords that is a safety issue and shoukd be addressed by the staff since a bystander could be hurt and sue DW for negligence. I'd probably just take it away from the kid and hand it to the parents. And I hate confrontation. But disrespectful children are the parents fault.

 

[Uncleromulus]

If you did that--and I can most certainly understand why you would want to--you would probably get physically assaulted by the parents.

Or arrested yourself for "harming" a minor if by some chance you even TOUCHED one of the kids.