Your ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE to Disney World at Christmas Time! UPDATE x2 10/21

[Missyrose]

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Clearly, the Contemporary is the place to be on Christmas Day. LOOK AT THOSE CROWDS.

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Seriously, best Christmas Day plan ever. I just can't even fathom willingly going to MK when the crowds are hovering around capacity. I remember looking at my Lines app on Christmas Day because I was curious about what the wait times were and It's a Small World had a wait of 85 minutes. Let me repeat that, there were people waiting an hour and a half for IASW.

I totally love the resort hopping you guys did for Christmas. Way to make good use of that glorius monorail.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Aaaah!!! I NEED that bowl with the flowers in it! I am obsessed with the Contemporary and all of it's decor! I was lucky enough to stay there last year (for free) when I went with my god-daughter and her mom, to keep her while her mom worked (at Disney for a conference, what a hardship!) I am now spoiled and want to stay there/live there forever!

(PS, I also follow you on twitter and instagram... creeper much?)

Haha it's so pretty! WOW that is so lucky - I hope you really enjoyed it! I want to stay and live there forever too... it's the most perfect place!

And haha no, not at all! A ton of people do. Tweet me so I know your username and I'll follow you back!

2 things:
First, I had to laugh at your Disney Scene It comment. Some of my sorority sisters and I used to play it in college, but it was always me versus like 5 of them. And I would win. One of my sisters and I made ourselves a challenge during our Junior and Senior year to watch every animated Disney movie ever made. We spent a lot of time at the local library where you could borrow the VHS tapes for free!!

Second, the worms in dirt dessert is disappointing. I had it and it was really dry. The gummy worms were the only saving feature! I had the red velvet cupcake though and it was delicious. Go for that.

Hahaha I love it! That's so funny. Kristen and I cannot play against each other in that game because it can get violent LOL. Aww that's really cute! I need to do that sometime... it has been a while since I have seen a lot of the movies!

Oh really? That makes me feel a little better. And mmm I wonder how it would compare to Starring Rolls!

So, I'm like super behind, (that's what a Disney trip can do to you! ) but I'm all caught up now!! Beautiful pictures!!! Those crowds at MK are insane! Good idea about exploring the resorts, and relaxing by the pool. The Christmas decorations are so beautiful! I wish I could go during the Christmas season!!!!! I can't wait to see more pictures!

Well that's completely acceptable LOL. I'm glad you're back! Thank you! I agree... I'm glad I didn't go! We had such a lovely and relaxing day. I hope you get to someday! Thank you! I have TONS more coming your way!

Just found and subbing. Headed there in Nov/Dec and cannot wait to see the BC holiday decor!!!!

Welcome, welcome! I'm so glad you found the trip report! I hope you have a WONDERFUL trip, and I am sure that you will be blown away by the beauty of the decorations!

Great updates! As usual!

First, thank you again for taking so many pictures of the GF! I absolutely love that place and can't wait to stay there! Oh come on DVC and open up the villas!

Sorry the gingerbread was yucky. I'll be sure to get the Cinderella Oreo pop when we go in December and let you know how it is!

That is sooooo awesome y'all got to have a relaxing Christmas at Disney! You've definitely inspired me to plan a long trip like that in the future!

All the artwork you've taken pictures of are incredible! I really want to buy some fancy castle print when I go! They're only like $20, right?

Can't wait to read more!!

Thank you!
Aww you're welcome! I KNOW, RIGHT!? I seriously can't wait!!
Eh it's alright. Yeah try it out! I'm sure it's delicious!
It was so lovely. I can't even describe to you how nice that day was. I really couldn't have asked for anything better.
Haha thank you! Yeah I WISH they were $20!

those candy cane cupcakes look so yummy!!!

Jess, you take beautiful pictures. Do you have a standard point-and-shoot or is it a digital SLR? I seriously can't wait to visit at Christmas some day. That view you woke up to on Christmas morning is breathtaking. I'm a huge fan of sunrise views pretty much anywhere in Disney, before the crowds come and people it up, but I got teary seeing just the photo...I can only imagine how overwhelming it was to see in person.

Are the crowds that crazy all week, or just right around Christmas?

I know! YUM!
I use a Nikon D3100 which is a DSLR. I also use iPhoto to enhance my photos.
I hope you get to go for Christmas someday - it's a wonderful experience! Aww I'm glad you liked the pictures! I actually have some EXTREMELY beautiful sunrise photos coming up in a few days... so stay tuned!
Nope.. it's all week. It actually gets worse. This is how Christmas week goes:
- Up to and including December 24th... not too bad, crowded but manageable.
- December 25th - EXPLOSION.
- December 26th-31st - RIDICULOUSLY CROWDED and the parks sometimes close due to full capacity.
- January 1st - A bit calmer
- January 2nd - DEAD. And thus begins value season.

It's the strangest thing but it's so true.

I love those hidden Mickeys everywhere! I need to start putting hidden Mickeys randomly throughout my house.

Christmas day by the pool? YES PLEASE. That sounds perfect!

I seriously just sat here and stared at that candy cake cupcake for about ten minutes. I WANT ONE.

Beautiful pictures, as always! I love them all!

I know, right!? Hidden Mickey make my life.
HEAVEN ON EARTH.
Mmmm you need to go to Contempo Cafe for your cupcake tasting! They always have tons of them!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed them!

Jess, you take more pictures than anyone else on the planet. But as you and Kristen would say... no one's mad. I love getting to see every detail.

YUM that flatbread looks delicious. And Jonathan said there was TOO MUCH cheese? Does not compute. I could be drowning in a pool of cheese and still not feel that there was too much cheese. But that is me.

Hahaha I'm really glad you guys enjoy them! That's what really matters!

It was SO good. And yeah... he's a weirdo! I thought that it looked DELICIOUS! Dang, now I want a pizza.

The elevator doors are so cool! It wasn't until the end of the trip that my DH and I realized the AKL elevator doors had giraffes on them. Um, we were apparently that oblivious every time we took the elevator (or we were that into our conversation ... or that tired, haha).

Wow, that wreath is huge! I've seen it in pictures before, but on the scale of your particular picture, I just realized how large it is! I wonder where they store that thing in the non-Christmas months, haha.

My Mom and I did the SAME thing at AKL! They're so beautiful and you don't notice them until you see them a few times!

I know, right!? I'm glad that I could give you a semi-accurate perspective of it lol. And well.... you will find that out coming up soon!

Love the trip report! Very cool pics in the GF. I was in Disney for Christmas and couldn't believe how crazy it was, very good idea to take in the resorts instead of battle crowds.

Thank you so much! I'm glad you like them! I hope you had a nice trip! I thought it was a good idea, too!

I love, love, love all of your photos of BLT. There are really so many little things that can get missed/overlooked in the hustle/bustle of being at WDW! You do a great job of capturing them and reminding me of what a great resort it truly is.

Christmas day by the pool...I love it! Oh, the flatbreads look ahhhmazing.

Thank you so much! I'm glad. I agree... I try to take pictures of the things that people don't typically notice. And aww thank you so much for those kind words! They really mean a lot to me!

all caught up!
fantastic updates!!
Wishing i was there right now!!!
xo

Woohoo! Thank you!

Chances are you will be seeing very similar versions of ALL these pictures (minus the Christmas decorations) in a little over a month. JKALJKFLJFKLDAJ KLA CANNOT WAIT.

What a perfect Christmas!!!! The pool looks just... amazing. Did you go down the slide??? My brother is REALLY excited about the slide.

Jonathan said the pizza had TOO MUCH cheese?! I think that's literally impossible.

YAYAY I can't believe you're going so soon!
YEAH I WENT DOWN THE SLIDE. I seriously had a 5-year-old moment (but hey, what else is new?) and my brother and I went down that slide multiple times in a row! This didn't happen until later in the trip... but it happened.
Yeah, right!? He's crazy.

Such an awesome way to spend Christmas day!! Now I *really* wanna go down over Christmas, I also now want to stay at the Comtemporary. I dunno, just never been a huge fan of it when I've been passing through, but I like to stay at different resorts each time, and I do love me some monorail resorts! Haha

Thank you! I hope you get to do both of those things someday! If you have the chance, stay in Bay Lake. The rooms are INCREDIBLE!

Seriously, best Christmas Day plan ever. I just can't even fathom willingly going to MK when the crowds are hovering around capacity. I remember looking at my Lines app on Christmas Day because I was curious about what the wait times were and It's a Small World had a wait of 85 minutes. Let me repeat that, there were people waiting an hour and a half for IASW.

I totally love the resort hopping you guys did for Christmas. Way to make good use of that glorius monorail.

Thank you so much! I know, right?! I could never put myself or my family through that! Haha that MAELSTROM had an 80 minute wait later in my trip. I have photo evidence.

Thank you! It seriously was a brilliant plan because we got so much done and we avoided the crowds!​

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Chapter 67: Christmas Dinner at California Grill
December 25th, 2011

Here are some pictures of the Contemporary's pool! Surprisingly I had never seen it before!

Their cool Navy Blue and Beige slide:

The whole area was very pretty! The benefits of this pool were that they had more options at the food bar and more ping-pong paddles. Other than that though (and I may be biased) I like Bay Lake's Pool a little better.

After our Contemporary adventure, we met back up with our parents. We laid out at the pool for a little while longer but then went up to the room. Once we got there, I TOOK A NAP. I know it was Christmas Day and I was in Disney and everything but I was so tired! Plus my throat was still hurting. I slept from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm!

When I woke up I tweeted:
Took a nice little Christmas nap... And now there's only an hour till dinner. Where did the day go?! PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!!

I could already feel the vacation begin to speed up. I always hate that part when you realize the rest of your time is gonna fly. It's so important to cherish every moment!

Once I got up, I got ready for dinner at California Grill! We left our room at 7:16 pm.

On our walk over, I heard Beauty and the Beast Enchanted Christmas playing at the Contemporary's pool. So I posted on twitter:
As long as theres Christmas I truly believe that hope is the greatest of the gifts we receive. <3 B&B enchanted Christmas on the big screen!

We arrived at California Grill at exactly 7:25 pm - our ADR time!

We checked in on the first floor, we went to the elevator, and before we even started going up our buzzer went off!

We were brought right to our table! California Grill is a very popular Christmas dinner choice! It looked like every table was filled and the main room was VERY loud!

We received a great blessing and were seated in a little wine room where there were only like 8-10 tables. If it would have been loud, Dad would have been unhappy. So that worked out really well!

Tables in Wonderland was blocked out AGAIN, but since it was Christmas we weren't going to worry about it.

Javier was our server. He was from Peru! He was SO nice, efficient, and made excellent suggestions!

The bread we started with was very good. It was sour dough with a hard crust and soft middle.

We got the Triple Cheese Flatbread for an appetizer. Jonathan didn't like the sound of anything on the menu (because he's so picky) and he ended up LOVING this. It was his favorite food of the night! He had four pieces. It really was SO good and I'm so glad we got to try it. Kristen told me that it was awesome, but it was even better than I expected!

Dad started with the Spicy Kazan Roll which was beautiful! This was my favorite of the two Sushis. It didn't seem that spicy, but then again I only had one piece. I wasn't even a huge fan of sushi at this time and I still really liked it!

Our entrees took a while to come out because the kitchen was backed up, but TRUST ME - it was worth the wait!

Dad made a very heartfelt toast before dinner about how Mom, Me, and Jonathan are the greatest blessings in his life. He said that this was the perfect Christmas. It really, truly was. I was (and still am) so grateful for everything in my life. I honestly could not ask for anything better and I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by such a loving family! Merry Christmas!

As far as entrees go, Mom got the Goat Cheese Ravioli. That's technically considered a "first course," but considering we had so many other food items, she wanted something smaller. She loved it and said it was very good!

Dad got the Florida Yellowtail Snapper. It's his favorite fish, and since Narcoossee's and California Grill both had it, he wanted to try both. He actually liked the California Grill version even better, mostly because of the stuff on the side. There was Dungeness Crab Risotto, Zellwood Corn, Snap Peas, and Sauce Charon. He was RAVING about it!

I went with the Pork Tenderloin. I wanted to sub the polenta for mashed potatoes, but Javier talked me out of it. It was good, but I'm just not a huge polenta fan. It's too cheesy and the texture is a little strange. I ate it, though. The mushrooms were SO GOOD! It was so nice to have pork as my dinner. Since pork upsets Dad's stomach, we never get to eat it at home. It tasted AMAZING though. It was cooked perfectly and was such a nice treat!

Jonathan got the Crab and Seafood Sushi for his entree. He said that it was great. He had such a hard time picking something off of the menu because it's fancy there, but he ended up liking this. He could only eat half of it though - it was a lot.

Of course we still had to get dessert! This was a big day!

Dad got the Sampler Trio. There was Pumpkin Mousse, a Pear dessert, and Almond Rice pudding. The Pumpkin Mousse was particularly good!

I got the Valrhona Chocolate Cake which was GREAT! Javier raved about it so I knew it was the right choice. There was so much molten chocolate!! That was a big hit all around the table. It came with peppermint ice cream which was a nice compliment to the chocolate flavor.

Jonathan ordered the Bananas and Carmel dessert. He ate the carmalized bananas but Mom and I ended up eating most of the dessert part. It was REALLY good - I loved the mousse! The whole thing was nice and light.

We finished up our desserts and were stuffed to the brim! We settled the check and our total was literally within a dollar of what we paid the night before at Narcoossee's! Javier shook all of our hands before we left. It was such a pleasure dining at California Grill and I hope I get to go back someday!

My post-dinner tweet:
Excellent. Superb. Magnificent. Extraordinary.

Overview of California Grill:
Waiter: Javier
Service: Javier was very polite and an all around great waiter. He was a little on the quiet side and it took a little while for our food to get there, but I think that's because it was really busy. I was happy with our service overall. 4/5
Atmosphere: We LUCKED out and were seated in a quiet room right near the window. We had a great view! The rest of the restaurant was loud and crowded. 4/5
Food: Absolutely extraordinary! I loved everything and it truly was the perfect Christmas meal! 5/5

We left at 9:30 pm and we were all very, very happy! California Grill was such a great choice for this special holiday.

Elevator Picture:

How convenient that we were staying at the same hotel as California Grill! All we had to do was go to the 4th floor to connect back to our building! On the way back, we took some pictures with the pretty Christmas decorations:

Family photo:

I love these little signs!

We went back up to our floor and took a few more pictures:

Once we were in the room I put my pajamas on and caught up in my trip journal. I watched the Magic, Memories, and You, Holiday Wishes, and the end of the Electrical Water Pageant.

I posted on twitter:
Dear scratchy throat, please oh please oh pleaseeee go away so I don't cry. I'm in Disney right now and i need to feel GOOD. ): Thank you.

Clearly, my throat was still hurting. So I took some Nyquill and just passed out.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.

Overview of December 25th, 2011:

Highs:
- It's Christmas Day!
- Beautiful Mass
- Macadamia Nut Pancakes!!
- The Monorail!
- Disney College Program Conversation with the CM in the Polynesian Gift Shop
- Seeing the Holiday Decor
- Laying by the Pool
- Taking a Nap!
- California Grill!
- Being together
- Having a wonderful Christmas

Lows:
- The day went by fast!
- Having a sore throat and being crabby because of it.
- The gingerbread cookie being dry

Weather:
High 70's - sunny in the morning and then very cloudy

Food of the Day:
Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes from Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Resort!

Continued in Next Post​

 

[__disneygirl]

I agree with you, I like the BLT pool better! Not based on actually seeing it. I mean based on your wonderful endless photo tour of everything that is Disney's Contemporary Resort, I prefer the BLT pool.

THANK GOD I stuffed myself with pizza (AND chocolate.....oops) right before I read this update or else I'd be drooling. OH CALIFORNIA GRILL, HOW I LOVE AND MISS YOU! We haven't been there in a few years but it's one of our favorite places. Oh my God YUM.

Your family is precious <3 I love how you and your dad are both wearing black on the bottom and then you have red and he has green on the top. What a lovely father daughter Christmas color scheme. LOL. Sorry, it's 3am, IDK what I'm saying but I thought that was cute.

That must be so funny to just have the electrical water pageant floating by your room like that. Can someone explain to me WHY I don't live at one of the monorail resorts because I don't understand it.

 

[ditsypixie]

Great updates! Love the Christmas tour of the resorts, sounds like the perfect thing to do instead of fighting the crowds at the parks.

Ahhhh...California Grill My favorite place! A girl after my own heart...you ordered the exact dish that I always get. I agree with you...polenta, not a big fan. You said it perfectly...too cheesy and weird texture! Just odd

Beautiful pictures as always

 

[Caretames1]

Sorry you had a sore throat, it sucks that something like that can just put a damper on things.

Your dinner looked amazing, I think your pork looked the best, (sorry, not a sushi eater)

What an amazing way to spend Christmas!

 

[Enchanted88]

Looks like a great way to end your Christmas day!! Your outfit is way cute!
I'm glad you guys had a great Christmas dinner--everything looked so good!

I hope your sore throat was better the next morning!

 

[LifeIsDis]

I have heard wonderful things about the California Grill, but I think it might be a little too fancy for me. I am not a picky eater AT ALL so I would possibly like it.
It seems like a great place for Christmas dinner!

You look so pretty Jess!

The Triple Cheese Flatbread looks delicious.

You watched the MM&Y, Wishes, and the water pageant?! Lucky duck!


Oh and it seems like you and Kristen had an awesome time at the Beach Boys concert the other night. Glad you guys had fun!

 

[EeyoreJen]

Hello

I've been reading your trip information for a while now because this will be my first Christmas at WDW and I'm taking my then 12-year old daughter (it's her surprise Christmas present). I'm so excited and I've really enjoyed reading everything you've done. The pictures give me a great idea of crowds, etc and I find your thread one that I am constantly checking for updates even when it doesn't say there is one!

I love your enthusiasm for Disney - it is very similar to mine!

Jen

 

[JessicaFaye508]

I agree with you, I like the BLT pool better! Not based on actually seeing it. I mean based on your wonderful endless photo tour of everything that is Disney's Contemporary Resort, I prefer the BLT pool.

THANK GOD I stuffed myself with pizza (AND chocolate.....oops) right before I read this update or else I'd be drooling. OH CALIFORNIA GRILL, HOW I LOVE AND MISS YOU! We haven't been there in a few years but it's one of our favorite places. Oh my God YUM.

Your family is precious <3 I love how you and your dad are both wearing black on the bottom and then you have red and he has green on the top. What a lovely father daughter Christmas color scheme. LOL. Sorry, it's 3am, IDK what I'm saying but I thought that was cute.

That must be so funny to just have the electrical water pageant floating by your room like that. Can someone explain to me WHY I don't live at one of the monorail resorts because I don't understand it.

Haha I'm glad e agree!
Mmmm pizza... hahaha I miss California Grill too! It seriously was SO good! I wonder the next time we'll go there. I love the Signature restaurants because they're SO good... but they're only a once-in-a-while deal. I'll just have to stare at the pictures until I go back.

Aww thank you! And haha that's precious! I never ever noticed that! I love my Dad

It was AWESOME! And omg me too. Let's both just move in. Like.. tomorrow. Okay, good plan.

Great updates! Love the Christmas tour of the resorts, sounds like the perfect thing to do instead of fighting the crowds at the parks.

Ahhhh...California Grill My favorite place! A girl after my own heart...you ordered the exact dish that I always get. I agree with you...polenta, not a big fan. You said it perfectly...too cheesy and weird texture! Just odd

Beautiful pictures as always

Thank you! It was great! It really made for a relaxing and enjoyable day.

It was SO good! Haha that dish was amazing. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is weirded out by polenta!

Thank you!

Sorry you had a sore throat, it sucks that something like that can just put a damper on things.

Your dinner looked amazing, I think your pork looked the best, (sorry, not a sushi eater)

What an amazing way to spend Christmas!

I know! Thankfully it didn't last too long, but of course it happened on Christmas!

Thank you! That pork was SO good!

Thank you! It really was!

Looks like a great way to end your Christmas day!! Your outfit is way cute!
I'm glad you guys had a great Christmas dinner--everything looked so good!

I hope your sore throat was better the next morning!

Thank you very much!
We did - it was delicious!
I think it was... I can't really remember but I know it started to fade away. Thank Goodness!!

I have heard wonderful things about the California Grill, but I think it might be a little too fancy for me. I am not a picky eater AT ALL so I would possibly like it.
It seems like a great place for Christmas dinner!

You look so pretty Jess!

The Triple Cheese Flatbread looks delicious.

You watched the MM&Y, Wishes, and the water pageant?! Lucky duck!


Oh and it seems like you and Kristen had an awesome time at the Beach Boys concert the other night. Glad you guys had fun!

Haha well if you're not a picky eater then you probably would like California Grill. The filet, for example, is a little more generic. And that three cheese pizza is GOOD. I'm sure you could find something. It was a great meal!

Thank you!

Yes! It was beautiful!

We did - it was FUN, FUN, FUN!​

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Hello

I've been reading your trip information for a while now because this will be my first Christmas at WDW and I'm taking my then 12-year old daughter (it's her surprise Christmas present). I'm so excited and I've really enjoyed reading everything you've done. The pictures give me a great idea of crowds, etc and I find your thread one that I am constantly checking for updates even when it doesn't say there is one!

I love your enthusiasm for Disney - it is very similar to mine!

Jen

Hi there!
Aww that'll be such a wonderful trip! I'm so glad you like the reviews! Thank you so much for the kind words - I'm glad this thread is helpful!

Thank you! I just love Disney with my whole heart!

Thanks for reading!
​

 

[DulcetDiscord]

AHH! California Grill is literally my favorite Disney restaurant (ok, so I haven't been to them all). I've only been there twice, but the most recent time was on my birthday this year. My mom and I got all dressed up for it, and I timed the reservation so we were having our appetizer as the fireworks were going off over the castle. The table was decorated with mickey head confetti and ribbons, and when they were out of the wine we ordered with dessert, they brought us complimentary champagne instead! We ordered two of the flatbreads, the three cheese and a chicken something, they were amazing. I also had the goat cheese ravioli thing, and that was really good too. For dessert I had cheesecake and my mom had this chocolate hazelnut thing that was so rich we couldn't even finish it together! It was hands down the most magical dinner I've ever had, and that includes the time we had window seats at Cinderella's Royal Table during the fireworks.


Oh and now I'm super excited because my sister is visiting and we're going to California Grill on July 3rd!!!

 

[mermaid764]

Awwww that's awful that your throat was still bothering you...nobody should ever get sick at Disney, it should just be a law!

Your dad's toast sounds really sweet....such an amazing christmas experience to be at WDW and at BLT!

I've always wanted to try Cali Grill but have shyed away since I'm a vegetarian and it's always seemed to be about steak and seafood to me, but the flatbread and the ravioli look delicious.

Can't wait to hear more

 

[JessicaFaye508]

AHH! California Grill is literally my favorite Disney restaurant (ok, so I haven't been to them all). I've only been there twice, but the most recent time was on my birthday this year. My mom and I got all dressed up for it, and I timed the reservation so we were having our appetizer as the fireworks were going off over the castle. The table was decorated with mickey head confetti and ribbons, and when they were out of the wine we ordered with dessert, they brought us complimentary champagne instead! We ordered two of the flatbreads, the three cheese and a chicken something, they were amazing. I also had the goat cheese ravioli thing, and that was really good too. For dessert I had cheesecake and my mom had this chocolate hazelnut thing that was so rich we couldn't even finish it together! It was hands down the most magical dinner I've ever had, and that includes the time we had window seats at Cinderella's Royal Table during the fireworks.


Oh and now I'm super excited because my sister is visiting and we're going to California Grill on July 3rd!!!

That sounds absolutely MAGICAL! Oh my gosh how wonderful! Thanks for sharing that story! I can just imagine how great of a meal it was!

Aww that's awesome!! Do you live near Disney or are you going on a vacation?

Awwww that's awful that your throat was still bothering you...nobody should ever get sick at Disney, it should just be a law!

Your dad's toast sounds really sweet....such an amazing christmas experience to be at WDW and at BLT!

I've always wanted to try Cali Grill but have shyed away since I'm a vegetarian and it's always seemed to be about steak and seafood to me, but the flatbread and the ravioli look delicious.

Can't wait to hear more

I know! Thankfully it went away before the trip was over.
He was ADORABLE. I love my Dad. He's such a great guy. It really was the trip of a lifetime!
There are vegetarian options EVERYWHERE and I definitely think you could find something delicious at California Grill!
Thanks for reading!​

 

[marDgreen88]

The Contemporary pool looks awesome too, but I agree that Bay Lake's is much cooler. I think it's because when it opened in the 70's, it WAS very contemporary, but now it just looks a little plain. Still very awesome though! I can't wait to try out all these slides hahah.

YUM SUSHI OMG. That looks delicious. And so does the pizza. And so does the everything.

Aww... what a wonderful Christmas! I love that yall had such a nice family trip. Your dad's toast sounds so sweet!

UGH SOAR THROAT GO AWAY. Thanks. Bye.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

The Contemporary pool looks awesome too, but I agree that Bay Lake's is much cooler. I think it's because when it opened in the 70's, it WAS very contemporary, but now it just looks a little plain. Still very awesome though! I can't wait to try out all these slides hahah.

YUM SUSHI OMG. That looks delicious. And so does the pizza. And so does the everything.

Aww... what a wonderful Christmas! I love that yall had such a nice family trip. Your dad's toast sounds so sweet!

UGH SOAR THROAT GO AWAY. Thanks. Bye.

Yeah I agree! You'll have to try out both. How long are you staying again?
YUM YUM. I want to go back to California Grill so bad after posting this update lol.
It really was fantastic. I couldn't have asked for a better christmas/vacation. My Dad is so precious... he always says the nicest things.
I know!! Thankfully it was gone by the end of the trip.
​

 

[LumosQ102]

Oh California Grill, how I love you. I dream about that Ravioli... We've been planning our ADRs for out next trip so I was so pleased to see you update with my favourite restaurant. 235 days and I'll be there! (Early planning - pfft, only 55 days til we book those adrs!)

I'm more if a lurker than a commenter, but just wanted to say thanks for your trip reports - your passion & enthusiasm for Disney almosy makes me feel like I'm back there.

 

[emmysmommy]

That was so nice that you were able to be seated in the wine room at Cali Grill - it is definitely much quieter. I absolutely LOVE the pork tenderloin (and the plolenta even if it is really, really salty) and the mushrooms with the glaze. Oh soooo good! I don't think you could top having Christmas dinner at Cali Grill - seriously!

 

[dreamerchic33]

Awww!! What a wonderful christmas day!!!!!
California Grill looks amazing! Would love to try it!!!

 

[Reberella]

California Grill looks sooo good! Especially that flatbread and ravioli! Yum!
Your waiters name is really fun to say.... Javier....
I ate their last June and wasn't a huge fan, but it looks like I'll have to try it again!
I love your Xmas outfit! I think I have the same headband!