Cali Grill communal seating

[mebucko]

Hello All,
I was looking at the great photos of the Cali on the Disney Food Blog, and they showed "communal" seating in some areas of the main restaurant. Is seating at these tables "voluntary"? We would much prefer a table to ourselves for the Cali experience. We have ADRs - do we have to make our request known when checking in at the podium, perhaps making for a longer wait?
It looks wonderful!!
Thanks, and Ch-Ears!
Bill

 

[RandomPrincess]

Hello All,
I was looking at the great photos of the Cali on the Disney Food Blog, and they showed "communal" seating in some areas of the main restaurant. Is seating at these tables "voluntary"? We would much prefer a table to ourselves for the Cali experience. We have ADRs - do we have to make our request known when checking in at the podium, perhaps making for a longer wait?
It looks wonderful!!
Thanks, and Ch-Ears!
Bill

Link please.

 

[mebucko]

Link please.

Here is the link-
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/...ifornia-grill-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/
Thanks,
Bill

 

[durangojim]

Here is the link-
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/...ifornia-grill-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/
Thanks,
Bill

Are you referring to the seats where a long booth/bench seat is shared? I'm sure you can request an individual table, it just might take longer to seat you.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I would note your request on your reservation, and then again at the podium at check-in. Whenever we ate there and requested a window seated, we mentioned it at both places. The CM who took my ADR did say that it's important to tell them at the check-in podium. In my experience, Disney will accommodate requests as best they can.

 

[mebucko]

Are you referring to the seats where a long booth/bench seat is shared? I'm sure you can request an individual table, it just might take longer to seat you.

Hi Durangojim,
The ones I'm talking about are not the long booth/bench seat type. In the above blog, and in several others, they are mentioned, and were described as a way to meet new friends and share the experiences of their Disney day. One photo I saw showed a long table or several tables, end-to-end, in the middle of the dining area. It sounded like Biergarten seating. Look at the photo in this article -
http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2013/09/10/...ined-california-grill/cali_grill_interior_07/
Thanks for the response - much appreciated!
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[mebucko]

I would note your request on your reservation, and then again at the podium at check-in. Whenever we ate there and requested a window seated, we mentioned it at both places. The CM who took my ADR did say that it's important to tell them at the check-in podium. In my experience, Disney will accommodate requests as best they can.

Thanks, DizneyPryncess!
I'll call Disney Dining, and post their answer.
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[RandomPrincess]

I would not like communal seating either. I doubt other guests are interested in listening to my kids talk about every second of their day either.

 

[mebucko]

Hi Again,
I just called Disney Dining , but they advised that all annotations to seating reservations have to be made in person at the podium. They cannot be made by phone. She was not aware of the communal seating, but we both agreed that the Cali meal is a special time to share with your special one!
Thanks and Ch-Ears!
Bill

 

[nolatron]

Here's one reference I found to these tables:

“Communal table”, we were informed that the first seating for these tables (for ten) will be reserved for larger parties. After that first seating walk up guest will be given the option of the communal tables for smaller parties. (Think Germany)."

So a party of 8 grabs one these tables, a party of two shows up and wants a table. They have the option to grab two empty chairs with a table full of strangers or wait.

It's like the "single rider" line of dining.

But it wouldn't be that different than eating at Germany, the Luau, or Hibachi at Teppan Edo I guess. At least its optional.

 

[mebucko]

Here's one reference I found to these tables:



So a party of 8 grabs one these tables, a party of two shows up and wants a table. They have the option to grab two empty chairs with a table full of strangers or wait.

It's like the "single rider" line of dining.

But it wouldn't be that different than eating at Germany, the Luau, or Hibachi at Teppan Edo I guess. At least its optional.

Thanks, Nolatron!
That definitely makes it more palatable. We imagined, with no prior knowledge, being shown to a table of strangers, and having to politely say, "Sorry,we don't want to eat with you", or "Ve vant to be alone!!" The single rider comparison is great. The atmosphere of those other restaurants is conducive to communal dining and a lot of fun- not so much a romantic Cali. After all, it used to be called "Top of the World"!
Love that it would be optional!
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[durangojim]

Thanks for bringing this up! I didn't even notice that in some of the blogs, and I definitely would not want to be seated at a communal table for this restaurant! Looks like it will be pretty optional and not something that many of us with reservations need to worry about.

 

[flynnibus]

FWIW... you have to sit with others generally on the Cruise Ships too... tho I can certainly understand if someone wants a private table at a simple restaurant.

 

[mebucko]

Thanks for bringing this up! I didn't even notice that in some of the blogs, and I definitely would not want to be seated at a communal table for this restaurant! Looks like it will be pretty optional and not something that many of us with reservations need to worry about.

Thanks, Durangojim!
Optional is good!
Know they will listen if there is a problem.
So far, so good - our resv is on 10/24. Will let ya' know!
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[mebucko]

FWIW... you have to sit with others generally on the Cruise Ships too... tho I can certainly understand if someone wants a private table at a simple restaurant.

Thanks, flynnibus,
I know that goes with cruise ship dining, but didn't want any surprises at a Signature WDW experience. That, we want to share, just together - we even like the possibility of "quieter" Bay Lake view section, as shown on the blog. Hopeless romantics, but that is a fun thing!!
Ch-Ears, my friend, and thanks for the response!
Bill

 

[copcarguyp71]

I saw this in the concept art published months ago and was really hopeful that it was not accurate. Sorry, but for a high dollar premium intimate dining experience I require more than a "butt scoot" between me and the diners next to us. We enjoyed CG in the past but not so sure we want to go back if there is a chance of being stuck in those seats that look like they are glorified Denny's seating.

 

[jkl2000]

I've been to two great restaurants where communal tables work well: Belgo in London, and Pastis in NYC's Meat Packing district. It's a lot of fun, but the chances of it going wrong do seem greater at WDW. Though it could also be fun.

Oh, it works well at some of the Club Med resorts too.

Oh, also works at Le Pain Quotidienne, which is a small chain in NYC.

 

[mebucko]

I saw this in the concept art published months ago and was really hopeful that it was not accurate. Sorry, but for a high dollar premium intimate dining experience I require more than a "butt scoot" between me and the diners next to us. We enjoyed CG in the past but not so sure we want to go back if there is a chance of being stuck in those seats that look like they are glorified Denny's seating.

Hi copcarguyp,
Spot on!
Loved the "butt scoot"! At first I thought it might be a new country dance!
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[mebucko]

I've been to two great restaurants where communal tables work well: Belgo in London, and Pastis in NYC's Meat Packing district. It's a lot of fun, but the chances of it going wrong do seem greater at WDW. Though it could also be fun.

Oh, it works well at some of the Club Med resorts too.

Oh, also works at Le Pain Quotidienne, which is a small chain in NYC.

Good Mornin' jkl2000,
Good point, but for us, it is a matter of expectations. If we knew that it was a non-voluntary policy at the Cali, we probably wouldn't go. Have not been to the restaurants you mentioned, but at WDW, the Biergarten or Teppan Edo, it would be expected and a fun experience - we would put on the mingle face, and go for it.
Thanks!
Ch-Ears,
Bill

 

[jkl2000]

Good Mornin' jkl2000,
Good point, but for us, it is a matter of expectations. If we knew that it was a non-voluntary policy at the Cali, we probably wouldn't go. Have not been to the restaurants you mentioned, but at WDW, the Biergarten or Teppan Edo, it would be expected and a fun experience - we would put on the mingle face, and go for it.
Thanks!
Ch-Ears,
Bill

I agree, if it was something you had no choice about, I'd think twice too.