California Grill closing January 2013

[Timekeeper]

Will this refurb interrupt access to the observation deck?

Even if access to the deck via the restaurant is closed, guests could still access the stairwell from almost any floor and walk up to the deck ...or will Disney block access to the deck from the stairwell?

 

[Murphketeer]

I wonder if they'll be opening up the place on Bay Lake Tower during this refirb?

 

[wdwmagic]

Will this refurb interrupt access to the observation deck?

Even if access to the deck via the restaurant is closed, guests could still access the stairwell from almost any floor and walk up to the deck ...or will Disney block access to the deck from the stairwell?

Yes I expect so. There is significant work being done on the rooftop.

 

[Timekeeper]

I've always enjoyed dining in the wine room (does it have an official name?) I would like to see more of that style of atmosphere.

Heck, they could even add a second floor to the restaurant, maintaining the open atmosphere for "family" dining, and more secluded environments for adults. They always seem to be at full capacity, so I imagine that they could really bank with additional space. And if a couple is going to drop $200+ for a dinner for two, they deserve an atmosphere that's a little bit nicer than a high school cafeteria.

 

[DisDadEddie]

We haven't gone there yet! After the refurb we'll have to give it a try.

 

[hokielutz]

Please keep the Sushi and the Oak Fired filet!!

Also keep the Valrhona chocolate cake.

 

[BrightImagine]

I wonder if they'll be opening up the place on Bay Lake Tower during this refirb?

The Top of the World Lounge only serves appetizers and is one-fourth or less the size of the California Grill... it's a nice place but I don't think it would help take its place.

 

[janoimagine]

It was a place I always went to and had special ocassion dinners etc. I do recall my last 2-3 meals being great, but being bothered by what I can only term a lower element clientele ... i.e. folks coming in dressed like they went from riding Splash Mountain to CG and folks on the DDP who all wanted 'the steak plain, none of that fancy sauce on it and no veggies, we want fries!'' (BTW, that is almost a word for word quote from my last visit).

That's the problem with the DDP. People who (should I say this nicely or provocatively, so some will tune me out and not listen and think ... yeah, he's right ... hmm... I say it's the Fourth, so celebrate freedom by going the scortch and burn way) have no business dining at a place like CG are, and they are ruining it for those of us who want more than beef and taters.

I agree completely. My wife and I noticed a similar situation our last trip and it's unsettling when your dropping $200 plus on dinner and drinks. Enforce a dress code ... They do it on the Cruise line for the signature restaurant's like Palo and Remy ... I even had to go back to my stateroom and change out of my Diesels and I honestly don't mind if it maintains the status of the place. Thats what free dining has done unfortunately. That's why I am glad Anaheim has no dining plan.

 

[janoimagine]

Artists Point and Jikos are all equally good, or they were 12 months ago.

Hope i can still wear my vest and flip flops

Artists Point is fantastic, one of the best on property.

I will take a vest and flip flops over Jimmny Thick's attire of choice to the CG ... Jean Shorts.

 

[polynesiangirl]

I agree completely. My wife and I noticed a similar situation our last trip and it's unsettling when your dropping $200 plus on dinner and drinks. Enforce a dress code ... They do it on the Cruise line for the signature restaurant's like Palo and Remy ... I even had to go back to my stateroom and change out of my Diesels and I honestly don't mind if it maintains the status of the place. Thats what free dining has done unfortunately. That's why I am glad Anaheim has no dining plan.

Yeah, I feel like kind of a jerk for agreeing, but it's been my observation as well. Every time I have been there in recent memory people are dressed just...not appropriately for a restaurant that has that kind of ambiance. When I went with my parents as a teenager it had a much more upscale feel, people were dressed much nicer, and it was actually possible to eat there without making a reservation 400 years in advance (but, sigh, that is a different rant for a different day.)

 

[wdwmagic]

What? No one noticed the machine gun emplacements going in?

Along with missile silos

 

[scpergj]

Along with missile silos

They aren't silos, per say....just a couple of anti-aircraft Patriot missile batteries...

 

[c-one]

Artists Point is fantastic, one of the best on property.

I will take a vest and flip flops over Jimmny Thick's attire of choice to the CG ... Jean Shorts.

Is he a nevernude?

 

[unkadug]

They aren't silos, per say....just a couple of anti-aircraft Patriot missile batteries...

Missile in action at Epcot:

 

[WDW1974]

What do people get at Sanaa? I had the Short Ribs and I was underwhelmed.

I've had something different everytime ... but I did have short ribs once and enjoyed them.

 

[WDW1974]

Maybe I'm just not particularly keen on what a modern, up-to-date restaurant should look like and serve, but nothing about the California Grill seemed outdated to me. The highlight for me, though, is walking out onto the roof, which could maybe look a little nicer.

No, it definitely screamed early-mid 90s to people with some design sense (no offense intended!)

 

[WDW1974]

Yes I expect so. There is significant work being done on the rooftop.

Considering last week's mini-disaster ('the sky is falling ... the sky is falling ... the ... nope, just wet 1971-era tiles') that's a very good thing!

 

[WDW1974]

Yeah, I feel like kind of a jerk for agreeing, but it's been my observation as well. Every time I have been there in recent memory people are dressed just...not appropriately for a restaurant that has that kind of ambiance. When I went with my parents as a teenager it had a much more upscale feel, people were dressed much nicer, and it was actually possible to eat there without making a reservation 400 years in advance (but, sigh, that is a different rant for a different day.)

The Walmarted World of Disney ... plain and sadly simple.

 

[c-one]

I think the problem with California Grill is that, due to its storied history and famous views, it's become the signature (lowercase) of the WDW Signature (uppercase) dining experiences. So for that reason it's necessarily become a catchall, with less-than-distinctive decor and menu items. I still think the food is quite good, don't get me wrong. But it doesn't provide the sort of unique experience that the AKL restaurants do, nor the more distinctive menu items of Artist Point, Citricos or Flying Fish.

Now, I can live with only minor menu changes -- but the decor is what needs an overhaul to make it worth the price. It's one of the last vestiges of the days when "contemporary" meant Cosby sweater patterns -- Disney has done well to update most of the hotel, but now it's the Grill's turn. It doesn't need to be uber-hip or trendy, but it doesn't take too much to get up on circa-2012 design trends and figure out a way to reference those. And I do hope they find a way to make it less loud, and I do wish they'd enforce a slightly more strict dress code (and leave the loud screaming kids at the hotel pool). Is a collared shirt and pants too much to ask?

Of course there are other problems -- yes, the prices are too high for the portions and yes, it's completely insane that you must commit to a June 10 meal on January 1 -- but these are endemic to the entire resort.

 

[janoimagine]

It's one of the last vestiges of the days when "contemporary" meant Cosby sweater patterns -- Disney has done well to update most of the hotel, but now it's the Grill's turn.

I think that hits the nail on the head, it is very Cosby esque. 'Contemporary' to me is Mid-Century Modern, Eames, Corbusier, Saarinen and Noguchi ... The Cali Grill is none of the above and is literally like someone took one of Dr. Huxtable's sweaters and ran with it.