Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
While the color palette won't be dated in a few years, the W style "contemporary" furnishing style is ALREADY dated. THey are a little late to the party with this style. It already looks sooooo 2002 hip.
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California Grill closing January 2013
- Thread starter EpcotCenter82
- Start date
baymenxpac
Well-Known Member
alright, i'm not going to pretend to be an interior designer, but i do have a touch of athletics design background. and as i've encouraged people in the past with stuff i had seen that was in development, i would say to reserve judgment until you see it in person. at first glance, i would have liked them to push a little further on this one, but for now, it looks like it has the potential to be a nice update. any upgrade will certainly be a needed refreshment.
california grill was always a special dining venue. to agree with a previous commenter, it should sing like the ambiances of the flying fish and the blue zoo. i wouldn't have minded if they chose to push a little harder than it appears they have chosen to.
but the best thing they can do for that place is to ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE. as far as i'm concerned, that would considerably add to the ambiance. sorry, there are other places to watch the fireworks in WDW where it's perfectly acceptable to wear your shorts and crocs.
california grill was always a special dining venue. to agree with a previous commenter, it should sing like the ambiances of the flying fish and the blue zoo. i wouldn't have minded if they chose to push a little harder than it appears they have chosen to.
but the best thing they can do for that place is to ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE. as far as i'm concerned, that would considerably add to the ambiance. sorry, there are other places to watch the fireworks in WDW where it's perfectly acceptable to wear your shorts and crocs.
007mickey
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't be surprised to see things a little different once the project is complete. Computer aided concept art and actual materials tend to differ. Once actual color, fabric, furniture, etc. samples start to make their way through the submittal process and Disney can finally put their hand and eyes on the materials, then some final decisions will be made. Not saying it couldn't look exactly like Puccini put on paper (computer) but things are always to subject to change, especially interior designs. At the end of the day, the overall look or theme they have put out there will probably stay. But just like everything else Disney does, some will love it, some will hate it and some just won't care. One thing is for sure, as long as the food is good, people will go...even if the wall color is blah.
Sans Souci
Well-Known Member
I just don't like what appears to be more tables. I don't really long banquette-style seating. I hate trying to have dinner with my husband and being 24 inches away from another table. I accept it at a certain price point, but not at Cali Grill prices.
I do understand, too, that this is a high demand restaurant and this was necessary. But I would be angry if I booked in here to celebrate an anniversary and got one of those tables. I just feel like spaciousness is one of the elements that separates the Signatures from regular Table Service.
I do understand, too, that this is a high demand restaurant and this was necessary. But I would be angry if I booked in here to celebrate an anniversary and got one of those tables. I just feel like spaciousness is one of the elements that separates the Signatures from regular Table Service.
Disney Parks Blog has some info posted on the new menu for California Grill:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...temporary-resort-at-walt-disney-world-resort/
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...temporary-resort-at-walt-disney-world-resort/
Genie of the Lamp
Well-Known Member
That Braised short beef meal looks very appetizing. As for the new look of the restaurant, it has its pros and cons. At least the good news for this refurb/update is that we will see an expanded kitchen which will be helpful for the chefs and bigger kitchen should mean more food. Can't go wrong with that!
Timekeeper
Well-Known Member
Those photos, compared to my previous dining experiences there, look like 1/4 the quantity, at 4 times the price 
baymenxpac
Well-Known Member
Those photos, compared to my previous dining experiences there, look like 1/4 the quantity, at 4 times the price
i'm all for taking disney to task when they do something like that, but i don't really think there's any way to tell that from three photographs.
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
I looked at the exact same photos as you, and I don't see what you're talking about.Those photos, compared to my previous dining experiences there, look like 1/4 the quantity, at 4 times the price
One of the pictured dishes (the sashimi plate) is exactly the same as it's been for the past few years. The other sushi dish appears to be a slight modification to the tuna three ways - it now looks like tuna four ways, with nigiri and a sushi roll (topped with lotus root chips) joining the current poke and tartare. The pork entree has received an upgrade - it looks the same but with the addition of a braised pork belly component. Finally, the short rib dish wouldn't be my choice (neither would the pork, in fact), but the truffle whipped potatoes and slow cooking style are definitely in keeping with Cali Grill's upscale menu. Prices aren't mentioned in the blog post, but it's safe to assume that prices would've gone up anyway, refurbishment or not (they didn't need a refurbishment to push the price of the filet up to $48, while the vegetarian entree is currently $31).
I was hoping to see the menu change more drastically - maybe incorporate some molecular gastronomy to match the modernization of the decor. That said, nothing in this blog post seems to indicate a decrease in quality. And at least they're trying to be creative (the Japanese-style bone marrow and the sea urchin nigiri are both very adventurous choices for a Disney restaurant).
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
Yes.
Just like the cruise ship redo ... that's the Disney Magic, which will be brought into the 21st century while in drydock later this year.
The company has an impressive track record, but I think the design on my favorite WDW resort locale is lazy and predictable. ... There is nothing that wows you. It looks very ... bland. ... Something that would have been cutting edge at a W Hotel in 2002.
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
BINGO!
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
I am sure they won't dumb it down like they have everything else ... nah, never happen.
And I love how the filet that was under $30 a decade ago is now approaching $50. Anything to make the DDP rubes think they're getting a deal.
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
Adding sea urchin and bone marrow to the menu doesn't sound like dumbing down to me. I'm not even a fan of California Grill, but at least they offer some relatively interesting choices (sushi), as well as the safer options that they basically have to keep on the menu (cheese flatbread, steak with teriyaki barbecue sauce and potatoes, chocolate lava cake, etc - these dishes aren't exactly groundbreaking).
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
Let's see if those items last or even make it on the menu when the place opens.
A typical family at the Grill now comes in and orders 'the steak with none of that sauce stuff and no veggies and French Fries instead of that ... other ... whatever'' ... I've watched this countless times. It's the MAGIC of the DDP.
invader
Well-Known Member
"Chicken tenders for chicken tender people"
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
A huge part of California Grill's reputation is the sushi, so I can't imagine that they'll mutilate that section of the menu too much. The prices will keep going up (and frankly, I think the sushi is way overpriced as is), but they have to keep something interesting on the menu.
I'm not a huge fan of California Grill - I think it's extremely overrated and overpriced (even for Disney). That said, the Bistro de Paris update turned out better than expected (the menu is similar to before with some interesting additions). Cali Grill's renovation will probably be similar - they might dumb down a few things in order to provide pickier eaters with a larger variety of boring dishes, but I think the overall menu won't change too much. It's not the end of the world to me either way, but I think it's a little early to start ripping this project apart. The current signs (at least regarding food) aren't negative.
RandomPrincess
Keep Moving Forward
That is disgusting! Not going to lie we have done the dining plan since 2005 and love it but we would never order like that. What is the point of eating there? Go to Sizzler
dolce20
Well-Known Member
If you want fine food, go to Citricos, Victoria & Alberts or even Flying Fish.
If you want excellent sushi, stick to traditional sashimi prepared by a Japanese sushi chef in a Japanese restaurant. No crunchies, etc.
If you want a fine steak, go to Yachtsman Steakhouse or Shula's.
If you want a very good meal with a terrific view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, THAT'S what the Cali Grill is for. All I wish is that the new decor-to-be would have a little more Disney magic to it so as to reflect the special space that it is--the original WDW resort hotel, top floor, prime fireworks/castle viewing.
If you want excellent sushi, stick to traditional sashimi prepared by a Japanese sushi chef in a Japanese restaurant. No crunchies, etc.
If you want a fine steak, go to Yachtsman Steakhouse or Shula's.
If you want a very good meal with a terrific view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, THAT'S what the Cali Grill is for. All I wish is that the new decor-to-be would have a little more Disney magic to it so as to reflect the special space that it is--the original WDW resort hotel, top floor, prime fireworks/castle viewing.
Hoop Raeb
Formerly known as...
Looks like they figured out we were on to them. The link isn't found anymore. To look at the renderings, check out this link.
http://www.disneyeveryday.com/uncovered-designs-for-the-disney-california-grill-restaurant-remodel/