California Grill - Disney Magic served as an Entree!

[DisneyDebNJ]

We hadn't been to California Grill in well over a decade, and I kept saying *next year*, well with a Free Dining offer and upgrading to Deluxe, I tried my best, to incorporate as many top rated Disney World restaurants during our annual Food and Wine trip, as I could. Every year, we celebrate our anniversary a few weeks beforehand at Disney World, so always have a few *special occasion* meals every trip. California Grill was a must do! In my very honest opinion, California Grill is my top choice for celebrating any milestone!! Read my review by clicking the link below..
http://www.kingdomkonsultantblog.com/2015/02/california-grill-review.html

 

[Jessica Meier]

One I definitely want to try. Just wish it wasn't two credits!

 

[Tuvalu]

Mouth-watering review! Cannot wait until August for my lavender focaccia rolls, oak grilled filet and warm fritters!!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

My lunch looks a lot less exciting after looking at your Cali Grill review

All kidding aside...I think Cali Grill is one of those "you have to try it at least once" meals, since the setting and service are spectacular! Mind you, my girls are very good in restaurants and I have very few reservations when taking them to a signature meal, but it says a lot about a non-character meal when your young children even ask to return on future trips.

Thanks for the great review, Deb!!!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

My lunch looks a lot less exciting after looking at your Cali Grill review

All kidding aside...I think Cali Grill is one of those "you have to try it at least once" meals, since the setting and service are spectacular! Mind you, my girls are very good in restaurants and I have very few reservations when taking them to a signature meal, but it says a lot about a non-character meal when your young children even ask to return on future trips.

Thanks for the great review, Deb!!!

Thank you!! We had such a great meal, and my son is as picky as it comes, even though he's 25! (yep, it never ends) You had to see Ron and CJ during Wishes.. there I sat, tears streaming down my face... they both said, *if this meal cost $1,000 a person, I wouldn't miss this for the world* .. yep worth every fricken penny! LOLOL and.. Sandy, lets talk about that cucumber fizz!!!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Mouth-watering review! Cannot wait until August for my lavender focaccia rolls, oak grilled filet and warm fritters!!

OK, I see Cali Grill and Lapu Lapus in our future! LOL

 

[Jessica Meier]

@DisneyDebNJ do you remember how much it was to upgrade to deluxe with free dining?

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

@DisneyDebNJ do you remember how much it was to upgrade to deluxe with free dining?

Oh gosh I sure dont Jessica, for 10 days a little over $1,000, but with 2 snacks per person, and the dining credits, it more than took care of our needs.

 

[Jessica Meier]

I could see it definitely being worth it!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

@Jessica Meier for where we ate (alot of signatures) plus snacks (World Showcase during food and wine) we saved ALOT. Our meal at Yachtsman's Steakhouse alone, was over $300, but all we paid for was alcohol and the tip

 

[Jessica Meier]

It's about $40 more per person per night. Not bad really if you plan on going all out. But I know Carl would never go for it.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

It's about $40 more per person per night. Not bad really if you plan on going all out. But I know Carl would never go for it.

Carl is like Ron LOL, but in the long run, if you go during Food and Wine, the snack credits alone make up for it. We have done this for years, always came out ahead

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Thank you!! We had such a great meal, and my son is as picky as it comes, even though he's 25! (yep, it never ends) You had to see Ron and CJ during Wishes.. there I sat, tears streaming down my face... they both said, *if this meal cost $1,000 a person, I wouldn't miss this for the world* .. yep worth every fricken penny! LOLOL and.. Sandy, lets talk about that cucumber fizz!!!

This old thing?

I'm so glad I strayed from my classic drinks for this trip and tried some of the specialty ones. The Blood Orange Mule at Cali Grill was also great, but I do love ginger.

We were lucky enough to have a window table this past visit, but the pic below was from 2011 when we were one row off from the windows- still spectacular!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

@DisneyDebNJ do you remember how much it was to upgrade to deluxe with free dining?

If you don't upgrade to deluxe...you could always use the sample menu on Allears to see if it's something you can budget for OOP. While I'm non-traditional/unconventional at times...Cali Grill is a great place to make a meal of appetizers.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Completely possible @HouCuseChickie. We may try to swing it the last night of the trip. Hmmmm....MK closes at 7pm for the MNSSHP that night. I wonder....

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Sandy, did I not tell you about the cucumber fizz? LOL

 

[Jessica Meier]

And the cucumber fizz...sigh. Looks so yummy

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Completely possible @HouCuseChickie. We may try to swing it the last night of the trip. Hmmmm....MK closes at 7pm for the MNSSHP that night. I wonder....

We did CG in 2012 and timed it with Holiday Wishes for MVMCP. While it's not quite the Poly view, it is cool to see the perimeter effects from up there. This was taken from the CG deck during fireworks that night...

Not my finest photography that night, but you get the picture. LOL

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Sandy, did I not tell you about the cucumber fizz? LOL

It was YUMMY!!! We had a bit of a wait at the bar that night, so I also got to chat with one of the bartenders about it. I just love getting to talk to them! Totally makes the experience!

 

[Jessica Meier]

I am thinking I could make a meal out of the cheese plate. Cadence could probably eat the kids pizza minus the tomato. Carl would probably try sushi if they have a non fishy tasting one. He likes it if it isn't super fishy.