Dining with a view… at the California Grill!
by Lauren Bruce
It’s difficult to write a dining review when every detail of your experience was wonderful and every morsel delicious, but that’s just what you’ll read in our recap of the California Grill. So instead of the standard meal breakdown, I’ll share our TOP 5 TIPS to ensure your California Grill experience lives up to the hype.
Currently (July 2018), the California Grill, sitting atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort and only a stone’s throw away from Magic Kingdom, is one of the best reviewed restaurants on Disney property. And, as we found out- for good reason. Our recent (and might I add- 1st) experience solidified why. The food, the ambience, the service… so amazing! It did get me thinking though… What could alter someone’s dining experience to be less than phenomenal? With that end in mind, here are our top 5 tips to ensure YOU will love California Grill as much as we did!
5. Do not come directly from the parks. California Grill is an enjoyable walk from Magic Kingdom, however, if you are like me, after a full park day it’s not uncommon to feel (and look) like a sweaty gym bag. If I am paying a premium (see tip #3) for a leisurely meal, I want to be comfortable in my own skin. And, as of the time of our visit, there was a polite sign at the check-in podium reminding diners of the dress-code at California Grill. A quick stop in your hotel room (or booking this reservation for a non-park day) is a MUST to ensure you are refreshed and ready to relish your dining experience!
4. Know your kids’ meal tolerance. California Grill is not stuffy or unwelcoming to children in any way; however, it is a meal meant to be savored. My husband and I opted to dine here on a couple’s only trip; knowing that we would not have the same experience if our boys (ages 5 and 7) were along. If your kids are little foodies, it might be on their bucketlist to experience but understanding our children as we do, we decided their attention spans might not extend through a relaxing dinner. You are the best expert on your children, but again, if you are “on the fence”: review the menu. And, be advised that while service is amazing, this restaurant is not designed for quick turnover of guests.
3. Be prepared with an open wallet. Signature* dining comes at a price tag, but if you budget appropriately and leave your financial stress at the elevator, you will thoroughly enjoy your meal. For 2 cocktails, appetizers, and entrees, our bill pre tax and tip was hovering around $175. Obviously more than we EVER typically spend, but again, review the menu prior to your reservation and plan accordingly. Like any Disney over-planner, we knew for months that we would be dining at California Grill, which gave us ample time to budget for a special night out without looking at the price tags on the menu! *Don’t forget, if you’re on the Dining Plan this restaurant uses 2 table-service credits.
2. Allow plenty of travel time. Assuming you are not coming directly from the Magic Kingdom OR staying at the Contemporary, make sure to plan for transportation. The standard Disney recommendation is 90 minutes between resorts. While an hour and a half seems like a stretch, if you are not staying at another Magic Kingdom area resort, you will need a combination of buses and/or monorail ride to reach the Contemporary. Uber/Lyft/Minnie vans are a good alternative, but still require pre-planning on travel time. Luckily, if you arrive early, the Contemporary has great shops and wonderful views to enjoy prior to your reservation.
1. Consider your server’s recommendations. The wait staff at the California Grill is probably the best we have encountered on property. Walter was the perfect balance of friendly, attentive, but not intrusive. In addition, he reviewed the menu in depth and gave us recommendations of what was outstanding. The soup (Florida Corn Soup) and sushi (Spicy Kazan Roll) he guided us toward were incredible and probably would not have been our 1st pick without Walter. For our entrees, my husband and I ordered the 19-oz Rib-Eye Steak (his) and the Oak-Fired Filet (mine): both of which were highly recommended and cooked to perfection. Be sure to tell your wait staff your preferences and consider their advice!
I hope that our tips & experience at the California Grill help in your magical Disney planning! If you’re lucky enough to get Walter as your waiter, tell him we say Hello!
Bon Appetit!
Lauren
Click here for the most up-to-date California Grill menu
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(all articles and opinions in the articles are that of the author and may not reflect the opinion of WDW Kingdom)
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