We’ve been to Disney a lot. Thirteen times over twenty-one years. And we have eaten at many, many restaurants in and around the parks. At last count we have eaten at 46 different restaurants. I love to try new places but I also have quite a few that I like to return to time and time again. My favorite dining experiences at Walt Disney World is at the California Grill in the Contemporary.
We usually travel to Disney during my Birthday (December 15th) and typically get a reservation here for my special Birthday dinner as it is quite expensive. (But I can honestly say that every meal has been worth it.) The service, the ambiance, the food and the view makes for one heck of an experience. Our first time was back in 2003 for my 36th Birthday.
Our reservation was for 8:00 and they told us the wait for a window seat would be another 45 minutes – we said we’d wait. We had a drink at the bar and by then our table was ready and it was perfect, right by the window. Danny tried the sushi (for the first time ever) and he really liked it. I’m not a fan but the presentation was fabulous. He had the veal chop and said it was great. The rest of us got the pork tenderloin and goat cheese ravioli and a flat bread. All was delicious.
Just as our meal was served the fireworks went off. It was fabulous. They were for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and it was the new Wishes show with the finale going off all around – it was so beautiful! We also were able to see the water parade – everything was just fantastic. They brought me over a chocolate cake with a birthday sign made out of chocolate. We had great conversation and lots of laughs.
It was a fantastic birthday dinner and a highlight of the trip. Since then we have been there 3 more times
In 2010 we had reservations for 7:40. They told us they were running about 20 min behind but we could wait for a window seat. 5 minutes later we get beeped and are at a great seat with a great view. My mom and dad started with French martinis, I got a dirty martini and Danny got a mai-tai and then sake wine. Three of us had the delicious goat cheese ravioli.
Danny had Yoshi’s sampler – really good and really pretty. (Yoshi was the sushi chef who is no longer there.) We all had the filet. Danny had to send his back (this happens to him quite often) as it was overcooked. But they sent out a soup and the steak was done in a few minutes.
We were trying to stretch out the meal as the fireworks were at 9:30. Danny and I split a yummy banana dessert and Mom and dad spilt a pecan tart. They also brought me the chocolate birthday cake – which was decadent! Fireworks go off as we start to eat – how sweet was this? Perfect ending to a fabulous meal.
In 2013 we brought my husband’s best friend and my parents with us. We had a nice large round table one row from the window with a great view all sprinkled with Mickey glitter. They brought Mike and Lucia champagne for their anniversary and the rest of us ordered cocktails or wine.
My father and I got the goat cheese ravioli and my mother got the apple and kale salad. Danny, Mike and Lucia split the California roll and Dragon roll. Everything was delicious. For our entrees I had the snapper, Danny, Mike and Lucia had the filet which they all raved about. Mom had scallops and dad had swordfish which was the thickest piece of fish I have ever seen. Everything was beautifully prepared and all the accompaniments were perfect.
Our waiter told us to go outside for the fireworks – we went to the back viewing section. What an incredible view! When we came back the table was cleaned up and we got coffees and dessert. They brought me a cream Brule for my birthday and we all shared. Danny and Dad got the warm homemade fritters (yummy but a little too sweet for me), Mike got the decadent chocolate cake, and mom and Lucia got the Brule as well. Another fantastic meal shared with great company.
In 2016 we celebrated our 19th anniversary in Disney. This was the only time I couldn’t get a decent time for reservations. We had gone to the front desk to get anniversary buttons and told the cast member we had late dinner reservations at California Grill and he told us about the DVC perk of being able to go up to Bay Lake Tower’s Top of the World lounge to watch wishes before our dinner. So that is just what we did!
It’s a cool space with a nice lounge area and fancy bar. We grabbed a couch like seat and ordered soft pretzels and dip and a couple of drinks. We went outside to watch the fireworks and then came back in to finish our drinks before heading to dinner for 9:30. Nice perk to remember for the next time.
I was surprised that it took quite a while for us to be seated. We shared a dragon roll for an appetizer. I go the goat cheese ravioli as my meal and Danny got scallops. The meal was fine, but I think that it was just too late for us to eat. We didn’t want dessert but they ended up bringing us the warm homemade fritters with a chocolate anniversary sign. I wish I was hungrier so we could have eaten them but I just wasn’t feeling it. So a little disappointing but I would still go back in a heartbeat.
My other favorite restaurants are Kona Café, Le Cellier, Via Napoli, Teppanyaki and Earl of Sandwich but those will be reviewed at a later date.
We are Certified Disney Travel Agents. So if you’re looking for help in planning your Disney vacation and need help making dining recommendations, give us a call at DKM Travel Consultants at 603-777-7850 today!
Kathy's Korner 