Cali Grill or Citricos (with kids, no Wishes) - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We're are staying at the Grand Floridian and want to try some of the restaurants on the monorail. I've read great things about California Grill and Citricos, and the menu for both look great. I am wondering which may be the better choice between the two. We'll have our young children (6, 3, and 1) with us and we don't plan to stay for Wishes as we book early dinners around 5:30.
I originally planned to go to California Grill until I started reading that some think it may be a bit overrated or on a slight downslide the past few years. I've also read those who rate Citricos ahead of Cali Grill.
California Grill does seem to be the more kid friendly between the two given the higher noise level. My kids are very well behaved, but to be realistic, they are kids and will of course make some noise as kids do. Will this be a constant concern/stressor for us while we try to enjoy our dinner at Citricos without being eyed by other guests or staff?
I know there are alot of threads on this comparison in general, but wanted to get some thoughts on the kids aspect and the fact we won't stay for Wishes.
We took the kids to Cali Grill when they were 7 and 4. Like you, had early ressies (maybe 6?). We were done before it was dark out (in the summer). We enjoyed it. The food was good, and there was enough distraction to keep the kids happy (DH would take them out on the overlook to burn off some steam). Plus, as you mentioned, the noise factor helped (although they weren't noisy). That would be my vote. We have not done Citricos yet, but I think of that as a more intimate restaurant than I do of Cali Grill.
We've been to both with our kids who have been as young as 16 months when we were there. Most recently our youngest was 6 and we did CG and Citricos. I actually prefer Citricos....I just like the menu better and the food is sooo good. My kids like Citricos, they have a nice kids menu and it's generally pretty loud in there. Don't worry about taking your kids...it's Disney! Have a great time where ever you end up!
We don't have kids, but the California Grill is a firm favourite of ours and we go on every trip to Disney we have. I've heard a lot of great things about Citrico's, but we ate there a few years ago and had a terrible time with a pretty rude server and we haven't been back since.
I wouldn't worry about your children not being welcome at either restaurant. I wasn't terribly impressed with Cali Grill, but others love it. I think you should choose based on the menu, especially the children's menu.
My family prefers Citricos over California Grill. The noise level will not be a factor for you with such an early dining time. All WDW restaurants, except Victoria & Alberts, welcome kids of all ages. Trust me if they haven't thrown my DH and DD17 out yet for being loud, a crying baby will be no problem!! At Citricos you can take a restless kid out to look at the lobby of the Grand Floridan. There is always something to see.
I've felt the service was more consistent at Citricos and we like the overall menu better there as well.
Now that we've eaten at Citricos almost as many times as California Grill I feel that I would choose Citricos for the menu and California Grill for the view of the fireworks.
On purely a food basis I prefer Citricos over California Grill. Kids are welcome at both restaurants equally, neither is more appropriate than the other. Since you are staying at GF, Citricos would be a little more convenient but going to the Contempory would make this meal more of an "event" that the kids might enjoy.
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Professor Whistleteeth
Last edited by Professor_Whistleteeth; 01-20-2012 at 12:33 PM..
Thanks for the great replies! Sounds like both would work well for us. I have ADRs at both for different nights and am now tempted to keep them both. The view and trip to Cali Grill would make it a nice "event", and reading all the great comments about the food at Citricos makes me want to try it even more.
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At Citricos you can take a restless kid out to look at the lobby of the Grand Floridan. There is always something to see.
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