Dining with Stars at the California Grill

Laure Simms
laure@wdwtravels.com
1-888-214-6954
318-419-4353

As you may know the California Grill is located on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort. There are two observation decks that you may go out on and watch the fireworks in Magic Kingdom. Our reservation was at 8:50 pm so we were seated just before the fireworks began. It also happened to be on a night when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was going on so we got to see the special fireworks that you only see at the party. If you can I highly recommend getting a reservation here late so you can enjoy the fireworks and the spectacular view from the restaurant. We had a great table with a view of the Magic Kingdom, actually there are no bad tables in the restaurant because there are huge windows so you can see from just about anywhere in the restaurant.

I would like to begin my review of the California Grill by saying I was not that excited about dining there. I'm sure that's not what you were expecting to hear. I am somewhat of a picky eater and the menu selections were not really appealing to me.



I was dining with a group of six. We ordered appetizers and shared them. Our waiter was really great and his service was fantastic! He suggested we try some of their famous flatbreads as appetizers. We had the Triple Cheese and I believe the Roasted Saigon Pork, both were very good. They actually surprised me. Now I am one of the people at our table who likes sushi, I had the sushi chef create a special sushi for me that was delicious. It was so good, I even told them they needed to put it on the menu.



Before my trip, I did my research by looking up what was on the menu for dinner and had decided that the only entrée I would really like was the Oak fired Filet of Beef. It came with sour cream mashed potatoes and broccoli. Myself and another dining with me split the entrée which was great, the chef even went so far as to plate the entrée separately for us so we did not have to do it at the table. I must say that the Filet of Beef was incredible, cooked to perfection and the sour cream mashed potatoes were to die for.

Now enough about the food let me tell you about the stars.
We enjoyed our dinner and were just talking among ourselves when suddenly one of the ladies with me lets out a scream. I had no idea why until she leaned over and said “That was Tyra Banks.” I did not see her at first but then spotted her. She was dining with a group and had very tight security, so we got no autographs but one in our party got off a shot with her Iphone. We did make a trip out to the observation deck which meant we had to walk right past her table. I don’t think her security people appreciated that but we just had to get a closer look. In hindsight we probably should have asked for her autograph, all they could have said was no. So you never who you will see or what you will see at Disney. For us it was a great meal and a fun story to tell our friends back home.

I will say that I really enjoyed my meal at the California Grill much more than I anticipated that I would. I highly recommend it for a fine dining experience. If you have kids with you they are welcome but it is really a more adult experience. I would suggest that you let the kids spend some time in a kids club and let the parents have a night out as well.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

I have been fortunate enough to have attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party not once, not twice, but three times…so far. What is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party you ask? It is a special admission event held at Disney’s Magic Kingdom from 7 pm – 12 am during select evenings in November and December where Disney takes all their holiday splendor to a new level. As you approach the park, you are greeted by cast members in special holiday costumes setting a festive mood before you even have a park map in your hand.

As you walk up Main Street USA you see the Castle lit up in icicles. You realize you feel something cold and wet on your face. Is that rain? No, it’s SNOW. Yes, SNOW. Christmas would not be complete without snow and Disney wants to make sure it feels like Christmas.

Throughout the park there are locations with free sugar cookies and hot chocolate (very good hot chocolate). The locations are easy to spot with their lighted posts and signs pointing you towards the treats. There are dance parties with characters located at Cosmic Ray’s and over at Ariel’s Grotto. Snow White and Belle also make special appearances with their princes all deck out in their holiday finest over by Peter Pan’s Flight. Of course you must stop by Mickey’s Toon Town to meet the Main Mouse himself. This year my friends and I came upon an unruly group of pirates over in Adventureland singing holiday songs more suited for Christmas on a pirate ship then in your living room. They were very entertaining and encouraged audience participation. Their lyrics were great and I wished they had a CD of their songs.



Characters and food are only part of what makes this evening special. Many of the parks rides and attractions are open and since the amount of tickets for this event is limited, the wait times are little to none. But you didn’t come to this party to just ride the rides right? There are stage shows throughout the nights in several locations which change yearly. This year a new show, “A totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show” debuted over at the new stage in Rockettower Plaza. Belle’s Enchanted Christmas takes place in Belle’s Fairytale Gardens where she tells her story of an enchanted Christmas plus “Celebrate the Season” show at the Castle Forecourt Stage.

You want to get a spot for Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas Time Parade. This parade is pure fun. Besides all the characters celebrating the season, the floats are something special as well. My favorite float is the one of the bake shop and as it passes by the smell of gingerbread cookies fills the air. This parade will make you feel like a child again.




If watching all those wonderful shows and parades was not enough, get ready for the Holiday Wishes Fireworks Spectacular. Disney is known for its daily firework shows but the Holiday Wishes show is not to be missed. Created just for the holiday season, the show is set to holiday music which leaves you both stunned and amazed. Who knew they could create fireworks in the shapes of gifts with bows or drums?

If you still have energy after all this fun, the shops on Main Street are bursting with holiday merchandise and will be very happy to have your purchases either delivered back to your resort or shipped home.

Each time I have attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, it has been different. The shows vary year to year, the characters change, the cookies get better and each experience is different. The first time I attended I focused more on the short ride lines. The second time I focused on the special events and shows and my third and most recent visit, I did a combination of the two.


Christmas at Walt Disney World is a special event on its own but Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party enhances the experience and is a true joy for children and adults.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!