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California Grill Construction Time Lapse Video

With sweeping views of Magic Kingdom fireworks from atop Disney's Contemporary Resort, the re-imagined California Grill also features a new design inspired by mid-century modern California, and a new menu showcasing seasonal ingredients and a lighter touch.

With sweeping views of Magic Kingdom fireworks from atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the re-imagined California Grill also features a new design inspired by mid-century modern California, and a new menu showcasing seasonal ingredients and a lighter touch.

The California Grill has always been my restaurant of choice when I wanted to celebrate a big event, so I was a bit nervous when they announced a major makeover for the space. But I needn’t have worried. The space is beautiful and the food still wonderful. If anything, I think they were a bit conservative in their vision.

You can now get your first look at the re-imagined California Grill as it is now open for dining, or drinks and a snack in the lounge (they serve the full menu there too), but the transformation didn’t happen overnight. Since the signature restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort closed to guests in January, the space has been humming with activity. The wood-burning oven is just about the only thing that stayed in place as the kitchen and dining rooms got major makeovers.

Shortly after the installation of new floor-to-ceiling windows, a time-lapse camera went into place on the fifteenth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, capturing all the construction and remodeling between June 2013 and the last test meals before opening to guests September 9th. I have a cameo during the 1:44 mark. But don’t blink!

Below the jump is a video featuring General Manager Michael Scheifler discussing the changes:
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California Grill: Meet Chef Brian Piasecki

California Grill Chef de Cuisine Brian Piasecki

California Grill Chef de Cuisine Brian Piasecki spent nearly a year perfecting a new menu with seasonal ingredients and a lighter touch, such as baked local prawns and wild Columbia River salmon with Zellwood sweet corn pudding. He’s been a part of Disney’s excellent foodservice team since his apprenticeship in 1991, rising through the ranks to eventually take over The California Grill in 2009. I had the chance talk with Chef Brian a few days before the restaurant officially reopened after a long remodel process:

Full bio below the jump:

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California Grill To Reopen in September, Reservations Available Soon.

If you twist my arm and force me to pick my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World, I’ll probably say the iconic California Grill. It has certainly hosted many of my favorite meals over the years and a number of special occaisions. So when it… Read More »California Grill To Reopen in September, Reservations Available Soon.

California Grill Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli

Learn how to make Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli From California Grill

California Grill Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli

Although the current incarnation of California Grill is nearing the end of its run and will close for remodeling in January of 2013, there is one dish so delicious that it’s been on the menu since the beginning. Of course, the dish has been changed slightly as each chef makes their mark on the menu, but they kept the original recipe and are sharing it with us now.

The video below features Chef Brian Piasecki cooking his own version of Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli. Chef Brian is in the kitchen of one of the Golden Oak homes. I know I’m jealous!

The full recipe is below the jump:

Read More »Learn how to make Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli From California Grill

Disney Moms Panel Fan Event A Treat

Former Panel Members and Fans

Former Panel Members and fans pose for photos

We’re currently in the 5th year of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel social media outreach effort from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. It started as a small panel of terrific travel planners (including a few Disney Dads) and has grown to really represent a large portion of Disney’s social media efforts. The whole experience now includes an expanded Disney mom’s network, a yearly convention and other events to go along with the online travel advice forum.

Checkin Line

Before the event about 300 fans checked in and got acquainted on the 2nd floor of the Contemporary

I believe this is the fourth year for the Fan Appreciation event. It happens around the weekend of October 1st and is usually a small affair. But this year they brought in over 50 current and former members of the Disney Moms Panel and invited around 300 fans to the top of the Contemporary Hotel for a luncheon.

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