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Art from Disney’s Contemporary Art Donated to Local Nonprofit

If you’re a long time fan of Disney’s Contemporary Resort you probably have been wondering what happened to all that fascinating modern art the original design team installed throughout the hotel and grounds? Well, wonder no longer. Walt Disney World Resort recently donated 52 pieces… Read More »Art from Disney’s Contemporary Art Donated to Local Nonprofit

California Grill’s Old Favorites Get Updated

This post brought to you by Christina Wood of Pixie Vacations, the preferred Disney vacation travel planner of The Disney Blog.


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California Grill, which underwent a nine-month refurbishment last year, opened back up in the fall. You’ll now find shades of yellow, blue, orange and red, along with dark wood and nods to famed Imagineer Mary Blair.  The effect is both chic and comfortable at the same time. And of course, you’ll still enjoy that spectacular view.

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With an entirely new look, it’s not surprising that the menu has changed a bit as well.  While the menu has some incredible new additions (hello, banana fritters with salted caramel sauce, I’ll see you in two weeks),  I’m going to focus here on two standbys that guests have grown to love over the past few decades: The filet and the pork loin.
Read More »California Grill’s Old Favorites Get Updated

Pork Two Ways at the California Grill: An Old Friend Returns, Only Better.

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I have a confession to make:  I’ve been having a deep, personal relationship with the pork two-ways from California Grill.  You may say “Oh, it’s just another pretty dish” or “How can it be any better than its previous incarnation, the pork loin?” Well, it’s better, trust me. And it’s completely worthy of its own post.

If you dined at the California Grill before the recent refurbishment, you know that the pork loin was its number one dish for two decades. It was simple peasant food really, just a basic polenta flavored with goat cheese and topped with a few slices of lightly seasoned tenderloin and some button mushrooms. It’s simplicity, of course, was also what made it perfect.  But while it was filling and satisfying, it had gotten a little bit boring. In recent years, I’d found myself straying over to the scallops or, if I was feeling especially adventurous, the sushi.  It, not unlike the décor and the overall feel of the rest of the restaurant, was in serious need of an overhaul.

When the California Grill opened back up a few weeks ago, I was pleased to see that they had updated, but not removed entirely, some of its best dishes, the pork being one of them. Now you’ll get a smaller serving of pork loin topped with fried sage and another serving of pork belly. Pork belly, you say?  Think a big square of bacon. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.Read More »Pork Two Ways at the California Grill: An Old Friend Returns, Only Better.

Exploring California Grill’s New Beverage Menu

Disney’s particular brand of magic does not usually require augmentation with spirits, unless you’re at the Haunted Mansion, but when I dine out at a nice restaurant like Disney’s California Grill, I do enjoy a glass of wine or a well-crafted cocktail with my meal.… Read More »Exploring California Grill’s New Beverage Menu

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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Retro Video: US Steel Builds The Contemporary

Disney’s Contemporary Resort was one of two hotels to open with the Magic Kingdom back in 1971. Disney partnered with US Steel to come up with what was seen as an innovative way of building the Contemporary with the goal of making it the resort’s… Read More »Retro Video: US Steel Builds The Contemporary