[KentB3]

I have an old WDW book that was published in the early 1990's, which mentions a restaurant called Top of the World, located on the top floor of the Contemporary Resort. So far, I have found no mention of this in more recent books or online, and it appears that this is now the current location of California Grill. Was the name of the restaurant changed from Top of the World to California Grill, or did California Grill simply replace Top of the World if/when it closed?

[7nqb00]

Top of the World had a "Broadway" style show the one time I was there (1984?). I enjoy CG. It are normal 1st nigth dinner. It great to watch the fireworks from. They darken the room and the music is "pipe-in

[KentB3]

Originally Posted by 7nqb00

Top of the World had a "Broadway" style show the one time I was there (1984?). I enjoy CG. It are normal 1st nigth dinner. It great to watch the fireworks from. They darken the room and the music is "pipe-in

Wonder why Top of the World closed? Sounded like a fun place to eat to me, especially with the live "Broadway"-style show!

[DarthTortoise]

Personally, I didnt much care for C.G. The food was way too fancy and not nearly enough. Especially for what I paid for it. I'm a true "meat and potatoes" guy. Bring on the Chef Mickey's!!!

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by DarthTortoise

Personally, I didnt much care for C.G. The food was way too fancy and not nearly enough. I'm a true "meat and potatoes" guy. Bring on the Chef Mickey's!!!

Darth, try the Concourse Steakhouse next time. It's not as pricey, you can watch the monorail as it goes by, and their prime rib's pretty good. They don't always dim the lights or pipe in music. We were there during the Halloween fireworks and the lights stayed up. But you do have the observation deck and you can also see Illuminations as well. I couldn't handle Broadway dinner theater though.

[KentB3]

Does anyone here know why Top of the World closed? It sure sounded like a fun place to eat to me, especially with the live "Broadway"-style show!

[KarenWDWCP]

Ha, I had forgotten about Top of the World. We went there on my first trip to WDW in 1984 or 1985. From what I remember it was pretty entertaining but I think they probably closed it down and made it California Grill to give it a slightly more sedate and sophisticated feel. The "Broadway style show" was more Las Vegas style if I remember and I think they probably started getting less of a crowd come the early to mid 90s (not sure when California Grill officially opened though!)

[KentB3]

Originally Posted by KarenWDWCP

Ha, I had forgotten about Top of the World. We went there on my first trip to WDW in 1984 or 1985. From what I remember it was pretty entertaining but I think they probably closed it down and made it California Grill to give it a slightly more sedate and sophisticated feel. The "Broadway style show" was more Las Vegas style if I remember and I think they probably started getting less of a crowd come the early to mid 90s (not sure when California Grill officially opened though!)

Still, I wonder why they closed Top of the World, with its dinner show? Sounds like a lot of fun to me, so why was this discontinued?

Even though Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island have srpung up in the last 10 years or so, they still have Hoop-De-Doo Saloon Revue.

[gatour]

I never went to the Top of the World, but I imagine there were several reasons why it closed. The most likely was that it was no longer attracting customers. Based on what I knew of it, it was probably getting dated and people were no longer interested in that type of dining experience. Another possible reason was that Disney decided to upgrade the dining experiences on property and since the location is top notch they decided to make it a signature restaurant.

[Park Hopper]

Originally Posted by KentB3

Still, I wonder why they closed Top of the World, with its dinner show? Sounds like a lot of fun to me, so why was this discontinued?

Even though Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island have srpung up in the last 10 years or so, they still have Hoop-De-Doo Saloon Revue.

The California Grill replaced the Top of the World in 1996. In addition to its nighttime dinner show, The Top of the World also hosted a daily breakfast buffet. The buffet featured upscale items like eggs Benedict and was really fabulous. I would eat there a couple of times a week after dropping off a cast member for work.

As for why the venue closed, the restaurant and show had really become dated and needed a facelift. Disney was interested in venturing more into sophisticated casual dining while trying to attract locals, so the plan was hatched for the California Grill. Interestingly, the chef and general manager who were the driving forces behind the California Grill now head an upscale concept restaurant for Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones) called Seasons 52 that has become wildly popular in Orlando.

[woohoo]

We had looked into a dinner at CG but it was to be our anniversary dinner and instead of total class and sophistication (not my dh- he uses downy wrinkle release to iron his work clothes) We are going for our wishes worth at Fultons Crab House. It might not be as fancy but we will eat our favorite foods without the kids. That is pretty sophisticated in my book!

[CaribBeachNut]

I was at ToTW in 1981 and saw Diane Carrol. I felt as if she was singing just to me whilst I ate. We've looked over CG and the menu didn't strike our fancy.
PS
A thunderstorm with large lightning bolts was off in the distance and kept coming closer and closer while we were there. It was most frightening when it hit us, especially being so high up and having so many glass windows.