Cali Grill -> What happens if your table gets ready during Wishes? - The DIS Discussion Forums

TheMaxRebo · 10-19-2009, 05:39 PM

We have a 9:05 ADR at California Grill next week and Wishes starts at 9:00 that night....

... My understanding is people tend to linger at their tables during the fireworks so I am not expecting to get a table early or even right at 9:05.

So, my thinking is that if we get there a little early we can have a pre-dinner drink and then go out to the viewing area and watch Wishes ....

... but what happens if at say, 9:15 our table becomes ready? Will they come get us and "make" us come in to take our table? Or is it ok to linger a bit and take a seat after the fireworks are over?

Thanks for any thoughts!

prncess674 · 10-19-2009, 07:55 PM

I seriously doubt your table will be ready right on time considering the fireworkds will be going on. The restaurant knows there will be a mass exodus of people right afterwards. To guarantee that you won't be rushed with your cocktail just mention that you are willing to wait for a window seat. Anyone with a window seat pre-fireworks is certainly cooling their heals waiting.

Personally I think you have the best time for CG. The young kiddos will leave en masse afterwards and you will have a lovely restaurant to enjoy a great meal. The wait staff will realize that you are really there for the meal and not just trying to hang out waiting for fireworks.

Stinky_Pete · 10-19-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prncess674

Anyone with a window seat pre-fireworks is certainly cooling their heals waiting.

Exactly!

I would just tell whoever takes you up that you want to go on the observation deck and watch the fireworks before being seated. Even the people who aren't at window seats will probably hang around until the fireworks are about to start, then vacate their table to go out on the observation deck. So the restaurant will need to turn the table before you can be seated anyway. This will take a few minutes.

TheMaxRebo · 10-20-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prncess674

Personally I think you have the best time for CG. The young kiddos will leave en masse afterwards and you will have a lovely restaurant to enjoy a great meal. The wait staff will realize that you are really there for the meal and not just trying to hang out waiting for fireworks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinky_Pete

Exactly!

I would just tell whoever takes you up that you want to go on the observation deck and watch the fireworks before being seated. Even the people who aren't at window seats will probably hang around until the fireworks are about to start, then vacate their table to go out on the observation deck. So the restaurant will need to turn the table before you can be seated anyway. This will take a few minutes.

Thank you both for your responses ... this is what I was hoping for and kinda what I was expecting. Just having never eaten there and this being the big "date night" for DW and myself, I just wanted to be prepared.

Thanks again for the suggestion to just tell them what we want - seems kinda silly to not just think of this ... I am just one of those people who stresses out over things like this

Sandy321 · 10-20-2009, 11:26 AM

CAlifornia Grill is THE BEST at knowing what the guests want, and one of the draws is WISHES - they go out of their way to accomadate WISHES!!

For instance if you are at the point of ordering your main entree - or your dessert - the waiter will tell you that they are going to "hold the plates" until after WISHES IF that's all right with you!!

I have eaten at ROSE AND CROWN and was shocked and dismayed at the callous lack of thought to Illuminations - and I talked to the manager, he just sat with us and we talked - I have no idea if things have changed since that talk , I doubt it, but at the same time, I enjoyed the conversation with the man!

The difference may be that Cal Grill is a Signature Restaurant... but they are well aware of your WISHES plans - so you should check in a bit early, let them know that you are hoping to view wishes -

Usually we eat around 8 and the lobby/waiting/bar area gets crowded, and then everyone moves out to one of the 2 balcony areas - the lights are dimmed, and the music is piped in!

hcortesis · 10-20-2009, 12:03 PM

Just ate there a couple of nights ago. We went out to watch Hollowishes about 9:20. They called us for our table at 9:25. We let them know we were outside watching the fireworks so they held our table till we came inside and then sat us immediately when we were ready.

prncess674 · 10-20-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMaxRebo

... but what happens if at say, 9:15 our table becomes ready? Will they come get us and "make" us come in to take our table? Or is it ok to linger a bit and take a seat after the fireworks are over?

Thanks for any thoughts!

Also remember this isn't a prison camp. No one can "make" you do anything. If a hostess was so rude as to pull me away from fireworks I would ask for the manager. If they were to happen to come get you mid fireworks, smile politely and say you will be in as soon as the fireworks are completed.

rosie'smom · 10-20-2009, 02:59 PM

We have reservations for 9:00 PM on Dec 9th. Wishes that night starts at 8:00 pm. Can we get there early, before 8:00 pm , go up to the observation deck to watch Wishes ???

10-19-2009, 05:39 PM	#1
TheMaxRebo Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mahopac, NY Posts: 123	Cali Grill -> What happens if your table gets ready during Wishes? We have a 9:05 ADR at California Grill next week and Wishes starts at 9:00 that night.... ... My understanding is people tend to linger at their tables during the fireworks so I am not expecting to get a table early or even right at 9:05. So, my thinking is that if we get there a little early we can have a pre-dinner drink and then go out to the viewing area and watch Wishes .... ... but what happens if at say, 9:15 our table becomes ready? Will they come get us and "make" us come in to take our table? Or is it ok to linger a bit and take a seat after the fireworks are over? Thanks for any thoughts! __________________ Me: DW: DD(8mo): "What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch?" - A Dining Review 10/24/09 - 10/31/09

10-20-2009, 11:26 AM	#5
Sandy321 Crazy enough to want to do another Half Marathon! If it were all about me? - I'd go with the Princesses!! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East of Utahmama and SW of MinnieMoo, Posts: 5,318	CAlifornia Grill is THE BEST at knowing what the guests want, and one of the draws is WISHES - they go out of their way to accomadate WISHES!! For instance if you are at the point of ordering your main entree - or your dessert - the waiter will tell you that they are going to "hold the plates" until after WISHES IF that's all right with you!! I have eaten at ROSE AND CROWN and was shocked and dismayed at the callous lack of thought to Illuminations - and I talked to the manager, he just sat with us and we talked - I have no idea if things have changed since that talk , I doubt it, but at the same time, I enjoyed the conversation with the man! The difference may be that Cal Grill is a Signature Restaurant... but they are well aware of your WISHES plans - so you should check in a bit early, let them know that you are hoping to view wishes - Usually we eat around 8 and the lobby/waiting/bar area gets crowded, and then everyone moves out to one of the 2 balcony areas - the lights are dimmed, and the music is piped in! __________________ Another Miracle Trip Report Jan '10 in progress Link ? ? ? God and Miracles '08 Half Marathon Trip Report w/ pics complete! Link New Pre trip report Jan '11 Half Training Link

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10-19-2009, 07:55 PM	#2
prncess674 DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,259	I seriously doubt your table will be ready right on time considering the fireworkds will be going on. The restaurant knows there will be a mass exodus of people right afterwards. To guarantee that you won't be rushed with your cocktail just mention that you are willing to wait for a window seat. Anyone with a window seat pre-fireworks is certainly cooling their heals waiting. Personally I think you have the best time for CG. The young kiddos will leave en masse afterwards and you will have a lovely restaurant to enjoy a great meal. The wait staff will realize that you are really there for the meal and not just trying to hang out waiting for fireworks.

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10-20-2009, 12:03 PM	#6
hcortesis Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: just outside of Toronto Posts: 104	Just ate there a couple of nights ago. We went out to watch Hollowishes about 9:20. They called us for our table at 9:25. We let them know we were outside watching the fireworks so they held our table till we came inside and then sat us immediately when we were ready.

10-20-2009, 02:59 PM	#8
rosie'smom Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 61	We have reservations for 9:00 PM on Dec 9th. Wishes that night starts at 8:00 pm. Can we get there early, before 8:00 pm , go up to the observation deck to watch Wishes ???