What would be a good time to get an ADR here in December to see the beautiful sunset and fireworks? Would it be a good place for my DD to celebrate her 11th b-day? Do they do cakes? We have never been to Cal. Grill before and you have made us want to go there. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures!
I don't know that I absolutely know the specific answer to your question, but I will share what I DO know on the assumption that the information will be helpful...
The earliest reservation you can get is for 5:30 pm, regardless of month. I would think that scheduling a 5:30 reservation would ensure the "beautiful sunset" requirement, given the time of year (December), although, the closer you are to Dec 21st (shortest day of year), the shorter the sunset time you will have.
As for perfect timing transition from dinner to Wishes, that will depend on the "normal" time the MK park closes during the week you have in mind. If it is a quasi-peek week (week after Thanksgiving? week before Christmas? I don't know anymore), and the MK stay open past 08:00 pm, then you probably can't easily have both the sunset and Wishes without a break in between.
Couple of thoughts:
Ideal Schedule (what we had in January - low season - where MK closes at 08:00 pm):
05:30 - Dinner reservation. sunset view
07:30 - settle check, mosey out to balconey, scout out best photo and/or sound option (note: the entire side of the balconey is a good photo spot, since no one can get in front of you. For
sound, however, you might want to scout out the speakers. The sound level is very appropriate, but if you are next to a large group, they will inevitably chat among themselves and partially obscure the sound track. If you position yourself in front of a speaker - presuming the sound track is important to you - peripheral sound won't be a problem).
08:00 - Wishes
Alternate Schedule - Wishes NOT within 2 hours of sunset
Same as above, only have a plan to use the break between the end of dinner and the start of Wishes. You are allowed to return to the balcony upon display of your dinner receipt. If your dinner ends at 07:30 and Wishes starts at 10:00, this is what I would do:
- If I had a park pass, I would return to the MK and see Wishes from there - it is a superior entertainment experience from within the park.
- If I did not have a park pass, I would consider the following options to use the time between dinner and Wishes from CG balcony:
--- Boat ride from CR to WL, Ft Wilderness and back - either round trip without getting off, just for the boat ride - or get off and explore the other resort areas. Need to be conscious of travel time in order to get back to CR, up the escalator, out to the balcony in time...
--- Monorail rail - same as above - go for the ride itself or get off at PR or GF for a short time. GF has GREAT piano and band entertainment for free in the lobby - a few steps from the monorail line)
--- Browse the CR shops (I'm not much of a shopper - but for those who are...)
As for birthday celebration - all Disney restaurants have provision for such things - I would ask when you make the reservation, ask again at the podium, ask again when you talk to your waiter, just to ensure that you get what you want. I know that the last couple of times I was there, the waiter started the conversation with "Are we celebrating anything special tonight?"