7:20 OK for California Grill? HELP!

[lenshanem]

This is our 10th wedding anniversary. Originally I had CG booked 90 days out, then when the park hours came out Wishes wasn't scheduled for that night!

I canceled and changed our plans.

Then... today I was checking the park hours again for our trip next week and noticed they added Wishes that night! UGH!!!

I called tonight and was able to get a 7:20. Wishes is scheduled at 9.

Will we still be able to view Wishes even if we are done eating? (Isn't there a balcony?) Can we hang around drinking coffee and having dessert if we get done eating a tad early? How long do meals last there typically?

Any info would be appreciated! (Also, how do people dress?)

Thanks!

 

[lenshanem]

Is there a bar in there, too?

Maybe if we get done early we can sit at the bar? Anyone?

 

[BCV23]

Hi Shan..our meals there are probably about 1.5 hours and we usually don't do dessert.

There are balconies to view Wishes. In fact recent reports are that the lights are no longer dimmed for Wishes so that would be best anyway.

There is a bar so perhaps you could have an after dinner drink if you finished early.

You will see a wide variety of dress. We've seen anything from park clothes to prom dresses. Many people dress up a bit and that is what we like to do. Resort wear. The only thing frowned upon is swim wear and tank tops (on men).

Having dessert and coffee after your meal is of course fine....the desserts are great. But I personally would not feel comfortable dragging it out. There are too many people waiting for a table to enjoy the great restaurant that it is.

But with a 7:20 reservation, your timing should be great. Have a great anniversary dinner.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks BCV23!

I wonder if I should call back and try to make it around 8 instead to be safe?
Although, I'm probably lucky to have gotten the 7:20 this late in the game???

The CM at DINE put down it is our 10 year wedding anniversary. He said we should ask for a window seat and wait for one cause it was worth it. Thoughts on that advise?

So do they still pipe in music if they don't dim the lights anymore?

Thank you!

 

[BCV23]

Well, the window seats do afford a wonderful view of the MK so I probably would wait for a while anyway. But these days the waiting is down on the second floor.

I have read different reports on whether the music is still piped into the restaurant. Your server will know. We last dined there in October but were gone before Wishes started.

I would not try to change to 8 unless you are planning on just entrees. Otherwise, I think your timing is ideal.

Have fun!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Remember too that even tho your PS is for 7:20, you may not be seated right at that time. Lots of folks tend to "linger" at CG and this slows things considerably. As you might expect, lingering is especially chronic at the window tables. Also at the bar and the lounge, where some patrons can nurse a drink for hours waiting on the fireworks.
A window table is nice to be sure, but these days we find it just as easy to walk out on the observation deck and watch the display.
Another item--if by some chance you get in on time and finish dinner early, if you do leave the restaurant you will be allowed back in at fireworks time.

 

[kathmzh]

We just went to CG last Saturday (22nd) and had a 6:20, the fireworks were at 8. We were seated almost immediately. We were just wrapping it up (with kids) with no "lingering" when the fireworks began. We could have watched from our table (they piped in the music and did dim the lights, however not to darkness) but my kids wanted to go out to the deck. We got the last couple of spots on the rail, so if you do go outside, go out a few minutes early. The deck is narrow, so if you are short or have children, you won't see as well in the back. We were also told that with our receipt, we could go out to the deck if we finished dinner early.
We had a wonderful, wonderful meal and a great night at CG! Enjoy!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Shan - Yes, they do have a bar. But personally, I don't think you'll be done eating (we've done this twice and dinner is usually around 2 hours). In fact, I would bet that you get your dessert just before or right after Wishes.

ENJOY!

 

[lenshanem]

Perfect! Thanks everyone. I'll keep our 7:20 and consider us lucky!

Is it really worth waiting for a window table?

And do all the window tables face towards the MK? Or do I need to request a window table facing MK specifically?

Thanks again!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Perfect! Thanks everyone. I'll keep our 7:20 and consider us lucky!

Is it really worth waiting for a window table?

And do all the window tables face towards the MK? Or do I need to request a window table facing MK specifically?

Thanks again!

I think your 7:20 reservation is perfect.
I can't comment on the table thing because we've only had dinner there twice, a window seat both times, but only requested it once. We got lucky the second time. The view is really nice as you don't have to lear around anyone's heads to see the castle and fireworks. Here are one decent picture I have of the window seat view:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/148535319/148552215zTciIh

Some other CG pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/148535319/148552477ZKFwhF
at the bar: http://community.webshots.com/photo/148535319/148552606hpqneL
hubby enjoying his appetizer: http://community.webshots.com/photo/148535319/148552325bpyyoF

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Melody! The pics were great! Ya'll are so dang cute!

I've got a question for ya -

Could I wear jeans with some cool heels I got with maybe one of those lingerie silk like tops? Or would this not be dressy enough? I'm taking hubby will be fine if I pack him some khakis and a nice shirt?

 

[lillygator]

This is our fav restaurant....I had planned our anniversary dinner there this past December and timed it around Wishes....which was supposed to be at 8...our ressie was for 7 and then Wishes changed to 7....I was bummed but....

we checked in around 6:45 and were seated immediately....everyone told us Happy Anniversary as we went past...they took our drink order and then had us go out on the patio to view wishes...it was wonderful. We got to see wishes and have a wonderful meal....at the end of our meal they even brought us an anniversary cake!!

So pixie dust to you!! It will work out!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks Melody! The pics were great! Ya'll are so dang cute!

I've got a question for ya -

Could I wear jeans with some cool heels I got with maybe one of those lingerie silk like tops? Or would this not be dressy enough? I'm taking hubby will be fine if I pack him some khakis and a nice shirt?

You're welcome -- and you're so SWEET!

I think that outfit you describe sounds very nice! I would definitely feel comfortable at CG in that outfit. Sexy Mama!

 

[justhat]

I would ask for a window table facing the MK to be safe. We don't ask for a window table (we have an 11 month old, so waiting for a table any longer than necessary would be very stupid on our part, plus we like to go out on the balcony anyway) but on our past 2 trips we were told that we were lucky and got a window table. Well they were right, the 1st time our window table was indeed next to the window, but faced the lake and the CR pool, in a back room, isolated from the rest of the restaurant. The 2nd time we were 'lucky' we faced the lagoon in the direction of Epcot. We didn't care, but had we wanted a window seat and were told we got one we would have been very disappointed.

 

[lenshanem]

So instead of asking for a window seat, maybe I should ask for a view of the castle???

 

[IHEARTNY]

I wanted to bump this because I was actually wondering the same myself, would a view of MK period be enough or should it really be a window seat viewing MK?

Thanks.

 

[GazerBeam]

I think they now let diners come back for the fireworks if they finish before they start. At least if your reservation is close to the fireworks time. Ask hour host/hostess. I think they do this to cut down on people defending their tables as fireworks time approaches. This happened to us this past december (7:10 reservation, 9:30 fireworks). We just re-checked in at the podium as the fireworks time approached and they took us back up the elevator and we watched from the observation deck.

GB

 

[Pakey]

I wanted to bump this because I was actually wondering the same myself, would a view of MK period be enough or should it really be a window seat viewing MK?

Thanks.

Last trip, a few weeks ago, we waited 50 minutes past our ADR just to get a table, regardless of view and by the time we got seated, there were at least 50 people waiting behind us. This was on a Monday night during January, a slow time at WDW. I think you will know when you arrive whether or not you want to request a view which would cause you to wait even longer. Most of the tables do not have a good MK view. Unless you get one right on the glass, the glare may prevent you from having a great view and you'd be better off on the viewing platforms anyway. I have never counted but I would say that there were approx 8 tables against the glass that have a good view of the castle. All others are further away from the castle or not against the glass and will have glare.