9pm reservation at California Grill

[BELLE1109]

I just made reservations for California Grill at 9:00pm now I am concerned this will be too late to get the full 'Wishes' experience.
Should I cancel? what if they are late with our seating?

Looking for opinions please! TIA

 

[Disney Matt]

We just back from the AKL and had a reservation at 6:30 for the CA Grill. We were seated fairly quickly, maybe 10-15 minute wait. But Wishes that particular night was at 8:00 (another night it was 9:00, so check the schedule). You may be able to go up to the observation deck before your reservation if Wishes is at 8:00. Other people had done that when we were there.

Good Luck!

 

[Disney Matt]

We just back from the AKL and had a reservation at 6:30 for the CA Grill. We were seated fairly quickly, maybe 10-15 minute wait. But Wishes that particular night was at 8:00 (another night it was 9:00, so check the schedule). You may be able to go up to the observation deck before your reservation if Wishes is at 8:00. Other people had done that when we were there.

Good Luck!

 

[BELLE1109]

thanks for the info on the wait time. I should have specified that Wishes is at 9pm the night of our reservations.

 

[saturndb]

if the fireworks start at 9pm you would need to go up by 8:40 and go to the observation deck to see the fireworks, even then you may not get a good view. My wife and i just came back from disney and went to CA Grill and I thought the food was good, but over priced for what you get. We were on the DDP and it uses 2 table service credits and I thought it was not worth it. It was a very nice view though

Dave

 

[cait131]

I think you should be fine! We went to California Grill on our most recent (Sept 1-7 trip). Our reservation was at 9:30 but wishes wasn't until 10. We found that people were coming and going all night for the fireworks... in other words, you are able to go to the restaurant early or stay late to watch and it is not a problem at all. In your situation, I would go around 8:30 or a little after and check in and then head to the observation deck to watch Wishes and tell them you are doing that.

We had to wait past our reservation time and you might have to as well so you might not be seated until wishes is over anyway. A word of advice... when we were there a CM told us about the 2nd observation deck which is on the same side of the building as the first but considerably less crowded and we found it to offer the same fireworks view. So if it's a busy night I would ask them to direct you to that deck!

Enjoy.. it was such a good experience for us... The food was awesome and the fireworks view was unreal. Another thing... I checked Wishes times when I was booking ADRs and by the time our trip happened it changed...so I would check again when you arrive at the hotel.. It might work out for the better or you might need to alter plans but just to be sure. (Sorry for the long reply )

 

[E&K's Dad]

I just made reservations for California Grill at 9:00pm now I am concerned this will be too late to get the full 'Wishes' experience.
Should I cancel? what if they are late with our seating?

Looking for opinions please! TIA

I think this is perfect. . .personally I found that it is better to see Wishes from the Observation deck then come in and sit at your table for your meal!

 

[BriarRosie]

Keep in mind that you can't just go up to the California Grill observation deck. There's a cast member that has to escort you and grant access to the 15th floor. When you check in, ask if you can be escorted to the lounge early to catch Wishes before you're seated.

I'm not sure if they ever turn people away, but it might happen. It's up to the discretion of the people checking you in.

 

[Connears]

We had 9pm adr on xmas night 2007 at CG and it was perfect! We got there at 8:45 and were seated by the window, but server told us we could go out to the observation area if we wanted. Two of us went out and rest stayed at the table and had a wonderful viewing of holiday wishes(with the music). You will not miss anything!
Connears