Announcement: Change of Procedure at CA Grill

[sweetp0618]

We had 8:30 pm PS for the CA grill during our trip in February. We arrived 10 minutes early, as requested. Wishes was scheduled for 9 pm. The hostess said that it would be an hour wait since it is their policy to not seat anyone (even those with PSs) during the period beginning 30-45 minutes before Wishes through to the end of the show. She said it is virtually impossible to get people to leave their tables during the last hour before the start of the fireworks. People drag out dinner and coffee so they can see Wishes.

I asked why the restaurant made PSs during that 45 min. period and she said it was so they could fill the tables quickly once Wishes was over and diners left. I was not pleased--there was no place to sit during the wait and it was too chilly to stand outside for an hour. We stayed because it's our favorite WDW restaurant but, knowing this info, we'll plan better next time.

I have no idea if this is an "official" policy, but it was certainly the case the evening we were there.

sweetp0618

 

[ahutton]

While I know many will be disappointed, I'm relieved they are limiting access. We have gone up there many times for dinner, with a PS and had no place to wait for our table because people were hanging around looking for a lounge table to camp out for Wishes (or Fantasy in the Sky). It will be nice for those of us having dinner to be able to enjoy a drink while we wait for our table rather than huddling by the restrooms and juggling around the people. I wonder if there is a happy medium that could be found? Maybe open the back deck on the Bay Lake side for everyone, leaving the lounge and front deck for those in the restaurant?

 

[sters]

That's very disappointing, as watching the show from the observation deck was one of the highlights of our trip. I'm glad I took advantage of the opportunity!! The observation area was off to the side, so I can't see how it would have blocked diners view. Although we were off to the side where there were fewer people. My only complaint abou the observation deck was that it seemed kind of shabby, not at all what I was expecting, but the VIEW... very impressive.

 

[Lorib30]

This must not have started yet. We where there on Thursday night and were able to check in for our PS on the 15th floor, and there was no signs about designated elevators either. There were many people waiting around in the lobby area of CG though. We had an early PS time (6:20) because we had planned on watching wishes from the ground.

The floor was getting pretty crowded though when we left at about 8:15.

Lori

PS...the food is absolutley to die for. We had the Gold Plan so we went all out as it was our last dinner for the trip. YUMMY!

 

[Safari Steve]

The crowding both in the lounge and on the observation deck, as well as having people in tank-tops and flip-flops wandering through the dining area, was negatively affecting the dining experience for paying guests.
Please know that this is not a change in policy, as the 15th floor has been officially off-limits to those not dining at the California Grill since October of 2002. There is now finally a way to enforce this policy.

 

[NCRedding]

We dined at the California Grill on Friday, June 11. We rode the elevator to the 15th floor with no problems and checked in for our PS at the podium on the 15th floor. There was no indication that there was a check-in anywhere but the 15th floor. On Saturday, June 12, we rode the elevator to the 15th floor and went onto the bay lake observation deck. There were a ton of people on both decks. It took us 20 minutes to get back down because of the number of people--all elevators were working. At no point did anyone indicate that we weren't allowed on the decks.

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

If I am correct in understanding this doesn't help with those who camp out in the lounge only those who come up for the observation deck. I am going in November and hope that I will be able to go up and have a drink and apps at the bar or in the lounge with out having a PS. I understand the theory but not the logistics.
Personally I have never understood the waiting around for wishes. If you are willing to wait an hour you might as well go to the park and wait there for an even better view. Just my opinion.

 

[Safari Steve]

Tonight was the first night of implementation. The new process will only slightly affect guests visiting the lounge. You will need to check in at the new podium and ride the exclusive elevator with a CM to get to the lounge, which will be subject to capacity.

 

[ducklite]

In some ways this is wonderful news. In others I'm a little concerned. DH and I enjoy going to the bar at the CG for a nightcap after dining at another monorail resort. We usually get a seat at the bar within a few minutes of arriving, sometimes have dessert as well, and often leave before or during WISHES. I just hope that we will continue to be able to do this, as it's something we very much enjoy doing.

On the other hand, we are frequent diners at the CG, and will not miss the boors who come up smelling of BO after being in the parks all day, plant themselves in front of our table during WISHES, then leav the minute it's over without as much as having a drink.

Anne