CA Grill at Opening ??

[Stinky_Pete]

I have an ADR for CG at 5:30pm. The WDW-DINE CM said CG opens at 5:30pm (so I have the first seating), but the lounge opens at 5:00pm. I thought a window table would be awesome since Wishes is at 6pm that night. My plan is to show up before 5pm, check in for my ADR and request a window table, go to the lounge and have a cocktail, then be seated for dinner (hopefully at a window seat).

Has anyone else ever done something like this? Any idea if we will encounter 500 other people trying to do the same thing? Your thoughts and suggestions are most appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Bumping

Someone must have arrived at CA Grill when it opened for the evening and can share what the scene was like. Was it a mob scene with people arriving early for their ADRs? Did you get a window seat? Any experiences would be welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Skylarr29]

I have no idea when you are going but I think arriving that early is a bit extreme (unless during one of the most busiest times of year). I always choose the 5:30 seating, have always gotten a window without even requesting it, and have never arrived more than a few minutes early. It has usually been empty at the time. That being said it depends on when Wishes is though. I purposely choose that time to avoid all the people that go to the restaurant solely to see Wishes (I like to enjoy the meal). I usually book a Wishes cruise from the marina and enjoy Wishes with out the crowds.

If Wishes is at 7 though your plan sounds like a good one, if it is later in the evening than I think you will be fine arriving a little later.

My experience may not be yours though. What happens during your visit depends on the CM's working, the season, the alignment of the stars perhaps... one never knows.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Thanks for the reply. I am actually going the 3rd week of December. Wishes is at 6pm that night, only a half hour after CG opens.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the reply. I am actually going the 3rd week of December. Wishes is at 6pm that night, only a half hour after CG opens.

We do as Skylarr does. We try to avoid Wishes! We used to always request 5:30 but sometimes have to do a bit later now. At 5:30, it has never been a mob scene. Even with Wishes at 6pm, the CMs manning the elevator will be controlling access.

Of course, now a zillion people will have read your idea.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Of course, now a zillion people will have read your idea.

I always worry about that when I post certain things!

But really it wasn't my "idea," it just happened to be when they had availability that night. It was either 5:30, 5:40 or something like 9pm. 9pm's a little late for a big dinner for me (and I plan on puttin' the feedbag on at CG that night!)

I'm just trying to get an idea from people who have been to CG at opening, especially with early Wishes, if a lot of people try to show up early for their ADRs to get a window table (like someone with a 6pm ADR showing up at 5:30pm). I know I've occasionally, though not on purpose, checked in at some WDW restaurants 15 - 20 minutes early and they seated me right away and did not make me wait until my ADR time. But then again, those restaurants didn't have this kind of problem, and that was before DDP.

 

[Dis Ohana]

We have a 5:30 ADR on a 6:00 Wishes night as well. When I made the reservation there were no fireworks planned for that night, when it was added it was a nice bonus for the evening. I think we'll plan on checking in 15 mins early and try to snag one of those window seats.