CA Grill Fireworks PS Error

[Wineaux]

Our plan has been to see the fireworks from CA Grill so we called to make a PS time several months ago. We asked what time the fireworks would be on Nov. 5 and they said they had no idea. Couldn't even give us a ballpark idea. So we made ressies for 8:30. We called a few weeks ago to check again and they still had no idea on the time for the fireworks. Even talked to another Disney CM and he said they wouldn't know the times until they had a clear idea what the crowds would be like.

Now we see by the WDW website the fireworks are for 7. So we call and of course by now, there is no availability. We changed them to 7:50.

My question is, now what? Is there a lounge or bar at CA Grill where we can have a couple drinks and watch the fireworks? Is there another close location to take in the fireworks and then go up to dinner? Someone here has to know more than the worthless CMs at WDW-Dine.

 

[Cinderella37]

There is a lounge where you can view the fireworks, as well as a large balcony. Check in for your PS early and you can go outside and watch the fireworks.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually, the best view of the fireworks IS from the balcony outside the restaurant. So just check in tastefully early and all should be well.
Should point out tho that the WDW-DINE CM's seem to know little else except how to put your PS on the computer. Often, in fact, they know very little about the restaurants for which they are taking PS. I would suspect that is exactly how management wants it.

So they aren't the best folks to call with questions of any sort----.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Wineaux
Someone here has to know more than the worthless CMs at WDW-Dine.

Why would you call them "worthless"? How are they supposed to know what time the fireworks will be that night if WDW hasn't announced it yet? For all you know the "powers that be" that determine the time for the fireworks hadn't even made up their minds yet. So the CM's at WDW DINE are now supposed to be psychics as well?

I think to call someone "worthless" because they didn't have information that hadn't been announced yet is just wrong. They were no more "worthless" for not having the info then you were.

Anne

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just to clarify my statements a bit--.
These WDW dine CM's are basically there just to make PS at certain restaurants, not as any sort of resource for other WDW information (even when that information, as can happen, bears on what time you want to make PS). Would be nice, I guess, if they did know all of that information, but most usually don't. So it's always best to verify fireworks, parade, etc times before you call WDW-Dine.
And as we've all seen in the past, occasionally Disney CM's are among the last to be informed of times, closings, etc etc.

 

[Wineaux]

I am identifying an area that Disney needs to improve in. Someone who goes to their website is directed to call WDW-Dine with questions about the restaurants, but you cannot get the answers you need. That is what I call worthless...there is no worth to the service if you can't get what you need.

I'm sure the people who work there are fine human beings. But Disney is held to a higher customer service standard than any other company in America. They know this. And this is an area where they need to improve. Their 'imagineers' can work magic everywhere else, so I see no reason why they cannot come up with a solution to knowing when the fireworks would be.

What I'm saying is that if they're going to start taking ressies, for instance, 6 weeks out, then they darn well ought to have all the information for events at that time. If the "powers that be" can't make up their minds on events that soon, then don't take the ressies until 3 weeks out. Or 2 weeks. Obviously CA Grill is a hot spot to watch the fireworks. Is it news to them that people like to see them from there? Of course not!

I ran into the same problem with the Food and Wine Festival. I had my heart set on the Bordeaux school but when we booked our trip they had no date for it. Rather than wait to book a room and have occupancy play into it, we booked. Three months later we find out the Bordeaux school is for the weekend before we get there--AND--the resorts we wanted to stay in were all booked.

Obviously we're still going and we're going to have a fine time nonetheless. There's plenty to do at WDW. It might turn out that the fireworks are better from the balcony or the bar! Things have a funny way of working out...but if Disney is going to use the WDW-Dine number as a catch all for questions, then they have a lot of work to do on it to provide the level of service they pride themselves on.

 

[Scottwdw]

As always, if you have a "suggestion" for WDW, email them at WDW.Guest.Communications@disney.com

It is my opinion, WDW does not fully use the information in their computer systems (including all their web sites) OR have not done a good job of training their CMs in its use. Then, again, many companies are in the same boat here.

Recently, I was surprised to find out many Dining CMs are located in Tampa or Kansas City and some double as Disneystore.com and catalog people. I was told CMs don't even know what kind of call they are answering (dining or catalog) until the guest requests a PS or asks to place a catalog order. This, of course, slows down the CM as they might have to change to a different system to accomodate the request.

As we found out last summer, WDW does listen to their guests in these matters and it's worth our time to let them know when we don't like something. It's equally important to let them know when they are doing something right.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Scott:
That's interesting about the location of the WDW-DINE CM"s. I always wondered where those folks were located, and now it seems some aren't even in Florida!!
Not that they would have to be, of course, provided they had access to needed info. Having called WDW DINE numerous times over the years, I became aware that many of those CM's haven't any real idea of the menus offered at the restaurants for which they are taking PS.
So there is certainly room for improvement----

 

[prncess674]

we had a PS for CA Grill this past Friday. The fireworks were for 8:30PM and we were there just prior to the Fireworks, well apparently plenty of others had the same idea. The bar and lounge were packed to the gills (not a seat in sight) and the bartenders were slammed trying to fill all the drink orders for those just up to see the fireworks. I did notice on the elevator directory that there is a 4th floor fireworks viewing platform at the Contemporary. This may be a better alternative though I have no first hand knowledge. If you are looking for a peaceful place to see the FW this definitly didn't fit the bill.

 

[mickeys#1fan]

...best vodka martini on the planet!

 

[LAinSEA]

Having had the unbelievable luck to have dined with a windowside table at Cal Grill on our first trip...WOW! and then watching the fireworks at MK (from the tomorrow land side of main street in front of the castle) also WOW! My choice would be to keep the 8:30 pm PS at Cal Grill and watch the fireworks from MK just prior.

Cal Grill - great food, great atmosphere (if you happen to get the right table) but oh, so noisy and crowded! I would hope that the restaurant gets less hectic and quieter on non-fireworks nights or after the fireworks are over. The food is wonderful, but why be rushed, stressed over getting the fireworks tables (and that is kind of like winning the lottery) when you can see them from somewhere else and enjoy them and then enjoy a leisurely dinner?

my two cents,
LA

 

[mickeys#1fan]

We did this on our last trip. The observation deck is a fantastic place to view the fireworks and get video. You get panoramic views of the resort lit up at night, and the soundtrack is piped to the deck, too. Ask your server to keep dinner covered. This won't be a problem. You won't miss a thing.