Cali Grill Fireworks - Is it worth it?

[ashleymrush]

On my trip in June my DH and I are going to have one kid free evening and go out on a special date. The restaurant that we choose needs to be out of a park as we won't have park tickets for that evening. As of now we are looking into California Grill, which I've always wanted to eat at, especially during the fireworks. So I have a few questions:

1) Is doing Wishes while at the restaurant all it's cracked up to be?

2) What time would be best for us to make the ADR?

3) If you don't think it's necessarily worth it, can you suggest another date night restaurant at a resort or Disney Springs that would be worth it. (We are both foodies and will spoil ourselves so cost is not an issue with the exception of Victoria and Albert's)

TIA!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We did CG for a kids free night. I enjoyed it a lot. We went to the observation deck to watch Wishes and my boyfriend LOVED it. So did I. We had a 740 ADR and Wishes was at 9 pm. The food was wonderful. I had the filet and he had shrimp a la plancha (I believe). We did sushi for an app and it was out of this world and I'm not a big seafood person. I would recommend it.

 

[laevson4712]

We thought CG was great. The only problem I would say about it is we had reservations on a rainy day and the fireworks were difficult to see because of the cloud coverage. Not something that can be helped and had a great time other than that.

One place that we love for date night is Artist Point. It is definitely one of out favorite places to eat. However if you are looking for a place to see the fireworks it's not a good choice.

 

[Linleedo]

We are trying Cali & fireworks this September. However, Narcoossee's is also a great meal and spot to view the electrical water parade and Wishes fireworks too. You also need to time it correctly.

 

[figment_jii]

I do like the view of Wishes from California Grill. Most guests of the restaurant go out to the observation deck to watch Wishes because there aren't a lot of tables with a great view. They do pipe in the music (and dim the lights inside). A few tables have a view of Wishes, but those are pretty hard to come by. You can ask for a window table, but they do not promise to have one available before fireworks. If you want to eat here and want to try for a window table, I would aim for an ADR about 2 to 2.5 hours before Wishes. Personally, I like the observation deck because you don't have to deal with reflections in the glass. The fireworks themselves appear mostly over Space Mountain. You can (usually) see the castle as it changes colors and you might even be able to make out some of the effects on the castle.

As mentioned, another popular option is Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian. This is my favorite restaurant in WDW. Most window tables have a view of Wishes, but the view is often blocked by guests standing out on the veranda, so I would plan on going outside to watch Wishes here as well. Then dim the lights and pipe in the music (inside the restaurant and outside on the veranda). You can request a window table (but again, they won't guarantee one in time nor will they guarantee that you'll be able to see the fireworks). I would aim for an ADR about 90 minutes before Wishes. The fireworks appear to the left of the castle. You can only kind of see the castle (you can tell it's changing color, but not really make out any of the projections/effects).

 

[Nikki K]

We did this on the last day of our last trip and I loved it. I couldn't think of a better way to close our holiday. Food and service were impeccable. The highlight for me though was watching the fireworks from the observation deck with a lovely glass of wine in my hand. It was a completely different experience and one of the highlights of my trip. I'm 100% booking again for next time.

 

[Leelo]

My DH and I did this for our honeymoon and it was awesome! Of course, he planned the whole thing and I had no idea that was going to be happening. It was magical! We have been back to Cali Grill every trip since then and were able to book a fireworks time on one of those occassions (the other times, I booked on day 180 since we stayed off property and fireworks times were gone). For the honeymoon we were seated right by the window on the MK side of the restaurant with a perfect view and the second time we were off to the left around the corner so we could hear it but not see much but we were able to go to the observation deck. Book on the very first day you can and put in the request for a window seat by MK!

 

[sbprincess]

California Grill used to be a must-do for my DH and me, every trip. Lately the high prices and small portions have turned us off a little so we have skipped it. However, I do think the experience of the view and fireworks is worth it at least once. The food always tastes amazing and service is usually great. Just be prepared for the price going in so it doesn't take away from the night.

 

[mobish]

Definitely worth it! They are so accommodating about staggering your order so you can go out to watch. Expensive meal but its a special night.

 

[lborne]

Even if you miss the fireworks for some reason (timing or rain), it is still worth it - excellent service and food. I do love Narcoossee's and Artist's Point, but there is something about being up high and having a great view of the MK at night even if there are no fireworks.

 

[circus4u]

Even if you miss the fireworks for some reason (timing or rain), it is still worth it - excellent service and food. I do love Narcoossee's and Artist's Point, but there is something about being up high and having a great view of the MK at night even if there are no fireworks.

Been four years since we were there, but at that time, it didn't depend on your dining reservation. We had an early supper during daylight hours. They told us to come back for the fireworks on the observation deck. They send someone down in the elevator to escort you up. Don't know if it s still that way or not, but I assume it is.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Worth it for us. Was good food at a Disney price I expect and the entertainment was Wishes.

 

[Tigger's ally]

definitely worth it once. Wishes is not our favorite at all, but we did enjoy the Cali food, the great service and the trip out to the observation deck to watch. I know this will sound stupid, but you might want to take a light jacket. We had been in the sun all day and there was a shower that blew through about half an hour before we went out. The wind up there was a little brisk. Got to snuggle close to the wife though! On second thought, perhaps the alcohol (yes, they have great wine list) helped make us chilly.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Dinner at the California Grill is worth it. Or at least it was the last time I was able to get an ADR there. That was before it became all about the fireworks.

There are many other places to watch the fireworks if that's what you're really after.

 

[jeepnjudy]

I do like the view of Wishes from California Grill. Most guests of the restaurant go out to the observation deck to watch Wishes because there aren't a lot of tables with a great view. They do pipe in the music (and dim the lights inside). A few tables have a view of Wishes, but those are pretty hard to come by. You can ask for a window table, but they do not promise to have one available before fireworks. If you want to eat here and want to try for a window table, I would aim for an ADR about 2 to 2.5 hours before Wishes. Personally, I like the observation deck because you don't have to deal with reflections in the glass. The fireworks themselves appear mostly over Space Mountain. You can (usually) see the castle as it changes colors and you might even be able to make out some of the effects on the castle.

As mentioned, another popular option is Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian. This is my favorite restaurant in WDW. Most window tables have a view of Wishes, but the view is often blocked by guests standing out on the veranda, so I would plan on going outside to watch Wishes here as well. Then dim the lights and pipe in the music (inside the restaurant and outside on the veranda). You can request a window table (but again, they won't guarantee one in time nor will they guarantee that you'll be able to see the fireworks). I would aim for an ADR about 90 minutes before Wishes. The fireworks appear to the left of the castle. You can only kind of see the castle (you can tell it's changing color, but not really make out any of the projections/effects).

W have also done both of these and both were amazing! Great food and nice places to watch the fireworks. I would say you cannot go wrong with either choice!

 

[cslittle999]

These are all good date night options. My only advice would be that the fireworks are framed to be watched from Main Street. Watching from Narcoosees, Poly Beach, Cali Grill and the Top of the World lounge are nice but don't make this the only time you watch Wishes.

For some none fireworks options we tried Citricos and Morimoto's Asia this last trip and the food was amazing. Both are likely to become places we eat at every trip. I also highly recommend Blue Zoo. We eat here every trip. In my opinion Citricos and Blue Zoo are a better dining experience than Narcoosees and Cali Grill.

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

The Cali Grill is a great experience & it is really nice to wander out on to the observation deck to watch the fireworks, however we much prefer Narcoosees, it's quieter & more romantic if you can get a table by the window's the view across to the Magic Kingdom is hard to beat.
We usually watch Wishes from the deck with a glass of wine & actually prefer the view from there to the view from the Cali Grill.
Saying all that, both restaurants are very good & you won't go wrong with either of them.

 

[mickeyheart]

I did this with my DH on our last trip in 2011 and it was the highlight of our trip. Now we are parents and will not have a child free night, but if we had the chance I would not hesitate to book it. We absolutely LOVED it!