Cali Grill on night with no fireworks?

[branv]

I was wondering if anyone has every dined at CG when there are no fireworks at MK that night. We're thinking about going one of the grad nites in 2011, but I wonder what that means to business there. Is it less busy? And how do they handle those people who end up with a wicked surprise that there is "no show" that night (I mean, I assume when ADR's are made they aren't told, goodness knows the left hand doesn't seem to talk to the right in that respect). That last part is just my own curiosity And what about this wine room people recommend for less noise -- if there are no fireworks to see anyway, is this really a good option for less hub-bub?

I admit I also wonder -- without the show, is this still a top experience, or if it's all about the food, are there better places to dine? Thoughts?

 

[OKW Lover]

Actually, there will be fireworks during grad nights. Although this is a separate "hard ticket" event, they do fireworks during the event.

 

[danyella522]

i heard the fireworks are generally really late though?

 

[madalex]

I admit I also wonder -- without the show, is this still a top experience, or if it's all about the food, are there better places to dine? Thoughts?

CG is a wonderful restaurant and well worth a visit for the food, service and view even if there are no fireworks that night (in fact, the fireworks, and crowds that descend on the restaurant as a result, actually detract from the experience at CG for me)

As to better places to dine, I prefer Jiko, Citricos, Il Mulino, bluezoo, Artist Point and Flying Fish to CG.

 

[branv]

Actually, there will be fireworks during grad nights. Although this is a separate "hard ticket" event, they do fireworks during the event.

Right, but not at a time for normal dining hours for CG.

As to better places to dine, I prefer Jiko, Citricos, Il Mulino, bluezoo, Artist Point and Flying Fish to CG

Ooof, that includes 4 of the other places we were thinking about Decisions, decisions! If you don't mind sharing, do you think those places you prefer simply have better food, or is it a combination of things?

 

[gillep]

I agree that both Jiko and Citricos have better food, and Citricos had the best service of the entire trip (I have not been to the other restaurants the poster mentioned but they are all on my list, and I have heard awesome things about them all). I liked Cali Grill but it was by no means the best food although it was all very good. Two of my dishes were actually way too salty but even if they were not too salty Jiko and Citricos just had better food in my opinion. We dined in the wine room and I loved it!! Walking through the main dining room it was very very loud and I don't think I would have enjoyed my meal at all if I had to eat in the main dining room. Before the fireworks were scheduled to begin I grabbed my glass of wine and walked out to the outside viewing area and it was wonderful. Even many of the people who could have seen the fireworks from their seats came outside to the viewing area because it was a better view especially if you wanted to take any pictures.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sometimes the Wine Room isn't even open-we've seen that a couple of times on less crowded nights. And tho it is away from the open kitchen noise, there isn't much of a view. And don't forget that children can be seated in the Wine Room and if they "misbehave", you'll think you were in the main room anyway!
I like the CG food--especially those excellent flatbread appetizers!! It's always been our first night tradition at WDW and frankly, we've seen the fireworks SO often that sometimes we don't even bother to go outside and watch---

 

[BillSears]

I've been to the California Grill a couple of times. It was great and I've never seen the fireworks from there. I go for the food, I can see the fireworks from inside the park fine.