Cali Grill Questions...

[cdrn1]

So I made a reservation at California Grill in Sept., on the DP. The only time I could get for the night we wanted was 9 pm. Wishes starts at 9 pm that night.
Based on your experience, what should we expect? Should we go early and watch from the Terrace? I am guessing that we will be seated late due to people leaving their desserts and going to watch the show, and that is fine with me. Is there any outdoor seating? Please tell me all you know about CG! TIA.

 

[Tink-aholic]

...not hijacking here, but I was wondering if anyone answers the OP's question, could you also tell me if there is a dress code at California Grill?

OP, I was told to try to get reservations for 10 minutes before Wishes. I was also told to show up at least 20 minutes early and they will let everyone up on the terrace who has an ADR for that time. I hope that is true!

 

[cdrn1]

...not hijacking here, but I was wondering if anyone answers the OP's question, could you also tell me if there is a dress code at California Grill?

I was told that the dress code is business casual. Whenever we have eaten at Jiko I have worn khakis and a nice shirt and have not felt out of place.

 

[Quiksilvr]

Dress Code: khakis and a nice shirt are fine for guys... my wife wore a nice blouse and slacks and definitely fit in with the dress code.

Timing: We had reservations for 8:30 and it worked out perfectly for us as far as Wishes is concerned. If you get there at 9 and the fireworks are supposed to start at 9, I think it's safe to say you won't be seated when the fireworks start. I would advise getting there a little early and hope that they let you watch the fireworks from the terrace.

 

[disneygal2007]

so dress code isn't park attire

 

[Quiksilvr]

Negative. Shorts and tshirts are not permitted under the dress code. Everyone we saw there was dressed at least in business casual, some in clothing that most would view as more formal.

 

[Tink-aholic]

Thanks! You saved us a lot of embarrassment.

 

[Pakey]

Dress code is Disney's version of business casual. That means no bathing suits, no tank tops (on men), no hats, no frayed clothing, no beachy flip flops. Everything else is okay. Shorts are okay. Jeans are okay. T-shirts are okay. The only restuarant with a truly strict dress code is V&A.

Some of the diners will be "dressed", adult parties ordering pricey wine, and some will not. The warmer it is outside, the more casual the dress will be. Ca Grill is considered fine dining. I would not be comfortable in park attire but that's me and only me. Except for the few exceptions I listed here, you are free to wear whatever you are comfortable in.

 

[Uncleromulus]

That's exactly right--shorts and T-shirts (nicer looking park attire, I guess ) are just fine. The only prohibition on t-shirts is that they must contain no offensive wording or pictures.

cdrn: No outdoor dining but I'm pretty sure that with a 9:00 confirmed reservation they'll let you up a bit early so you can go out on the deck to see the fireworks.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Straight from Disney

Dress Code Guidelines:
Men: Khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts, collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.
Ladies: Capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, dress shorts.

NOT permitted in dining room: Tank tops, swimwear, hats for gentleman, cut offs, or torn clothing. While t-shirts are now allowed, the policy remains that t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics are not acceptable

No outdoor seating, but you should be able to stand outside on the terrace.
Frankly I had a ressie for 1.5 hours before Wishes, arrived 20 min early, and wasn't seated until .... 10 minutes before Wishes started. I am never going back during wishes; we had terrible service. You should be fine since you won't be there until after Wishes has actually occurred.

As far as the dress code goes... well when I was there t-shirts weren't allowed... but there was a man in there with a nascar t-shirt (HUGE print, front/back/1 arm) and cutoff jeans. Yeah no one actually said anything to him. Disney is a little annoying in that aspect. I'd say just dress semi-nicely and you'll feel comfortable.

The food is soooo delicious. Enjoy your meal!

 

[Goofy4]

cdrn: No outdoor dining but I'm pretty sure that with a 9:00 confirmed reservation they'll let you up a bit early so you can go out on the deck to see the fireworks.

Given they've let us back up after dinner, I can't see there being any problem going up early. And, my experience is that the servers expect the meal to be put on hold to watch wishes.

 

[fightinfire21]

I have a reservatin at CG in September for 5:50. Wishes is scheduled for 8:00 that night. Will we be permitted to "hang out" and go to the observation deck to watch Wishes after our meal? I don't expcect our meal to last two hours and I am not going to sit and "pick" at my meal to make it last longer. Not fair to the waiter or the people coming in after me.

 

[mirthmaiden]

I have an ADR for 9:10pm on a night when Wishes is at 10:00. I figure that should work out about right. I plan on wearing capris and maybe a polo-type shirt.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

I have a reservatin at CG in September for 5:50. Wishes is scheduled for 8:00 that night. Will we be permitted to "hang out" and go to the observation deck to watch Wishes after our meal? I don't expcect our meal to last two hours and I am not going to sit and "pick" at my meal to make it last longer. Not fair to the waiter or the people coming in after me.

I'm sure you can even go away and come back if you have dined earlier. There is certainly the option to sit at the bar

When we dined there last we had ADRs for 8pm with Wishes starting at 9. We took the elevator up just after 7.30 and took our drinks out on the terrace where we watched the sun set. We were actually seated at about 8.20 and we saw Wishes between our starter and main course.

I wore a summer dress (the type you might wear to an evening wedding reception) and DF wore shirt and kahkis. I wore a dress because I liked having the opportunity to dress up, plus we were celebrating a special occasion

 

[Goofy4]

Ask before you head up what you'll need to go back up later. Although I doubt it, they may ask you to hang on to your receipt.

 

[cdrn1]

UH oh......new question....it just occurred to me. If our reservation is at 9, and Wishes is at 9, we of course know we won't be seated at 9. Do they make you wait down on the 2nd floor until your table is ready???? Will we absolutely miss Wishes with a 9pm reservation? Is there a bar or lounge or something where you can wait that will offer a view??? Did I screw up royally?

 

[mirthmaiden]

I'm wondering how big the terrace is. With people coming back who dined earlier, people who are currently dining, and people who are waiting to dine all standing out there, is there enough room for everyone? Or will it be just like standing on Main St. trying to defend your own space?

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

UH oh......new question....it just occurred to me. If our reservation is at 9, and Wishes is at 9, we of course know we won't be seated at 9. Do they make you wait down on the 2nd floor until your table is ready???? Will we absolutely miss Wishes with a 9pm reservation? Is there a bar or lounge or something where you can wait that will offer a view??? Did I screw up royally?

We were up in the CG a good half an hour before our ADR time as we had arrived at Contemporary really early! I'm sure they won't have a problem with you going up as the majority of people probably arrive a certain amount of time in advance of their actual ADR time.

As for the terrace, it isn't huge - it's kind of like an outdoor corridor, long but not that wide. We had a window table so didn't go outside - I didn't really pay too much attention to how crowded it got outside, sorry

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's pretty crowded out there, but since the show is mostly "up in the air", it isn't anywhere near as bad as standing on Main St. to see the parade.

cdrn1: I'm almost certain that with a 9:00 confirmed reservation they will let you up a bit early to see the fireworks. Doubt youkll find any seats in the lounge or at the bar--most likely you can just go out on the deck to wait.