Cali Grill

[Gaily215]

Is it possible to go up and have just drinks without reservations, like around MK fireworks time?? Thanks

 

[Pakey]

Is it possible to go up and have just drinks without reservations, like around MK fireworks time?? Thanks

I would not say 100% no because there are always exceptions but CG is packed at fireworks time. People do not leave their tables so the people who are coming in for meal reservations have to wait, filling the lounge, to capacity, until the fireworks are over. We have stood up there along the wall for close to an hour waiting on our table before. We have eaten here maybe 6 times in recent years and it's always packed at fireworks time, even during the slow time of year.

 

[Pats Dragon]

We were there TG and were told by our waiter that you have to show your receipt for dinner in order to go up for fireworks.

 

[BriarRosie]

It's really up to the discretion of the cast members at the check in desk on the second floor. If the lounge is packed with guests with ADRs, the answer is probably, no.

Normally, if there's room in the lounge, and you wanted appetizers and drinks, they will allow you up. As the others have said, you probably won't be allowed up if you arrive close to the fireworks start time due to the people with ADRs waiting there.

I tend to tell people to stay away during fireworks time, as it can be a zoo.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would guess there is a better chance of being told no because they are always busy, however if you don't ask then you will never know. So you don't have anything to lose.

 

[daisygirl902]

I met a great couple on DCL this year who said they do this every time they are in the world! They go a bit early to the lounge, eat and have a few drinks, and often stay for the fireworks. She said they have been to Cali Grill many times without a reservation, and they get great service in the lounge!

 

[ElizabethB]

It was before the DDP. Not now.

I recall an evening several years ago when dh and I wanted a drink and some appetizers before dinner. We hopped on the elevator, went up and were pleasantly seated at a lovely table in the bar area, which was quiet and adult, with other couples enjoying wine and relaxing. We ordered wine and some appetizers and sat back to enjoy them.

Lo and behold, before long we realized that the fireworks were starting. We had no idea it was even time for the fireworks. We had a lovely view of the fireworks as we sipped our wine.

This simply could not happen today. You can't even get on the elevator without an ADR and the okay from the CMs.

Even if you could manage to walk up without an ADR and get a table in the bar area, the ambience is so awful now I can't imagine who would bother.

With the DDP and internet publicity about the fireworks, and tons of people waiting in the bar area for a table and annoyed they weren't seated in time for the fireworks, CG bar area is no place we want to be.

Way, way too many noisy kids running around, plus tons of sweating park goers in shorts and t-shirts, etc. It's a mad house. Not our idea of a nice place for a pre-dinner drink.

Oh, for the good ole days!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree!!
The bar/lounge area is quite small and anywhere near fireworks time we've found it to be SRO. People who get there early tend to camp and may not even move for hours until the fireworks begin. When someone does get up to leave, 4 or 5 people may rush to get that lounge table or bar seat.
Like Pakey, we've found ourselves up against that back wall for almost an hour, hoping against hope for a vacant seat at the bar or lounge.

To answer the OP's question--they may let you up and they may not. And even if they do, you might find yourself w/o a seat and just standing, hoping to catch the attention of the bartenders.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It was before the DDP. Not now.

I recall an evening several years ago when dh and I wanted a drink and some appetizers before dinner. We hopped on the elevator, went up and were pleasantly seated at a lovely table in the bar area, which was quiet and adult, with other couples enjoying wine and relaxing. We ordered wine and some appetizers and sat back to enjoy them.

Lo and behold, before long we realized that the fireworks were starting. We had no idea it was even time for the fireworks. We had a lovely view of the fireworks as we sipped our wine.

This simply could not happen today. You can't even get on the elevator without an ADR and the okay from the CMs.

Even if you could manage to walk up without an ADR and get a table in the bar area, the ambience is so awful now I can't imagine who would bother.

With the DDP and internet publicity about the fireworks, and tons of people waiting in the bar area for a table and annoyed they weren't seated in time for the fireworks, CG bar area is no place we want to be.

Way, way too many noisy kids running around, plus tons of sweating park goers in shorts and t-shirts, etc. It's a mad house. Not our idea of a nice place for a pre-dinner drink.

Oh, for the good ole days!

Well with the exception of the DDP wouldn't there be less people up there compared to a few years ago, before they started saying you needed to check-in on the 2nd floor? The reason I say that is because in the past anyone could take the elevator to the 15th floor to just watch Wishes and maybe go to the bar. While I am sure it's still busty on some nights I thought it would be only those with ADR's, if you know what I am trying to say.

 

[TDC Nala]

They will permit you into the lounge area without an ADR (I just had dinner there on Sunday with no ADR but I went up early and left early - I was there for the food and not the fireworks) as long as there is space for you. The closer to fireworks time they get, the less space there is, because those seated at tables are hanging onto them until the fireworks are over and there may be a backup of guests with ADRs waiting for their tables. You run the risk of not being permitted to board the elevator at all, or of getting upstairs and not being able to locate seating. Those who walk up to the 2nd floor desk close to fireworks time don't have the odds in their favor.

 

[ElizabethB]

CR Resort Fan:

A few years ago, there was not the the publicity about the fireworks view that there is now. Witness my story that it was mere serendipity that the fireworks started while we were drinking our wine. We didn't plan it, and it didn't seems that those around us had planned it either.

Also, prior to the DDP, many WDW visitors simply would not spring for the cost of dining at CG, regardless of the fireworks view. Now, with free dining running nearly 6 months of the year, it's so easy for everybody to use 2 TS credits and eat there.

Dining at WDW is an entirely different ball game that it was a few years ago. It is not nearly as nice now as it once was.

WDW has subordinated dining at WDW to the greater goal of getting as many people to visit as possible, and keeping them on property for their entire visit. The DDP serves that goal. WDW's goal is no longer fine dining. It was for a few years in the late 90s, early 00s. It isn't now.

So be it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

In the old days (pre second floor check in ) there were mobs of people in the AREA of California Grill--but hardly any of then actually eating there. Then, anyone and their brother could just go up and out on the deck. And that's what they almost all did--no eating or drinking, just an endless parade of folks walking thru the restaurant and out to the deck. No interest at all in the California Grill as a restaurant. Just some place you had to walk thru to get to the fireworks area.
And then of course we had those shoving matches at the elevator as they tried to head back down all at once on those all too small elevators. Saw several near fist-fights on a couple of occasions.

 

[TDC Nala]

They also started a $20 per person no show fee with credit card guarantee, because after they moved to the 2nd floor check-in, people were making reservations just to get upstairs and watch the fireworks, they'd then leave without ordering anything.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan:

A few years ago, there was not the the publicity about the fireworks view that there is now. Witness my story that it was mere serendipity that the fireworks started while we were drinking our wine. We didn't plan it, and it didn't seems that those around us had planned it either.

Also, prior to the DDP, many WDW visitors simply would not spring for the cost of dining at CG, regardless of the fireworks view. Now, with free dining running nearly 6 months of the year, it's so easy for everybody to use 2 TS credits and eat there.

Dining at WDW is an entirely different ball game that it was a few years ago. It is not nearly as nice now as it once was.

WDW has subordinated dining at WDW to the greater goal of getting as many people to visit as possible, and keeping them on property for their entire visit. The DDP serves that goal. WDW's goal is no longer fine dining. It was for a few years in the late 90s, early 00s. It isn't now.

So be it.

Those are some very good points.

In the old days (pre second floor check in ) there were mobs of people in the AREA of California Grill--but hardly any of then actually eating there. Then, anyone and their brother could just go up and out on the deck. And that's what they almost all did--no eating or drinking, just an endless parade of folks walking thru the restaurant and out to the deck. No interest at all in the California Grill as a restaurant. Just some place you had to walk thru to get to the fireworks area.
And then of course we had those shoving matches at the elevator as they tried to head back down all at once on those all too small elevators. Saw several near fist-fights on a couple of occasions.

I guess that's one of the main reasons for making the check-in desk on the 2nd floor.

They also started a $20 per person no show fee with credit card guarantee, because after they moved to the 2nd floor check-in, people were making reservations just to get upstairs and watch the fireworks, they'd then leave without ordering anything.

Haven't they had that before switching the check-in desk to the 2nd floor?