California Grill - 5:30 pm ressies - Dress code

[bgsnmky]

A few questions as this will be our first experience at the CG.

We have 5:30 ressies and Wishes is not until 9. They said that as long as we have our receipt we can eat dinner - leave and come back.

I was just curious if anyone had done this before? Is the balcony large enough that we would be able to be right at the edge or are people stacked in front of each other. (we are both really short).

We thought we could go at 5:30 (only time available) and then go look around the shops at the hotel and go back up.

What time shoudl we go back up or should we just stay there and enjoy sitting on the balcony at for an hour and a half or so.

Also - they said the dress code was NOT that dressy and you can wear shorts and a shirt. So I was thinking for 5:30 ressies, we would wear nice dress shorts, collard shirt, and tennis shoes. Will we feel comfortable or out of place.

Thanks!!

 

[BluOrchid2]

Here's a pic of the balcony. Hope it helps!

 

[honeymo78]

Your attire will be fine. You may see some people in suits from the many conventions held at CR, but mostly there will be people in shorts and tees/polos

 

[bgsnmky]

wow..now I can't wait. The balcony is a lot bigger than what I thought!!!

Thanks.

 

[Hopefully]

With dress shorts and Polos you will be fine.
Yes the balcony is big, and you should be fine to view Wishes. But as you can see from the photo, there is no where to sit and wait for 90 minutes.
Enjoy your meal

 

[Booyakasha]

The balcony is big but it does get crowded. If you are not there early enough you may not get a spot on the rail. The rail is usually all the kids but you should be able to see over them

I truly think CG for wishes is overated as it is such a madhouse It is a great view though.

I much prefer a fireworks cruise on the lake.

B.

 

[dkmjgal]

The view from the balcony is great and definitely one of the best places to see Wishes. You won't be able to sit down though - it's not that type of set-up. Most people head out about 15 mins. before Wishes starts.
As far as the dress code - I can tell your from experience that the servers are not happy that the people that are taking reservations are not stressing the dress code. We were there 1 1/2 weeks ago and I saw people that looked like they just came up from the pool. CG is a VERY nice restaurant and also very expensive - although I realize many people are eating there for free - but still, that doesn't lessen how nice the restaurant is. It shouldn't be a big deal to pack a pair of khakis or nice dress shorts and perhaps a decent pair of sandles for a woman or a man. I also feel that the kids should be dressed appropriately - not in a t-shirt and shorts. Again, a decent pair of nice shorts and a polo are more than appropriate for a little boy and a skort or sundress for a little girl.
Of course this is just my humble opinion and I know many people out there feel differently.
Kelly

 

[TDC Nala]

There aren't any chairs on the observation balcony. Not only that but standing out there for 90 minutes sounds utterly boring. No show is worth that.

The CG lounge is a nice place to wait until time to go out on the balcony if you can get a chair.

Whatever the feelings of guests are, Disney dress code for signatures permits tee shirts and jeans and sneakers, so I don't see how anyone booking the restaurant is precluded from wearing tee shirts and jeans. They do specify "dress shorts" though.

The "prohibitions" appear to be swimwear, torn clothing, casual shorts, tank tops and hats for men, and obscene or offensive tee shirt slogans or pictures. It's been reported that a lot of signatures are not enforcing even this limited dress code.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . As far as the dress code - I can tell your from experience that the servers are not happy that the people that are taking reservations are not stressing the dress code. We were there 1 1/2 weeks ago and I saw people that looked like they just came up from the pool. . . .

1) That is ONE reason why we eat at only five WDW table service eateries.
2) And, only two of them are Disney-owned.
3) I am tired of paying big bucks for a good eatery, then having rag-bags nearby.
4) Since DDP, people come to signature eateries not knowing how to act or dress.