California Grill after Wishes?

[jennynoel]

Going to WDW in Sept. with SO and DMom - the earliest seating I could get at California Grill was 9:15pm, so just after Wishes.

I figured since we are mostly going for the food it wasn't that big of a deal not to see fireworks during dinner. Am I wrong to think California Grill is still worth 2 TS credits?

Any tips for trying to get better seating? Would a daytime seating be more fun than an nighttime one? I've never been to WDW, let alone California Grill, so I don't know anything about the view.

Thanks!
Jenny

 

[JimMIA]

Going to WDW in Sept. with SO and DMom - the earliest seating I could get at California Grill was 9:15pm, so just after Wishes.

Plan on a late dinner. Many diners will drag their dining out so they "last" through the fireworks, and then there will be a rush of "Check please" requests.

I don't know if you can actually do this or not, but here's an angle to think about. If you eat early -- say 6 PM -- you are allowed to return and go to the CG observation deck for Wishes. Seems like you ought to be able to check in somewhat early and go to the observation deck to watch Wishes before dining. They'll know you have an ADR and aren't just some tourist trying to get a better view. Don't know if you can do that or not, but hopefully someone here does.

I figured since we are mostly going for the food it wasn't that big of a deal not to see fireworks during dinner. Am I wrong to think California Grill is still worth 2 TS credits?

We just ate at CG for the first time on our last trip. I thought it was well worth 2 credits. Would I do CG rather than two Le Celliers? Um...maybe not. But I considered the 2 TS well spent. The sticker price of our meal was about $175 for 2 adults and one child, so I thought that was worth the credits. The food and service were wonderful. We've had some good meals at WDW, but this was THE best meal we've had anywhere in years -- and we are used to great restaurants here in Miami.

Any tips for trying to get better seating? Would a daytime seating be more fun than an nighttime one? I've never been to WDW, let alone California Grill, so I don't know anything about the view.

Don't know how the view is in the daytime, but it's got to be great. Most of the tables have a view of MK, and also GF and Poly across the lake. Really nice view! Probably more romantic at night, but what isn't? (You don't have to answer that... )

 

[jennynoel]

Thanks Jim! We're foodies and huge sushi fans - so after reading that we can get sushi dishes as an appetizer with DDP I'm 100% excited about CG.

We will definitely check in early and try for the observation deck - that's a great suggestion.

 

[JimMIA]

We're foodies and huge sushi fans - so after reading that we can get sushi dishes as an appetizer with DDP I'm 100% excited about CG.

Two of the sushi appetizers are excluded on DDP -- the "Snake in the Grass" and Yoshie's Deluxe Sushi Platter.

 

[jennynoel]

That's good to know - I kind of guessed that the more expensive ones might be excluded. Now I won't get my hopes up!

 

[septbaby]

At 2TS it seems like nothing should be excluded!

Not questiong the fact that they are, it just seems wrong to do.

Perhaps those appetizers are geared to those not on the DDP who are really there for the view and Wishes and just order something lite. That gives CG a chance to still get a bit more $ from those guests.

We chose Narcoossee's over CG and so far I haven't heard that anything is excluded from DDP.

 

[jjoules40]

I'm a little concerned after reading your post-
I am eating at CG on August 31 at 9:10. We had the option of a 7:20 reservation, but the Res person said if we took the 9:10 we would see the fireworks. Your posts makes me think the firworks will be over by 9:10...
Keep in mine that this is my first "Adult" WDW trip so maybe I am missing something in the details.
And what is the "Wishes" part? I read about it everywhere, but never an explanation.
Thanks so much!

 

[andrews1]

"Wishes" is the name of the MK fireworks show.

 

[mb4cy]

We ate at California Grill on Christmas Day evening last year. The restaurant itself is lovely but the views are spectacular! It also has a bar, which is where I would wait before the fireworks (your dinner receipt is your pass for the observation area). With your dining time, I bet they would be happy to give you a good seat for the view.

The sushi was outstanding as is the wine list, worth every penny! My DM had the pork dish which was excellent. The kitchen is open to the restaurant and also fun to watch!

Have a great time!

 

[mb4cy]

We ate at California Grill on Christmas Day evening last year. The restaurant itself is lovely but the views are spectacular! It also has a bar, which is where I would wait before the fireworks (your dinner receipt is your pass for the observation area). With your dining time, I bet they would be happy to give you a good seat for the view.

The sushi was outstanding as is the wine list, worth every penny! My DM had the pork dish which was excellent. The kitchen is open to the restaurant and also fun to watch!

Have a great time!

 

[Nancyg56]

At 2TS it seems like nothing should be excluded!

Not questiong the fact that they are, it just seems wrong to do.

Perhaps those appetizers are geared to those not on the DDP who are really there for the view and Wishes and just order something lite. That gives CG a chance to still get a bit more $ from those guests.

We chose Narcoossee's over CG and so far I haven't heard that anything is excluded from DDP.

There were one or two appetizers that were excluded and they were over $25.00 apiece. There is plenty to choose from on the menu and the items are not inexpensive. I was happier to see an exclusion than to have that item eliminated from the menu in order to control the cost.


OP: IMO the CG is well worth 2 TS credits. We enjoyed well prepared food, excellent service and a wonderful view of the MK. My family thinks that the CG is the Disney Dining at it's best....good food, and a beautiful view of the MK at night. Lovely.