California Grill and Fireworks adr Help

[pinkerbell]

We will be making our adr's in a few weeks so I can be flexible about how we make them.
We will be going to AK that day and they will close at 5. Fireworks (disney wishes, right?) are @ 9. We have a 5 & 7 yo so I would like to make the ressie for our meal to start before the fireworks and be ending toward when the show begins.
Is it possible to see them from the tables?
What is the best viewing?
Can you leave your table and come back (i think the show is 20min?) that's a long time for a server to not have people at a table for tips
About how long is an entree and desert meal @ the CG?
Can you request a table to see the fireworks?

Any tips or suggestions on how you have done it would be appreciated. I haven't booked anything and we can be flexible with going on another day, but have to take MNSSHP into consideration.

advice, thoughts,
thanks
pink

 

[Sweet Melissa]

I would try to get as close to 7:30 as possible. It allows for ample time to get from Animal Kingdom to the Contemporary even with worst-case-scenario transportation wait, and gives you 90 minutes to be seated and begin your meal before the fireworks start. Ideally, with that timing, you'll be able to finish your entrées, go to the observation deck for the show, then return to your table and enjoy dessert.

 

[Sgt Tibbs]

You can see the fireworks from some tables but I really recommend going out on the roof it's fantastic, don't worrk the observation area is all fenced in.

90 minutes should be enough time to get from AK to the Contemporary but if you have concerns take a cab it's about $20.00.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can see from some tables but not all. The observation deck is wonderful - but it has high walls. That can be a problem when you are expecting small children to see from there. Someone may have to pick a small kid up and hold them so they can see. You can request a window table but you may or may not be able to get one. There are not a lot of them and some tables that are at windows don't have a view of MK. Yes you can leave the table to go outside and come back. Almost everyone in the restaurant will do that.

 

[Gigi22]

Yes, you can request a table with a view of the fireworks. But so does everyone else. So you should be prepared to either wait it out for a view table, or go out on the walkway to see them. Most people wind up going outside.

Once seated, tell your server that you want to take your children to see the fireworks, and he/she will work with you.

 

[pinkerbell]

we rent a car and stay at ASMo, we may leave the park early for an kids nap, depending on how tired they are at that point of the vacation (just minutes from the resort at AK), so transportation should not be an issue.

It seems dodgey to get up and leave the table for 20 minutes, is this frowned upon?

 

[pinkerbell]

sorry for the last post asking ?'s that were answered. When I started they had not been answered yet... Kids they can make everything take longer thanks for help :

 

[TDC Nala]

They will ENCOURAGE you to get up from the table and go watch the fireworks. Why would they object? This restaurant is well aware that the tables aren't filled every night because of the food.

 

[pinkerbell]

Thanks for the clue on the wall, our kids are quite tiny, but still get heavy after holding for 5 minutes (dd 7 is only 44 inches and about 44lbs) so that is good to know,just to be prepared. If we stand back can we see better by looking up or are we so high that they are eye level?

Can anyone go on the observation deck in case we finish before the fireworks begin?

 

[pinkerbell]

They will ENCOURAGE you to get up from the table and go watch the fireworks. Why would they object? This restaurant is well aware that the tables aren't filled every night because of the food.

Less turnover, less tips???



So do people go there just to see the fireworks???
I never thought of that, since you can see them from so many places.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

They are so wonderful there the servers will pace your dinner just right so you will finish your entree at the start of the FW and have your dessert waiting for you when you return to you table. We have done this twice with ADRs @ 7:30. It's a blast and the food is excellent!!! Have a great time!

 

[deannanb]

So do people go there just to see the fireworks???
I never thought of that, since you can see them from so many places.

If you have eaten at Cali earlier in the evening - you can bring your receipt and watch the fireworks.

My experience from last year - with a 2, 5, and 14 year old - we were so tired from our day at AK that it was hard to enjoy the dinner. It didn't help that our 2 (a week shy of 2) year old did not want to sit and just chill through dinner. we were out on the balcony watching the boats and airplanes and monorails go in the distance.

I would suggest a rest if you can fit it in for the kids (and you) - before going there.

 

[pinkerbell]

If you have eaten at Cali earlier in the evening - you can bring your receipt and watch the fireworks.

My experience from last year - with a 2, 5, and 14 year old - we were so tired from our day at AK that it was hard to enjoy the dinner. It didn't help that our 2 (a week shy of 2) year old did not want to sit and just chill through dinner. we were out on the balcony watching the boats and airplanes and monorails go in the distance.

I would suggest a rest if you can fit it in for the kids (and you) - before going there.

thanks so much for the recipt info! hubby was just asking this less than an hour ago!!! wow, as my DH would say.. you must have ESPn
I will think about planning the meal so we can have desert before fireworks and if not , oh well , no biggie, my 5yo still naps 2.5 hrs almost every day, less than and hr and she meltsdown early so we will try to fit that in :
thanks for the tips and Happy 200th POST!!

 

[TDC Nala]

So do people go there just to see the fireworks???

Spend enough time reading these boards, and you'll realize that many of those posting here are choosing that restaurant for the fireworks. They'd eat somewhere else if not for that.

In fact, the reason California Grill has a credit card guarantee policy is that when they shut off the restaurant to the public who didn't have reservations, people started making reservations to get upstairs and watch the fireworks. Then they'd leave without ordering anything.