California Grill and fireworks question

[ellebelle430]

Hello all. We are taking our almost 3 year old daughter to Disney for the first time in late February (took advantage of that 32 cent deal from Spirit). I really want DD to see the MK fireworks but she is a little afraid of them still so we thought we would try to get reservations at CG so she could witness them from inside/afar. The only time we could get in is at 8 PM which is what the time show starts. My question is will they allow us up early so we can see the fireworks either from the restaurant or the observation deck? Also, is the view better after or before dark? We could get earlier reservations and then just take on the crowds and wathc the fireworks form the ground.

Also, are there any restaurants from which to view Illuminations in Epcot?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ciera321]

I would check in for your reservation about 15 minutes or so early and let them know that you want to view Wishes. I would certainly think they'd let you up to watch from the observation deck. . The view is beautiful either time, but I prefer in the dark with all the lights and the castle lit up... As for Illuminations, Rose and Crown, I believe, has some tables to view from, but no guarentee of getting one...

 

[Uncleromulus]

I seem to recall from previous threads on this very subject that if you arrive early they will let you up.

 

[ducknturtle]

How early is the earlier ADR?
For an 8:00 ADR, I would not expect to be seated until at least 8:20/8:30 (unless they have a table waiting for you which will probably be in the back without a great view of the fireworks.) Most people will wait until after the fireworks are over before they leave their table, even if they have already paid for their meal. Everyone lingers and seem to eat a little bit slower the closer it gets to fireworks time.
If the ADR is for around 6:30/7:00, I would jump on it.

 

[PlutoPony]

With a 3 year old, I'd also go for an earlier ADR.... A meal at CG will take a good hour to hour and a half after you're seated so ideally you could finish just before the fireworks begin and just walk out to the observation deck to see Wishes. With an 8pm seating it could be 9:30+ when you walk out of there after dinner, pretty late for a child that age. You don't have to be concerned about timing things exactly right to eat before fireworks. If you finish before 8pm you can always go downstairs to the shops, watch the monorails, etc. and then go back up to watch wishes - just show your receipt from that night at the downstairs check in desk and they'll let you go back up.

 

[ellebelle430]

Thanks everyone. Actually the fireworks are at 9:30 not 8 like i was told, and there isn't a 6:45 display as is listed in the schedule. Right now we have a 9 pm reservation. I will have to give DD a late nap! Actually she is a night owl and if we let her would still be going strong at 11 pm so she should be ok.

I may though look into the next night even though they were booked pretty solid when i called the first time. maybe someoen let a reservation go...