California Grill and Fireworks

[Emm]

We have reservations at the California Grill for 9:20 PM on June 2. Our hope is to be able to see the MK fireworks from there.

Any tips for what table(s) to request and/or how to best get a good view of the fireworks? Should we arrive early? How early? Can we refuse a table and wait for a better one?

All advice welcome.

 

[PAcpl]

We planned to do this on our last trip but had to cancel. From everything I have read there isnt a bad seat in the restaurant. When Wishes starts the lights dim and the music is played throughout the restaurant. I don't believe you can refuse a table, but if you are really unhappy with your table you can always have them cover your food and take a walk to the observation deck to view them. We planned on getting there about an hour or so before our dinner and have a few drinks at the bar. Im not sure if that would have gotten us a better table or not.

Have fun!

 

[momtobrynncess]

We have reservations at the California Grill for 9:20 PM on June 2. Our hope is to be able to see the MK fireworks from there.

Any tips for what table(s) to request and/or how to best get a good view of the fireworks? Should we arrive early? How early? Can we refuse a table and wait for a better one?

All advice welcome.

We just did this last year. We arrived about 20 minutes early for our adr. Upon arrival, we let the greeter know that we would like a window table with a view of the fireworks. To the best of my knowledge, I don't think you can request it ahead of time, you have to request it upon arrival. The greeter said that it could be an additional 20 minutes wait, on top of being 20 minutes early, so in essence, a 40 minute wait. We agreed, (since the fact that we were 20 minutes early was our decision, and no fault of theirs) and went to the fourth floor lounge to wait with our pager. Literally 5 - 10 minutes later, our pager went off, and we went back to the reservation desk. The greeter told us that our window table with view of the fireworks was ready. We were brought to our table, and it was indeed a perfect view. All went well.

So to answer your question, request the table upon check in. When you do, they will let you know how long it will be, and you can decide if you want to wait. I hope this information helps!

 

[Emm]

So to answer your question, request the table upon check in. When you do, they will let you know how long it will be, and you can decide if you want to wait. I hope this information helps!

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. We'll plan on being a half hour to twenty minutes early and spend some time in the lounge.

I'm really excited about this. I've seen the fireworks many times in the ordinary way, and we're looking for something special this time.

 

[ssjones]

I made reservations for a Monday night at 745? Can anyone tell me if this was too early?? I was told to ask for a window seat when we arrived??

Also, staying at Wilderness Lodge, do I need to leave an hour in advance to assure on time arrival??

 

[tzeitel]

I made reservations for a Monday night at 745? Can anyone tell me if this was too early?? I was told to ask for a window seat when we arrived??

Also, staying at Wilderness Lodge, do I need to leave an hour in advance to assure on time arrival??

We went last month at 7:30 and it was perfect so you should be fine. Some tables have a better view than others (when you go in the dining room the best tables are to the right - behind the small lounge area). We did not even think of staying at our table since we were done with dinner, we just walked to the balcony and not 5 minutes later the show started

 

[purple figment]

We have reservations at the California Grill for 9:20 PM on June 2. Our hope is to be able to see the MK fireworks from there.

Any tips for what table(s) to request and/or how to best get a good view of the fireworks? Should we arrive early? How early? Can we refuse a table and wait for a better one?

All advice welcome.

It looks like Wishes is scheduled for 10 PM that night so a 9:20 res is pretty close to fireworks time. Most people who are at the best viewing tables are probably going to stay for the fireworks.

You can ask for a window table when you check in, but they are requested by many people so it will also depend on how many parties ahead of you are also waiting. That close to Wishes time the CMs will probably warn you that you may not get a window table until after fireworks.

As far as getting a good view of the fireworks, the outdoor viewing deck is great. I actually prefer to see the fireworks outside without the glass windows in the way.

There are also some window tables in the lounge/waiting area. These are first come first serve and have an equally good view. You can have your dinner at these tables. They are the typical small cocktail tables so it wouldn't work if you have a larger group.

 

[amym2]

I made reservations for a Monday night at 745? Can anyone tell me if this was too early?? I was told to ask for a window seat when we arrived??

Also, staying at Wilderness Lodge, do I need to leave an hour in advance to assure on time arrival??

That depends on what time Wishes is that night. Right now it's at 10pm but when we're there in October it's at 9pm. We have an ADR for 7:30pm.

From WL, you can take the boat to the CR, so it shouldn't take more than 20 min, but I'd probably allow 45 min just in case the boats are full (one night when we were going that route, one of the larger boats was having problems, so we had to wait through a couple of smaller boats that were full).