California Grill and Fireworks

[garris3404]

I'm looking to plan a trip to California Grill in September for my birthday. I would like to see the fireworks. What are the pros and cons to seeing the fireworks from inside or outside? Also if I want to see them from inside the restaurant, what time should my ADR be for an 8:30 fireworks?

 

[Sue M]

I’d say 7:30 adr. They have an outside viewing area just outside restaurant. I think view is better than inside.

 

[Liberator]

We had dinner there last year with a reservation around 30 minutes before the fireworks.

Some others said we will not be seated until the fireworks are over because of all the people that already finished dinner and hang out at their tables just waiting for the show. But this was not the case, our name was already called when the elevator doors opened.

The view from the catwalk outside was perfect and it was not crowded at all. I would prefer to go outside for the show rather than having a window table. They piped in the music in a comfortable volume outside.

Window tables are by request only, so be prepared not to be seated there.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are also very few window tables with good views. Most of the tables are not oriented for a proper fireworks view.

 

[Summer2018]

I'm looking to plan a trip to California Grill in September for my birthday. I would like to see the fireworks. What are the pros and cons to seeing the fireworks from inside or outside? Also if I want to see them from inside the restaurant, what time should my ADR be for an 8:30 fireworks?

I see no cons at all. We enjoyed dinner at 7:00 pm, did a little shopping at the Contemporary, and returned to the Cali Grill moments before the fireworks. The CM in the elevator advised us to watch from the left deck where we were able to watch HS fireworks first then MK’s. It was spectacular.

We look forward to doing the same thing on our trip this summer.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW, I would say the big con is that for HEA, the fireworks are only about 40% of the show, and you cannot see the rest well from outside of MK.

 

[AngiTN]

There are also very few window tables with good views. Most of the tables are not oriented for a proper fireworks view.

FWIW, I would say the big con is that for HEA, the fireworks are only about 40% of the show, and you cannot see the rest well from outside of MK.

These are the 2 biggie items to note.

#1 - you have no control over where you are sat. Which means you may or may not be able to see fireworks from your table. So it may not be up to you and what you want. So really, don't even take that part in to consideration. If you can, fine. Watch from there if you want. If you can't, go outside. Or just go outside because you want to.

#2 - you will only "get" part of the show. You'll miss all the projections on the castle, which is a major difference between HEA and Wishes. Doesn't make it pointless to watch HEA from a distance but does make it a very different experience than watching in the park. Something to consider if you only have 1 chance to watch.

 

[Eastern]

I like to book for 1 and 1/2 hours before the fireworks show. We eat dinner and then go out to the walkway to watch the fireworks. We may have a drink if there is extra time. I have seen them from the table and that is nice also so it just depends on what you prefer, but you table may not be right by the window.

 

[Lynne M]

Moving this to the Restaurants board.

 

[gharter]

I would have your ADR about 7. You may need to wait a short time for a table. Your server will pace the meal to not interfere with the fireworks.
Most tables do not have a good view of hte fireworks. They play the music inside and out. I prefer the deck on the left of CG.
As other have mentioned, the view and fireworks are great from CG. But HEA does a lot of castle projections and you miss all of that.

 

[TyphoonLegume]

As others have mentioned... viewing the fireworks from 'inside' the actual restaurant isn't ideal, even if you're lucky enough to get seated directly next to a window.

I'd shoot for a 6:30p - 7:00p reservation... with the intention of just finishing up your meal/dessert before the show actually begins. For us, we like to leisurely enjoy our courses... grab a drink (or two) from the bar... and stroll out to the viewing deck to watch.

Keep in mind that no matter your reservation time... all dinning guests from that day, are invited to come back to the restaurant to watch the fireworks from the outside viewing area... this even includes Sunday Brunch diners.

If you don't have your heart set on dinning on your actual birthday... you may find the fireworks viewing better on a MNSSHP night during your stay. As others have mentioned, with the change in show... the nightly 'fireworks' are mostly projections.

 

[garris3404]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

We will be at the World for 10 days, so we will get to experience HEA from inside the park on at least 1 occasion, and we will likely attend MNSSHP also. So it seems the consensus is to watch from the outside porch (preferably on the left side of the restaurant). Since the HEA show has a lot more castle projections, and less actual fireworks, I might try for the MNSSHP fireworks show. What time is the MNSSHP fireworks?

 

[leebee]

We went to California Grill for my birthday last July. It was spectacular! I noted on my ADR that it was my 61st birthday, and they had set a lovely table with mickey-glitter and a birthday card. We had a window-side table with a perfect view of the fireworks, and enjoyed complimentary champagne with my birthday cake (ordered from the Contemporary pastry team) while watching the fireworks. It was magical! We've also watched the fireworks from outside on the deck, and that was magical, too. While my park-weary feet appreciated watching the fireworks sitting down, indoors in the a/c, there is something more "in the moment" about being outdoors, in the dark, with a glass of wine, watching the show. We enjoyed both experiences!

 

[KFISCHER]

Thanks for all the great feedback.

We will be at the World for 10 days, so we will get to experience HEA from inside the park on at least 1 occasion, and we will likely attend MNSSHP also. So it seems the consensus is to watch from the outside porch (preferably on the left side of the restaurant). Since the HEA show has a lot more castle projections, and less actual fireworks, I might try for the MNSSHP fireworks show. What time is the MNSSHP fireworks?

If you're doing the MNSSHP fireworks (good choice), watch them outside. The finale for these needs to be seen outside.

Fireworks in the past have been at 10:00.