California Grill and Fireworks

[DisneyDianne]

Can anyone tell me what it is like for dinner ressies during the fireworks? Is is worth trying to go there @ that time and is the food/atmosphere worth the price? My Mom wants to do this in October and have already booked PS but was just wanting to know if it is all the hoopla! We are truly Disney Fanatics so I am wanting the Disney Magic! Also, do they pipe the music in for this in the restaraunt?

Thanks, Disney Dianne

 

[Grumpy92]

The view of the fireworks from CG is very good and they do pipe in the music. They used to let the general guest in there to watch usually in the loung or out on the balcony. But now only those dining at that time are allowed to be up there to watch the fireworks. Think you will really enjoy it.

 

[Lori of the Lodge]

I was at the Contemporary September 1st 2004. Around 8:30 p.m. I asked the CM at the lobby-level California Grille desk if I could go up to have a drink and watch the fireworks and they said, "certainly" and led me to the elevator.

The restaurant and bar were packed, there was no seating available, but the view is awesome. I enjoyed the view while sipping my drink, standing in the lounge.

Last year I made PS for dinner & tried to time them with the fireworks display. While waiting to be seated, a window-table in the bar/lounge area became available, so we just asked if we could have our dinner served there. The view was tremendous. So, try to arrive early and if a window table at the bar is available, snag it! CG won't guarantee a table with fireworks view, they are first-come, first-serve.

 

[DisneyDianne]

Thanks, for all the info we are going 10-23 I am getting so excited!!


Disney Dianne

 

[Phrank40]

We ate at California Grill on our 20th wedding anniversary last May. Made reservation to correspond to fireworks over Magic Kingdom and it worked fine. We did have to wait about 30-40 minutes from the time of our priority seating before we were seated. Got seated about 15 minutes before fireworks started. Our meals were very good.

One interesting sidelight- while we were standing in bar area waiting to be seated my wife struck up a conversation with a man standing next to her. During their conversation she happened to mention we were celebrating our anniversary and then he said congratulations. That was the only time we mentioned anything about our anniversary. After we were shown to our table (a great table overlooking the Magic Kingdom) the waitress came up to the table and the first thing she said to us was "Happy Anniversary". My wife and I looked at each other and said how did you know, she just said we have our ways.

Perhaps I mentioned this when I made the reservation (although I don't remember saying anything about our anniversary to reservationist), or perhaps a cast member overheard my wife's conversation with the man next to her in the bar area, but either way it was a nice touch, a little extra pixie dust.

Phrank

 

[peterpa]

We were there in August and I must say I really enjoyed this. The food was really good, I do enjoy great food! One big plus is you don't have to deal with all the crowds at the MK.

 

[mousebrat]

We ate there on Monday, August 30th. We had a PS for 7:50 (Wishes was at 8:30). We showed up for our PS at 7 in order to request a table by the window to see the fireworks. We were seated right away in a great location. Our server timed our whole dinner so that when Wishes was about to begin she brought our desserts and coffee. It was so nice getting to enjoy our dessert and watching the fireworks right from our table. Other tables that weren't by the windows got up to go outside to watch the fireworks. The whole setup was amazing. The lights were dimmed inside the restaurant and the music was played. While the other tables were outside enjoying the fireworks, the waiters were busy cleaning their tables and refilling their drinks. I've never seen so many people work so hard in such a short amount of time. I would go back to CG for the fireworks (and food) in a heartbeat.

 

[RumpleMom]

Yes, it was worth the time and $$. Be sure to save room for dessert.

 

[ILOVEPOOH1]

My DH and I have PS for Cali Grill on our anniversary. Ps is for 5:30...Wishes is at 7:00. We plan to arrive early and are willing to wait for a good table. Do you think we'll be ok? Should I make the pS for earlier to get a better chance of getting a table?