California Grill and Happily Ever After

[Shelly T]

I know you used to be able to eat dinner at California Grill and go the deck to view the fireworks, they would even let you show your receipt from earlier in the day to gain entry to the deck. I noticed there is now a fireworks party at California Grill called celebration at the top. Does this new celebration mean dining guests can no longer go on the observation deck to view the fireworks?

 

[HopperFan]

I know you used to be able to eat dinner at California Grill and go the deck to view the fireworks, they would even let you show your receipt from earlier in the day to gain entry to the deck. I noticed there is now a fireworks party at California Grill called celebration at the top. Does this new celebration mean dining guests can no longer go on the observation deck to view the fireworks?

Celebration at the Top is an "event" that is held in the private dining portion of the restaurant with it's own observation deck.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...ort/celebration-at-the-top-sip-savor-sparkle/


California Grill is now a Prix Fixe Meal that includes appetizer, entree and dessert. Uses the observation deck it always has.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/


And there is the California Grill LOUNGE but I believe that is first come.

 

[gharter]

That is an entirely different party. You can still book CG before fireworks and watch the show. Or eat early, show your receipt and come back to watch from the balcony.
Personally I like the left side balcony better.

 

[erinch]

Borrowing this thread to ask—I’m allergic to fish and cannot find an actual menu of the hors d’ouevres. What so that have that isn’t sushi based?

 

[OKW Lover]

Personally I like the left side balcony better.

Not sure what side that would be. The one closest to the MK? Or the one on the TTC end of the building?

 

[HopperFan]

Borrowing this thread to ask—I’m allergic to fish and cannot find an actual menu of the hors d’ouevres. What so that have that isn’t sushi based?

Assuming you mean Celebration event (restaurant is on Disney site) I imagine the menu changes every so often but yes there will be some sushi. Maybe look at the most current reviews.

If you look at this photo album you can see much of the food.

https://mealtrip.com/photos/celebration-at-the-top.asp

Not sure what side that would be. The one closest to the MK? Or the one on the TTC end of the building?

There are two observation decks on the MK side. The one to the west is for the restaurant and the one to the east is the event deck.

This is taken on restaurant's deck and you can see the private room deck to the left. The private room is that big span of windows and going left.

 

[gharter]

Not sure what side that would be. The one closest to the MK? Or the one on the TTC end of the building?

I prefer the one on the TTC end of the building, not quite as sharp of an angle to the fireworks, but they are still skewed as you aren't looking at them straight on (like Main Street).

 

[2Lunds]

Borrowing this thread to ask—I’m allergic to fish and cannot find an actual menu of the hors d’ouevres. What so that have that isn’t sushi based?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/menus

Summary:
Ravioli
Short rib wontons
a pizza
a salad

 

[Ohmymonty]

Can I also borrow this thread?

My boyfriend and I are going to be in Orlando on September 3 and we're planning on doing some resort hopping that day. We were hoping to snag a dinner reservation at California Grille to view the fireworks. I was able to snag a reservation at 9:55 for dinner, but that's late and way after fireworks.

Once you have a reservation, are they able to wiggle the time? Or should I just continue to keep my eyes peeled for new reservations that open up?

As it's been pointed out, you can return to view fireworks by showing your receipt. Would they let you in before a dining res to view the fireworks?

Also, if you've seen them from California Grille, is it worth it?

 

[HopperFan]

Can I also borrow this thread?

My boyfriend and I are going to be in Orlando on September 3 and we're planning on doing some resort hopping that day. We were hoping to snag a dinner reservation at California Grille to view the fireworks. I was able to snag a reservation at 9:55 for dinner, but that's late and way after fireworks.

Also, if you've seen them from California Grille, is it worth it?

Note very few tables actually have a good view, like just a few. The key it going out on the Observation Deck to watch. Yes they are worth it ESPECIALLY if it is a party night.

Personally I'd keep trying for an early time to be safe.

 

[erinch]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/menus

Summary:
Ravioli
Short rib wontons
a pizza
a salad

I did mean the sip savor sparkle event, and what hors d’oeuvres that aren’t sushi/fish-based. Couldn’t find any reviews with a sesrch. Will look at the pics!

 

[2Lunds]

I did mean the sip savor sparkle event, and what hors d’oeuvres that aren’t sushi/fish-based. Couldn’t find any reviews with a sesrch. Will look at the pics!

Oh shoot...sorry about that. Check to see if there are some reviews on YouTube as well!

 

[JediMouse1977]

I did mean the sip savor sparkle event, and what hors d’oeuvres that aren’t sushi/fish-based. Couldn’t find any reviews with a sesrch. Will look at the pics!

The Disney Food Blog is great at providing reviews for food-based Disney events; their page includes almost a full listing of offerings.

 

[erinch]

Found the review on DFB! Thank you!

 

[Aussie RJ]

The menu has changed! No more wantons. Thats me out.

 

[maltdizzy]

As it's been pointed out, you can return to view fireworks by showing your receipt. Would they let you in before a dining res to view the fireworks?

Also, if you've seen them from California Grille, is it worth it?

Yes, everyone with an ADR for anytime that night can come and watch the fireworks. Just show your ADR in dining later.

My family and I are big fans of CG, we do it every trip, but we preferred it before it was prix fixe because the menu was more diverse and had seasonal additions (they actually make less money off us on the PF menu). It offers a unique firework viewing experience, but is not optimal if it's the only time your seeing the fireworks because of the change in parallax (most fireworks appear over the Speedway, while other effects are closer to the castle)

 

[kendo43]

Hey another question concerning times. On October 7th it’s showing Happily Ever After starting at 8pm. I had a 5:40 reservation but a 7:45 just popped up so I snagged it. Is that cutting it too close to get there, checking in and ordering appetizers and then going out to see the fireworks?

 

[Ducky0615]

The menu has changed! No more wantons. Thats me out.

Noooooo, I just looked too and saw they were missing. I was so looking forward to getting them again in September