California Grill - dessert only and fireworks viewing

[HatboxHaint]

Anyone ever gotten a California Grill ADR to have dessert and watch fireworks? Is this frowned on if you are not buying a full meal? What time would you try to get the ADR for if you wanted to watch wishes from there?

 

[figment_jii]

Rather than have to worry about timing an ADR, maybe the California Grill Lounge would be a good option for drinks and an appetizer. It's first come-first serve, and you can order from the full CA Grill menu.

 

[alltwelve]

I know you're going for dessert, but another option would be to go to the sushi bar. My partner and I did this back in April and it doesn't require an ADR. We ate around 5:30pm- splitting a sushi roll, and held onto the receipt. We then hopped the monorail, visited Trader Sams at the Polynesian, then Mizner's at Grand Floridian, and went back to California Grill and showed our receipt and were able to watch Wishes around 10pm- it was a really fun night!

 

[Uncleromulus]

If all you want to do is see fireworks, why not just watch from somewhere else?

 

[TeresaWen]

I know you're going for dessert, but another option would be to go to the sushi bar. My partner and I did this back in April and it doesn't require an ADR. We ate around 5:30pm- splitting a sushi roll, and held onto the receipt. We then hopped the monorail, visited Trader Sams at the Polynesian, then Mizner's at Grand Floridian, and went back to California Grill and showed our receipt and were able to watch Wishes around 10pm- it was a really fun night!

Please tell me more about the sushi bar! We love eating in the lounge but it is not a guarantee that a party will be allowed up without an ADR. So we make an ADR and if there is space in the lounge we ask to be seated there. Did not realize there was an actual sushi bar to eat at.

We have an ADR for 8:50 on a hallowishes night. Plan is to have wine & a couple of sushi rolls and watch the fireworks at 10:15. If we could sit at the sushi bar that would be so perfect!

 

[HatboxHaint]

If all you want to do is see fireworks, why not just watch from somewhere else?

It would be a different experience to see them there and enjoy a nice dessert and drink. It's not just about the fireworks.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'd say a waste of a table considering how delicious the Bison is. I'd also say that it is your vacation and do whatever you like. Now go book it!

 

[Uncleromulus]

It would be a different experience to see them there and enjoy a nice dessert and drink. It's not just about the fireworks.

It's a restaurant and not just a gathering spot to watch fireworks.

If there is room at the bar or in the so-called lounge--fine.

But taking up a table for several hours just to sip an iced tea and eat some ice cream does not do the restaurant much good.

Things like this may be one reason why Disney is considering having that minimum plate charge we were discussing in a recent thread---

 

[bryana]

It's a restaurant and not just a gathering spot to watch fireworks.

If there is room at the bar or in the so-called lounge--fine.

But taking up a table for several hours just to sip an iced tea and eat some ice cream does not do the restaurant much good.

Things like this may be one reason why Disney is considering having that minimum plate charge we were discussing in a recent thread---

To be fair, if a table orders 2-3+ desserts plus cocktails that wouldn't be a bill to much different than if someone goes there to order sushi or some of the other "cheaper" menu options and would still probably be over $50. The OP also never specified what time they would get an ADR for so to assume they would order those things and then sit there for a couple of hours isn't really fair. An 8:30 ADR on a 9 oclock wishes night would not tie up a table for "hours".

 

[Uncleromulus]

Sounds to me like the OP was interested only in seeing the fireworks at CG as cheaply as possible. They didn't even mention cocktails in the original post.

We see this in many similar posts--CG has a great view but I don't want to really eat there. I just want to see the fireworks. How can I do that as cheaply as possible?

CG is in business as a restaurant to make $$ for Disney--not to serve as a park bench to watch fireworks.

Many tables getting just coffee and ice cream and they will be out of business.

And before some of you get all excited about how cruel I am, the OP will no doubt be able to do what they intend--in spite of what I think about it!!!

 

[lborne]

Nothing stopping Disney from adding a "fireworks viewing" surcharge to bills under a certain amount. A few times we've only ordered a coffee and split a dessert - can't do it much cheaper than that. We've always been upfront about it, stating our intentions before being seated and it has never been a problem.

 

[Uncleromulus]

There is another thread discussing Disney imposing certain minimum charges at certain restaurants.

Not sure what the details were tho---

But CG would certainly qualify as a place where they might want to do that---

 

[alltwelve]

Please tell me more about the sushi bar! We love eating in the lounge but it is not a guarantee that a party will be allowed up without an ADR. So we make an ADR and if there is space in the lounge we ask to be seated there. Did not realize there was an actual sushi bar to eat at.

We have an ADR for 8:50 on a hallowishes night. Plan is to have wine & a couple of sushi rolls and watch the fireworks at 10:15. If we could sit at the sushi bar that would be so perfect!

Certainly! The sushi bar is to the right of the bar in the restaurant- its basically a continuation of the bar, except instead of the bartenders in front of you, you have the sushi chefs. Its kind of like you get a show because you get to watch the sushi chefs at work. We split a roll between the two of us; it was $26 I believe. We figured since we would normally pay about $16 for a comparable sushi roll elsewhere, that the extra $10 was for the "sushi show" and the fireworks show! lol

We went right when the restaurant opened, which was nice because we were able to view the sunset. As the servers will tell you, if you hold onto the receipt you are able to return later that night to watch the fireworks. Its makes for a great date night!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

If your idea is to have a table where you can view the fireworks from, I think it unlikely, unless you're willing to sit there and dawdle over your dessert for two+ hours. People make dinner reservations there at least two hours before fireworks so they can stake out a spot and they aren't going to leave until after the show.

It's sad for me that this restaurant has become a place to watch fireworks and maybe eat something, rather than a restaurant where you go for the dining experience and maybe you get a show. 10-15 years ago, I used to go every trip for dinner at least once. Now it's almost impossible to get into due to so many people booking reservations mainly to watch fireworks.

 

[GPC0321]

I'm sure people do things like this, but I couldn't do it. I'd feel guilty about taking up an ADR that could have been used by someone who actually wanted a full meal there. I envision someone wanting to celebrate something special and having their heart set on California Grill during fireworks as the way to celebrate. But they can't get an ADR, and here i am taking one up just so I can nibble on dessert and watch fireworks. I mean, grab a cupcake from Contempo Cafe and go sit out on the 4th floor viewing deck. Or heck! Go over to the Grand Floridian and do the Gone Mad party! There are just too many places to get desserts and watch fireworks, IMO. But! If the people at the GG are okay with it, I guess it's fine.

 

[TeresaWen]

Certainly! The sushi bar is to the right of the bar in the restaurant- its basically a continuation of the bar, except instead of the bartenders in front of you, you have the sushi chefs. Its kind of like you get a show because you get to watch the sushi chefs at work. We split a roll between the two of us; it was $26 I believe. We figured since we would normally pay about $16 for a comparable sushi roll elsewhere, that the extra $10 was for the "sushi show" and the fireworks show! lol

We went right when the restaurant opened, which was nice because we were able to view the sunset. As the servers will tell you, if you hold onto the receipt you are able to return later that night to watch the fireworks. Its makes for a great date night!

Thank you! Will be doing this in just a few weeks!

no matter how many times we visit wdw there is always something new for us!

 

[TeresaWen]

I'm sure people do things like this, but I couldn't do it. I'd feel guilty about taking up an ADR that could have been used by someone who actually wanted a full meal there. I envision someone wanting to celebrate something special and having their heart set on California Grill during fireworks as the way to celebrate. But they can't get an ADR, and here i am taking one up just so I can nibble on dessert and watch fireworks. I mean, grab a cupcake from Contempo Cafe and go sit out on the 4th floor viewing deck. Or heck! Go over to the Grand Floridian and do the Gone Mad party! There are just too many places to get desserts and watch fireworks, IMO. But! If the people at the GG are okay with it, I guess it's fine.

What is the gone mad party? Sounds interesting

 

[GPC0321]

What is the gone mad party? Sounds interesting

It's a dessert party over at the Grand located in front of their quickservice (Gasparilla Island Grill). The party is free for anyone who wants to go, and you can purchase desserts and drinks. They have some Alice in Wonderland themed furniture and hats and other props to try on for pictures. I've not been, but it seems like a good option for watching fireworks from outside of MK. My understanding is it gets pretty crowded though, so I'm wondering how long it will stay free and/or open to everyone.
I like the perspective of the fireworks from the GF, Poly, and TTC. They look so enormous from that distance.

 

[NicoleLarson]

To actually answer the OPs question.... Yes, we have done this before. We had an 8 pm reservation for a 9pm wishes. It was a really nice way to end the night. We were done with our food before wishes and took our cocktails out to the deck and watched them from there.

 

[Regan117]

If you just want dessert and fireworks, there's also a Wishes Dessert Party...