California Grill - dessert only and fireworks viewing

[HatboxHaint]

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

That's true and it would only cost about $400 for my family to attend! Time to Treat Yo'self!

 

[Regan117]

That's true and it would only cost about $400 for my family to attend! Time to Treat Yo'self!

We take our family of 5 on every trip. The total for all of us is $223. I personally would never take up a table in a popular restaurant to eat dessert and watch fireworks, but that's just me.

 

[TeresaWen]

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

I want drinks, desert, and fireworks. And just one really good desert - not a buffet!

I think these desert parties are ridiculous! Just my opinion.

 

[TeresaWen]

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.

This sounds wonderful. You can purchase one desert and drinks. Perfect. Love to try this. Desert buffets are just not my style. And no drinks!!

 

[Nancyg56]

This sounds wonderful. You can purchase one desert and drinks. Perfect. Love to try this. Desert buffets are just not my style. And no drinks!!

This would be worth it to me too! I love a meal that is timed with Wishes, especially if I am not going to a party and will miss the Holiday o Hallowishes display, but sometimes the only times available are late. If I could swing down to the Grand, order a nice dessert and beverage, sit on that pretty patio, and enjoy, I would.

 

[goofyintoronto]

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!!!

I totally agree with you. I dont think its right to take up a whole table just for dessert. Can you do that? Yes sure you can. But i dont think its fair to take up a table for dessert when there are some who would order full meals. If people continue to do this, i too can see CG implementing a surcharge for dinner during fireworks.

We take our family of 5 on every trip. The total for all of us is $223. I personally would never take up a table in a popular restaurant to eat dessert and watch fireworks, but that's just me.

I agree. It wouldn't sit well with me either.

OP, there's an oberservation deck at the Contemporary you can watch fireworks from. Its open to anyone! That might be something worth looking into?

 

[Nancyg56]

I totally agree with you. I dont think its right to take up a whole table just for dessert. Can you do that? Yes sure you can. But i dont think its fair to take up a table for dessert when there are some who would order full meals. If people continue to do this, i too can see CG implementing a surcharge for dinner during fireworks.

I don't know why they have not done this yet. Disney charges for things that make them lose good will, but they don't when they have a legitimate reason to do so. BOG is another restaurant that I think suffers because Disney lost the opportunity to control it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't know why they have not done this yet. Disney charges for things that make them lose good will, but they don't when they have a legitimate reason to do so. BOG is another restaurant that I think suffers because Disney lost the opportunity to control it.

Exactly! When they should do it, they dont. I dont understand. BOG breakfast is ridiculous. I've heard families of 4 or 5 getting an 8am ADR, then ordering 2 kids meals between everyone just to get ahead with the rides. What the heck!?

 

[Nancyg56]

Exactly! When they should do it, they dont. I dont understand. BOG breakfast is ridiculous. I've heard families of 4 or 5 getting an 8am ADR, then ordering 2 kids meals between everyone just to get ahead with the rides. What the heck!?

This is the one that eally annoys me. If any restaurant was set up to set a fee for a meal and stick to it, this was the one. When I saw the prix fixed menu I figured that DIsney was going to control access in much the same way they control CP and CRT: you want in? You all pay. It was the perfect time to set a standard and keep to it. Day one: up in flames! So instead of backtracking and correcting the misstep, Disney add to it by offering cupcakes to the menu, but increases an aleady inflated cost of breakfast, making everyone who is actually ordering that thing pay for all the patrons who are filling up on them for the cost of a kids plate and a cupcake. Suddenly DIsney recognizes that there may be an opportunity to cash in on the early morning crowd, but do they revisit their misguided BOG policy? Nope. They ADD a morning event that incudes beakfast in another restaurant!

I do not think people who are taking advantage of what is clearly NOT a loophole are wrong. I do think that Disney needs to develop a spine when it comes to dining in specific restaurants instead of adding more play for pay events to lure these people out of the restauants that they oiginally intended actual meals to be saved.

 

[TeresaWen]

When did the sentiment change? For as long as I remember it was perfectly ok to go to a Disney restaurant and order whatever. Not just ok either, happily encouraged. My husband and I have done progressive dinners. Appetizers in one, main course in another, desert in another. And of course drinks.

Now it seems there is anger towards those who dare sit down in a restaurant and not order a full meal.

 

[Nancyg56]

When did the sentiment change? For as long as I remember it was perfectly ok to go to a Disney restaurant and order whatever. Not just ok either, happily encouraged. My husband and I have done progressive dinners. Appetizers in one, main course in another, desert in another. And of course drinks.

Now it seems there is anger towards those who dare sit down in a restaurant and not order a full meal.

I think it has begun to change with the onset of BOG behavior.

First, I have no issues with anyone doing just as many now do, make an ADR and order whatever you want. So far there is no minimum, no cover, nor per seat charge, and no plate charge, why not?

I do think what has happened is that now that BOG is opened, and so many folks want to dine there....well they want to go there...it gets booked up, tables taken and minimums spent, while many cannot get near the place even if they want to eat the entire meal. For Disney, this is a problem. Tables are tied up and folks with the DDP are not spending their credits there, while cupcakes and coffee fill the bill. The same holds true with the "view" restaurants. Imagine you are a manager trying to make your metrics and you have to balance diners who are there to spend their cash on appetizers, wine, entrees, more wine and desert and the coffee and split an app with folks who are also sitting as long as the folks with a "real" meal.

There is a reason why many restaurants have plate charges and minimum charges during a dinner hour, and I think Disney hit the wall when it comes to managing theirs without imposing fees.

Disney used to pipe Wishes onto the beaches so people could view the show. I dont think they do any longer. I bet that with teh exception of BOG, doing so again would change some of the need guests feel to find a place to watch Wishes from outside of the park.

 

[TeresaWen]

I think it has begun to change with the onset of BOG behavior.

First, I have no issues with anyone doing just as many now do, make an ADR and order whatever you want. So far there is no minimum, no cover, nor per seat charge, and no plate charge, why not?

I do think what has happened is that now that BOG is opened, and so many folks want to dine there....well they want to go there...it gets booked up, tables taken and minimums spent, while many cannot get near the place even if they want to eat the entire meal. For Disney, this is a problem. Tables are tied up and folks with the DDP are not spending their credits there, while cupcakes and coffee fill the bill. The same holds true with the "view" restaurants. Imagine you are a manager trying to make your metrics and you have to balance diners who are there to spend their cash on appetizers, wine, entrees, more wine and desert and the coffee and split an app with folks who are also sitting as long as the folks with a "real" meal.

There is a reason why many restaurants have plate charges and minimum charges during a dinner hour, and I think Disney hit the wall when it comes to managing theirs without imposing fees.

Disney used to pipe Wishes onto the beaches so people could view the show. I dont think they do any longer. I bet that with teh exception of BOG, doing so again would change some of the need guests feel to find a place to watch Wishes from outside of the park.

I would fully support a minimum charge - as long as alcohol counts towards that minimum.

We plan to go to California Grill in late September. 8:50 reservation. Plan is to get two rolls, lots of wine, desert and after dinner drinks. And see hallowishes at 10:15. Not a full "meal" but I'm sure we will have quite a large bill. CG has a fantastic by the glass list.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would fully support a minimum charge - as long as alcohol counts towards that minimum.

We plan to go to California Grill in late September. 8:50 reservation. Plan is to get two rolls, lots of wine, desert and after dinner drinks. And see hallowishes at 10:15. Not a full "meal" but I'm sure we will have quite a large bill. CG has a fantastic by the glass list.

I would as well. I see no need of a plate charge anywhere if there is a reasonable minimum. TO be honest, when I'm on vacation no matter how I decided to spend my dinnertime, the minimum would be met..... I do nto need to dive so I can have more than one glass of wine. LOL!

 

[TeresaWen]

I would as well. I see no need of a plate charge anywhere if there is a reasonable minimum. TO be honest, when I'm on vacation no matter how I decided to spend my dinnertime, the minimum would be met..... I do nto need to dive so I can have more than one glass of wine. LOL!

Same here! Let disney (or uber) do the driving!

 

[HatboxHaint]

I want drinks, desert, and fireworks. And just one really good desert - not a buffet!

I think these desert parties are ridiculous! Just my opinion.

I attended when it was around $30 for adults but I can't in good conscience bring myself to pay over $70 for a buffet of freezer quality desserts and an off angle view of wishes. It is nice to be seperated from the masses but the price point is not there for me.

 

[Regan117]

I want drinks, desert, and fireworks. And just one really good desert - not a buffet!

I think these desert parties are ridiculous! Just my opinion.

We don't do the dessert parties for the desserts. We do them for reserved seating with our children to watch the fireworks without having to take up a table at a popular restaurant.

 

[Uncleromulus]

When did the sentiment change? For as long as I remember it was perfectly ok to go to a Disney restaurant and order whatever. Not just ok either, happily encouraged. My husband and I have done progressive dinners. Appetizers in one, main course in another, desert in another. And of course drinks.

Now it seems there is anger towards those who dare sit down in a restaurant and not order a full meal.

Not anger at those who take advantage of a dining loophole--more at Disney for not closing it!!

These restaurants are in business to make $$ and the servers serve to make $$.

All these tables with folks eating a cupcake and a cup of coffee take up a table from those who might actually want to EAT at the restaurant. And the server and the restaurant make next to nothing.

For me it's from the many CG threads I see where it is plain as day that the poster has no intention of eating there--it's merely a neat place to watch fireworks and all they are interested in is how to get in as cheaply as possible.

 

[GaryDis]

When did the sentiment change? For as long as I remember it was perfectly ok to go to a Disney restaurant and order whatever. Not just ok either, happily encouraged. My husband and I have done progressive dinners. Appetizers in one, main course in another, desert in another. And of course drinks.

Now it seems there is anger towards those who dare sit down in a restaurant and not order a full meal.

I think it has begun to change with the onset of BOG behavior.

While BOG may have been the straw that broke the camel's back, I think it began when it became impossible to do walk-ups at most restaurants. You can't expect people to feel good about having to eat QS hamburgers or pizza because someone else is holding a table and just ordering a dessert.

I don't even see how you could do a progressive meal these days unless you're eating at the bar or gaming the system . I don't think they'll let you book reservations that close together. Nor would you even want to get caught at more than one restaurant with the reputation of making people with ADRs wait half an hour or more just to be seated.

 

[TeresaWen]

While BOG may have been the straw that broke the camel's back, I think it began when it became impossible to do walk-ups at most restaurants. You can't expect people to feel good about having to eat QS hamburgers or pizza because someone else is holding a table and just ordering a dessert.

I don't even see how you could do a progressive meal these days unless you're eating at the bar or gaming the system . I don't think they'll let you book reservations that close together. Nor would you even want to get caught at more than one restaurant with the reputation of making people with ADRs wait half an hour or more just to be seated.

How is it gaming the system having more than one ADR that I actually use?? And I have no idea what you even remotely mean by "getting caught" or how in the world my reservation could be the cause of someone else having to wait.

If you do not want to eat quick service may I suggest making an ADR.

Last years progressive dinner: appetizers and drinks at CG. Dinner BOG. Desert at the bar in Citrico's
for the record our Tab at cg was probably larger than others who have a full meal and no drinks.

 

[Nancyg56]

Not anger at those who take advantage of a dining loophole--more at Disney for not closing it!!



For me it's from the many CG threads I see where it is plain as day that the poster has no intention of eating there--it's merely a neat place to watch fireworks and all they are interested in is how to get in as cheaply as possible.

I tend to agree. 12 years ago, when I was planning our first trip back in forever, things had changed dramatically from the trip we took our own kids on. Now 12 years later, as I look back I can see how dramatically things have changed from that point. Disney is in up to its elbows in creating the problem, as far as I am concerned. By trying to ensure that the company collect every dime possible for little things they used to offer for free, they have sent guests searching for ways to continue to enjoy the perks for as little as possible.

One example was piping the soundtrack for Wishes onto the beaches. Yes, we can still sit on a beach to enjoy the show,but no more can we hear the music. So what to do? CG or Narcoossees for dessert and coffee. Problem solved. But now Disney has the additional issue of managing revenue nightly at these restaurants.

I think the best thing they can do is to offer an alternative, such as the Mad Hatter Party. I doubt that this will remain free, and I doubt that if i is successful it will remain available without an ADR, but if it is a reasonable alternative to booking signature restaurants with the intention of keeping the bill as low as possible, it may be one reasonable solution.

While BOG may have been the straw that broke the camel's back, I think it began when it became impossible to do walk-ups at most restaurants. You can't expect people to feel good about having to eat QS hamburgers or pizza because someone else is holding a table and just ordering a dessert.

I don't even see how you could do a progressive meal these days unless you're eating at the bar or gaming the system . I don't think they'll let you book reservations that close together. Nor would you even want to get caught at more than one restaurant with the reputation of making people with ADRs wait half an hour or more just to be seated.

I wondered about that as well, but my family is not organized enough to even pull a progressive meal off at home, so we would be a disaster at Disney.
I think that while Disney is allowing the practice, it is not fair to be angry at people for taking advantage. I think it would be within the system perimeters to book a progressive meal because you need to factor in travel time, as well as dining time.

I have no idea who makes these decisions, but it is my opinion that that group is wildly overpaid. When BOG breakfast opened and we heard that from day 1 this restaurant did not adhere to it's own menu people all over the DIS suggested the outcome would be exactly what it is. Chaos. If we could see the writing on the wall, and we are not immersed in the inner nuts and bolts of Disney finances and projections, this group could not? If this bunch worked for em I would fire them.