California Grill - dessert only and fireworks viewing

[jmainaz]

About 15 years ago I proposed to my wife at the California Grill during the fireworks. We are now bringing our 9 year old daughter to Disney World for her first time.
A while back I booked a reservation for the CG for the night we arrive- this Friday 9/30. My daughter has always heard the stories and is now excited to see the place I proposed and watch the fireworks from the rooftop.
Unfortunately, it looks like our flight won't arrive until a little later than anticipated and I don't think we can make a 7:10 ADR. The My Disney Experience website does not show any other open tables.

Does anyone have any recommendation on what I should do? I was thinking of calling WDW reservations and pleading my case but I wasn't sure if that would do anything. And if we did go later, we would probably only get drinks and dessert. I am reluctant to cancel the reservation but the chances of us making that time are slim to none.

Help!?

-Jason

 

[Nancyg56]

About 15 years ago I proposed to my wife at the California Grill during the fireworks. We are now bringing our 9 year old daughter to Disney World for her first time.
A while back I booked a reservation for the CG for the night we arrive- this Friday 9/30. My daughter has always heard the stories and is now excited to see the place I proposed and watch the fireworks from the rooftop.
Unfortunately, it looks like our flight won't arrive until a little later than anticipated and I don't think we can make a 7:10 ADR. The My Disney Experience website does not show any other open tables.

Does anyone have any recommendation on what I should do? I was thinking of calling WDW reservations and pleading my case but I wasn't sure if that would do anything. And if we did go later, we would probably only get drinks and dessert. I am reluctant to cancel the reservation but the chances of us making that time are slim to none.

Help!?

-Jason

If you are not going to be able to make this ADR, cancel it. You do nto want to pay the no show fee. I woudl continue to check the website to see if you find an ADR that opens during your visit. A call will not change anything.

If upon your arrival you cannot find an open ADR, talk to your resort concierge. Once in a while they can find a spot. Good luck!

 

[mgpan]

If you are not going to be able to make this ADR, cancel it. You do nto want to pay the no show fee. I woudl continue to check the website to see if you find an ADR that opens during your visit. A call will not change anything.

If upon your arrival you cannot find an open ADR, talk to your resort concierge. Once in a while they can find a spot. Good luck!

i agree wholeheartedly with this advice (and it's coming from someone who also proposed here, and it's a great story!). Take copies of pictures from the engagement 9 years ago to the restaurant and play on the hostess heartstrings, they just might let you quickly walk through the restuaurant then watch fireworks from the top outside.

 

[Nancyg56]

i agree wholeheartedly with this advice (and it's coming from someone who also proposed here, and it's a great story!). Take copies of pictures from the engagement 9 years ago to the restaurant and play on the hostess heartstrings, they just might let you quickly walk through the restuaurant then watch fireworks from the top outside.

I agree that as a last resort, you could show up and ask for a kindness. This would be my very last resort however, because you never know the response, and the only thing worse than feeling badly that you were not allowed entry would be that you know your daughter was hoping to participate in such a lovely occasion. I know that upon occasion a resort concierge has the ability to intervene so this is the best option if you cannot find an ADR. One thing to remember is that if you are able to book an ADR that does not coincide with Wishes, you can show your receipt and will be allowed to go the observation deck to view the fireworks.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Cancel the ADR if you aren't going to make it. It won't matter why you didn't show up. If you don't show up, you pay.

You can get into the lounge if you go early. If you go very early, you can sit at a table in the lounge and order whatever you want. Then you can come back to watch the fireworks with your receipt. But if you can't get there early, you may have to go to the bar. Purchasing something from the bar (even food or non-alcoholic beverages) will get you a receipt you can use to go to the observation deck for the fireworks.

The biggest issue that you have is that if you aren't going to arrive in time for a 7:10 reservation, you are going to have problems arriving in time for the fireworks, unless you are staying at a monorail resort or you have a car. And even if you have a car, you may be out of luck for parking at the Contemporary without an ADR.

 

[jmainaz]

I just wanted to thank everyone for your advise. Great News!
I kept checking the website and boom! A 9:00pm ADR opened up!
It must be magic

-Jason