California Grill - dessert only and fireworks viewing

[tarheelmjfan]

Isn't the BOG situation different in that it's QS so there is not waitstaff at breakfast and therefore waitstaff is not getting shortchanged?

As I said earlier, to me it's not about the restaurant. It's about other guests. Even though BOG is a QS for breakfast & lunch, they still have a finite number of ADRs. Those booking ADRs not really caring about the food are keeping people who want to eat a meal there from getting ADRs.

We had a pre park open breakfast at be our guest in early July. Split one adult meal and one kids oatmeal. Both of us had coffee & juice. Good meal.

Don't really understand what the huge issue is. Believe me I saw lots and lots of food being delivered on carts, tables with a ton of food, and lots & lots of people happily eating.

Do some get a cup cake & coffee? I'm sure yes. Don't think it really is the problem it is made out to be.

And if that is all someone wants good for them. BOG is not hurting for paying customers.

Do a few get a jump on rope drop. I'm sure a number do. Good for them. If I wanted to get up that early more than once ever 5 years and actually cared about riding anything I would book another ppo ADR. Guess I wasted my ppo breakfast. We hung out past 9 drinking coffee after breakfast. Hope that was ok - or did we take too much time at our table.

Relax and let people enjoy their vacation. If it truly a bottom line issue it would be fixed.

That would be great, if everyone who wanted to dine there could like a typical QS restaurant. That's not the case. Those making ADRs to have a family of four or more order a few kids meal w/pastries, buy a couple cupcakes, or even buy a couple of straws & get in line for rides are keeping people who actually want to have a meal there from getting an ADR. Those people want to enjoy their trip too & are willing to pay for everyone to eat a meal there.

Shouldn't the Dining Plan's impact be factored into BOG breakfast entree cost as well?

I would agree with that, if all CS meals eligible for DDP were the same price as BOG. Again, that's not the case. It's pretty obvious they're trying to make the money up off the people who make an ADR there actually planning to feed everyone at the table a meal.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Op, you are going to be on vacation. If you are a paying customer at California Grill and you have a reservation, or if there is an open table, there is NO reason why you can't just order dessert and stay to watch the fireworks. There is no rule stating a minimum amount spent to dine there. I say go for it and have a BLAST!!!!!

 

[Moback]

Op, you are going to be on vacation. If you are a paying customer at California Grill and you have a reservation, or if there is an open table, there is NO reason why you can't just order dessert and stay to watch the fireworks. There is no rule stating a minimum amount spent to dine there. I say go for it and have a BLAST!!!!!

Well that's just grand. I am thinking I will make a reservation for 9 people for coffee at 8:30 pm. That seems fair right?

 

[MikeOhio]

It's definitely really tacky and rude.

That being said no one will say anything to you if you do it.

 

[Nancyg56]

Op, you are going to be on vacation. If you are a paying customer at California Grill and you have a reservation, or if there is an open table, there is NO reason why you can't just order dessert and stay to watch the fireworks. There is no rule stating a minimum amount spent to dine there. I say go for it and have a BLAST!!!!!

Better do it soon.

It's definitely really tacky and rude.

That being said no one will say anything to you if you do it.

Not yet, but we have been seeing posts that there are rumors something wil be said in the future. Time will tell.

 

[minijeanie]

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

yeah at an astronomical price!! went to one in Epcot and was total waste. Paid mucho bucks and desserts were horrible and we had to stand. Never again...

 

[HatboxHaint]

Op, you are going to be on vacation. If you are a paying customer at California Grill and you have a reservation, or if there is an open table, there is NO reason why you can't just order dessert and stay to watch the fireworks. There is no rule stating a minimum amount spent to dine there. I say go for it and have a BLAST!!!!!

No, no I shall not. If I had ever made an ADR it would be canceled. After reading all the great responses in this thread I can't in good concionce rob a struggling restaraunt, such as CG, of potential income and also reduce the nightly server tip pool by several dollars. I cannot rob my fellow man. I will have to resign myself to a cupcake from contempo cafe, a refill of my handleless mug with Joffrey coffery, and a viewing of wishes from the 4th floor observation deck. Which I read was being refurbed. So maybe...resign myself to a dole whip and the lapping tropical waves of the Poly beach....which has been filled in with rock and had a Captain D's rope fence installed and did I read the the music is no longer piped in because it riled the gators up?.....So I will resign myself to the Mad Tea Party at the Gran Flo to enjoy the cross promotion of a movie no one saw this summer, a Cheshire cupcake and a very distant but majestic view of wishes.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Well that's just grand. I am thinking I will make a reservation for 9 people for coffee at 8:30 pm. That seems fair right?

I love this board!

 

[HatboxHaint]

yeah at an astronomical price!! went to one in Epcot and was total waste. Paid mucho bucks and desserts were horrible and we had to stand. Never again...

Preach on preacha! Testify!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

No, no I shall not. I had ever made an ADR it would be canceled. After reading all the great responses in this thread I can't in good concionce rob a struggling restaraunt, such as CG, of potential income and also reduce the nightly server tip pool by several dollars. I cannot rob my fellow man. I will have to resign myself to a cupcake from contempo cafe, a refill of my handleless mug with Joffrey coffery, and a viewing of wishes from the 4th floor observation deck. Which I read was being refurbed. So maybe...resign myself to a dole whip and the lapping tropical waves of the Poly beach....which has been filled in with rock and had a Captain D's rope fence installed and did I read the the music is no longer piped in because it riled the gators up?.....So I will resign myself to the Mad Tea Party at the Gran Flo to enjoy the cross promotion of a movie no one saw this summer, a Cheshire cupcake and a very distant but majestic view of wishes.

LOL!!! You are a wicked good sport! Between you and me, I think the Mad Tea Party looks like more fun and given that you are not interested in dinner, the better buy. I have seen that patio set up in the evening for an event and it is pretty!

 

[TeresaWen]

Op, you are going to be on vacation. If you are a paying customer at California Grill and you have a reservation, or if there is an open table, there is NO reason why you can't just order dessert and stay to watch the fireworks. There is no rule stating a minimum amount spent to dine there. I say go for it and have a BLAST!!!!!

Throw in a few drinks and press pot coffee and the tab will be as big as non drinking families. And a lot easier for the server

 

[Uncleromulus]

Throw in a few drinks and press pot coffee and the tab will be as big as non drinking families. And a lot easier for the server

Could be true--but the idea is NOT to throw in any drinks or press pot coffee. The idea is to order next to nothing and enjoy a "neat" view of the fireworks.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Could be true--but the idea is NOT to throw in any drinks or press pot coffee. The idea is to order next to nothing and enjoy a "neat" view of the fireworks.

I didn't mean to imply next to nothing, just that I wasn't ordering dinner at 10pm. But desserts and coffee/tea/drinks for 7ppl.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--all I can say is there are all kinds of folks who would order NOTHING if they thought they could get away with it.

Lemon water all around!!!

 

[Lisa F]

Right now Disney doesn't impose a minimum for tables but it would be entirely fair if they did, ESPECIALLY since there is a lounge right there for people who don't want to commit to a meal but still want the atmosphere. I think it would encourage people who don't want to spend a lot to utilize that option rather than taking up a table from someone who wants a full meal.

That said, when I take my kiddo to CA Grill we go first seating (Right at 5) and we never return for fireworks (it's just not convenient imo). An hour or two before fireworks is way too late to be feeding my child dinner even on vacation. We go there for the atmosphere and food (may catch a sunset that time of year too, we are going in december), but if i want that view for fireworks I will go to BLT's lounge. So you could also buy into DVC and then see the fireworks without commitment to a meal any time you wish!

 

[Lisa F]

of course the other thing Disney could do is introduce a california grill fireworks dinner package where in order to get a table between 2 hours before fireworks and fireworks you have to pay a fixed price for appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Right now Disney doesn't impose a minimum for tables but it would be entirely fair if they did, ESPECIALLY since there is a lounge right there for people who don't want to commit to a meal but still want the atmosphere. I think it would encourage people who don't want to spend a lot to utilize that option rather than taking up a table from someone who wants a full meal.

That said, when I take my kiddo to CA Grill we go first seating (Right at 5) and we never return for fireworks (it's just not convenient imo). An hour or two before fireworks is way too late to be feeding my child dinner even on vacation. We go there for the atmosphere and food (may catch a sunset that time of year too, we are going in december), but if i want that view for fireworks I will go to BLT's lounge. So you could also buy into DVC and then see the fireworks without commitment to a meal any time you wish!

Trouble is that the bar has but 18 seats and the so-called lounge has but 8 tables. And as far as I know your ADR cannot be specific for either one. So when you got to CG there is a decent chance there would be no seats even if you had an ADR--and if no ADR they may not even let you in

 

[HatboxHaint]

Trouble is that the bar has but 18 seats and the so-called lounge has but 8 tables. And as far as I know your ADR cannot be specific for either one. So when you got to CG there is a decent chance there would be no seats even if you had an ADR--and if no ADR they may not even let you in

Soooo you doooo advocate for getting an ADR! Got Ya!!!!

 

[Lisa F]

Trouble is that the bar has but 18 seats and the so-called lounge has but 8 tables. And as far as I know your ADR cannot be specific for either one. So when you got to CG there is a decent chance there would be no seats even if you had an ADR--and if no ADR they may not even let you in

well if someone wants to go nearly free they will need to show up early i guess!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Trouble is that the bar has but 18 seats and the so-called lounge has but 8 tables. And as far as I know your ADR cannot be specific for either one. So when you got to CG there is a decent chance there would be no seats even if you had an ADR--and if no ADR they may not even let you in

This exactly. For all of those who say just go to the bar that's fine and dandy but that's not a given. We were there on July 4th and wanted to see the fireworks. We made a reservation and if we hadn't we would not have been able to go up. We had dessert and a couple of drinks. Our bill was over $60. If we would have drank water and ordered the chicken our bill would have been $5-$10 more, so I don't really see what the fuss is about!