California Grill - dessert only and fireworks viewing

[babyruth]

I haven't read this whole thread so sorry if I repeat an opinion that's been stated. I find it hilarious (ok maybe not hilarious but at least tongue-in-cheek funny) all the complaining that goes on about vacation plans. on the dining plan its "waa waa waa I can't eat another dessert" and here "oh don't you dare go order dessert." OP if you are a courteous guest, order appropriately to the size of your party, leave your table when you are done so it can be turned and tip well the staff won't give a hoot what you ordered. For every person who is saying don't tie up a table ordering dessert, there is a guest who will go and only order entrees without apps or dessert. If you walk in with a party of 5 split a dessert and order waters, expect to sit there for hours and then barely tip well yes you are an inconsiderate traveler. Not because of what category of the menu you ordered from. If you order 4 desserts and 4 drinks you're spending the same amount of money as the couple who eats entree only or sushi only or...just be a considerate party and get up when you're done so the next people can sit. That is the whole reason they allow the return later with your receipt option.

 

[Nancyg56]

I haven't read this whole thread so sorry if I repeat an opinion that's been stated. I find it hilarious (ok maybe not hilarious but at least tongue-in-cheek funny) all the complaining that goes on about vacation plans. on the dining plan its "waa waa waa I can't eat another dessert" and here "oh don't you dare go order dessert." OP if you are a courteous guest, order appropriately to the size of your party, leave your table when you are done so it can be turned and tip well the staff won't give a hoot what you ordered. For every person who is saying don't tie up a table ordering dessert, there is a guest who will go and only order entrees without apps or dessert. If you walk in with a party of 5 split a dessert and order waters, expect to sit there for hours and then barely tip well yes you are an inconsiderate traveler. Not because of what category of the menu you ordered from. If you order 4 desserts and 4 drinks you're spending the same amount of money as the couple who eats entree only or sushi only or...just be a considerate party and get up when you're done so the next people can sit. That is the whole reason they allow the return later with your receipt option.

Most of the posters here have already discussed that it is perfectly acceptable to order dessert and coffee. As long as Disney has no issues, no one else does either. What we have added to the conversation is that there is a rumor that some restaurants will be implementing a minimum order. Because we all have read the posters who ask if they can book a table at CG at 8PM, but only order one dessert to split and water "Is this okay"? we have been discussing how, why, and if this will come to be.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The deal is, that if you want to make a reservation and just order dessert because all you want to do is watch the fireworks, DISNEY ALLOWS THIS. And they allow it without any sort of protest on their part, and it's their restaurant.

Also you don't have to dawdle over the table for hours although you might if you have one up against the window...because anyone who dines at CG can take their receipt back on the same night and be admitted to the outside deck for fireworks. Some will keep their tables. Many will leave and come back. Many will go over to the bar instead. I don't have the statistics but this is not going to change until Disney finds it a problem.

If they didn't want to allow it, they'd implement a new policy, like a per diner minimum. But they haven't. And despite there being a rumor, there's no indication that they actually will. If they have large numbers of guests making a reservation, going up to the restaurant and splitting one dessert between four people and drinking water just because they want to see fireworks, they might. If they only get some, they won't. CG had a no-show reservation policy before most of the other restaurants did, because a large number of guests were showing up for their reservations, watching the fireworks and leaving without ordering ANYTHING. Fortunately, many of the guests who forego entrees are making it up with appetizer, flatbread, sushi, dessert and alcohol purchases.

So it's not much use arguing about whether or not it is morally wrong. It won't influence the OP. If they're determined to do it, they will, with no repercussions. It's helpful to know that there are other ways to do it though.

As for whether this type of reservation takes reservations away from more "deserving" guests who will actually order four course meals, you don't get priority based on how much you are going to order or based on the makeup of your dining party or based on whether you are on the dining plan or based on your motivation for going to that particular restaurant. Nobody does.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Proving yet again people will beat the system whenever they can..and here the system lets itself get beaten.

I really wish WDW would get tough with this sort of thing.

But unlike a restaurant in the real world, CG losses from dessert and water patrons are easily absorbed by the WDW Company.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I haven't read this whole thread so sorry if I repeat an opinion that's been stated. I find it hilarious (ok maybe not hilarious but at least tongue-in-cheek funny) all the complaining that goes on about vacation plans. on the dining plan its "waa waa waa I can't eat another dessert" and here "oh don't you dare go order dessert." OP if you are a courteous guest, order appropriately to the size of your party, leave your table when you are done so it can be turned and tip well the staff won't give a hoot what you ordered. For every person who is saying don't tie up a table ordering dessert, there is a guest who will go and only order entrees without apps or dessert. If you walk in with a party of 5 split a dessert and order waters, expect to sit there for hours and then barely tip well yes you are an inconsiderate traveler. Not because of what category of the menu you ordered from. If you order 4 desserts and 4 drinks you're spending the same amount of money as the couple who eats entree only or sushi only or...just be a considerate party and get up when you're done so the next people can sit. That is the whole reason they allow the return later with your receipt option.

Unfortunately there are lots of INconsiderate diners at CG who would rather not be inconvenienced by having to leave and come back--so they camp at the table nursing an iced tea waiting for the fireworks.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Maybe the answer (if indeed there is that big a problem) is to make CG a fixed price restaurant, like a character meal or V&A or something.

 

[Uncleromulus]

But as you say--if Disney does not see a problem then nothing will happen.

Fixed Price dinner would end all this of course, probably better than a minimum charge, etc.

Now I await the NEXT CG post about whether just dessert will get me in CG so I can see the fireworks

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Heck, right now buying a cup of coffee will get you into CG to see the fireworks, just like it will get you into BOG before park opening to get to the rides before everybody else.

If Disney doesn't see a problem, this continues, but I do like having the option to order appetizers and drinks and no entrees. If it's fixed price what happens to my bar???

 

[Uncleromulus]

You can sit at the bar--as we always do--and get drinks and maybe an app..bartenders are used to that--heck--they are used to just drinks only. (BUT not just a lemon water!)

We eat a full meal at the bar there so we're the bartenders friend for the evening!

And again--YOU are there for a light meal. Others could give a fig less about any food or drink so long as they have that coveted fireworks view.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I order the appetizers because I think they are better than the entrees, not because I'm trying to eat light. Two appetizers for one person isn't a light meal...not at CG.

 

[Hopefully]

And, in my opinion, it is these INCONSIDERATE folks that result in minimum order requirements or prie fix menus that hurt the considerate guests.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I'm just curious as to what most people consider "appropriate" or "enough." My husband and I have a 9 PM ADR. We likely won't want a full meal at that point, but we wanted to go out someplace nice for a snack/dessert/drinks after my parents take our toddler back to the resort for bed. CG fit the bill, and the fireworks are a bonus. I'm pregnant, so I won't be drinking anything but water, but we're planning on ordering a cooked sushi roll (me), a dessert or flatbread (hubby), and a cocktail (hubby). We won't linger over our table, as we'd rather see the fireworks from the observation deck anyway. I honestly never thought there was anything wrong with what we were doing until I read this thread. I STILL don't think there's anything wrong with what we're doing, but I am curious as to what people view is "enough" for "taking" a table and ADR. I don't really care what other people do, but I think I would feel bad if we were ordering anything less than one menu item per person - whether that be an app, dessert, or entree, plus a beverage - alcoholic or non. If I weren't pregnant I would definitely be having a cocktail with my sushi. Any suggestions for good non-alcoholic options at the CG while we're on the topic??

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm just curious as to what most people consider "appropriate" or "enough." My husband and I have a 9 PM ADR. We likely won't want a full meal at that point, but we wanted to go out someplace nice for a snack/dessert/drinks after my parents take our toddler back to the resort for bed. CG fit the bill, and the fireworks are a bonus. I'm pregnant, so I won't be drinking anything but water, but we're planning on ordering a cooked sushi roll (me), a dessert or flatbread (hubby), and a cocktail (hubby). We won't linger over our table, as we'd rather see the fireworks from the observation deck anyway. I honestly never thought there was anything wrong with what we were doing until I read this thread. I STILL don't think there's anything wrong with what we're doing, but I am curious as to what people view is "enough" for "taking" a table and ADR. I don't really care what other people do, but I think I would feel bad if we were ordering anything less than one menu item per person - whether that be an app, dessert, or entree, plus a beverage - alcoholic or non. If I weren't pregnant I would definitely be having a cocktail with my sushi. Any suggestions for good non-alcoholic options at the CG while we're on the topic??

There is nothing wrong. You want to eat. When people discuss folks who camp out in CG they are talking about the family who wants to make a dessert and 5 waters last for 2 1/2 hours.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

There is nothing wrong. You want to eat. When people discuss folks who camp out in CG they are talking about the family who wants to make a dessert and 5 waters last for 2 1/2 hours.

Yikes. I have a hard time believing that actually happens, but I guess if so many people have seen it before, it's true. I feel better now Thanks!

 

[Nancyg56]

Yikes. I have a hard time believing that actually happens, but I guess if so many people have seen it before, it's true. I feel better now Thanks!

Oh goodness, just keep reading! LOL!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It doesn't really matter what other people think is enough. Used to be there were a lot of posts about who deserved a reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table when it was only breakfast and much harder to get, with people trying to guilt parties of adults only to skip it even if they really wanted it, because families with children "deserved" those reservations more. It's kind of difficult to start quantifying who "deserves" to be at a restaurant more than somebody else. If Disney has a problem with how California Grill is being operated, they'll change it. Until then you are good to go with what you order.

And yea, there are going to be some who squat at a table and order only bottled water and a teabag, and stay for 2 hours, because there's always somebody. Fortunately they are not the majority.

 

[leebee]

Maybe if California Grill clearly advertised that if you eat there, regardless of time, you can come back that evening to see Wishes, more people would do so! Post it on the Disney dining page for CG. Train your waitstaff to smile at early diners and ask, "Are you folks coming back for Wishes tonight? Don't forget to hold on to your receipt!" or something like that. People who are camping out at tables might actually feel guilty- they'll do it, but they'll keep looking over their shoulders- and this would give them a way out.

I would HATE to see CG go to a package. I think many of their patrons just don't eat in the manner of packages (app/entree/dessert), and they might actually lose business. I'd rather know that there is a table minimum than see them go to being a package-only option.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

well..the issue with all of this is that if people want to see the fireworks, they have to be up there at fireworks time. Although they'd pay a premium to be up there at 8:30 so they can see the fireworks at 9, who's going to pay a premium to be up there at 5 or at 6 or at 9:30?? If that's what they want, they might as well only open the restaurant an hour before the fireworks and close it an hour after, because all the tables will be empty otherwise. That isn't what they want.

There's also some who want to be sitting at a table that has a view, not standing out on the deck. If they have a view table within an hour or two of fireworks, they're probably going to cling to it no matter how much they order or don't order.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And that is what many do.

When we are there at the bar each trip I always make sure to take notice of who is at the Window seats.

Amazing how many were there when we came in and are STILL there when we're done eating.

And we take 2 hours usually to eat---

And to add I totally understand the allure of the fireworks, especially to first time or infrequent WDW visitors.

For me now I've seen them so many times that I sometimes forget to notice when they are going off!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I know! I'm always out before they start. of course if I want to see them I can always go over to Top of the World because I'm a DVC member.