California Grill - Dessert Only

[CT Disney]

Hi Everyone!

We just decided to head to Disney for Christmas week. Obviously, we're a little late in Disney terms...many of the good ADRs are gone for Christmas week.

I was looking at Cali Grill and it is completely booked for dinner all of Christmas week....with the exception of one evening at 9:30. I grabbed it but I'm not too sure about it. Since it's such a late reservation, would it be totally uncool to just order desserts and watch the fireworks? I want to do what's right as far as the servers are concerned. Is it an expectation that people will order a full dinner at such a late time?

I suppose we could just eat dinner then...it just feels really late. Maybe I'm just old

Just looking to do what's right and not commit any major faux pas!

fyi: This isn't a decision based on money...I wish I could find an earlier reservation and get a full dinner. It's more based on our not wanting such a big meal so late at night.

 

[happymommy]

You are free to order what you choose, as long as it isn't an all you care to eat or buffet.

 

[TeresaWen]

Get the crème Brule and some desert wine. Heaven!

 

[pooh2001]

Nice idea just for desert

 

[pavicich]

There are a lot of people that eat dinner at that hour. Remember-Not everyone is from east coast and their inner clock still is on their normal time.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would order a nice dessert and a glass of wine. And then another after the fireworks. What a lovely way to end an evening.

 

[cdtommie]

We go late (have a 9:40PM reservation both in Oct and Dec timed to the fireworks at 10:15PM), usually order apps (suishi) and a glass of wine.

 

[Missyrose]

Just tip like you are ordering more than just dessert.

 

[MikeNamez]

If your money is green you can order what you want, when you want.

 

[pavicich]

If your money is green you can order what you want, when you want.

Certainly-However, there have been rumors for years that Cali Grill would go pri fix due to people doing just this. If it goes the way of BOG (most recent example) then It should be no surprise. A restaurant has financial goals of revenue per seat and hour. This practice of just dessert leads to that.

 

[Nancyg56]

Certainly-However, there have been rumors for years that Cali Grill would go pri fix due to people doing just this. If it goes the way of BOG (most recent example) then It should be no surprise. A restaurant has financial goals of revenue per seat and hour. This practice of just dessert leads to that.

CG is an entirely different animal than BOG, and is probably not impacted as much by those who are trying to get in but have no desire to eat. BOG turned into an attraction from the first day it opened. Breakfast was used to jump start Mine Train and dinner as an opportunity to meet the Beast. Lunch seems to do just fine, and the ability to tailor orders is working well. In regards to CG, there is nothing inexpensive on that menu. A cocktail and dessert or appetizer for the few who are there for a lighter meal is balanced out by the number of people who purchase complete meals and bottle of wine.

The location is also a factor. BOG is in the middle of the MK, and has more people using it as a rest stop on the way to meet the Beast. I ratehr doubt CG will need to make the changes BOG has had to make, however I do feel that this restaurant had an identity crisis from the get go, with the problem starting day one.

 

[pavicich]

CG is an entirely different animal than BOG, and is probably not impacted as much by those who are trying to get in but have no desire to eat. BOG turned into an attraction from the first day it opened. Breakfast was used to jump start Mine Train and dinner as an opportunity to meet the Beast. Lunch seems to do just fine, and the ability to tailor orders is working well. In regards to CG, there is nothing inexpensive on that menu. A cocktail and dessert or appetizer for the few who are there for a lighter meal is balanced out by the number of people who purchase complete meals and bottle of wine.

The location is also a factor. BOG is in the middle of the MK, and has more people using it as a rest stop on the way to meet the Beast. I ratehr doubt CG will need to make the changes BOG has had to make, however I do feel that this restaurant had an identity crisis from the get go, with the problem starting day one.

I really do hope you are right and that it doesn’t come true.

 

[Nancyg56]

I really do hope you are right and that it doesn’t come true.

You and me both!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Hi Everyone!

We just decided to head to Disney for Christmas week. Obviously, we're a little late in Disney terms...many of the good ADRs are gone for Christmas week.

I was looking at Cali Grill and it is completely booked for dinner all of Christmas week....with the exception of one evening at 9:30. I grabbed it but I'm not too sure about it. Since it's such a late reservation, would it be totally uncool to just order desserts and watch the fireworks? I want to do what's right as far as the servers are concerned. Is it an expectation that people will order a full dinner at such a late time?

I suppose we could just eat dinner then...it just feels really late. Maybe I'm just old

Just looking to do what's right and not commit any major faux pas!

fyi: This isn't a decision based on money...I wish I could find an earlier reservation and get a full dinner. It's more based on our not wanting such a big meal so late at night.

You're allowed to just order desert if you want. They won't give it a second thought. Have fun.

 

[OneinThree]

A restaurant has financial goals of revenue per seat and hour.

Correct. The business model at a Disney sig does not support allocating tables to dessert-only orders. No way to cover overhead that way. Not just Disney, but all such restaurants have the expectation that guests recognize the obvious.

 

[Farro]

Hi Everyone!

We just decided to head to Disney for Christmas week. Obviously, we're a little late in Disney terms...many of the good ADRs are gone for Christmas week.

I was looking at Cali Grill and it is completely booked for dinner all of Christmas week....with the exception of one evening at 9:30. I grabbed it but I'm not too sure about it. Since it's such a late reservation, would it be totally uncool to just order desserts and watch the fireworks? I want to do what's right as far as the servers are concerned. Is it an expectation that people will order a full dinner at such a late time?

I suppose we could just eat dinner then...it just feels really late. Maybe I'm just old

Just looking to do what's right and not commit any major faux pas!

fyi: This isn't a decision based on money...I wish I could find an earlier reservation and get a full dinner. It's more based on our not wanting such a big meal so late at night.

If you aren't hungry that late, why don't you get a couple of appetizers and cocktails/wine? They had a BLT flatbread last time that was delicious! Or the charcuterie/cheese board And then maybe split a dessert with coffee.

I just think your time would be better spent at a place like California Grill if you get some of the great food they are known for, not just a dessert. Doesn't have a to be a full entree, like I said, just split some apps.

Have fun! I'm jealous, we can't go back until 2020 at the earliest.

 

[Runnsally]

It’s poor form to book a reservation and just order dessert.

 

[Nancyg56]

It’s poor form to book a reservation and just order dessert.

Frankly, I htink it is poor form to believe that anyone other than the restaurnat management should be attempting to educate others in what it acceptable in that particular restaurant.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You're allowed to just order desert if you want. They won't give it a second thought. Have fun.

I half agree with you. You (general you) are allowed to order anything you want. Whether or not they would give it a second thought is more debatable. I can't imagine any server would be thrilled about it, especially at prime fireworks viewing time, but it's possible to only order dessert. I don't think they would say anything to the guest though. They'd just badmouth you behind the scenes.

 

[DLgal]

It’s poor form to book a reservation and just order dessert.

No it's not.