California Grill - Dessert Only

[Farro]

I miss Snape.

Okay OP, enjoy your evening and vacation!

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Enjoy your time either way. Don’t second guess it. Everyone is going to have their own opinion on it. In the end it’s your trip and you should do what you want to do. They won’t turn you away for it.

Based on money not being the issue, I’d just tip the server nicely in the end ( if they actually deserve it also, and not fully based on bill price )

Have fun

 

[TeresaWen]

When one adults & a few children dine at a restaurant like CG and orders one adult meal and kids meals for the children no one bats an eye. But if two adults want to order “just” drinks & desert people have all sorts of opinions.

Betting the final check for drinks & desert ends up being actually higher. And way way way less work for a server.

 

[Nancyg56]

Never said it was. But the fact they've been allowing it over 20 years and neither reservations nor the staff has said anything about it is. What's absurd is declaring it poor form when it is clearly allowed and not discouraged by either CA Grill staff or reservations. Not poor form at all.
.

Exactly

 

[Nancyg56]

Exactly! Posters here kept telling people it was perfectly fine to order cupcakes w/ coffee or a glass of wine at BOG. You can order anything you want at an a la carte restaurant, after all. We saw their eventual response. It obviously wasn't okay with them. No restaurant wants to sell dessert w/coffee or wine, when they could be selling complete meals with that wine. That's totally logical & easily understandable. At a place like CG near fireworks time, that could be the difference between a $50 table or a $200 to $300 table. Which one do you think they prefer? When people book ADRs around the fireworks, they don't give up those tables, regardless of how much they order. People can do whatever they want. It really doesn't matter to me, but to think the restaurants &/or servers don't care is wishful thinking. Of course, they care. They just don't say anything, until they do.

Once again CG and BOG are two totally different animals, and while CG is wildly popular it is not smack dab in the middle of a theme park, with the prospect of meeting a rare Disney character after dining. If CG had been flooded with reservations that only generated a few cupcakes and a glass of water, there would have been a change in policy long ago. SO far, the management of CG has done so.

I honestly believe that DIsney has made the distinction, and now knows that once characters are introduced the dynamics change, and I see this with the new model at AP> fixed cost.

 

[OneinThree]

Once again CG and BOG are two totally different animals,

Nope; same problem -people showing up for a spectacle without the common sense and self-regulation to recognize and proceed according to the obvious. Let's all lose our minds at the same time and see just how much Disney "cares" and just how quickly CG can go prix fixe.

 

[Nancyg56]

Nope; same problem -people showing up for a spectacle without the common sense and self-regulation to recognize and proceed according to the obvious. Let's all lose our minds at the same time and see just how much Disney "cares" and just how quickly CG can go prix fixe.

So we are never going to come to an agreement, and I am okay with this. In the end, neither you nor I have any say in how CG manages it's dining policy, and until it is specified otherwise, guests are free to order how they choose. So far, in all the years this dining establishment has been operating, from Broadway at the Top to CG, there has been nothing that made DISney make a change. If today, some people who do not like full meals are the impetus to send CG to a fixed cost or to implement a minimum, so be it.

 

[OneinThree]

So we are never going to come to an agreement, and I am okay with this. In the end, neither you nor I have any say in how CG manages it's dining policy, and until it is specified otherwise, guests are free to order how they choose. So far, in all the years this dining establishment has been operating, from Broadway at the Top to CG, there has been nothing that made DISney make a change. If today, some people who do not like full meals are the impetus to send CG to a fixed cost or to implement a minimum, so be it.

You keep speaking of "policy", as if it were ever the norm for dining establishments to have to rely on them, and as if there should be some sort of rule in place to instruct people in the most basic behaviors. If anything, it's completely telling that some look toward what they might get away with as oppossed to what is expected. Again, sad.

 

[Nancyg56]

You keep speaking of "policy", as if it were ever the norm for dining establishments to have to rely on them, and as if there should be some sort of rule in place to instruct people in the most basic behaviors. If anything, it's completely telling that some look toward what they might get away with as oppossed to what is expected. Again, sad.

I have no idea what the "policy" is, nor do you, which is why I state that Disney has teh final word. In as much as we disagree on this, I give up.

 

[Flagondry]

Eat what you want. Just the wine costs as much as some apps. I don’t drink, so me ordering an app and a salad (I don’t acre for their current entrees) is pretty much the same price as your drink and dessert.

 

[CT Disney]

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.

OP here. Lots of totally different responses. I guess that's why I asked

Regarding the bold above...that kind of makes me sad. I would hope that wouldn't happen. My DH is a non-Florida CM. We travel down to WDW a lot! And, we always spend quite a bit of money on food when we are there. We mostly eat at signatures and we are generous tippers. We have dined at CG before and know the food is excellent. I would have a hard time enjoying myself if I thought that our server was badmouthing us behind the scenes.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

OP here. Lots of totally different responses. I guess that's why I asked

Regarding the bold above...that kind of makes me sad. I would hope that wouldn't happen. My DH is a non-Florida CM. We travel down to WDW a lot! And, we always spend quite a bit of money on food when we are there. We mostly eat at signatures and we are generous tippers. We have dined at CG before and know the food is excellent. I would have a hard time enjoying myself if I thought that our server was badmouthing us behind the scenes.

That was totally tongue-n-cheek, hence the emoji. Don't let my poor attempt at humor make you sad. I have no idea what they do or say behind the scenes.

 

[CT Disney]

It's not rocket science, it's called cost accounting for a business unit. Some of us are better acquainted with the discipline than others, which is fine. At the same time, the suggestion that it requires privileged information to make such an assertion is unreasonable.

The reason there is no policy is because most people realize that you don't reserve a table at a $100-$150/plate sig and order just dessert. That's a great thing because otherwise, it would either be prix fixe or would not exist for long. There is a similar thread here regarding showing up to Sci-Fi and order only a milkshake. It is truly baffling that the absence of specific policy is misconstrued as validation. These are things people are expected to know, and not have to be told. Sad.

Nope; same problem -people showing up for a spectacle without the common sense and self-regulation to recognize and proceed according to the obvious. Let's all lose our minds at the same time and see just how much Disney "cares" and just how quickly CG can go prix fixe.

You keep speaking of "policy", as if it were ever the norm for dining establishments to have to rely on them, and as if there should be some sort of rule in place to instruct people in the most basic behaviors. If anything, it's completely telling that some look toward what they might get away with as oppossed to what is expected. Again, sad.

By the bold above, I take it you feel very strongly about this. I asked the question because I was wondering how people felt about the issue. I certainly didn't expect to be told that people who ordered only dessert lacked common sense and self-regulation and had to be instructed in the most basic behaviors.

But, I do have a question for you. Say an adult came in with 2 kids and took up a four-top for dinner. If the adult ordered a salad ($16), an entree ($45) and a dessert ($14), and each kid ordered a kids salad ($5), a kids entree ($10) and a kids dessert ($7)....the total bill would come to around $118.

I can guarantee you that with two adults and my two teenage kids, we will spend at least $100 on dessert, alcohol and soft drinks. And, we will probably be out of there a heck of a lot faster because it's only 1 course instead of 3.

Are you OK with the first scenario but not the second? Just curious...

 

[hereforthechurros]

Seems the argument isn’t about it being allowed... it clearly is or else California Grill would let diners know it’s for full reservations only via announcement or change to prix fixe. The argument comes in on whether it’s tacky to take an in-demand, prime time ADR at a signature restaurant just to catch fireworks and order the cheapest thing on the menu.

We found ourselves with this exact conundrum in our last trip. We really wanted dinner at CG but the only reservation time was 9:15 pm. Instead of eating dinner early we drank and snacked around the monorail then did late dinner and drinks at CG. I just couldn’t be that person to share an $10 dessert knowing the experience of CG is worth more, and meant to be much more, than that. It’s a personal call!

 

[robinb]

There is no place to mention that when you book online, and what difference would it make anyway? Disney doesn't ask, so they don't care either.

Desserts and drinks at the CG can run a couple over $60, easy. A server is probably ecstatic to turn a table in 30 minutes and pocket a $12-15 tip for such an easy order.

Except the server won’t be offered another table after the dessert only guests are gone and the other tables and guests have already been allocated via ADRs.

 

[robinb]

By the bold above, I take it you feel very strongly about this. I asked the question because I was wondering how people felt about the issue. I certainly didn't expect to be told that people who ordered only dessert lacked common sense and self-regulation and had to be instructed in the most basic behaviors.

But, I do have a question for you. Say an adult came in with 2 kids and took up a four-top for dinner. If the adult ordered a salad ($16), an entree ($45) and a dessert ($14), and each kid ordered a kids salad ($5), a kids entree ($10) and a kids dessert ($7)....the total bill would come to around $118.

I can guarantee you that with two adults and my two teenage kids, we will spend at least $100 on dessert, alcohol and soft drinks. And, we will probably be out of there a heck of a lot faster because it's only 1 course instead of 3.

Are you OK with the first scenario but not the second? Just curious...

Being out faster means nothing. The fireworks is the end of the night for the server. They will likely not get another table when you and your kids leave.

Your comparison of a family with young children doesn’t hold water with me. That family is there for a real meal instead of gaming the system for fireworks at CG. The difference is in the intention.

Why not snack a bit before and arrive at CG 30 mins early for your ADR and have a real meal?

 

[DisneyandBeerLover]

As a server, I'd be more happy with the people who are there for a quick dessert (ADR at 9:30, Wishes at 10:00) than the people there 2+ hours camping and waiting for the fireworks. But tbh I'm fine with anyone ordering anything, it's when people are not still ordering but continuing to sit is when I get annoyed. Any restaurant I've worked at, it's the same mentality: as long as you're still actively ordering, you're good. Since you'll only really be there 30 minutes, I wouldn't sweat it.

And to go on what else has been discussed: a 4 top with 2 young kids at the end of the night sounds less ideal than a 4 top with 2 teenagers. I would MUCH rather have that be my last table. Especially if they're ordering a quick $100. OP as a server, I appreciate your table more, especially since you're already concerned about the server.

 

[CT Disney]

Being out faster means nothing. The fireworks is the end of the night for the server. They will likely not get another table when you and your kids leave.

Your comparison of a family with young children doesn’t hold water with me. That family is there for a real meal instead of gaming the system for fireworks at CG. The difference is in the intention.

Why not snack a bit before and arrive at CG 30 mins early for your ADR and have a real meal?

Arrive 30 min early? What are the chances they’d seat us that early? I’ve always heard you should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your adr. In fact, when we were in mk about a month ago we were running early to an adr at LTT. They were very nice but told us they wouldn’t have a table for us until our adr time.

Just an FYI...I’m not sure I consider getting dessert and drinks “gaming the system”. We just stayed for a week at poly cl tpv and watched the fireworks almost every night from our room. I’m not trying to cheap out just to see the fireworks. That’s not our style at all.

We had a full meal at CG last year when we visited. My whole family enjoyed the ambiance, the food, and, yes, the fireworks. Since the only available reservation this time was at 9:35 I thought the late reservation was well suited to desserts and drinks. Certainly not trying to be cheap.

And, honestly, do you really think the waitstaff cares about the “intention” of our food choices when the bill amount is comparable?

 

[robinb]

You asked a question and I’m giving you my opinion. I have never been a fan of people booking hard to get reservations for dessert only. I think it’s gaming the system to see the fireworks or like at BOG previously to see the restaurant and meet the Beast. It’s not like you’re looking for apps or dessert only at Ale and Compass. You’re booking a hard to get reservation at a busy time so you can enjoy the fireworks. In doing so, you take a table away from a family who wants to eat a full meal and that family’s tip from the server.

In reality, there is no rule and you can do whatever you want. The management and wait staff is professional enough to not make you feel unwelcome. However, server is bound to be disappointed if you are their last table even though they won’t show it.

 

[CT Disney]

You asked a question and I’m giving you my opinion. I have never been a fan of people booking hard to get reservations for dessert only. I think it’s gaming the system to see the fireworks or like at BOG previously to see the restaurant and meet the Beast. It’s not like you’re looking for apps or dessert only at Ale and Compass. You’re booking a hard to get reservation at a busy time so you can enjoy the fireworks. In doing so, you take a table away from a family who wants to eat a full meal and that family’s tip from the server.

In reality, there is no rule and you can do whatever you want. The management and wait staff is professional enough to not make you feel unwelcome. However, server is bound to be disappointed if you are their last table even though they won’t show it.

Thanks for your opinion...I am taking everyone’s thoughts in.

The first bolded item above...you say I’m taking a table away from a family who wants to eat a full meal. Not sure I’m getting that. That other family had the same opportunity to grab the reservation as we did.

As for the second item...Why would the server be disappointed if we order an adequate amount and tip generously? We habitually tip 30-40 percent for fantastic service. We are an older-ish couple, we make a nice living, and we always show our appreciation to CMs who embrace the Disney customer service spirit.