California Grill during Wishes-is it worth it?

[Beautybelle43]

Only other place we've seen Wishes is from the Poly beach. We do this as our first night tradition & we love it!! Always my favorite night of our trip.

We are considering adding on CG/Wishes dinner to our wedding/Honeymoon trip.

Is it worth it to go during Wishes? If so, what time would you suggest to make the ADR?

We are not huge fans of the Contemporary resort itself, but we do like sushi and the CG atmosphere looks pretty.

Thanks!!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

The CA Grill is worth it - however we prefer to go on nights when Wishes isn't scheduled. There are a couple of reasons

1. The Sunset is AMAZING
2. The resturant isn't as crowded and there seem to be less kids.
3. The service is a bit better since it is less crowded.

And most of all - Wishes loses the magic a little bit from the perspective. You can tell where the fireworks are coming from and it just isn't as magical as seeing them "behind" the castle.

~Amanda

 

[Beautybelle43]

The CA Grill is worth it - however we prefer to go on nights when Wishes isn't scheduled. There are a couple of reasons

1. The Sunset is AMAZING
2. The resturant isn't as crowded and there seem to be less kids.
3. The service is a bit better since it is less crowded.

And most of all - Wishes loses the magic a little bit from the perspective. You can tell where the fireworks are coming from and it just isn't as magical as seeing them "behind" the castle.

~Amanda

Ooh I think I like the idea of going during sunset much better!!

Silly question, but how do I find out when sunset is during January when we go? Will the CM's from Disney Dining know when we call to make the ADR's?

Thank you for that fantastic tip! I never thought about the beautiful sunset view!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

I found a site that showed the sunset for the Florida Keys - which would be close. In January it said the average time was 5:50 - so I would make the reservation for earlier then that. 5 or 5:15. Or you could make your dinner reservation for later say 6 - and check in at 5 and go upstairs and drink in the lounge. I don't like eating really early so that is what we would do.

~Amanda

 

[ougrad86]

I went to Cali Grill and had dinner during Wishes. I had read they dim the lights, pause service and pipe in the music.
They did none of the above. We had a fabulous window view, but the lights stayed on which caused reflections on the glass. The service continued, during which I received the incorrect dinner and was distracted trying to find the waitress. They did pipe in the music, but I could barely hear it over the noise. It was amazingly loud in there. And what I saw of Wishes I did not like - it wasn't centered over the castle (off to one side) and so did not look "right".
All in all, I would not go to Cali Grill again. For all of the reasons above, and an incredibly rude waitress that reduced me to tears (this was supposed to be our silver anniversary dinner). The food was not that impressive either. The man who was supposed to take us to our table at the beginning walked us around the dining area while I tried to carry a very full drink. I didn't even get a good sunset that everyone is talking about. It was kind of hazy and grey that evening...
I know alot of people love Cali Grill, but for me, never again. And the firework are much more impressive standing by the castle...that moved me to tears too, but the good kind.

 

[Beautybelle43]

I found a site that showed the sunset for the Florida Keys - which would be close. In January it said the average time was 5:50 - so I would make the reservation for earlier then that. 5 or 5:15. Or you could make your dinner reservation for later say 6 - and check in at 5 and go upstairs and drink in the lounge. I don't like eating really early so that is what we would do.

~Amanda

Thanks for that info!!

& does CG generally take a long time to get checked in and sat? Again, we are going during January (low crowds). Is their service generally slow, fast, regular? I'm thinking 5:15 might work out great & I definately want us to be seated during sunset.

Thanks!!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

Thanks for that info!!

& does CG generally take a long time to get checked in and sat? Again, we are going during January (low crowds). Is their service generally slow, fast, regular? I'm thinking 5:15 might work out great & I definately want us to be seated during sunset.

Thanks!!

You have to check in at the desk on the 2nd floor of the Cont then they take you up in the elevator to the resturant - then you go to the hostess desk up there - so yeah it can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on how long you have to wait for the elevator.

~Amanda

 

[TDC Nala]

There's a view? I'm too busy eating to notice.

I believe they don't begin seating until 5:30. I doubt you would be able to make a reservation for any time before that. But you could show up early and go up to the lounge. No sunset last time I was up there, too overcast and rainy - be prepared for weather to be uncooperative.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Beautybelle: At 5:30 you should be seated rather promptly I think. As for service--tell your server how you want it. There is nothing worse than the restaurant bringing out the entree when you are not even finished a salad or an appetizer.
Often times when we are in no hurry, we order drinks and appetizers. When they appear, only then will we order the entree. And when that's done, we order dessert.

 

[Beautybelle43]

Beautybelle: At 5:30 you should be seated rather promptly I think. As for service--tell your server how you want it. There is nothing worse than the restaurant bringing out the entree when you are not even finished a salad or an appetizer.
Often times when we are in no hurry, we order drinks and appetizers. When they appear, only then will we order the entree. And when that's done, we order dessert.

Good idea about ordering appetizers & drinks first! & we are definately gonna opt for the 5:30 ADR-oh boy! This meal idea is turning out to be even better than our original plans!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Yes. Make your ADR for California Grill. CG is Disney dining at it's best. Wishes is fantastic when viewed from CG.

 

[Lionqueen2]

I went to Cali Grill and had dinner during Wishes. I had read they dim the lights, pause service and pipe in the music.
They did none of the above. We had a fabulous window view, but the lights stayed on which caused reflections on the glass. The service continued, during which I received the incorrect dinner and was distracted trying to find the waitress. They did pipe in the music, but I could barely hear it over the noise. It was amazingly loud in there. And what I saw of Wishes I did not like - it wasn't centered over the castle (off to one side) and so did not look "right".
All in all, I would not go to Cali Grill again. For all of the reasons above, and an incredibly rude waitress that reduced me to tears (this was supposed to be our silver anniversary dinner). The food was not that impressive either. The man who was supposed to take us to our table at the beginning walked us around the dining area while I tried to carry a very full drink. I didn't even get a good sunset that everyone is talking about. It was kind of hazy and grey that evening...
I know alot of people love Cali Grill, but for me, never again. And the firework are much more impressive standing by the castle...that moved me to tears too, but the good kind.

I also went to the CG with my family to celebrate a special occasion. While the food was fine, the experience was not what we expected. I agree that Wishes loses a lot of its magic when view from the CG. It is such a beautiful show, but doesn't seem to be anything special from the CG.

They did pipe in the music, but you could barely hear it and the fireworks were not as visible or as impressive as they are in MK. Overall, I thought it was somewhat disappointing and would not do it again. I prefer to see Wishes in the MK.

 

[Peepster]

We've been there several times and twice during Wishes (which, I confess, is our sentimental favorite). We choose to leave our table and walk out on the observation deck to watch, if the weather is agreeable, and find the show to be breathtaking from that vantage point. If the weather is not cooperating we have watched from an inside observation area which was good, too.

That being said...I have to agree that a couple of our servers have been exceptionally rude, which is disappointing. We find the food to be good...not as good as the price would have one believe, but that's our choice so no complaints. And, yes, the restaurant is a zoo at that time of night. As an aside, we find most restaurants on property (not Vic & Al's) to be noisy and crowded...a Blue Glowtini helps.

Yup, we're going back to CG, at Wishes time, in June. Guess we're just slow learners.