California Grill Fireworks Dilemma - Advice, Please!

[blueangel]

I just don't know what time to make a reservation for! We had 7:35, then realized Wishes isn't until 10. When I called back the next available time was 9:05. I took it, but now I'm having second thoughts.

We really want to watch from the deck, but I read some reviews about people being "trapped" at their table because of food arriving right before they went off and other people not being seated because others refused to get up before fireworks even though they were finished!

Is it true that you can leave after dinner and go back just to watch the fireworks later? What do you guys think?

I'm a Disney vet, but haven't been to CG since it was the old Top of the World...and I was six! Thanks for any advice

 

[Art 1]

I would want the earlier time. My wife and I can easily take a few hours to eat at CG.

 

[blueangel]

Art, I took your word for it. We're now back to 7:15 and I think Disney Dining is sick of hearing from me! Thanks : )

Any other advice out there on any issue CG related? All three of us going are newbies!

 

[katmittens]

We went outside in Jan to see the fireworks and then they brought our dessert. Our reservation was for 5:45 and Wishes was at 8:00. We probably left there at 8:45.

 

[Nancy F]

All you have to do is tell your waiter that you want to go out and watch the fireworks. They'll hold your dinner till after. That's what we always do.
Nancy

 

[cbg1027]

That's correct, you can come back to watch the fireworks.

So go with your 7:15 ADR. If you do finish before 10, I doubt it will be much before then, so you can hang out at the CR and then go back upstairs to the observation deck to watch Wishes.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

We had dinner well before Wishes and I loved it that way. We were able to head up to the walkway and get a great spot before the people at the tables even got up. I'd say your decision is great

 

[blueangel]

Thanks everyone! We're now at 7:35...maybe will check back to get a little closer to 8, but definitely not after. We will definitely stake out a spot on the deck : )

 

[GailT]

I just don't know what time to make a reservation for! We had 7:35, then realized Wishes isn't until 10. When I called back the next available time was 9:05. I took it, but now I'm having second thoughts.

We really want to watch from the deck, but I read some reviews about people being "trapped" at their table because of food arriving right before they went off and other people not being seated because others refused to get up before fireworks even though they were finished!

Is it true that you can leave after dinner and go back just to watch the fireworks later? What do you guys think?

I'm a Disney vet, but haven't been to CG since it was the old Top of the World...and I was six! Thanks for any advice

That time is perfect, we got seated at 9o for dinner, dessert came after our meal at 9:55 and wishes came on at 10, that was for Christmas eve last year, I am doing the same this year perfect timing all around

 

[jennylyn_b]

We purposely make our CG reservations for about 3 hours before the fireworks. We like to get dressed up and take the evening enjoying the food there. CG ends up being our activity that night. We tell our waiter/waitress that we are taking our time and they pace us out accordingly. About 20-25 minutes between having finished a course to the arrival of the next course. By the time we are stuffed, it is fireworks time and we pay out bill and head out to the catwalk for the fireworks. That way we aren't holding the table without eating. The servers never mind our pace and in fact, we think they like it. We always enjoy CG and like to slow down for one night.

 

[Jletendre]

Keep in mind you never get seated right away at CG during busy times. We usually wait 20 mins after our time which doesn't matter as we each have a drink and enjoy the view. So you'll likely finish your meal around 9:30 which leaves enough time to grab another cocktail and get a spot on the observation deck

Worse case you have time to kill you can ride down and walk around the gift shops.

Hope you have a nice evening.

 

[HelenParr]

We like to go later in the evening, but as long as you have a ressie (and are up there) before Wishes starts, you'll be able to see it form the deck. 7:35 will work fine.

If you dined there that evening, you can go back up for fireworks if you wish.

Do not be shy about asking your server for info and letting him/her know what you are planning. They are really used to it and pretty good about timing your food.

And just to be sure, verify Wishes time as you get closer (same day if possible).

Have a great time.

 

[LaurenT]

We ate there and then were planing on going back for the fireworks (yes, you can definitely go back, they'll let you back up to go to the observtion deck as long as you had eaten there that day), but this is what happened to us!
We had about an hour between finishing our meal and the fireworks..so we went to find a comfy spot to relax and wait. We wound up on a couch a few levels down and I noticed an area with children playing with pirates...o investigate, I tell myself.
Turns out to be Pirates and Pals, there are snacks and beverages while pirates play games with the kids, the kids get a photo op with Capt Hook and Mr. Smeed, then everyone goes out to the boats and cruises the lagoon (playing games with the kids for prizes) to a spot where they "set anchor" and watch the fireworks, music piped in..then it's back to the CR for a photo op with Peter Pan. I asked how much, I think it was someting like $55 for adults and $35 for kids, they said they had space, but I thanked them for the info and said we miht very well do it next trip.
So, back to the comfy couch..we were there for2 minutes when the CM approached and said that they would like to offer us a magical moment and have us join the cruise as their guests! It was awsome!!!

 

[Nancy F]

We ate there and then were planing on going back for the fireworks (yes, you can definitely go back, they'll let you back up to go to the observtion deck as long as you had eaten there that day), but this is what happened to us!
We had about an hour between finishing our meal and the fireworks..so we went to find a comfy spot to relax and wait. We wound up on a couch a few levels down and I noticed an area with children playing with pirates...o investigate, I tell myself.
Turns out to be Pirates and Pals, there are snacks and beverages while pirates play games with the kids, the kids get a photo op with Capt Hook and Mr. Smeed, then everyone goes out to the boats and cruises the lagoon (playing games with the kids for prizes) to a spot where they "set anchor" and watch the fireworks, music piped in..then it's back to the CR for a photo op with Peter Pan. I asked how much, I think it was someting like $55 for adults and $35 for kids, they said they had space, but I thanked them for the info and said we miht very well do it next trip.
So, back to the comfy couch..we were there for2 minutes when the CM approached and said that they would like to offer us a magical moment and have us join the cruise as their guests! It was awsome!!!

How nice of them. That's why I love Disney. You never know when Magic will happen. LOL. Glad you had it happen to you.
Nancy

 

[helloconnie]

Last time we went, adult night, we had a 7:30 ressie. We took our time with dinner by starting with cocktails before we ordered an appetizer. We finished up dessert right as the fireworks were starting. Perfect!

Also, if you dine at CG at any point during the day, you can return later to view the fireworks from the deck. You will need to present your receipt from dinner.

Have fun!