California Grill Fireworks Time?

[kathyclownfish]

Looking to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday having dinner at the California Grill on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Since the March 2020 operating hours will not be out by the 180 day mark, how do you know what time to make the reservations to see the fireworks? Historically what time are the fireworks in early March? What time should I make the reservations? Would love to grab a window seat. Thanks!

 

[DISNEY1975]

I would say make your reservation for 7:30. Late March the fireworks were at 9pm. There is usually a wait and you will most likely be seated around 7:50. Meals can be up to 90 minutes, but you can leave the table to watch the fireworks, then return for dessert

Window seats are luck of the draw, and pretty hard to get. Guests with a dining reservation anytime 7 or after tend to linger and not leave the table until the fireworks, ordering lots of drinks or coffee!

 

[kathyclownfish]

I would say make your reservation for 7:30. Late March the fireworks were at 9pm. There is usually a wait and you will most likely be seated around 7:50. Meals can be up to 90 minutes, but you can leave the table to watch the fireworks, then return for dessert

Window seats are luck of the draw, and pretty hard to get. Guests with a dining reservation anytime 7 or after tend to linger and not leave the table until the fireworks, ordering lots of drinks or coffee!

Looks like Kenny the Pirate is saying fireworks begin at 8:00 pm on March 1. Should I make a 7:15 reservation?

 

[DISNEY1975]

That actually sounds right since we dont change the clocks until the week after. I would say 6:45pm. Youll be seated around 7 and just be finishing your entree around 8 if you get apps. If not, make the ressie for 7.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In 2019, HEA was at 8pm 3/1-3/9, then moved to 9:15pm for the balance of the month.

In 2018, HEA was at 7:55pm 3/1-3/10, then 8:55pm for the balance of the month.

I suspect times in 2020 will be similar to 2019.

 

[kathyclownfish]

In 2019, HEA was at 8pm 3/1-3/9, then moved to 9:15pm for the balance of the month.

In 2018, HEA was at 7:55pm 3/1-3/10, then 8:55pm for the balance of the month.

I suspect times in 2020 will be similar to 2019.

Thank you....great info!!

 

[gharter]

This year, HEA was at 8pm. I would try and get an ADR about 6:30. Saturday ADRs can be difficult to get for times around fireworks. I would also plan to wait a short time to be seated. I also would be more concerend about having a 7:15 ADR and have the group before me sit and wait to see the fireworks before they leave.

 

[CHIPSTER]

A friend of mine has ADR at CG, but not during the fireworks. She was told to ask for ticket (something like that) and they can return to view the fireworks on the balcony.

 

[RADOPT]

We were there years ago and had a reservation so we could see the eat, fireworks and get back to the room so our babysitter could go home. We had to wait so long that we ended up canceling and going back to the room. We were very disappointed as it was a one time possibility. Since it has been awhile maybe someone who has been recently could yeah or neigh this - if you really want a window and to make sure you get in at a decent time, go earlier and wait for a window table. Maybe 6:00, you could hang in the bar area.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We've experienced an avg of a 35 min wait to be seated at Cali Grill. People also are notorious for camping out as you get closer to fireworks time. To further complicate that, we've had servers encourage us to stay seated at our table if we're getting close to fireworks time. i.e. 20-25 min out. I don't know how many courses you're planning on eating, but we usually found that 2-2.5 hrs before fireworks was our ideal ADR time if we wanted cocktails, appetizers, entrees and dessert. Ex. I recall having a 7:45pm ADR when fireworks were at 10pm...we were served dessert just as the lights dimmed.

 

[Aj1129]

We just did this. We had a 7:35 reservation for a 9:15 fireworks time and we had the option of holding our entrees until after the fireworks. If I could do it again I would want a bit of an earlier reservation anywhere from 6:45-7:15.

 

[adams3880]

Aw, man. We have reservations for 9:50pm on Sunday, 9/8. It’s a party night. Is there any chance we can see the fireworks?

 

[mkb3]

I went Black Friday had reservations an hour before HEA. We were sat at the window right away and had apps and our meal, watched Fireworks then dessert. My favorite Disney memory ever.

 

[purple figment]

Aw, man. We have reservations for 9:50pm on Sunday, 9/8. It’s a party night. Is there any chance we can see the fireworks?

Check in around 9:40 and let them know you want to see the fireworks. When you arrive upstairs you might be seated before fireworks or you can tell the host/hostess you want to go out to the deck and be seated afterward the show.

 

[adams3880]

That’s amazing advice! Thanks!

 

[Pete S]

Last Saturday we had a 9 pm ADR and 9 pm fireworks. We checked in downstairs about 840, got upstairs about 10 minutes later. Our table was ñot ready so we were able to wait on the deck. We got the text that our table was ready at about 905 so I went in to be shown the table then went outside to meet my wife and daughter for the rest of the fireworks. We went in when the show was over and had a great meal.

Our server Nassir was great. He made some wonderful recommendations and when we mentioned that we were going to Jiko Sunday he wrote down some suggestions for there as well, as he had worked there for several years before moving to Cali Grill.