California Grill, fireworks, what time to make ADR?

[HuskerFaninIL]

we are going to CG on 3/16 (my actual birthday) for dinner, hours aren’t out yet. Some places claim HEA is at 9:15, what time should I aim for booking my ADR to see fireworks.

 

[DWillowBay]

At a time that includes 9:15? Or....no matter when your ADR is scheduled, you can return and see the fireworks at whatever time they're scheduled. At least they did this last year when we had the same situation. Have a happy birthday!

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree, unless you want to be eating during the fireworks, you are still allowed to return the same day as your meal to observe the fireworks.

 

[Jeff O]

Just be sure to save your receipt, and (as others have mentioned) the staff will allow your party back out onto the balcony to watch the fireworks. Should be most pleasant outside in the evening in March. In the warmer months, the bugs will eat you for dessert.

 

[gharter]

We try and get an ADR about 60- 90 minutes befroe fireworks. Generally our meal lasts at least 2 hours. If we can get 60 minutes, we have the appetizers, watch fireworks and then they bring the entree.
As others have said, no matter what time you eat, you can come back and watch the fireworks.
Even if we are eating when the fireworks will be starting, we rarely stay at our table, but generally go to one of the balconies outside to watch.

 

[ArmyVet80]

We make our ADR for around 7:30-7:45 pm when the fireworks are at 9:00 pm. We tend to get our desserts at the time they dim the lights for the fireworks. Kind of like our own dessert party with a few hundred other people with an amazing view. If by chance our food comes out rather quickly we'll order an extra bottle of wine and drink that while watching the fireworks.

We do the same thing at Rose & Crown Dining Room at Epcot for Illuminations. So far it has worked out great for us.

On one of our more recent trips we didn't notice (my bad) that HEA was at 8 pm until around 6:30 pm. We went to Cali Grill and asked if we could check-in early and go up to get a drink from the lounge/bar. They sent us up and we actually got seated at 7:00 pm. When the fireworks started we were just finishing up or entrees. Wasn't too bad but I wouldn't press my luck again with this scenario.

 

[indoshakespeare]

If your reservation is post fireworks (for example, 8.30 HEA and 9.00 reservation), can you come early to watch it before you eat?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If your reservation is post fireworks (for example, 8.30 HEA and 9.00 reservation), can you come early to watch it before you eat?

from the Disney page: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/
Guests with a dining reservation after the fireworks are also invited to watch the show from the lounge or observation deck. Please note that fireworks may be cancelled due to inclement weather and are subject to change.

Do they play the music from the show on the observation deck?

 

[gharter]

from the Disney page: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/
Guests with a dining reservation after the fireworks are also invited to watch the show from the lounge or observation deck. Please note that fireworks may be cancelled due to inclement weather and are subject to change.

Do they play the music from the show on the observation deck?

There are 2 observation decks where you can watch the fireworks. During the fireworks, they pipe the music to each deck as well as dimming the lights in the restaurant and piping in the music there. As you are looking at MK, I prefer the deck on the left side of the dining room, a little bit better angle. Most go to the deck on the right side.