California Grill First Timer

[jhaig]

We have a reservation for 730 on Wed 9/16 and since this is our first time eating there I was wondering:

1) How early should we arrive?
2) Can I request a window seat (Wishes is at 8pm)?
3) Where is the check-in?

 

[TammyA]

We usually get there 1/2 hour to 45 minutes early to wait for a table by the window. You may request the window table when you check-in, but it could be a long wait. We just have a drink in the bar area while we wait. You can step out on the balcony area to view wishes if you're not seated by the window. Check in is on the 2nd floor. Enjoy!

 

[Imagineer5]

If you arrive earlier you may have a better chance for a window seat. It's my favorite restaurant at WDW, and one of my top of all time somehow we've always been there on a celebration of some sort (birthdays, anniversarys) so they had that in the system and had already prepared the window seat (w/ confetti and all!!) so, if you're celebrating something it wouldn't hurt to have that on the reservation. Even without a window seat you'll be able to get up and enjoy the fireworks, it'll be beautiful. Have fun!!

 

[mskayjay]

We arrive early and have a seat in the lounge area over to the right. On our ressie we request "window" but that isn't always possible and like PP have already said, you can just wait. With a 7:30 ressie, you stand a good chance of not being quite in and settled down before Wishes starts unless you get there really early! So either go early or go with the plan of going out on the platform to watch and *then* have your meal. While you are waiting, settle in to the lounge area and enjoy the view with a cocktail and order a flatbread as an appetizer. They are simply fantastic!!!!!!

I always get the steak with the polenta instead of the potatoes. CG, like all WDW restaurants, is very willing to honor requests like that within reason. I never get polenta up north here so that is a true treat for me and I love the combo of that with the beef. Their polenta is a creamy one btw, not a baked one.

If you are celebrating something, they are just wonderful about it! We did our 25th anny there last year and they were so kind in helping me get my DH's gift to him. It was incorporated into his dessert! lol


We have never had a bad experience at CG and would rate it as our personal fav of all the TS restaurants at WDW. Hope you enjoy it too!

 

[PoohsFan1]

If you arrive earlier you may have a better chance for a window seat. It's my favorite restaurant at WDW, and one of my top of all time somehow we've always been there on a celebration of some sort (birthdays, anniversarys) so they had that in the system and had already prepared the window seat (w/ confetti and all!!) so, if you're celebrating something it wouldn't hurt to have that on the reservation. Even without a window seat you'll be able to get up and enjoy the fireworks, it'll be beautiful. Have fun!!

I completely agree with you. We always have a 5:30pm ADR and have always gotten a window seat. The best thing about that is that you can always return upstairs (as long as you have your dinner receipt) and watch Wishes outside on the balcony.

We ate there in March for our 10 yr. anniversary. We too got a window seat with confetti all over it. We also got a free piece of their chocolate cake that had "Happy Anniversary" on it, plus the whole waitstaff signed a wonderful anniversary card for us....it was very magical CG is DH and my absolute favorite restaurant in all of Disney, it wouldn't be a Disney vacation without eating there.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

We have a reservation for 730 on Wed 9/16 and since this is our first time eating there I was wondering:

1) How early should we arrive?
2) Can I request a window seat (Wishes is at 8pm)?
3) Where is the check-in?

You can request a window table but at that time of night I highly doubt you will get one before Wishes starts. Anyone who already has a window table will probably linger until after Wishes is over. However, as others have posted, you will be able to go out on the observation deck and watch Wishes from there before you are seated.

You will likely be able to get a window table if you are willing to wait until after the people who lingered for Wishes leave and they reset the table. The staff may not want you to wait that long. The view of the Castle changing colors at night is very nice.

I completely agree with you. We always have a 5:30pm ADR and have always gotten a window seat.

5:30 is the first ADR of the night so the seating is wide open. When I went in December '07 we had that ADR and Wishes was at 6pm. They open the lounge area at 5pm so we arrived and checked in around 4:30 and said we'd like a window table if possible. We were taken up to the lounge area at 5pm, ordered a cocktail, and before long were seated at a window table.

 

[dansyr2514]

Just wanted to note....ask for window table with a view of MK. We asked for a window table but were all the way over on the other side. No biggie though....we finished dinner just in time for wishes to start so we just went outside and watched it.
Other times I have been there we did get a window seat with a view of the fireworks and it was very romantic.

 

[choirchic]

I'm loving this thread! DH and I are celebrating our Anniversary there on the 12th. We have an ADR at 7:40 with Wishes being at 10 that night. It will be our first time eating there and I'm really excited!

 

[elkkthunder]

i am going to eat there next week. I am wearing khakis and a polo, but dont want to take dress shoes. can I get away with dark brown sandals, not cheap flip flops??

 

[choirchic]

DH will be in Khaki shorts and a polo and I plan on wearing flip flops and a cute summery outfit...There's nothing in the dress code that mentions shoes:

This is quoted from the Disney Website:

Dress Code Guidelines:
Men: Khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts, collared shirts.
Sport coats are optional.
Ladies: Capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, dress shorts.

Not permitted in dining room: Tank tops, swimwear, hats for gentleman, cut offs, or torn clothing. While T-shirts are now allowed, the policy remains that T-shirts with offensive language or graphics are not acceptable.

 

[TinkDVC]

I was excited to read this thread. Have first meal at CG in December!!! Thanks to all for the great info.

 

[snowiit]

We have done CG before, but always with three people. Is there such a thing as a windown table (MK View) for four? We'll be taking my mother this next trip and reading this thread made me think.....


Thanks!

Nancy