California Grill for apps and drinks? When/how?

[rabbitthecat]

Hi all,

Longtime lurker but frequent reader of the boards - many thanks in advance for your help with this question!

I'm headed back to WDW in a couple of weeks with my family, and a few of us are interested in going to the California Grill for a glass of wine/appetizers at the bar. Is this a) possible to do without an ADR; b) better to do earlier or later in the evening; and c) will it allow us to watch the fireworks outside? I know you can come back to the CG to watch Wishes if you have a receipt from an earlier dinner, but I'm not sure if having been for just a drink/small plates gives you the same access.

Similarly, if anyone has other suggestions for a nice place to get a drink and some good appetizers, those would be much appreciated, too.

Thanks for your input!

 

[TDC Nala]

Hi all,

Longtime lurker but frequent reader of the boards - many thanks in advance for your help with this question!

I'm headed back to WDW in a couple of weeks with my family, and a few of us are interested in going to the California Grill for a glass of wine/appetizers at the bar. Is this a) possible to do without an ADR;

Yes. California Grill has a bar/lounge which is accessible without a reservation. They will serve the full menu at the lounge.

b) better to do earlier or later in the evening;

Depends on what you want. The restaurant is not accessible without checking in at the 2nd floor desk. If you just want to go to the lounge, the desk can let you go up to the restaurant, but they won't do it if the bar/lounge is already full. Therefore, if you're there to see fireworks, anytime within an hour to an hour and a half of the fireworks show might start getting crowded. Usually, about this time the diners who have tables start hanging onto them because they want to see the show. Those who are going up to the restaurants with reservations wait in the lounge for tables to open up. So, the lounge gets more crowded. The closer it is to fireworks time the less likely it is that you will get access without a reservation. After the fireworks it clears out, so if you just want food and drinks you probably will not have any trouble going up to the lounge.

and c) will it allow us to watch the fireworks outside?

See above. I don't have any idea if a receipt from the bar/lounge will get you back upstairs for fireworks.

 

[Uno Mas]

The Wave inside the Contemporary Resort is also a nice place for drinks and apps. They have these intimate circular side rooms that are very cozy or you can sit at the bar itself.

 

[Art 1]

We go up the the lounge a few times a year, lots of fun. The waiters are a lot of fun.