California Grill for Fireworks

[Laurie222]

We have 6/2 ADR for California Grill at 9:20pm (fireworks are at 10:00pm)with DH, DD10, DS9. Is that a good time? Also, anything I should plan for (my DS can be a picky eater, so I am a little concerned). Right now, we are not doing DDP (we are DVC, so we can still change our minds) - do people split entrees?

Laurie

 

[Tramp68]

California Grill no longer dims the lights for the fireworks so it is no longer a big deal to eat there. The only thing that you can do is go outside on the observation deck to see the fireworks.

When we were there in July we were told that too many people tripped while the lights were dim so they stopped doing that.

Overall it was very disappointing for the money and since you dont get the fireworks anymore, we didnt feel it was worth it and won't be returning there.

 

[Laurie222]

Well, that is a huge change! Thanks for the info - we specifically chose the location/time for the fireworks!

 

[Tramp68]

I havent tried this yet, but I am told that booking the Laua at the Polynesian and then using that for access to watch the Fireworks from the beach is a nice way to do it.....

 

[Laurie222]

I will definitely look into that - it seems the food may be more child friendly also.

Laurie

 

[jel0511]

We ate at California Grill a few weeks ago. They did DIM the lights, though it was still bright enough to get around, think kind of like candelight. It was REALLY nice, they piped the music in and it was wonderful!!!

 

[Laurie222]

Thank you for the confirm - how old are your DD and DS - if they are school age (but not teenagers), did they like the food?

Only 43 days to go!

Laurie

 

[jel0511]

Thank you for the confirm - how old are your DD and DS - if they are school age (but not teenagers), did they like the food?

Only 43 days to go!

Laurie

My kids are 9 and 6 and the LOVED the food!!! As did DH and myself. We all cleaned our plates!!!! DS fell asleep right after dinner and didn't get to eat his dessert. They both ordered the Rice Krispie Sushi and DD said it was good. He missed the fireworks as well, since he was sleeping.

 

[saschab]

On our last trip we had ressies at CG and my daughter and I went out on the observation deck to watch Wishes. We really enjoyed it. We had our appetizers, watched the fireworks and our dinner arrived right after we sat back down.

 

[Laurie222]

Thank you for all your info. FYI - we will be staying at SSR (studio); can't wait!

Laurie

 

[crisi]

We have 6/2 ADR for California Grill at 9:20pm (fireworks are at 10:00pm)with DH, DD10, DS9. Is that a good time? Also, anything I should plan for (my DS can be a picky eater, so I am a little concerned). Right now, we are not doing DDP (we are DVC, so we can still change our minds) - do people split entrees?

Laurie

You may not be seated until after the fireworks. Few leave their table 40 minutes from when fireworks start - they linger over dessert and coffee - and late reservations at CG can get seated an hour or more late.

 

[jel0511]

You may not be seated until after the fireworks. Few leave their table 40 minutes from when fireworks start - they linger over dessert and coffee - and late reservations at CG can get seated an hour or more late.

I have to agree with this. We has an 8PM reservation with fireworks at 10, and few if any tables around us turned around at that time. We did have to wait 25 minutes to be seated, so if your reservation is at 9:20, you probably won't be seated until 9:40 or so. We were seated at 8:25 and finished at 10:15, just afater the fireworks, so it was perfect. CG always runs slightly behind, so keep that in mind. We did see a couple leave around 9:30, I was suprised they left so close to the show, why I noted the time, the table was empty until right after the show. People at the next table, were sitting at it, since it was a window table to get a better view.

 

[Laurie222]

Thank you for all the great info! Perhaps I will still keep the CG ressie, but look at the luau also. Those of you who have gone to CG; will they let you wait upstairs, or must you wait at the podium? I'm not sure it is a big deal if we are not seated as long as we can watch from the observation area.

42 more days!

Laurie

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm almost certain that if you arrive early and have a confirmed reservation, they will let you up. Don't count on getting a seat at the bar or in the lounge--most likely you'll just have to stand outside on the deck.

 

[saschab]

I just checked my trip report and found i had written:

Our ressies were for 9:10pm and after hearing all the horror stories about people staking out tables for the fireworks, and 5 hour dining, we were prepared for the worst.

We arrived at 8:40 and were taken up the elevator and seating right away!​

I'm thinking they would probably let you up to the observation deck even if they were running behind, if you asked "real" nice, even if your table wasn't quite ready.

I can't imagine with a 9:20 ressie, you'd be stuck downstairs beyond 10.

 

[rsmithx]

The best experience I have ever had at Disney was watching the fireworks from CRT. We booked a 9:15 ADR and then requested a window seat when we showed up at the podium. They had us seated at a window by 9:30 and within 30 minutes the fireworks were being launched literally right from our window.

Was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had, it seriously felt like we were INSIDE the fireworks when they exploded.

I also highly recommend the illuminations cruise if you really want to see some fireworks up close, although I think would be tougher to do with young children.

 

[fish4bills]

The best experience I have ever had at Disney was watching the fireworks from CRT. We booked a 9:15 ADR and then requested a window seat when we showed up at the podium. They had us seated at a window by 9:30 and within 30 minutes the fireworks were being launched literally right from our window.

Was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had, it seriously felt like we were INSIDE the fireworks when they exploded.

I also highly recommend the illuminations cruise if you really want to see some fireworks up close, although I think would be tougher to do with young children.

Just curious why would it be tougher to do with small children? We are considering the cruise and would like to know the pros and cons of this cruise.

 

[rsmithx]

Just curious why would it be tougher to do with small children? We are considering the cruise and would like to know the pros and cons of this cruise.

When I say young children I am talking 3,4,5 year olds like I have. Trying to keep track of them is a bit like trying to herd cats, and up until the fireworks start there isn't a lot to do once you "park" the boat. I would have some minor safety concerns trying to keep track of the kids, late at night, in the dark, on a pontoon boat. I am sure nothing would happen (and I imagine they are required to wear a life vest) but I think both CRT and California Grill offer more kid friendly "firework experiences" than the Illuminations cruise.

But the cruise is an absolute blast if you do get one, another memorable moment in my disney travels.

 

[fish4bills]

When I say young children I am talking 3,4,5 year olds like I have. Trying to keep track of them is a bit like trying to herd cats, and up until the fireworks start there isn't a lot to do once you "park" the boat. I would have some minor safety concerns trying to keep track of the kids, late at night, in the dark, on a pontoon boat. I am sure nothing would happen (and I imagine they are required to wear a life vest) but I think both CRT and California Grill offer more kid friendly "firework experiences" than the Illuminations cruise.

But the cruise is an absolute blast if you do get one, another memorable moment in my disney travels.

My kids are 7&5 and I still think they fall into the "young children category". Although they are accustomed to boating (we have two boats), boating at night is a different story. I am just trying to weigh all options.

 

[DaisyD]

I just wanted to add that you do not have to book the luau to have access to the Poly beach to watch the fireworks. The beach is open to anyone. I stay at the Poly every time we go to WDW and there are always people on the beach enjoying the fireworks that are either from a different WDW resort or offsite. If you are driving in just tell the guard you are there to watch the fireworks. If you are onsite just take the monorail over to the Poly and walk right in. The pool is for Poly guests only but everything else for for anyone. If you want to have dinner and watch the firework then book 'Ohana at the Poly. You can sit and watch the fireworks while eating and the music is piped in. 'Ohana is one of our favorite meals in WDW and so much better then that luau.