California Grill for Wishes?

[IHEARTNY]

I have never tried eating at the California Grill during Wishes but have always wanted to! It will just be my DH and I and we really wanted to go and catch Wishes. We have about another two months before our 180 days for ADR but I am wondering if anyone can help me in whether I should book for 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours?.... before the scheduled beginning of Wishes. Can I request window seating? Do I need window seating? Are the CMs and servers going to try to push us out if we go too early?

 

[Statler]

I booked mine an hour and a half before the fireworks. There were 4 of us and we had appetizers. When we finished our main course, there was 15 minutes before the fireworks started. We ordered dessert, went out to the viewing area and watched the fireworks, and came back in to eat dessert.

I wouldnt count on a window seat, but honestly I dont think it matters. The viewing area was a great place to watch from and the servers are very accomodating about working around the fireworks.

 

[splashmountainjaxson]

Getting a window seat (at any restaurant from which you can view Wishes) is always a shot in the dark. When you check-in, you can request at that point, but the CM can not gaurentee. As for timing, if Wishes starts at 9pm, you can have a ressie at 6:30/7pm, and be just fine - but we usually order wine, apps, dinner and dessert, plus we pretty leisurely, as CA Grill is always our last meal at the resort - we make it a good one! I have never seen anyone kicked out...but I imagine if you end at 8...and Wishes is at 9, that could be a problem. Yet, if you end early, you can have a drink at the bar, and walk outside on the deck to view the 'works. Even most diners inside all exit anyway...thus why a window seat really isn't a total deal breaker.

Enjoy your trip and the Cali Grill!

 

[poohluvrs]

We have a MK view room at the CR, is it still worth it to go to the CG & watch from there?

 

[TDC Nala]

You can't count on getting a window table. It's a pretty good bet that anyone who already has a window seat an hour prior to Wishes is going to hang onto the table until the show's over.

 

[Pakey]

We've eaten here about 20 times. Number of window tables in those 20 dinners = 1.

 

[Moonpie]

We were being served dinner during Wishes, and I felt as though we would have enjoyed it more if we were already finished, and standing on the balcony. I couldn't really see much from the window where we were seated. Next time we go to CG we're going during regular dinner time, and then to the park to watch Wishes.

 

[KristineN]

We were just there on Feb 13th (for my bday) We did get a window seat 10 minutes prior to Wishes...the only reason I believe was that the wait was sooo long, and I looked fairly unhappy.....the manager kept apologizing...bought us champagne and then finally seated us. The view was not worth the wait (IMHO) I agree with whoever said go for the meal...then go to the park for the fireworks.

 

[TDC Nala]

If I still had any interest in the fireworks, I would definitely eat early and head back to the park to see them. They are best seen from inside the park. But if you've been there and done that and want a different perspective, it's neat from up there. I think I'd prefer to watch from the observation deck if the weather permits though.

 

[hahmood]

on our arrival night, we have a 9:00 pm reservation at CG, Wishes is at 10 that night.......are people going to be hanging around at their tables waiting for Wishes making it unable for us to even order dinner?

 

[LoveKermit]

It sounds like it depends on your server. We had a server (though Christmas Eve) who made sure we got our dinners quick enough, but delayed our desserts. He told us the kitchen is used to working around the fireworks and they aren't going to put your food down while you're outside. If Wishes is only 15 minutes from starting, you might wait a little longer for your food.

Another time (the first time), we sat down about 1 1/2 hour late for our ressie. It was spring break so I'm guessing the fireworks were at 7? I think we finally sat down at 8 or 8:30. But we had apps at the bar and enjoyed watching the castle change colors. And by the time we were finished, the place was pretty quiet.

As for a late ADR, I'd arrive early. The earlier you appear, it seems, the earlier they might seat you. And don't be picky on where you sit (think Resort Room requests). The more specific you are, the longer you'll wait.

And go outside for the fireworks. It's much better.

 

[KristineN]

This is what happened with us....the manager said that once it' only an hour before fireworks people linger and don't want to leave...plus people who ate earlier come back up to hang out....the volume of people just milling around in the bar area, I found overwhelming.

I am sure it's like anything....hit or miss depending on the night....I would just prepare mentally, that it won't quite be what you expected.

on our arrival night, we have a 9:00 pm reservation at CG, Wishes is at 10 that night.......are people going to be hanging around at their tables waiting for Wishes making it unable for us to even order dinner?

 

[Gillian]

Maybe we're the only ones, but we had an early ADR and our waiter said we could come back later to watch Wishes. He said they will let you back upstairs. He even told us to go get our kids from the club and come back with them!

I sure hope that's the official policy, because next time we go I'd like to do that - early dinner and later, fireworks in the viewing area.

I will also say that there were tons of people waiting when we were finished (8ish?) and the bar/lounge area was full. It did not look like a fun place to hang out unless you were part of a large group! Probably I'd want to leave and go explore the hotel for a bit.

 

[IHEARTNY]

Thanks for all the advice.

So considering all my options, I know that wishes is going to most likely be at 8 PM for us and so eating early and coming back isn't really much of an option. Plus, I'm not sure I really like the idea anyway, it's kind of cheating in a sense to me.

I plan on going in September which is definitely a slower season, which is why Wishes is shown at 8 or 9 PM and not 10... knowing that it's tons slower in general hasn't really affected the dining so much because there is free dining then so restaurants seem to be just as busy as they are in the summer.

I'm wondering if there is anyone who did this last September. Was it really similarly busy?

Could I try to take advantage of the fact that it's going to be my DHs birthday?

And if were aren't really go outside and watch fireworks kind of people, are we potentally screwed?

 

[KristineN]

When we went last week it was for my 40th birthday....I think that's why he gave us the champagne.....the wait however was over an hour.....so being my bday didn't really facilitate anything.

Thanks for all the advice.

So considering all my options, I know that wishes is going to most likely be at 8 PM for us and so eating early and coming back isn't really much of an option. Plus, I'm not sure I really like the idea anyway, it's kind of cheating in a sense to me.

I plan on going in September which is definitely a slower season, which is why Wishes is shown at 8 or 9 PM and not 10... knowing that it's tons slower in general hasn't really affected the dining so much because there is free dining then so restaurants seem to be just as busy as they are in the summer.

I'm wondering if there is anyone who did this last September. Was it really similarly busy?

Could I try to take advantage of the fact that it's going to be my DHs birthday?

And if were aren't really go outside and watch fireworks kind of people, are we potentally screwed?

 

[meghan0106]

For our anniversary last year we made an ADR for 720 it was 8pm wishes. I requested a window and gotthe most perfect table ever. The timing was great this wasour most magical experience ever!

 

[Gillian]

I plan on going in September which is definitely a slower season, which is why Wishes is shown at 8 or 9 PM and not 10... knowing that it's tons slower in general hasn't really affected the dining so much because there is free dining then so restaurants seem to be just as busy as they are in the summer.

And if were aren't really go outside and watch fireworks kind of people, are we potentally screwed?

Is the entertainment schedule for September out yet? They don't have Wishes every night, I don't think.

It's really fun to go outside. Check it out anyway!

 

[IHEARTNY]

Is the entertainment schedule for September out yet? They don't have Wishes every night, I don't think.

It's really fun to go outside. Check it out anyway!

It's not out yet, I just went off of last years schedule which I know won't be the same. The only time they don't show Wishes is for the Halloween party on Friday nights. We go all the time in September, 8 straight years now and the days things are scheduled on hardly change, only the dates...

The only thing I'm not to sure about September is if really getting busier in terms of people dining like I think it is, .

Thanks everyone for the advice, keep it coming-- I love hearing everyone's different thoughts on this!