California Grill Lounge

[Elmo007]

If you are not eating at the California Grill , can you still go up to the lounge for drinks and watch the fireworks? I have been there for dinner several times and it always semed that there were people there who were just having drinks.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Yes. If there is room. Check at the desk, and if they have space someone will take you up.

 

[Disneyadore]

We were one of those people that were sitting there with a drink waiting for our table
I don't think they let you go up. The deck outside is more than crowed with guests that are actually eating there.
There are times,when things get out of hand,the dinner guests get there meal in the lounge.

 

[WEDWDW]

Thye check-in desk is on the second floor.

 

[Art 1]

If you are not eating at the California Grill , can you still go up to the lounge for drinks and watch the fireworks? I have been there for dinner several times and it always semed that there were people there who were just having drinks.

My wife and I have done so many many times. We go up for drinks and end up ordering flatbreads and desserts and such. We have a great time doing this. The waiters are great fun and really interesting.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Restaurants board.

 

[Pakey]

We, too, are those people in the lounge with drinks waiting on our table. The wait can sometimes be very long. The last time we waited long enough to have 2 drinks.

There is no way to know if you will get to go up or not. All you can do is check at the 2nd floor desk and see if there's room.

 

[Elmo007]

I guess I will just go and see. Thanks

 

[TDC Nala]

Go up early and plan to stay awhile if your plan is to watch the fireworks. (You can order food in the lounge). About an hour before the fireworks, here's what usually happens:

Those who are seated already decide to keep their seats until after the fireworks show is over.

Those who are coming in for ADRs during that time aren't being seated because the people at the tables aren't leaving.

The folks waiting for ADRs crowd into the bar/lounge area to wait.

People who ate at Ca. Grill earlier in the evening are also taking advantage of the fact that they can present their receipt and be allowed up to watch the fireworks. If they get there early, they too usually wait in the lounge/bar area.

So it's entirely possible if you don't get there early enough, you won't be able to go up to the lounge unless you have an ADR or a receipt. I don't think you can expect to walk up to the check-in desk fifteen minutes or even a half hour before the start of Wishes and be let up to the lounge. (If you go early you also have a better chance of scoring a coveted window seat. There are several in the lounge.)