California Grill & MK Fireworks

[tardin1964]

If Wishes is schedule for 10:00pm, what's a good time to make reservations at the California Grill to watch them?

Is 8:00pm too early???

If we make them later, do people get up from their tables (if they don't have a good view from where they are seated) and go out to the obsevation deck and watch?

Thanks!

 

[techex95]

I have a reservation at 8pm, I would like to know the answer to this as well.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We usually get our reservations about an hour before Wishes. In every case, we're still eating when the fireworks start. We just get up, go out on the deck, watch the show, then resume the meal. The servers are quite used to it and most times will "hold" an entree or dessert until you get back to the table.
Should add that often at CG we're not seated exactly on time, and we always get drinks, appertizers and dessert. Making our meals at CG last about and hour and a half.
So--2 hours ahead of wishes isn't too bad.

 

[tejasranger]

Our res. were for 830 and the rest. was running a little behind so we were able to catch wishes.

 

[Pakey]

We eat at Ca Grill every trip and do our reservations for an hour before fireworks. Because we do appetizers and order a bottle of wine which will have to be uncorked, we will be there for 60-90 minutes usually. We normally see fireworks before the dessert. FYI, in the approx 20 times we have eaten here, we've only had window viewing from our table one time; all other times we have went out onto the observation decks.

If you are done eating before the fireworks, they will give you a voucher to come back up at 10:00 to view the fireworks from the platform.

 

[lippylulu]

Where is California Grill located in relation to the fireworks? We are just working out our itinerary and dining. We will be there the week before Memorial Day and coming home on Memorial. We are planning on doing MK our first day after arrival---a Monday. Not sure we will make it back to MK (there is so much to do even in one week!) so one more chance to see Wishes would be nice.

BTW, we are staying at Orange Lake Resort for a week and one night at the Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista at the end of our trip.

 

[IMDORY]

We eat at Ca Grill every trip and do our reservations for an hour before fireworks. Because we do appetizers and order a bottle of wine which will have to be uncorked, we will be there for 60-90 minutes usually. We normally see fireworks before the dessert. FYI, in the approx 20 times we have eaten here, we've only had window viewing from our table one time; all other times we have went out onto the observation decks.

If you are done eating before the fireworks, they will give you a voucher to come back up at 10:00 to view the fireworks from the platform.

I've only been there twice-but both times we were given window seats-we've been REALLY lucky! We usually go for an ADR about an hour or so before the fireworks and it has worked fine for us.

 

[tardin1964]

We eat at Ca Grill every trip and do our reservations for an hour before fireworks. Because we do appetizers and order a bottle of wine which will have to be uncorked, we will be there for 60-90 minutes usually. We normally see fireworks before the dessert. FYI, in the approx 20 times we have eaten here, we've only had window viewing from our table one time; all other times we have went out onto the observation decks.

If you are done eating before the fireworks, they will give you a voucher to come back up at 10:00 to view the fireworks from the platform.

You've had no problems with your whole party getting up from the table in between courses and going out to the observation deck?

 

[madalex]

Where is California Grill located in relation to the fireworks?

Cal Grill is located on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Hotel, which is only a few hundred yards from the Magic Kingdom. From the restaurant/observation deck, you are above everything and have an unimpeded view of the MK and the fireworks.

 

[ciera321]

SInce we always request a window table, we usually have to wait an extra 20 minutes until one is available. I always make our reservation 2 hours prior to Wishes and we're usually eating our dessert when they start, or right after they're over...

 

[Pakey]

You've had no problems with your whole party getting up from the table in between courses and going out to the observation deck?

No, we just let our server know when we arrive that we will be doing this and it's never been a problem.

 

[vellamint]

I am hoping for a window seat next week....our reservation is for 9:00.....we just ask for a window when we check in?

 

[justwinnie]

We've dined there 4 times and had a window twice. Although the lights are dimmed during the fireworks, there's still a bit of a glare, so we end up going outside anyway.

The waitstaff all seem to know the drill and have always told us about the fireworks and about going to the observation decks.

Tip-- there are two decks and the one that's on the bathroom side is usually far less crowded. As long as you stand at the end, the view is just as good.

It's also been super windy on that deck!

Window seats are not guaranteed. We've also had long waits if we've made our reservations too close to the Wishes b/c many people drag out their meals.