California Grill - Need Some Assistance Please

[jenjersnap]

We had noted months earlier on our reservation that we would be celebrating our anniversary. And we proudly wore our WDW "Happy Anniversary" buttons. We were greeted with a "Happy Anniversary" and seated at a table embellished with Mickey glitter. Complimentary glasses of sparkling wine were offered to us. And a CM took our photo and subsequently e-mailed it us. Coincidentally, it arrived today. Of course, when we were seated at our window table we were also greeted with a rainbow (delivered from a higher authority!).

WDW does not and cannot acknowledge every event or family circumstance; it is impossible. But when there is an opportunity WDW delivers. That is why, in part, WDW is THE most frequented vacation destination in the world.

Aw, very nice.

I keep my expectations very low so I would be bowled over and touched by that. We subscribe to the "you have to make - and pay for - your own magic" line of thinking ourselves. ETA: that didn't come out the way I meant, I just meant that we never gotten pixie dusted but we love WDW so we make our own magic.

 

[TPCShauna]

YES!!! This dessert is OUTSTANDING...loved,loved,loved it. Savor it slowly, if you can. You will not want to share it, not matter how full you are!

Thanks for the answer! What did it taste like?

Also, any idea if we will be able to get into the lounge for a drink around 9:00pm if we have a 9:35pm ADR? We want to see the fireworks at 9:30pm.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

We have a 9:35 ADR but wanted to relax in the lounge a while beforehand. The CM told me that we can go up early enough to view the 9:30pm fireworks even though our ressie is at 9:35. In your experience, is this true?

Also, has anyone had the YOMD Honey Crunch Cake? DH was asking about it so I said I would post here.

TIA!!!

Thanks for the answer! What did it taste like?

Also, any idea if we will be able to get into the lounge for a drink around 9:00pm if we have a 9:35pm ADR? We want to see the fireworks at 9:30pm.

My DH & I were able to go up early to have a cocktail before dinner. I think you shouldn't have a problem with that at all.

OP: What about making an earlier dinner ressie and then staying at the bar to have a drink to watch fireworks? We thought the bar was really nice, and then you could have all that atmosphere and the lounge... and then stay for wishes!

California Grill will become a "must do" once you try it. It is just a great experience.

 

[TPCShauna]

My DH & I were able to go up early to have a cocktail before dinner. I think you shouldn't have a problem with that at all.

Thanks for your response! We would just be so upset not to be allowed in when it is one of the primary reasons for booking that location.

I can't wait!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Good luck in getting a seat at the bar--SRO every time we've been let up early. Same with that tiny lounge--no seats.

 

[rusafee1183]

we went to the california grill on our honeymoon, and myself and my DH fell in love with it!!! excellent menu - relaxed environment.... but, we went a different route that everyone here has suggested, though. we made our reservations right around the time that the fireworks were starting and we showed up right on time. while we were waiting for our table we watched the fireworks, and then as soon as they were over we were seated (people clear out after the fireworks - and it was much more mellow and adult oriented) and yes, they had a great bar area

oh and yes, there are children at the california grill, but we didn't really notice them during our meal

OH! and one more thing - get the:

Oak-fired Filet of Beef with cheese orecchiette pasta gratin, sauteed asparagus, teriyaki BBQ sauce $38.00

TRUST ME

BEST THING I HAVE EVER EATEN!!! (I'm still trying to contact them to get the recipe for that pasta!!!)

GOOD LUCK! HAVE FUN!!!

 

[rusafee1183]

We have a 9:35 ADR but wanted to relax in the lounge a while beforehand. The CM told me that we can go up early enough to view the 9:30pm fireworks even though our ressie is at 9:35. In your experience, is this true?

Also, has anyone had the YOMD Honey Crunch Cake? DH was asking about it so I said I would post here.

TIA!!!

yes - that's true! we had reservations right when our fireworks started at 9 pm - and we watched the fireworks while we waited for our table! (a lot better distraction than waiting for most tables! ) we just showed up right on time - it always takes a few minutes to cear up a table and get it ready ...

 

[thepwa]

I like to make my ADR 1/2 to an hour before the fireworks. My experience has been that the staff is very accomodating with you to make the meal work around the fireworks.

 

[bytheblood]

Time your dinner an 1 1/2 hr before the fireworks. You need to call to find out what time they r going off. Yes there r childern in there. It's Disney! Hard to escape. On the fourth floor you can go for drinks after the fireworks.
It's a nice bar/lounge.

Thank you for the feedback about the timing.

As far as the kids, I realize that. I addressed that in my initial post.

 

[bytheblood]

Good luck in getting a seat at the bar--SRO every time we've been let up early. Same with that tiny lounge--no seats.

If it is too full to grab a seat somewhere in a lounge area, maybe we will head to the Poly or something. If my brother is going to have amartinis, might be better if he has them at the Wilderness Lodge so he can walk up to his room.

 

[bytheblood]

To OP, if you can't get the right-on time dinner ressies, no problem. Take the earlier sitting, enjoy your meal. Then go to the bar on other floor to relax for the cocktail...then come back to Cali Grille at fireworks time, and watch from the outside deck (better view than from inside anyway.) They will tell you when you're seated, and probably remind you when you leave that all you have to do is show your receipt for dining that night & they'll let you back to watch from the deck at fireworks time.

Thank you for that suggestion. My brother wants to go outside and watch, so we certainly will be doing that.

I have a few more questions:

1 - Can you take good pictures from there?
2 - Is that area large enough for quite a few people to get out there or does it get crowded quickly?
3 - It is a place you should take your camera and tripod or justleave them back in the room?
4 - Is the deck entry from inside California Grill or do you have to leave the restaurant area and walk out into a foyer?

Thank you again for all of the information. As you can tell, this will truly be my first time to dine here.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I have a few more questions:

1 - Can you take good pictures from there?

Yes, with a zoom.

2 - Is that area large enough for quite a few people to get out there or does it get crowded quickly?

It's a pretty big deck-alot of room.

3 - It is a place you should take your camera and tripod or justleave them back in the room?

I would take my camera and tripod.

4 - Is the deck entry from inside California Grill or do you have to leave the restaurant area and walk out into a foyer?

The entrance is inside GC. As you enter the restaurant it's all the way to the right.

 

[bytheblood]

Woot - thank you!

 

[crisi]

Good luck in getting a seat at the bar--SRO every time we've been let up early. Same with that tiny lounge--no seats.

And standing room only can be VERY crowded. We had 6:00 reservation on a 9:00pm Wishes night and didn't stay - but we left around 8:00 or 8:30. And just getting through that crowd to get to the elevators was horrible. But I'm not fond of crowds.