California Grill question

[magicalfoursome]

My family is dining at the California Grill for the first time this June. Of course we want to end the meal with seeing Wishes from the restaurant. We have an 8:10 adr and the fireworks are scheduled for 10pm. Our children are older so we have no problem with a long leisurely meal. Is this too much time? I tried to get an 8:30 adr but 8:10 was the closest. Thanks!

 

[Leanne1977]

We are a family of 4 and our meals here generally take around the 2 hour mark so I think you will be fine.
Maybe ask at check in for a window table, this might help to kill some time.

 

[lacool]

I called this morning and got an ADR for 8:05. I asked for 8:30 and they originally offered 9:10, but that is just too late. I'm thinking we won't show up too early, we'll order drinks before looking at the menu, and if all that moves too quickly, maybe an appetizer before we order entrees. I'm determined to be there when the fireworks happen. That's the best part of Cali Grill.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think you both will be ok. Most of our meals at CG with drinks and appetizers take at least an hour and a half.
And if worse comes to worse, you can leave CG when you are finished, walk around the 4th floor shops for a bit, then with your dinner receipt go back up to the CG and watch the fireworks.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I think you'll be fine with your current ADR time. There's no harm in lingering after the meal. We normally take at least 2 hours for a meal, but we do app's, entrees and dessert...with generous helpings of wine interspersed.

 

[Addicted to Dopey]

also keep in mind that you prob wont even be seated at your adr time....we almost are never seated on time and usually have about a 15-25 min wait....esp later in the evening!

 

[dddisrunner]

Thank you to the OP for asking this and for all the responses! We have the exact same ADR time in June also and I was worried about the fireworks and timing too!

 

[Booyakasha]

The chance of you getting seated at 8:10 our slim. CG always seems to run behind. So you should be just fine.

B.

 

[princessfionasmom]

Can anyone tell me if you can book California Grill at 180 days or is it 90 days out?

TIA

 

[Alztybrn]

Just 90

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Can you get a 8:45 or 9:00? Be sure to request Beckey, she's the best.

 

[magicalfoursome]

Thanks everyone! I am so excited to try this restaurant and the fireworks will just end the night perfectly!! Do they have a balcony that you watch from outside or do you watch from the windows?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Thanks everyone! I am so excited to try this restaurant and the fireworks will just end the night perfectly!! Do they have a balcony that you watch from outside or do you watch from the windows?

Both. You can watch from your table if you happen to have a really good view or you can go out on the observation deck (but get out there early...it gets crowded out there).

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

I have a question that is related to this subject.

I have upcoming ADR for 8:50pm for Cali Grill. That night Wishes is at 9pm. That being said, after reading previous post on this thread it seems that we will not be seated on time. Is there any chance they will let us upstairs to watch Wishes while we wait for our table since our ADR is very close to the time of Wishes? Could we just show up extra early say 8:20 or 8:30pm and hope to be seated a little earlier?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I have a question that is related to this subject.

I have upcoming ADR for 8:50pm for Cali Grill. That night Wishes is at 9pm. That being said, after reading previous post on this thread it seems that we will not be seated on time. Is there any chance they will let us upstairs to watch Wishes while we wait for our table since our ADR is very close to the time of Wishes? Could we just show up extra early say 8:20 or 8:30pm and hope to be seated a little earlier?

Any help would be appreciated!

You can tell them at the podium on the 2nd floor when you check in (early or not) that you'd like to watch the fireworks from the deck and that'll be no problem. As for your seating time...it really depends. A lot of tables like to linger when Wishes is so close to starting, but getting there early may help. The view from the observation deck is really nice too though.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

We're not too much worried about getting seated late, just a matter of missing Wishes from the top floor of the Contemporary. This is our big meal on our honeymoon and wanted it to be special.

 

[GatorLady]

Both. You can watch from your table if you happen to have a really good view or you can go out on the observation deck (but get out there early...it gets crowded out there).

Since you said it gets crowded, what time would you suggest to be out on the deck by? We have an 8:20 ADR for a night with a 9:00 Wishes, so I know we might not get seated before they start. I had planned on being at the lower level check in at 8:00.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Since you said it gets crowded, what time would you suggest to be out on the deck by? We have an 8:20 ADR for a night with a 9:00 Wishes, so I know we might not get seated before they start. I had planned on being at the lower level check in at 8:00.

About 10 to 15 minutes before Wishes begins, the deck is packed. You don't need to be out there excessively early though. If your lucky, you'll be seated before Wishes and hopefully with a birds eye view from your table. We have been lucky the past few years with always getting a table against the windows, so we didn't have to bother with the deck viewing, but on occasion my kids tried (I stress the tried part) to go on the deck minutes before to view from outside and they were not successful.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

Good news for me. I decided to call Disney this morning just to see if there was any ADRs available earlier in the evening on April 30th (the night we have our current ADRs). To my surprise and delight there was an availability for 7:20pm! So I changed our Cali Grill ADRs from 8:50pm to 7:20pm. Now I feel a lot more at ease about not missing Wishes. This way we can now take our time and if they seat us after our scheduled time it will not be a problem.

 

[UK Princess]

Good news for me. I decided to call Disney this morning just to see if there was any ADRs available earlier in the evening on April 30th (the night we have our current ADRs). To my surprise and delight there was an availability for 7:20pm! So I changed our Cali Grill ADRs from 8:50pm to 7:20pm. Now I feel a lot more at ease about not missing Wishes. This way we can now take our time and if they seat us after our scheduled time it will not be a problem.

Well done - that's great news!

And slightly relaxes me about the current panic over 90 day ADRs!!! I am planning on CG for the first night of our honeymoon!!


Ange
xx