California Grill Question

[idieh]

I am thinking of taking my DW here for her b'day. Do they have a special "fireworks package" or anything else "special" that I can do to surprise her? Also, I hear lots of good things about CG, do you think she will like it?

Doug

 

[cobia214]

I dont know of any special package, however like all other restaurants in WDW if you tell them about an occasion they will mention it and decorate your table. you can also order special cake ahead of time. If you go early sit in the lounge with Carl, best waiter @CG.

 

[PoohsFan1]

First off let me say that we absolutely love CG, it is by far our favorite restaurant in Disney. With that said, when you book your ADR, make sure that you let Disney know that it is your DW's B-Day. For our 10 yr. Anniversary dinner, we ate there. Since we had it notated on our ADR, we got our Anniversary buttons, had a wonderful window seat with the view of MK, our table was decorated with confetti and streamers, and we got a complimentary piece of rich chocolate cake for DH and I to share which also had "Happy Anniversary" written on it. We also got a "Happy Anniversary" card that was signed by all of the waitstaff at CG. It was so magical and wonderful. Make sure you watch Wishes out on the balcony with a nice glass of wine or whatever you fancy

 

[TDC Nala]

Don't count on anything to happen just from noting on your reservation that there is a special occasion. You could get free food and cards, a window seat, etc, but nothing is guaranteed beyond well wishes. If you want to make sure she receives something, you'd need to arrange and pay for it by ordering a cake or floral arrangement or something. As far as I know, you cannot buy a window seat or a fireworks view. If you don't end up with one, you can go outside to the observation deck to watch and ask to have a gift or cake that you've arranged for delivered to the table while you are gone, that sort of thing.

 

[idieh]

Don't count on anything to happen just from noting on your reservation that there is a special occasion. You could get free food and cards, a window seat, etc, but nothing is guaranteed beyond well wishes. If you want to make sure she receives something, you'd need to arrange and pay for it by ordering a cake or floral arrangement or something. As far as I know, you cannot buy a window seat or a fireworks view. If you don't end up with one, you can go outside to the observation deck to watch and ask to have a gift or cake that you've arranged for delivered to the table while you are gone, that sort of thing.

Thanks for the input! I know not to expect anything for free. We just returned from our 8th trip two weeks ago and my wallet is still dizzy I was simply wondering that since CG is sooooo popular that perhaps they installed a package similar to the Fantasmic Package. Something that you would pay a little extra for, but would insure you a good meal and a view of Wishes. It will be my DW's 40th, so I would like to do something special. A cake although a great idea is a little impractical. Their will only be three of us and judging by the sizes of the cakes I've seen, there would be too much waste. I am also considering The Flying Fish and Artists Pointe as well.

again...thanks everyone!

Doug

 

[Tony-NJ]

Hey Doug - where down the shore are you? We have a house on LBI.

I agree about the cake it may be too much for 3 people. A friend just got back and celebrated their anniversary and had buttons - they got a card / desert or a glass of Champaigne almost all week - CG included. That said they don't have anything special that you can purchase - I guess it's all the luck of the draw.

 

[idieh]

Hey Doug - where down the shore are you? We have a house on LBI.

I agree about the cake it may be too much for 3 people. A friend just got back and celebrated their anniversary and had buttons - they got a card / desert or a glass of Champaigne almost all week - CG included. That said they don't have anything special that you can purchase - I guess it's all the luck of the draw.

Hey Tony,

We live in a town called Highlands, which is within walking distance of Sandy Hook! I'm actually a little sorry i posted the question. Now, people think that I'm just cruising for free stuff, which isn't the case! I hear that CG is outstanding, but judging by the menu I'm a little torn. I'm a meat and potato's guy. If it were my b'day I'd pass, but I really think that my DW would love the fireworks from the balcony. Thanks for your help though...

Doug

 

[blanq]

My suggestion would be to ask them to note on your ADR that you would love to be able to be seated in the wine room if it is available. Now, some might disagree with this suggestion, because you cannot view the fireworks from this room, but you can get up and go to the viewing area if you want to see them. CG is one of my favorite WDW restaurants, but it is loud and the setting is NOT romantic, except for the wine room. The wine room has just a few tables and it is quiet, cozy, very romantic and has amazing views of the skyline from every table. My family had the pleasure of being seated in the wine room this past January and we had an incredible experience...our best ever at CG. We happened to be celebrating my DH's birthday, and since he is mortified by attention and fanfare, the CG staff handled the whole thing with class and respected his wishes. We had some cute disney confetti sprinkled on our table, and a cast member took our families photo, and then emailed it to us after the event. I think, but I can't remember for sure, that they offered to bring DH some kind of dessert, but we each had our sights set on specific menu items that we wanted to order instead.

 

[rosie'smom]

Who have the best viewing for Wishes...

Poly or Cali Grill

 

[TDC Nala]

It is not that you are cruising for free stuff, it's that when people looking for a special occasion to be acknowledged read on this board about things that have been done for others, they understandably expect the same treatment and are disappointed when they don't get exactly the same thing. Nothing is guaranteed by Disney. You may get a free dessert, or you may get "Happy birthday" and that's it. There are people writing on the boards who have seen both ends of the spectrum, and it's all dependent on the people who are working there the night you go and what they feel like doing.

If you don't want it left up to chance, and you want to be sure that you or someone in your party will be receiving a certain type of special treatment for a special occasion, the only way to guarantee it is to arrange for it yourself, even if you need to pay for it.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We were not there for the fireworks but we did walk out on the observation decks. You will only see the fireworks if you are seated on that side of the restaurant. The other side faces away. The decks are nothing but a cement walkway with no seating and people can smoke out there. My vote --- go for the yummy Cali Grill dinner, then take the monorail to the Polynesian resort, walk to the beach and watch the fireworks from there! Cali Grill was great for kids because it was already plenty noisy in there from conversation and the cooking noises with an open kitchen.

 

[Tony-NJ]

Doug - I didn't feel you were cruising for anything free - simply askinga question. The CG is an outstanding restaurant - I too love a good steak. They usually have specials and also know that the menu's that you find here / online are not always up to date. Many of the entre's change weekly / daily. They also usually have specials. Last time they had short ribs as a special - they were delicious! I think you should do it and enjoy.

I know where Highlands is.

 

[idieh]

Doug - I didn't feel you were cruising for anything free - simply askinga question. The CG is an outstanding restaurant - I too love a good steak. They usually have specials and also know that the menu's that you find here / online are not always up to date. Many of the entre's change weekly / daily. They also usually have specials. Last time they had short ribs as a special - they were delicious! I think you should do it and enjoy.

I know where Highlands is.

Now the problem I will undoubtably have is trying to get an ADR for a time near the fireworks. I may just do as a PP suggests and let my DW pick the place and wind up at the Poly beach for Wishes!

Thanks everyone for your help!