California Grill question

[Marlyn]

Hi, I have an ADR for Cali Grill for 7:25. My only options when I booked were 7:25 or 9:10. I didnt want the later time as that is so late to eat. Trouble is, we want to stay to view Wishes from the observation deck. I keep checking in case an 8:00 or 8:15 opens up, but nothing...

How long do people usually spend dining at Cali Grill. We are all adults and can have drinks before we order etc to not rush...but realistically, how long will it take? I don't want to be done at 8:30 and then wait until 10:00 for wishes.

I have read that you can leave after dining and they will let you back up to observation deck....but go where? Is there a lounge on same floor as Cali grill? Somewhere to grab a cocktail while we wait?

This is the first trip with my boys where they will be legal. They turn 21 a month prior to our trip....and this dinner is a belated birthday treat so I want the evening to be special.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Take a ride on the monorail. If you have time, stop off at the Tambu lounge at the poly and have a Lapu Lapu (the drink in the pineapple).

 

[schoen]

I don't think you will be done at 8:30 unless you just order entrees. make a feast of it! Get apps, entree, dessert, after dinner drinks. It will take a long time, you might be waiting a bit for the fireworks, but not too long. There IS a very nice lounge in the CG and if you are lucky you can get a great seat with beautiful views of the MK. You might not even need to go out to the observation deck!

 

[brertoad]

The observation deck is only accessible through the dining room, you have to walk through the dining room to get out onto the open walkway/terrace.

So if you leave, you need to ask the people at the check-in desk to let you back up. I don't know what their official policy is, but if you have your dinner receipt, I don't expect they would deny you. But if the restaurant is at full capacity, they might give you a hard time, even if you are just going outside to watch Wishes and back down.

If you don't want to leave and deal with any hassle, after you finish eating you can move over to the CG lounge if there is space, which is the bar and open seating area in the middle of the CG dining room, you can order a couple drinks to sip on and wait to watch the fireworks.

If you keep checking the reservations, you may be able to get something.

 

[Marlyn]

Thanks for replies. I think we will just take our sweet old time over dinner. Have drinks, appies, more drinks, entree, more drinks, dessert....then more drinks and wishes. It's a good thing I've seen wishes before because it sounds like I may not remember it after this dinner lol

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Sounds like a great plan! The food and the view can't be beat.

Just want to clear up that any guest with a dinner receipt for that day is welcome go back up and view the fireworks from the terraces. There is plenty of room, even on a busy holiday like the 3-4th July when more early diners return to view the show.

 

[Marlyn]

Sounds like a great plan! The food and the view can't be beat.

Just want to clear up that any guest with a dinner receipt for that day is welcome go back up and view the fireworks from the terraces. There is plenty of room, even on a busy holiday like the 3-4th July when more early diners return to view the show.

Thank you! I'll keep that mind in case my drawn out drinking dinner doesn't work

 

[caliope]

The observation deck is only accessible through the dining room, you have to walk through the dining room to get out onto the open walkway/terrace.

So if you leave, you need to ask the people at the check-in desk to let you back up. I don't know what their official policy is, but if you have your dinner receipt, I don't expect they would deny you. But if the restaurant is at full capacity, they might give you a hard time, even if you are just going outside to watch Wishes and back down.

If you don't want to leave and deal with any hassle, after you finish eating you can move over to the CG lounge if there is space, which is the bar and open seating area in the middle of the CG dining room, you can order a couple drinks to sip on and wait to watch the fireworks.

If you keep checking the reservations, you may be able to get something.

Our meal at California Grill was easily close to two hours and we cut it a little short to accommodate our 3 year old (who woyld have run out of patience had we dragged it out longer). We ordered a bottle of wine, appetizers and entrees, and coffee but no dessert. We also asked for our check with our coffee. So, without a young preschooler in tow, I think you could make it last 2.5 hours without too much difficulty. Enjoy!