California Grill Reservation Advice

[goldnvalli]

I currently have two reservations for California Grill on the same night and I want to cancel one so someone else can have it. I just can't decide which to keep. I have a 7:00pm and a 9:20pm. I really want to see wishes from the observation deck at 10. Will be able to enjoy the fireworks if we get there at 9:20. If your main purpose was to go see Wishes, what would you do?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

With a 9:20 ADR, you are unlikely to be seated until after Wishes, because people camp out starting at 9. At 7:00, to be at your table by 10 is to be a camper, and you would be better behaved to finish eating, hang out at the bar a bit for a nightcap, and then watch from the observation deck.

 

[CarolMN]

Keep the earlier one. If you finish early, you can always come back up just before WISHES to go out on the deck. I'd rather do that than have my dinner interrupted to go out to see WISHES. (Just show your receipt to the CM at the elevator when you're ready to go back up. We've done this several times as we prefer to dine earlier in the evening and the earlier reservations are much easier to get).

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

No matter when you eat, keep your receipt and you can go back up for wishes. You actually don't necessarily need the receipt, because the cast member at the elevator will likely remember you. Unless it is raining, you will want to be outside on the observation deck for a full view of the fireworks, and the music is playing out on the deck. So it is less important to have a physical table during the fireworks.
It really depends on whether you want a relaxing meal with multiple courses, or do you want a quick meal and then fireworks?
We found the food and the service there to be really good, so enjoy!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--you probably won't be able to hang out at the bar because all the seats will be taken anywhere near fireworks time!! There are only 18 seats at that bar. At our meal there in May we ate at 5 (at the bar). By the time we left a bit after 7, there were only 3 seats left.

But you could just wander around for a bit, then return in time for the fireworks.

We've done it both ways--early and late and didn't mind a bit having the meal put on hold while we watched the fireworks.

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

Depends, I'd personally go for the later time. I've gone twice around 7ish for a 9ish wishes and one time the guy rushed us out the door and the other time he made sure to tell us to stay for the show and to take our time etc. I suppose it depends on who your server is and/or what you're ordering.