California Grill Timing it W/ Wishes

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I am debating this and want to know thoughts of anyone who has been to California Grill.
I have always wanted to go to Cali Grill. My husband and I just celebrated our 15th annivarsary but were unable to do anything as we are saving like crazy for this trip. On a whim I called today and there was a cancellation for CG at 7:15pm. So of course I booked it. I can't believe it. I am so excited. So, my question. Wishes is at 9pm that night, will we still be there a for it or will we be done and rushed out before Wishes starts with a 7:15 reservation? If you have been and have any input I would love to hear from you.
Thanks so much...

 

[msmary]

we where just there a couple weeks ago and this was a long meal. we where seated at 6pm and didnt get done till almost 8pm. there where other people that where seated at the same time and where still there when we left. they dont rush you and they give you time between each course so I would say if your reservation is at 7:15 you will still be there at 9 or close to it and if you do get done early you can always go on out to the deck to watch the fireworks.....

enjoy the meal it was one of the best we have ever had and the view is Priceless!!!!!!

 

[BigEeyore]

I have never felt rushed at CG. Plan on enjoying a nice, leisurely meal - order salads or appetizers, take your time, maybe share a dessert. They will not try to hustle you out of there. Enjoy and happy anniversary!

 

[HelenParr]

Agree strongly with PPs that you will probably still be dining at 9pm and they will not rush you. They know folks come earlier and hang out for the fireworks. Also, as PP noted, the view is amazing. It is (almost) as exciting to see the MK area resorts and activity down below as it is to see Wishes from the restaurant. Watching the monorails, the boats, seeing the Grand Floridian in all its majesty, seeing the castle, or puffs of smoke left by the WDW Railroad...

If you do not have a seat where it is easy to see out the window in detail, walk over into the lounge area -- there is room to take a good long look outside, and snap some great pics. Also, depending on your view, consider watching outside from the observation deck during Wishes. Your table and food will be waiting for you when you return. Have a great trip.

 

[DisneyJoo2008]

If its any help, in July we had a 7.45pm ADR for Narcoosee's, we had just finished our meal and paid up and 5-mins later, Wishes started, we watched from the Balcony outside Narcoosee's (not in anyone's way I promise!!!)

Enjoy!
xxx

 

[Uncleromulus]

7:15 is a good time, actually. They won't rush you and even worst case scenario if you got done too early, with your dinner receipt you can come back and view Wishes later.

 

[squitty]

Hi

We will be eating at California Grill at 8pm on a MVMCP night. I thought I had planned this so we could see Holiday Wishes from CG. Hoping they start at 9:30pm.
By the sounds of things we will be leaving our table to watch them?

 

[figmentfan0724]

we were in wdw last thurs. OUr reservation was for 8:50, but decided to go a bit earlier with the hopes of getting the famed window table. we were seated around 830 at the perfect table. I did notice however the table next to us they were eating desert when we sat down and they hurried them out, politely of course by saying if you want to watch wishes you can go out to the balcony/

 

[Booyakasha]

I also think 7:15 is a good time. CG's reservation system is a disaster so they run late. I have booked 8:00 reservations and have not been seated until after Wishes as the restaurant empties out. So I think when CG is running behind this will work to your benefit.

B.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Sounds like I should be ok. I am afraid of heights (wrong place to be going, right?) I'm ok in the building, my problem may be on the balcony though I should be OK until I llok down, which I will do just cause I'll have to once, but not until right before we leave.
We will be enjoying it even more after getting the FREE DINING with the Visa code today!!!

 

[w-family]

Glad to hear this feedback. I have reservations at 7:20 and I was wondering the same thing!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Squitty: Most likely that would be the case, unless (as Booyakasha well knows!) they are running late and you are seated way late.

 

[Emimy]

Hi, sorry to kinda highjack the thread, but my question is pretty similar...

I'm hoping to eat at CG on my birthday, but wishes starts at 8pm that night. I'm not familiar at all with the restaurant, would it be possible to eat dinner whilst Wishes is on? Would we be able to see it still?

Thanks for any help, I really am clueless about this kind of stuff

Emily xx

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

We ate at CG for the first time last month. We did not have a window table but I truly think that we may have gone outside even if we did. It was really terrific watching the fireworks from there. We finished about a half hour before Wishes and just hung out outside enjoying the view until it started. We were not in any way rushed. This is #1 on my to do again next trip list!

 

[Mystry62]

This is probably a silly question, but do they pipe the music into the restaurant and onto the balcony for Wishes? My DH and I have reservations for our anniversary on Dec 20 at 7:50. We should be able to see the fireworks while we're there (at least that was the plan when I booked the ressie), but I wasn't sure if we would be able to hear the music....

 

[famouschinesec]

To the prior poster afraid of heights. I am as well and don't have any problem out on the viewing platform at CG. From what I can recall there is about a 5 ft. concrete wall that surrounds where you stand, so you can't really look down, just out at the fireworks. Our first trip there, they delivered our food about 5 minutes before wishes started. We just got up from the table, went out and watched, and then came back and finished our meal. For another PP, no they do not pipe the music into the restaurant.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Emimy: Only if you have a window table can you really see the fireworks from inside the restaurant. Otherwise, you need to go out on the observation deck.
And I seem to recall last time we were at CG they DID pipe in music, but did not dim any lights.

 

[jerseygal]

We booked an 8:00 knowing that it would be crowded..Aug. Wishes was at 10:00..

Had to wait at least 40 minutes..

Ordered dessert when Wishes started..Everyone went out on observation decks..I think waitstaff is used to everyone getting up temporarily to
view show..

It truly was AWESOME! OUTSTANDING! Time your ADR appropriately and you won't be dissapointed!

LOVE THE CALIFORNIA GRILLE!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Thaanks everyone, OP here. Glad to hear it sounds like we have a good time and that the height won't freek me out (hopefully!!) We are really excited about this... the nicest restaurant we have ever been to is Outback, (which I love), but nothing I am sure like what we are going to experience on this trip.

 

[jerseygal]

Take home some AWESOME MEMORIES!!! I KNOW I DID!

If you have a video mode on your digital use it; you will have great footage!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!