California Grill to view Wishes

[kirbybruno]

Not sure if I should ask this here or in the dining forum, but I will start here. We are going to DW as a family for the first time (kids are 10, 11) for 5 days at the end of May. We are staying at Beach Club and plan on only one day at Magic Kingdom. We also are only planning a couple of special meals outside of CS and the snacks offered in the club level lounge, and I would love for one of them to be at California Grill because the food looks amazing. I made reservations for 9:20pm on the day we plan on going to MK, which is super late for us but should be OK since we will probably take a break at the hotel late afternoon and can grab a bite there before we head back. My question is, we will be there for the fireworks and I am wondering if since that it the only time we will see them, is it good enough. My daughter is the looking so forward to it, so she is the only one I am worried about missing out if we are too far away. Any advice and opinions is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[linda679699]

California Grill is an excellent choice for a special dinner! I have been taking my kids there for years and now at 15 and 12, it is actually one of the restaurants we cannot miss while in Disney, it is one of our favorites. As far as the fireworks go, if you look on Disney's calendar for the Magic Kingdom, ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/calendar/?showMonth=may2012 ) it looks like the end of May will have their fireworks beginning at 10 P.M. If your reservations are for 9:30, I would definitely suggest getting there as early as possible. Usually around 15 -20 min. During busier times you can wait about a half hour. If you do that you should definitely be seated in time. If they cannot seat you where you have a good view of the fireworks from the window, they have an outside viewing area that you can leave your table and go outside and watch. Another option if you prefer to eat earlier, you can eat whenever you want and then you are welcome to come back up to the restaurant to view the fireworks (I believe you need your receipt or they just check your reservation or something to that effect). Also, if you do not want to go back up to the restaurant, the Contemporary has a viewing area on the 4th floor that you can watch from. Hope this helps, have a great time!

 

[ccgirl]

Not sure if I should ask this here or in the dining forum, but I will start here. We are going to DW as a family for the first time (kids are 10, 11) for 5 days at the end of May. We are staying at Beach Club and plan on only one day at Magic Kingdom. We also are only planning a couple of special meals outside of CS and the snacks offered in the club level lounge, and I would love for one of them to be at California Grill because the food looks amazing. I made reservations for 9:20pm on the day we plan on going to MK, which is super late for us but should be OK since we will probably take a break at the hotel late afternoon and can grab a bite there before we head back. My question is, we will be there for the fireworks and I am wondering if since that it the only time we will see them, is it good enough. My daughter is the looking so forward to it, so she is the only one I am worried about missing out if we are too far away. Any advice and opinions is greatly appreciated, thanks!

The food is amazing. It is one of our favorite restaurants and we go to WDW once or twice a year. Having said that, it is one of my least favorite views of the fireworks. It is far away and a side view. My favorite spot is on Main St. right outside Main St. bakery enjoying a yummy dessert. There is nothing like seeing them with the castle in the forefront. Hope that helps.

 

[kirbybruno]

Thanks for the feedback! I think after checking the schedule and being reminded of the electrical parade, I will switch to an earlier dinner so we still get the awesome food, but are able to view the parade and light show from a better vantage point.

 

[Boo Bear]

Thanks for the feedback! I think after checking the schedule and being reminded of the electrical parade, I will switch to an earlier dinner so we still get the awesome food, but are able to view the parade and light show from a better vantage point.

That's a good call. There is no substitute for seeing the fireworks from inside the park in front of the castle if only get to see them once, and especially for an 11 year old girl.

 

[Boo Bear]

ps. I've seen them from the California Grill and even though it was fun, it's still pretty far away