California Grill Walk-Up Bar/Lounge Seating - Recent Experience

[GADisneyDad14]

I see occasional questions around here about California Grill bar/lounge seating given the current environment, so wanted to share our experience from this past week.

Limited bar seating is available, however the lounge area is still NOT available (that space is being used for regular table reservations). Bar seating has approximately 4 positions. Positions range from 2-4 stools, so in total approximately 10-12 individuals can be accommodated (don't quote me on exact specifics here, these are approximate numbers). Regardless, it's very limited.

Since my efforts to secure an ADR had been unsuccessful, our goal was to try to be among the first parties seated at the bar - so we arrived around 4:40pm (they open at 5pm). I wasn't sure if we could get our name on the walk-up list that early or not, but the wonderful CM at the check-in desk on the second floor gladly took our name, phone number, and said we'd get a text right at 5pm. I think we timed it perfectly because from then until 5pm a steady stream of guests arrived both checking in for their ADR time and those that had the same walk-up idea as us.

Come 5pm everyone who had checked-in got the text, so a line formed pretty quickly given one party per elevator - but a minor delay all things considered.

We had an amazing meal/experience (I really love CG) and one of the best sunset views you'll find anywhere. Holiday projections look fantastic as well, even from this distance. Happy to answer any questions.

 

[armerida]

Thanks for the info! Do they have a plexiglass partition at the bar? (between bartender and patrons)

 

[k_hase]

Hmm. Now I'm intrigued. We have a 9:45PM ADR that is far too late for our 9 year old. I'm wondering if we went at 4:40 and did what you did, would they let a 9 year old sit at the bar for dinner? (He's a good eater, and is still indignant about being told he could not sit at the bar at Coach Insignia at the top of the Ren Cen in Detroit several years ago; they gave us a bar table behind a partition with a view of a wall).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for the info! Do they have a plexiglass partition at the bar? (between bartender and patrons)

There was not where we were sitting.

 

[The Expert]

Hmm. Now I'm intrigued. We have a 9:45PM ADR that is far too late for our 9 year old. I'm wondering if we went at 4:40 and did what you did, would they let a 9 year old sit at the bar for dinner? (He's a good eater, and is still indignant about being told he could not sit at the bar at Coach Insignia at the top of the Ren Cen in Detroit several years ago; they gave us a bar table behind a partition with a view of a wall).

I'm 95% sure you have to be 21 to sit at the actual bar.

 

[k_hase]

I'm 95% sure you have to be 21 to sit at the actual bar.

Maybe I'll swing by and ask on Sunday when we check in. He's sat at the bar at Jambo while we waited for a table, but not for an actual meal. Mocktails cost almost as much as a grown up version...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Maybe I'll swing by and ask on Sunday when we check in. He's sat at the bar at Jambo while we waited for a table, but not for an actual meal. Mocktails cost almost as much as a grown up version...

While I have been taken to task on the DIS for saying this before, DS10 and I commonly sit at various Disney restaurant/lounge bars. While we haven’t done so at CG, we have at The Wave. While I do not know this with any certainty, my guess/assumption would be CG isn’t any different.

Let us know how it goes! Enjoy your trip.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I'm 95% sure you have to be 21 to sit at the actual bar.

That would be out of character at a Disney restaurant (V&A excepted). I have seen youngsters seated at a number of bars, including Tune-In Lounge, Nomad Lounge, and Flying Fish. There does not appear to be any age restriction for bar seating under Florida law, although there are such in other states and may be local ordinances that apply elsewhere.

 

[k_hase]

While I have been taken to task on the DIS for saying this before, DS10 and I commonly sit at various Disney restaurant/lounge bars. While we haven’t done so at CG, we have at The Wave. While I do not know this with any certainty, my guess/assumption would be CG isn’t any different.

Let us know how it goes! Enjoy your trip.

We do it too. Sometimes b/c it's convenient seating!! I think there's a big difference between taking your kid to a bar at midnight, and eating a meal or waiting for your table at a bar at an early hour. I also wouldn't do it in a crowded place or where he was taking a seat from others.

That's partly why I ask, b/c the limited capacity I sort of feel bad. But my 9 year old will eat the daylights out of some sushi and have a light up drink I'll tip. He costs as much as an adult to feed and water.

 

[nw6675]

Not quite the same, but wanted to share that we overheard a family of 5 obtain an immediate regular table without an ADR a few weeks ago. They were trying to get in the Wave with no luck and then asked about CG. The CM called up and was told to send them on up. So it may be possible to get a regular table, too.

 

[kimmar067]

....the Cali Grill has been on my bucket list for almost 15 years now....we arrive at MCO around 3:45PM and we check into BCV hopefully soon after.....wondering if it's a possibility to score an ADR here.....

 

[kimmar067]

Not quite the same, but wanted to share that we overheard a family of 5 obtain an immediate regular table without an ADR a few weeks ago. They were trying to get in the Wave with no luck and then asked about CG. The CM called up and was told to send them on up. So it may be possible to get a regular table, too.

......sooooooooo, you're saying that there IS a chance.

 

[kimmar067]

I see occasional questions around here about California Grill bar/lounge seating given the current environment, so wanted to share our experience from this past week.

We had an amazing meal/experience (I really love CG) and one of the best sunset views you'll find anywhere. Holiday projections look fantastic as well, even from this distance. Happy to answer any questions.

View attachment 541046


View attachment 541047


View attachment 541050

....love the pics...my DS [the CM] was there last week too:

 

[kimmar067]

 

[aboveH20]

Going solo in a few weeks.

If I were to get seated in the lounge would it be okay to order just drinks and a flatbread, or are lounge patrons expected to order a full dinner as though they were in the main part of CG. I know I can do whatever I want, so please don't tell me that, but is the expectation that lounge patrons order a full meal?

And based on the photos above I can see why people talk about going there for the fireworks. I've been twice and neither time did the waiter explain about fireworks so I sat and ate until I finally realized I was the only one.

 

[2vets]

Hmm. Now I'm intrigued. We have a 9:45PM ADR that is far too late for our 9 year old. I'm wondering if we went at 4:40 and did what you did, would they let a 9 year old sit at the bar for dinner? (He's a good eater, and is still indignant about being told he could not sit at the bar at Coach Insignia at the top of the Ren Cen in Detroit several years ago; they gave us a bar table behind a partition with a view of a wall).

Back in Nov, we had an ADR at 7:45 and a child we could tell wasn’t going to make it. I went to the desk at 5:30/5:45 and asked nicely (begged) if we could get in earlier. She got us a table at 6:30. That’s what I call pandemic pixie dust!

 

[kimmar067]

....the Cali Grill has been on my bucket list for almost 15 years now....we arrive at MCO around 3:45PM and we check into BCV hopefully soon after.....wondering if it's a possibility to score an ADR here.....

UPDATE:
We wound up eating at Topolino's....another not-to-be-missed eatery:

...this is another restaurant where the views are SPECTACULAR! [the food ain't bad either... ]

 

[armerida]

UPDATE:
We wound up eating at Topolino's....another not-to-be-missed eatery:

...this is another restaurant where the views are SPECTACULAR! [the food ain't bad either... ]

Looks beautiful! We had a res there and cancelled, now I’m kicking myself! Is dining available at those outdoor tables, or just drinks? What did you order? The filet and tomahawk sound pretty epic...

 

[kimmar067]

Looks beautiful! We had a res there and cancelled, now I’m kicking myself! Is dining available at those outdoor tables, or just drinks? What did you order? The filet and tomahawk sound pretty epic...

...bread service, escargot, braised lamb shank, king salmon, filet mignon, tomahawk veal chop, and pistachio mousse.

 

[need2travel]

Based on your pic's I think I'm adding Topolino's to my ADR list for our July trip. Thanks!