California Grill - Which reservation should I keep for Wishes?

[stealthnet]

I have a 9:15 reservation at California Grill for later this month (Wishes is at 9 P.M.).... Well, I checked today and saw a 7 P.M. reservation available for the same night which I have not seen since checking weeks ago and the rest of the week is pretty much all booked. I booked it just in case.

Would you recommend the 7 P.M. reservation or going for the 9:15 P.M. one? 7 P.M. seems like more of a prime time, but the 9:15 would give us more time in the park even though it is a late dinner... Thanks.

 

[jlynne01]

Either would probably be good. I would prefer the earlier one myself because I dont like eating so late. If you decide on the earlier time you can still watch the fireworks from California Grill so long as you have your reciept.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I agree with the PP....I would keep the earlier ressie and get rid of the later one. Whenever we dine at Cali Grill, we always take about 2+ hours to really enjoy or dinner and experience. Plus they have a great lounge area that after dinner you can go sit by the bar and wait for Wishes to start.

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

I have a 9:15 reservation at California Grill for later this month (Wishes is at 9 P.M.).... Well, I checked today and saw a 7 P.M. reservation available for the same night which I have not seen since checking weeks ago and the rest of the week is pretty much all booked. I booked it just in case.

Would you recommend the 7 P.M. reservation or going for the 9:15 P.M. one? 7 P.M. seems like more of a prime time, but the 9:15 would give us more time in the park even though it is a late dinner... Thanks.

I'm sorry, but this is the exact reason people can't get ADRs that they really want. People book two different times or two different restaurants for the same night, which is just plain wrong. I'd be careful, Disney has been known to cancel both ressies if they catch you. I wish they would only be more diligent in doing that.

 

[jlynne01]

I'm sorry, but this is the exact reason people can't get ADRs that they really want. People book two different times or two different restaurants for the same night, which is just plain wrong. I'd be careful, Disney has been known to cancel both ressies if they catch you. I wish they would only be more diligent in doing that.

You know, I never even thought about that when I responded to this post but I need to second what you said!
I have been trying to get adr's for my trip in Dec since the 90 day marker and everywhere is booked and I dont believe that they really are but tend to believe most are double bookings by people...
In fact California Grill is one of the places I keep checking back on...
Here is the good thing with California Grill though... If they dont cancel and dont show up they will be paying $20 pr person on their credit card!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm sorry, but this is the exact reason people can't get ADRs that they really want. People book two different times

Let's call it for what it is - greedy and inconsiderate.

NOTE: Of course I would never call an individual greedy and inconsiderate, just the practice.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

Didn't the OP say they would cancel one of the ressies when they decide which to keep - doesn't sound greedy or inconsiderate to me!! There will be one available for someone else.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

There were 6 of us for dinner celebrating our DDinL birthday in June at Cal Grill. We had a 7:00pm ressie which we felt worked out greeat...enjoy...

 

[Sandy321]

It depends on when you want to eat!

Calif Grill is great with timing of their meals!! If its close to WISHES time, and you order your desserts, they will hold the desserts till after wishes -

if you are finishing up your meal - you will wander out and enjoy wishes with a full stomach!

I think planning a 2 hour leisurely meal at Cal Grill is about right!

(and fwiw I believe the OP is planning on canceling one of the reservations and was asking for help to decide what is best for their family)

 

[katmittens]

I would go with the 7:00 especially since every time we have gone there we never have gotten seated at our time of reservation. I just cancelled a 7:40 for Cal Grill for Oct 13. I switched to Citro. DH and I will be there alone in Oct. and we will be back in Jan with the kids and will be at Cal Grill then so figured we would change it up.

 

[avalanche1977]

Keep the 7pm, ditch the later. You probably won't be seated until around 7:15-7:20, and your meal will not be rushed. I was there two weeks ago tonight with a 5:45 ressie and didn't finish dinner until 8:30, just in time to head to the observation deck for Wishes.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Cali Grill is my fav restaurant, all we could get was a 9:15 reservation, so I checked online everyday a few times a day and a 5:30 opened up the same day so I booked it. I didn't cancel the 9:15 until the following day when I was able to call and confirm I had the 5:30 reservation. I still don't trust the online system 100 %. I agree with the others make sure you cancel any double bookings ASAP, so others can get those reservations.

I would keep the 7:00, it takes us about 2 hours for our meals there.

 

[ajpa]

I personally would prefer the 7pm.

I have a 9:05 ressie and I plan to keep checking back to see if I can switch it to an earlier time, specially on the 2 day before mark.
The good thing about them requiring a credit card is that people are more conscientious about cancelling.

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

I would say the 7pm is good cuz you can enjoy your meal and then relax to a spectacular fireworks show, but the 9:15 is also good due to not having to rush to make it to a 7 pm dinner. You can have a full day and then go to dinner later. It will just depend if you want to eat early or late.

 

[DreaminDisney]

you're going to love seeing wishes from CG. it was great we loved it. Personally I would go with the 7:00 ressie. That's what we did and it worked out perfect.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Well if you go for the 7:00 PM ADR and are finished eating before Wishes starts, just go back to the 2nd floor check-in desk with your reciept and you will be allowed back up there for Wishes. However if you want more time in the parks go for the 9:15 PM ADR, however no matter which one you choose I am sure you will have a great time.