California Grill

[nicolemm]

When going to CG for the fireworks do you have to request a special table or can you view them from anywhere in the restaurant. Also, if the fireworks are at 9 PM, what time do you recommend for an ADR. And, finally, has anyone gone in with a later ADR for either just apps or just dessert and drinks to see the fireworks.

I am thinking the CG could be perfect for snacks/desserts with the kids after the park, drinks for us and perfect view of the fireworks. Any advice would be great!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Actually only the window tables have a good view of the fireworks. There aren't many of them, and they go quickly. If you don't get one, the only way to see the fireworks is to go out on the observation deck. We always try to make our ADR's 1 hour before the fireworks--assuming we're seated anywhere near on time, we're somewhere into the meal when the fireworks begin.
Can't help with the apps and drink question, as we've never done that.

 

[Goofy4]

If you eat pre-fireworks, a smile might get you back up later to go out to the observation deck.

 

[ladysoleil]

When going to CG for the fireworks do you have to request a special table or can you view them from anywhere in the restaurant. Also, if the fireworks are at 9 PM, what time do you recommend for an ADR. And, finally, has anyone gone in with a later ADR for either just apps or just dessert and drinks to see the fireworks.

I am thinking the CG could be perfect for snacks/desserts with the kids after the park, drinks for us and perfect view of the fireworks. Any advice would be great!

There are several window tables. You can request one when you arrive, but you'll very likely wait longer. Any ADR later in the evening will work- we've been seated as early as 7:20. They expect you'll stay until after the fireworks and pace the meal accordingly, which is why I would also not go for just drinks or dessert- you'll be taking a table away from a family who intends to stay for a full meal if you do that.

If you stop by the bar for a drink beforehand, I'm sure they will let you use the observation deck, but I don't know if they'd give you a table for just dessert if there was a line.

 

[nicolemm]

So, if we had an ADR for 7:30ish, we would be able to stay through the fireworks. That would work for dinner for us. We have a 3 and 4 yo, so the thought of sitting for dinner at 8:30 and not leaving til 10, just wouldn't work. But if we could eat early, stay through fireworks and leave immediately after it would be much better!

Or if we had an earlier dinner say 7, could we wait on the observation deck and watch the fireworks, following our dinner or do they expect you to leave when you are done?

 

[lacy1101]

We actually have an ADR for 9:20 p.m. one evening. As we will not be entering MK until 2:00 p.m., we have been contemplating cancelling it and just enjoying our time in the park and either eating counter service or maybe making a resort lunch ADR before we go into the park. I'm curious now, after reading this thread, if we could possibly keep the ADR, but only for appetizers, drinks, and dessert. Would that be frowned upon, since its not a complete meal?

 

[agamich]

CG for fireworks was another first for our family this year. The fireworks were at 10pm and our reservation was for 9:10pm. It worked out perfect. We asked for a window table but they said we would have to wait so we told them we would take first available. It turned out to be a window table anyway. We could see the fireworks from the table but there was room on the deck so we went outside to check it out anyway. It was another great experience at WDW but I wouldn't start doing it every visit just because I would save it for special occasions.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

When we go in December, the fireworks are usually scheduled for 6pm so I plan to make a ADR for 5pm when the restaurant opens to get a good chance of getting a window table.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Nicolmm: If you eat early, you can leave CG, walk around a bit, then--with your dinner receipt--they will let you back up to the CG to see the fireworks.
That probably will be better than trying to nurse an appetizer and a drink for over 2 hours.