california grill

[chimommy]

we are staying at contemporary for the first time. thinking about trying to book a res here and try to time it up with fireworks. anyone have any suggestions/advice? I'm sure its a popular choice.

Thanks!

 

[Nancyg56]

It is popular but I think it is worth it. I book a meal about 2 hours in advance of fireworks, however you can book an earlier meal and will be allowed back to the observation deck later when the show starts.

 

[Lisa F]

if you're staying there then it's easy for you to return. I love to book it at opening, it is nice and quiet and the servers are super attentive, the kitchen isn't backed up and you can see the sunset if it's in the winter. Then just come back for the fireworks later. But then I prefer and earlier dinner and the fireworks can be quite late. They will let you return with your receipt for fireworks later if you dine earlier. If I was staying there I might be tempted to do that!

 

[Nancyg56]

if you're staying there then it's easy for you to return. I love to book it at opening, it is nice and quiet and the servers are super attentive, the kitchen isn't backed up and you can see the sunset if it's in the winter. Then just come back for the fireworks later. But then I prefer and earlier dinner and the fireworks can be quite late. They will let you return with your receipt for fireworks later if you dine earlier. If I was staying there I might be tempted to do that!

Those late fireworks!!! I booked 7:30 thinking the Christmas Wishes were at 9:30, as I thought that was posted in TP, however according to Disney calendar they are at 10:00. That is a long night.

 

[rwdavis2]

We try to book so the fireworks occur at the mid point of the meal. The wait staff knows how to coordinate so your food's not getting cold on the table.

 

[KenHutch]

The last time we ate there was in 2012 but the fireworks were at 21:00 I believe. We had an ADR for 19:30 hours so everything worked out perfect.

 

[Lisa F]

Those late fireworks!!! I booked 7:30 thinking the Christmas Wishes were at 9:30, as I thought that was posted in TP, however according to Disney calendar they are at 10:00. That is a long night.

yes, my child would be antsy with a meal that long and it's too late for him to be eating too! (so I admit that a lot of my timing decisions are kid driven but even without that, I kind of like the earlier dinner when on vacation!) When we go right at 5 we are seated quickly and depending on how many courses the meal lasts 60-90 minutes. It was about 60 when we did just entree and 90 when we did app, entree and dessert (deluxe plan). That's about his upper limit. We own DVC so we don't particularly shoot for fireworks at the contemporary since we can just go to the Top of the World whenever we feel like it, but if I was staying at the contemporary I would probably go back for fireworks if eating at CA Grill... I would just not want to hang around all those hours. Even 8pm fireworks is kind of a long night although 6pm dinner is not a terrible time... we did 6pm last time though and the restaurant was fully seated by then. Our waiter was still great, our food was still great, overall experience was still great and it was about an hour just for entrees so not too long for the kiddo (we got dessert back at our resort in the tambu lounge) but I personally love getting a window seat (which is easier when you have first seating and request it), and how much quieter and low key the restaurant feels when it first opens. Just personal preference. I do not have any of the sensory issues my son has but sometimes the hustle and bustle of WDW starts to get to me too so I will go out of my way for a quieter experience at mealtimes when I can.

 

[chimommy]

Thanks everyone! I really don't like dealing the the crowds in the parks during fireworks... so I always try to find other ways to view them. this sounds like a good option!

 

[gharter]

We have done dinner and fireworks many times and love it. We try and schedule our ADR about an hour before fireworks. That way we are done with the appeizers and drinks before fireworks. The waiter holds our entrees until after fireworks. If you do it 90 to 120 minute before, you could be finished with entrees and see fireworks before dessert.
It depends on knowing what time fireworks will be. You can also eat earlier, keep your receipt, and come back later to view the fireworks from one of the 2 balconies.
Most times, when we are eating there, we go out on the balcony to watch the fireworks anyway. Many of the tables donot have a good view. And people sittinig by the windows often will stand to watch , so the tables behind still can't see.

 

[jillt2ph]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have a sort of companion question. I just got a 9:30 ADR for a Hallowishes night. I will be on DlxDP and am planning on a full meal. My brother and SIL were talking about trying to get in the lounge that night to have drinks and watch the fireworks. What are the thoughts on people using ADRs to just have drinks and apps? I am wondering if I should try to change my ADR from 1 to 3 ppl... Thanks for any feedback!

 

[loves to dive]

We did it in May. We actually booked it same day at around 4:30 in the afternoon, our ADRs were for 9:30. We got there about 9:10, thinking we would have to wait in the bar but they seated us right away. The FWs were actually just starting as we steped out of the elevator. Our table was along the back wall and I faced the MK. Our waiter asked us if we wanted to wait to order since it was so loud so we did but went ahead and ordered drinks. After the FWs the noise level ramped up about 50% inside when everyone came in from outside but thankfully that only lasted about 5 or 10 min. while people either settled back at their tables or left. We actually didn't time it for the FWs, were expecting them to be long over since they started at 9. It was o.k., I don't think I'd plan it again to be there during the FWs because it really was loud and we don't enjoy seeing the FWs from anywhere except in the park since now it's so projection heavy you don't really get it all. So, it was easy to get an ADR since we did it the day of and on a whim and the view was fine if you like seeing the FWs from somewhere other than the park but if you stay inside, it's loud since they pipe in the music and the FWs exploding.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We booked our ADR for 9PM with a 9:15 HEA time.

We arrived at 8:45 and had a drink at the bar and then went out to watch the fireworks. We got a text stating our table was ready at 9:20, so DH ran inside and they said to come back after the show to get our table. It worked out perfectly. We split the pepperoni pizza, it was so good!

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have a sort of companion question. I just got a 9:30 ADR for a Hallowishes night. I will be on DlxDP and am planning on a full meal. My brother and SIL were talking about trying to get in the lounge that night to have drinks and watch the fireworks. What are the thoughts on people using ADRs to just have drinks and apps? I am wondering if I should try to change my ADR from 1 to 3 ppl... Thanks for any feedback!

Why not? I would try to change to 3 and you can all sit together. I know a lot of people have cocktails and dessert or apps for dinner and no one will blank an eye. WHile I have never just ordered an appetizer for dinner in WDW I have shared meals with a family member, and that alleviated us throwing half our dinner away. At home there are a few restaurants that I always order the appetizer for my main meal. It was a perfect size. Now my favorite appetizer is offered on the dinner menu and not as a starter. There goes my "no leftovers" there! LOL!

 

[dachsie]

If you do the Sunday brunch, can you bring receipt to see fireworks that nite?

 

[L_MD]

If you do the Sunday brunch, can you bring receipt to see fireworks that nite?

Yup, my waiter made sure to let me know that as I was checking out during my brunch in April.

 

[mkb3]

So we got a reservation for Black Friday at 9:45 and fireworks that night are 10. After reading this I assume there is a very small chance we will be seated by 10. Is it better to be on the observation deck or in the dining room?