California Grill

[raidermatt]

I know there's been discussion in the past about whether or not CG is allowing folks to walk in to see the fireworks, and I saw this over on the restaurant board. A poster's recent experience:

Restaurant Board

 

[KNWVIKING]

I think that policy went into affect in late May. We were at CG in mid May and did not encounter this new policy, but another poster - Nala I believe - posted they were required to check in on the 2nd floor when they ate there at the end of the month.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

chip - chip - chip

All in all it's just another brick in the wall

 

[WDSearcher]

Considering the positive reviews this new policy got from the majority of people posting on the thread, how is this another brick in the wall??

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by DVC-Landbaron
chip - chip - chip

All in all it's just another brick in the wall

Mr. Baron, aren't you mixing your metaphors here?

 

[Bstanley]

Herr Baron is just remembering kinder, gentler times - back when allowing 'everyone' onto the deck didn't result in an over-stuffed dining experience and require implementing such draconian controls.

Let him enjoy his memories - We don't need no thought control.

 

[manning]

It is sad when you have to sit back and remember when you truly got your money's worth. Now you pay more for less....much less!!

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

No. Two separate metaphors. And both apply.

Thank you to some of the others. I always say, either you "GET IT" or you don't. Some here seem to "GET IT" hands down!!

And others... well...

 

[WDWHound]

Baron: I too will miss the view from the CG, but what other option did they have?

The last time we ate at the California Grill (a much overrated restaurant in my opinion), the crowds we so bad that it was hard to walk to the table or the restrooms. Between the crowds and the mediocore food, my wife and I vowed never to go back. Now I know most people like the food there, but almost everyone I have talked too has been annoyed by the crowds.

So I ask you, what solution could they have employed that would solve the crowding problem and let folks go up to watch the fireworks?

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Baron: I too will miss the view from the CG, but what other option did they have?

WDWHound, how nice of you to ask!! And the solution is really quite simple. Just leave it the way it WAS. And I don’t mean the way it was yesterday, or last week or even last year. NO!! The way it was when the Lounge and the Restaurant were separate. So simple! So elegant in it’s design! A lot of thought went into that original design, but for the sake of a couple of bucks, they tossed that original design and jammed in extra diners where none were supposed to be!!

Instead of SQUEEZING in an extra four to six (I really can’t recall which) tables, leave it part of the waiting area. You know, the way it was designed. That way the two elements do not mix!! Restaurant on one side, secluded, isolated and darn-right cozy. Lounge on the other side, active, busy and at times jammed packed!! Pretty cool, eh?

Now, we are talking about a finite area though. And over the past 30 years it has become more popular. FINE!! Great!! Many others could enjoy the MAGIC!! But it could become a little too crowded. A little too hectic, even for a lounge/bar. OK!! So the solution is already half implemented!!

I LOVE the idea of a second floor check in. You could really control the crowd that way. Restaurant reservations AND visitors could both be accommodated. ALSO, there are two decks. They could easily be separated. One for lounge/restaurant patrons, one for fireworks fans!!

Unfortunately, they didn’t even try. Instead they choose to take the easy MONEY and screw the ‘freebie’ magic, once again. Too bad, isn’t it?

The last time we ate at the California Grill (a much overrated restaurant in my opinion)

I couldn’t agree more!!!

 

[All Aboard]

Baron, I gotta agree with the Hound on this one. Mickey Head Butter, Valet Parking, Packages to the Room, Early Entry, all examples of cuts that stink for the guest and saved Disney Money. But, Disney's not saving one red cent because of this. It's a change born of necessity.

We can blame the information age for it. More and more people had learned of the viewing area because of discussion boards like this. As a result, the crowds grew and grew.

I've been at CG post fireworks. The lobby area in front of the check-in counter for the restaurant was absolutely mobbed when 100 guests poured off the viewing balcony. They would completely clog the area as it required many elevators to get them all down.

I've also been on a guest room level waiting for a down elevator post-fireworks. Completely full elevator after elevator would stop on the guest room floors causing the guest to have to wait, perhaps 30 minutes to just catch an elevator with vacancy.

Nope, WDW this one to make guest experience better, not worse.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Greg, I disagree.

I could be managed and managed well (see above). And please don’t be naive. They ARE making money from it.

“Want to see the fireworks from ‘THE TOP OF THE WORLD!!’ It’s quite a sight, you know!!!”

Yeah! Sure!! I’d love to!!!

“Great!! Go buy a barely adequate dinner for an outrageous price!! And don’t forget!! This is DISNEY® Magic!!”

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

It all boils down to crowd control. Something Disney used to be good at. However, this time they didn't even try!

And really why would they? They aren't interested in providing MAGIC. They are interested in SELLING STUFF! In this case they are selling the view.

If you want to see the view, buy the lousy meal at big buck prices!! Otherwise, you don't get to see it! Period!!!

I'm sorry. That just doesn't fit in to my take on Walt's philosophy. And I really don't understand how it could fit into yours.

 

[Peter Pirate]

...barely adequate dinner...

YIKES!!! Bad taste aside, WDW absolutely did the right thing for exactly the reasons Greg stated. The added crowds would have continued to grow and become more unmanageable (as word spread) EVEN if they hadn't expanded the CG seating.

A real problem is the lack of elevator capacity and, as Greg said, discomfort of the actual Contemporary guests, as well as the CG diners.

Good show on this one for sure. As for Greg being naive regarding Disney and their business practices, it would be a first, IMO...And the comment really wasn't necessary was it Jeff?

 

[DisneyKidds]

Baron.....you know I generally enjoy your arguments. They are usually well reasoned and even when you are wrong you still manage to make some valid points in the process. This, however, is not one of those arguments.........

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Tom, Peter, Captain, WHATEVER!!!

And the comment really wasn't necessary was it Jeff?

WHOA! WHOA!! WHOA!!!!

There is NO ONE I respect more than Greg!! And I think he knows that!! I would NEVER slight him!! EVER!! It was conversation. Nothing more. I assure you!

Please don't try to stir up trouble where there isn't any!! I do that just fine all by myself!!! Just ask Scoop!!

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

How so, Mr. Kidds?

 

[DisneyKidds]

I don't really need to repeat everyone else's points. Bottom line is that, extra tables or not, the guest experience at both the restaurant and the hotel was being negatively impacted by the increasingly popular nature of the observation deck. Yes, they could have tried to manage it differently, but there would still likely be some continued negative impact, even if lessened. I'm also not buying that the observation deck was ever designed or intended to become the viewing attraction that it had become. It was a nice byproduct as long as circumstances would allow it, but once it became an obstruction I agree that action should have been taken.

 

[mrsR123]

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this adjustment came around to bite the managers in the behind; I've read suggestions that people obtain a PS for just dessert, coffee, etc. in order to gain entry to the appropriate level. I would think that large numbers of dessert-only diners would quickly hurt the bottom line. What would then be the next move?

 

[Lewisc]

I don't really understand Baron's position. Unfortunately the internet has made "insiders secrets" common knowledge. Having watched fireworks on the observation deck I know the elevators and observation deck couldn't handle the increasing number of fireworks viewers. Not sure of any other way to handle it. Limit the number of non CG guests? Go with Fast Pass? Limit it to Contemporary hotel guests? Just Contemporary guests who are staying in the tower? How about to long time Disney guests who give a secret handshake to prove they were guests in the golden years of the park?

Too many people making coffee/dessert reservations will just lead to a meal minimum. The restaurant at the top of the Marriott in NYC just offers a fixed price menu. Three different prices depending on what you order. If you only want coffee and dessert you still pay for the dinner.

I guess Disney could offer and dessert and coffee fireworks viewing package on the observation deck. Baron would this be an acceptable compromise?