California Grill

[LvTinkerbell]

I am so excited on my single digit countdown until our first trip to Walt Disney World. The first night we want to have a nice romantic dinner before our friends arrive and the chaos starts. LOL We have a reservation for 7:50 on Saturday night at the California Grill and are hoping to see the fireworks. Does anybody have any helpful hints or ideas for us so that we can get the beswt view of the fireworks and have the best dinner together? I know that people crowd onto the observation deck to see the fireworks but should we ask for a table in a specific area of the restaurant. Being a first timer I need a little help. Thanks

 

[ttfn3]

Just be nice and ask your hostess for a window seat with a view of the Magic Kingdom. We've been lucky both times we have eaten at the CG. DH and I had a very romatic dinner there the end of July (while DS was at the Neverland Club). Yum. Loved the cheese flat bread. I had the pork tenderloin which was very tender with the most yummy cheese polenta. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. DH loves their sushi. We had a great waiter also so it was a wonderful experience overall. Enjoy!!!

 

[SparklieSunShine]

Can you add a seating preference to your reservation by any chance?

 

[PrincessAurora]

You understand that California Grill is not a "romantic" restaurant if by romantic you mean quiet, intimate, upscale. California Grill is very open-air CA chic. It is very noisy and at that late time on a Saturday night I can guarentee that the noise will be at full roar. Window seats, especially on a weekend, will be in high demand and hard to get.

You can try to request the "wine room" if that is still available for more of an intimate flair.

Good luck!

 

[TheNerdyMinnie]

We always request a window table but recently were sat in the "wine room" and were not dissapointed one bit. The restaurant does tend to get a bit noisy, the wine room is more hush hush Also, thre are two observation decks. I find the deck to the back and left (if youre facing out to mk) is much less visited and offers just as great a view.

If your heart is set on a window table I would suggest showing up at least 30-45 minutes before your ps. While you wait, you can sit at the bar or the lounge tables and have a drink

 

[SparklieSunShine]

Great advice. Thank you. I think I'll be happy with either a window seat or the wine room. They both sound fantastic!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Lots of good advice so far. Princess aurora is right on the money with the "romantic" aspects of CG. And tho getting a bar seat or lounge seat while waiting for a window table would be nice, you may find (as we often did) there were NO seats to be had at either the bar or the lounge.

Don't worry if by some chance you can't get the window seat. These days we never even request one--too easy to get up and walk outside to the deck.

 

[FromVatoDisney]

I can almost guarantee you'll have a wonderful view of the fireworks -- you should have no problem on the observation deck -- I was there in July and even then there was plenty of room on the deck. And the food -- sigh -- is sooo good.

But as others have said, do know that it's not a quiet place and that there will be lots of kids. GC is very family-friendly despite being upscale -- I can't think of another place anywhere that combines these two elements so well.

Again, just a heads up -- you'll love CG and I can't wait to eat there again, but if you want to hear your darling whispering sweet nothings you should consider Citrico's next time.

 

[Aliki]

Can you add a seating preference to your reservation by any chance?

I was told by the CM when I made my ADRs for Cali Grill that you can NOT add seating preference to your ressies. All seating arrangements and preferences are made at the podium upon arrival.

 

[novastar]

I got a windows seat without even asking, for 4 people