California Grille and Wishes

[jmagla]

Hi All,
I am midway through booking my ADR's and want to book the California Grill so that we can see wishes from the observation deck, cant see any times (no matter which day we try) other than 7.30 or 8.55, are these seatings or is it all that is left?, ant recommendations as to the best of the two available times?

Thanks Michael

 

[Pegasus928]

I suppose it would depend on what time Wishes is on that night, or if it's on at all.
If they are showing it at 9pm then you can guarantee that whoever has the table before you will still be sat there when Wishes is due on, but if you have a booking for 8.55pm you would still be allowed up to the restaraunt and would be able to see it from the balcony.

 

[jmagla]

Wishes is listed at 10pm for late Agust (27th), I always thought it was 9pm?, so guess the best time to book may be 8.55, although that is late for us to eat (with a 7 year old), anyone any experience of doing this before, any thoughts?

 

[wayneg]

It was 10pm last August when we went. Reservation was for 9:35pm, asked for food ASAP as we were really hungry(usually eat around 7pm) It took 2 hours for 2 courses, came out at 11:30pm still hungry. The only meal the whole 16 nights on DDP we were still hungry after.
Many love Cali grill, we had a bad experience.

 

[Pegasus928]

We went for dinner, however the table we had wasn't near a window that was facing MK (at least for 2 of us) so we went out onto the balcony at the end of the meal. It does get a little crowded out there as everyone tends to be up there at that time for the same reason.
They pipe the music in to add to the atmosphere - but if I'm honest we probably won't do it again. It was nice enough but there are plenty of other places to watch the fireworks from, many of them offering better views than the sideways one you get from CG.

This is the view from the balcony

 

[jmagla]

Thanks for the info, I have booked 8.55, v late for us, same as you Wayne around 7pm is ideal. It is our last night at Disney before moving to the Hard Rock Hotel, we will have been there two weeks by then so will have started to sleep in, so hopefully the time will be ok. Hopefully it wont take over two hours to get and eat the meal though!!

 

[stephensmum]

Michael, Last year we couldn't get CG & booked Nacoossies instead, it was wonderful & have booked again this year. Looking at Kenny's photo's, I think the view was better from Nacoossies. Just mentioning, as I was able to get 7.00.

 

[All Star Paul]

A couple of other thougths, hope they help;

We have done Cali Grill twice now and are going back for a third time but you really need to give up at least three hours to get the best from it. It is not a fast meal and may not be best if you are already tired and hungry or if the kids are looking for a quick refuel and go. I would go further and say it is more for adults/older kids/teens.

The Wishes viewing is a nice add-on but it will never be as good as watching from Main Street, so make it an additional viewing not your only one (similar to the preffered viewing location you get when booking with Disney UK on the terrace).

See extract below from my booking confirmation for the Cali Grill below. You can eat earlier and go back and get access to the roof terrace if you show your bill. Alternatively there is another area with viewing and it sounds like you don't have to eat at the CG to get in there. I have not used this so cannot comment on how good it is. These solutions may not work for most people who don't want to make two trips to the Contemporary in one evening but its good to know.

This year we are trying O'Hanas and going watch the fireworks and the water pagent from the Poly beach, I hear that is a good location, opinions on that welcome.


"Guests who have dined prior in the evening may return to California Grill to view the fireworks. Guests will need to present their receipt from dinner to gain re-entry to the restaurant.
As an alternative, Disney Resort Guests who are visiting Disney's Contemporary Resort for shopping or dining experiences may visit a fireworks viewing location on the north end of the 4th floor Grand Canyon Concourse. Proceed past the Concourse Sundries and Spirits shop and exit the doors to the exterior. From the viewing area, Guests can see Cinderella Castle and Magic Kingdom® theme park, and hear the background music and sounds synchronized with the Wishes fireworks display. There is a small area under cover for viewing during inclement weather."

 

[jmagla]

Thanks Paul, we have decided to give it a miss, will go to two other restaraunts instead of using two table service credits on the CG, not sure (in fact I know!) that the 7 year old will struggle to sit still for that long!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

We always go for the 8.55 reservation and arrive about 8.20, usually seated quickly, this times it just right for us to watch Wishes before dessert.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We have a 9:25 booked - dessert only for us, dinner is not in out budget...should I book earlier? Wishes is at 10:00.

 

[wayneg]

We have a 9:25 booked - dessert only for us, dinner is not in out budget...should I book earlier? Wishes is at 10:00.

They give you the option to recieve food or wait until Wishes had finished. 9:25 is probably a bit awkward just for dessert, if you ordered around that time it would be ready about time of wishes, probably better a little earlier if you could. Although we got seated around 9:30 ish ordered main course told him we wanted ASAP even if wishes was on, still took until 10:30 for food to arrive. Dessert should arrive faster.

 

[2Tiggies]

We have a 9:25 booked - dessert only for us, dinner is not in out budget...should I book earlier? Wishes is at 10:00.

I didnt know you could do that. Did you have to say when you booked that you want dessert only? I wanted to take DD (8) but canned the idea as I doubt she will enjoy a 2+hour meal.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I didnt know you could do that. Did you have to say when you booked that you want dessert only? I wanted to take DD (8) but canned the idea as I doubt she will enjoy a 2+hour meal.

When I booked it, I told the CM we only wanted dessert and she said that would be fine, they see that all the time. I still, however, had to do a credit card hold and we will get charged $60 if we cx within 24 hours.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

They give you the option to recieve food or wait until Wishes had finished. 9:25 is probably a bit awkward just for dessert, if you ordered around that time it would be ready about time of wishes, probably better a little earlier if you could. Although we got seated around 9:30 ish ordered main course told him we wanted ASAP even if wishes was on, still took until 10:30 for food to arrive. Dessert should arrive faster.

thanks for the advice...I'm going to see if I can switch it to 8:45 or 9:00

 

[2Tiggies]

When I booked it, I told the CM we only wanted dessert and she said that would be fine, they see that all the time. I still, however, had to do a credit card hold and we will get charged $60 if we cx within 24 hours.

I dont mind the cc hold. Hmm, that throws a spanner in the works now. I think could reconsider. It was less about the cost but the duration put me off - especially as I wanted it as a mum and daughter special evening, but no good if she is going to be restless. Thanks for the info