California Grille

[momonlongisland]

Hi,
Looking into April dinner reservations at the Cali Grille and wanted recent reviews as well as a suggested time for our reservation to also see fireworks?
TIA

 

[Eastern]

You should look right now and see what times are even available. When I look for my dates, there are very limited times left already.

 

[mermaidmona]

I agree, you should call them right now! Because it's such a popular place to eat, you want to make sure you don't let the early bird get the room, so to speak! How many people will be in your party? If it's under 5 there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[mermaidmona]

Ever since they won the 2004 Disney Magazine Reader's Choice Award for Best Overall Walt Disney World Resort Restaurant they get packed pretty fast :/

 

[TDC Nala]

Ever since they won the 2004 Disney Magazine Reader's Choice Award for Best Overall Walt Disney World Resort Restaurant they get packed pretty fast :/

They don't get packed because of the food (which by the way isn't as good as it was in 2004 in some ways). It's all about the fireworks.

If fireworks are your priority in choosing this restaurant, look up the park hours for April and see when the show is on the date or dates you are considering booking the restaurant. Choose a time between an hour to an hour and a half before the fireworks show is scheduled to start. Remember there's a credit card hold and no-show fee for this restaurant, and prime fireworks times go fast, so you should look as soon as you can and see what you can get.

 

[kmk1180]

They don't get packed because of the food (which by the way isn't as good as it was in 2004 in some ways). It's all about the fireworks.

If fireworks are your priority in choosing this restaurant, look up the park hours for April and see when the show is on the date or dates you are considering booking the restaurant. Choose a time between an hour to an hour and a half before the fireworks show is scheduled to start. Remember there's a credit card hold and no-show fee for this restaurant, and prime fireworks times go fast, so you should look as soon as you can and see what you can get.

Agreed and realize,

1. It's not a quiet fine dining experience. The closer to fireworks time the louder it gets with loud excited kids (your are at Disney afterall)


2. An ADR is not a guaranteed table just the next available.
So it's possible to have an ADR but not get a table.
After all, if you had a window table and for the past hour enjoyed your meal, now it's only 30 minutes before fireworks...would you stay and order a dessert or after dinner drink to watch?
Probably likely.

So I would suggest at least 1 1/2hr before...anything less, you might end up watching from the deck, then sitting down to eat.
(Granted there's plusses to that, since it's likely the loud roudy kids will also leave after fireworks, making it much more of a quiet fine dining experience it's priced at.)

 

[snykymom]

Also remember that not all tables overlook the MK. We had an ADR and were seated 20 minutes before Wishes - in a back room, no view. We placed our order and walked out to the deck to watch. No problem - the server was set for it. Two minutes after the fireworks, the appetizers were on our table.

 

[psac]

Agreed, you want to make your ADR for 90 minutes to two hours before the fireworks. The tough thing is knowing when the fireworks are. In April the last few years they've been at 10, but sometimes they can be at 9. An 8:00 rezzie would probably cover both cases, if you don't mind getting up between courses to see the fireworks.

We've tried almost every signiature restaurant, and to us Cali Grill is the best. Just didn't like the Filet that much. Everything else has been FANTASTIC.

 

[momonlongisland]

Thanks guys...I'll check into the times and tryyy my best to get our reservation set!

 

[sto6917]

We ate at CG this past Oct. It was wonderful - I really enjoyed sitting by the open kitchen and watching.

We had a reservation for 7:30 and it worked out perfectly for Wishes which were at 9:30PM that night due to Hallowishes!

 

[elleinad16]

Just made a 7:40 reservation at Cali Grill for 6 people...Wishes is schedule at 9 o'clock...do you think we'll have decent chances to see them???

 

[Art 1]

Just made a 7:40 reservation at Cali Grill for 6 people...Wishes is schedule at 9 o'clock...do you think we'll have decent chances to see them???

Yes.