Dinner at Narcoossees or Ca. Grill to catch WISH firework

[pfeifer14]

Which one should I choose for dinner and able to get a view of the WISH firework from MK? I can either have 915pm at Ca. Grill or 840pm at Narcoossees.

 

[Baptist]

I can't speak for Narcoossees, but California Grill has an awesome view of the fireworks. It's very similar to the DVC lounge at Bay lake towers (a nice treat for DVC members).

 

[Robo]

Both are good.
Cali Grill is better.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Narcoossee's. With a 9:15 ADR, you may not get a table in time. Yes, you can go up to the bar and wait, and go out on the deck, but... Narcoossee's you can have a nice leisurely meal, then go out on the porch.

 

[westie55]

California Grill. I have been several times and LOVE this restaurant during Wishes. I had a 9pm reservation. Fireworks were at 10pm. We were seated promptly. I prefer not even to leave my table for the fireworks. Standing in a crowd of people (even if it's small) is exactly what I'm trying to avoid! I've always had a phenomenal view of the fireworks right from my table. They dim the lights and pipe in the music. So magical!

 

[SillySallySews]

We watched Wishes from CA Grill last summer and the view was amazing! I had gone back and forth on these two restaurants as well. After looking at pictures online of the views (found through Google searches and YouTube), I went with CA Grill.

 

[hookedonears]

Which one should I choose for dinner and able to get a view of the WISH firework from MK? I can either have 915pm at Ca. Grill or 840pm at Narcoossees.

Our experiences:
CG - Got there 20 minutes before our ADR, waited nearly an hour to be seated. The place was a complete mad house. People sit around eating and drinking waiting on the fireworks to begin. Was finally seated and they took our order nearly immediately. After a pretty good long wait, they finally brought our food just as the fireworks were about to begin. My daughter and I left our food and walked outside for the show, while my wife stayed at the table. The show was okay, nothing special, nothing like actually being there. Sounded like a good idea, but would never do it again.

Narcoossees - More laid back atmosphere. Food and service is always excellent. Yes the show may have been a little better at CG, but we've seen it so many times in person, it's not really worth making a big deal out of it. During our last trip, we finished our meal and fortunately the show started. We walked outside saw the show and headed back to our resort. A much better overall experience. Don't get me wrong, the food was excellent at both places, but we just wouldn't make a special trip for the fireworks show at either place.

 

[pfeifer14]

Thank you all. Really appreciated it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

High view--California Grill

Low view--Narcoossee's.

Keep in mind that you may not be able to see the fireworks from your table in either restaurant...

 

[dledger]

I haven't experienced either so I offer no insight there, however, I've been struggling with the same debate. I ultimately have decided to go with Narcoossee's for this reason: I've heard CG can be loud and the serving sizes look smaller than what we are used to. The menu at Narcoossee's appeals more to my fiancé and myself as we love seafood and also steak. We don't eat sushi. We were looking for more of a special, romantic night out as it is my birthday and our honeymoon, and from what I understand, while kids are welcome at both, CG tends to be a more popular "family" spot than Narcoossee's. I don't know if any of those are important to you but they're worth mentioning?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Of course due exactly TO the fireworks, Narcoossee's gets it's own share of kids.

Don't even think it will be an all adult venue!!!

One nearby table of screaming and yelling kids and all the romance is out the window.

Which is why we always eat at the bar at both spots---

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, it really depends on which view you want. In terms of food and service, my favorite location is Narcoossee's. Both Narcoossee's and CA Grill have alternative viewing areas, which is nice for guests that are seated at a table without a view.

CA Grill - the fireworks appear over Space Mountain.

Narcoossee's - the fireworks appear to the left of the castle.

 

[maxiesmom]

Our experiences:
CG - Got there 20 minutes before our ADR, waited nearly an hour to be seated. The place was a complete mad house. People sit around eating and drinking waiting on the fireworks to begin. Was finally seated and they took our order nearly immediately. After a pretty good long wait, they finally brought our food just as the fireworks were about to begin. My daughter and I left our food and walked outside for the show, while my wife stayed at the table. The show was okay, nothing special, nothing like actually being there. Sounded like a good idea, but would never do it again.

Wow! I'm so glad I haven't had an experience like yours! I've at at the California Grill in time for the fireworks twice, and both times waited less than 10 minutes for a table.

 

[hookedonears]

Wow! I'm so glad I haven't had an experience like yours! I've at at the California Grill in time for the fireworks twice, and both times waited less than 10 minutes for a table.

Did I mention that there were so many people waiting that there was no place to sit. We had to stand while we waited the entire time. The bar was full, with lots of people standing around it and we even had a hard time even getting up to the bar to order glasses of wine. Someone told me that it was Jersey week, and lots of people from Jersey like to hangout there, drink and eat sushi. As Kevin likes to say, however this was just a snap shot. I'm sure others have had much better experiences.

 

[disneyygirrl]

As others have said, it really depends on which view you want. In terms of food and service, my favorite location is Narcoossee's. Both Narcoossee's and CA Grill have alternative viewing areas, which is nice for guests that are seated at a table without a view.

CA Grill - the fireworks appear over Space Mountain.

Narcoossee's - the fireworks appear to the left of the castle.

This was so helpful! Thank you!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Both are pretty awesome.

If you're going just for the view, go with Cali Grill.
If you're going for the food with a chance to watch Wishes, go for Narcoossee's. That's just my personal opinion.

 

[AngiTN]

We actually had our best view of Wishes, while at our table, at Citricos. We couldn't have asked for a better table. It wasn't planned though but I got the impression that a lot of the tables in there had views of the fireworks.

We had such an awful experience at CG I won't go there again for Wishes. We were put in a back room with a view of the top of a building with service equipment on top. We couldn't even see a window in the direction of MK from out seat. The CM seating us actually apologized as he seated us, and I quote here "sorry, but I have to take you back here". I didn't get what he was saying at first, I thought he meant he was taking us to this room to show it to us, like it was a tour of the restaurant. Had I put the 2 and 2 together fast enough I would have asked what he meant by "have to" take us back there. DGD was 3 at the time and she was with us but I can't see how we had to be seated in that room because we had a child. Plenty others had kids in other seats. We went outside to watch fireworks and the balcony was more crowded than when we watched on Main St.

I want to try Narcoossees next time.

I'm curious overall though, which restaurant has the most tables with a view? Cal Grill seems big but many can't see Wishes without leaving their table. Very few can remain seated

 

[Uncleromulus]

Trouble with Narcoossee's is that the tables by the window are level with the deck outside.

Meaning that even with a window table you might have to go outside anyway.

Lots of folks stream out on the deck to see the show and while crowded and standing there can easily block any view from inside.

 

[AngiTN]

Maybe we'll stick with Citricos then. Since it's up higher. It is on the list as one of our favorite meals in all our trips.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It does not happen every night--but it does on most. The restaurant encourages all hands to go out on the deck, and with a small area and a pile of people, many table views are blocked.

And the folks on the deck have no room to move out of the way!!