Evening meal at CG.

[alibeau]

Hi

I have booked a surprise meal at the CG for DH's birthday while we are away at Easter. I did ponder booking a taxi from our villa to CG so DH could have a drink but I don't think he is that bothered as we don't drink a great deal whilst out and about with LO's and tend to have drink back at the villa later on.

So, if he drives can we park easily at the contemporary resort? Is the parking free or do we have to stay at the hotel to use the car park? Will it be busy?

I was planning on watching the fireworks and then heading home if the girls can stay awake that late and at least if we are driving we have some flexibility if things don't go to plan!

Thanks

Ali

 

[Zeebs]

We didn't have any problems parking at the Contemporary when we went for our meal at California Grill. We never paid just told the gate person we had a dinner reservation and they ushered us through.

We loved our meal at CG, the sushi was devine. We left our kids back at the condo with a babysitter from Fairy Godmothers and had the most relaxing night since the kids were born so that was fab as well.

So we have really lovely memories of our meal, am considering doing the same again this time and can't decide whether to go to CG again or try another place.

Kirsten

 

[wayneg]

You can park at any Disney hotel free, they used to issue 3 hour passes but not anymore(or they haven't last few years) I assume they now log cars going in and out to make sure they don't outstay your welcome.
We often goto hotels just to look around, have a Dole whip at the Poly, go see animals at AKL etc. just show photo ID on entry.

 

[Elise79]

Just to add that they have moved the self parking lot at the Contemporary so it is now further away! Its a good couple of minutes extra walk.

Also in case you didn't know the check in for California Grill is on the second floor. From the lobby the easiest way is to take the escalators up.

Hope you have a great dinner

 

[Pegasus928]

There is also the option of valet parking at the Disney resorts.
We have done this at both the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. Just pull up at reception and they do the rest.
I don't know how much this costs as at the time we had the Tables in Wonderland card so it was free, but for a special night I'm sure it won't be a huge addition.

 

[alibeau]

Thanks for all your replies

Did you all stick around to see the fireworks? We have an ADR for 7.30pm. Any advice on best spot to see the fireworks? I have read there is some type of viewing area?

If we finish our meal early just wondering if we can wander off anywhere interesting to keep the girls (7 & 5) occupied or is 7.30pm about right?

Thanks again.

Ali

 

[Pegasus928]

I think you have it spot on with 7.30
CG is notorious for slow service so the chances are you will either be on dessert or just finished.
The viewing area is a balcony that leads out from the restaraunt and looks over MK, the music is also piped into the restaraunt and the balcony.
The balcony also has binoculars so you can get a better view if you want it. The only real critisism I have is that you have a sideways view - so the display is going on to the right of the castle rather than behind it - but it is a unique experience all the same.

I have put a few pics below so you can see what I mean

 

[alibeau]

Wow, thanks for the pics - fab

We have not seen any of the Disney fireworks as we have previously visited in Feb so it was pretty chilly in the evening and also the girls were a bit small to be kept up overly late so this will be our first fireworks experience and looking at those photos I am getting excited

We are then visiting again in August so hopefully we will stay on at the parks later and see some more displays then

Brill photos - thanks

Ali

 

[Pegasus928]

There are quite a few good places to watch Wishes from if you don't mind viewing them from a distance.
One of the ones that we found purely by accident was from the pier at TTC. We had stayed behind to watch the parade and had planned to come back another night for the fireworks. So we left the park - pretty much on our own as most people were already in position Wishes - and decided to take the boat back to the car park. Once it docked at the other end Wishes was about to start and the music was being piped into the speakers on the pier. We just turned around and enjoyed the show then made out way to the car about an hour earlier than we would have managed had we stayed in MK.
I have also heard that the beach at Poly is good but we haven't tried that ourselves.

 

[wayneg]

If you do finish your meal in plenty of time you can go have a look around the resort then go back into the viewing area for the fireworks.
Our meal took just over 2 hours for 2 courses. I think we hit a bad night, everyone seems to love the place but we had a bad server, slow service and average food, back to Yachtsman for our special meal this year that was perfect last year.

 

[alibeau]

Possible change of plan....

Put some subtle feelers out without letting the cat out of the bag (I hope!!) and I am now thinking that I might hire a limo as a treat for DH's b'day to take us from the villa to the Contemporary

So first question is about timings, not too worried about the pick up time but what time would I need to book the return trip? Are the fireworks at 9pm? How long do they last approx.?

Also on the 'other website' there is a thread about '***********' who seem to come recommended for taxi/limo hire - anyone have any experience of them or any other firm?

I may well revert to the original plan once I discover the cost involved

Thanks guys

Ali

 

[wayneg]

There are a few Limo companies, the DIS approved one is http://www.fltours.com/reservations.htm No idea on costs but get a few quotes.

 

[torsie24]

Wishes is at 10 during our trip, which looks similar timing to yours. So I wouldn't booked the limo for earlier than 10.45

 

[alibeau]

Wishes is at 10 during our trip, which looks similar timing to yours. So I wouldn't booked the limo for earlier than 10.45

Hmmmm think I knew they were at 10pm now I think about it but kinda presumed it would all be done in half an hour??

Would I get away with 10.30pm for our return?? Just thinking of trying to get the rugrats to bed at something close to a reasonable hour!!! Don't suppose 15 mins makes much difference, it's just wayyyyyy later than they would usually stay up, even on holiday.....

And this then brings me back to driving ourselves and then if things go belly up with the girls we could leave when it suits

Me confuzzled.....

Ali

PS now wondering if I have done the right thing for DH's b'day or whether I should plan sommat else instead......

 

[torsie24]

Ooh, you might be. I was assuming the fireworks are 30 minutes long as they are on our wedding day schedule as 10-10.30pm, but then I just googled and it said 12 minutes....

Someone is sure to come along who knows though.

I was giving you a 10 minute buffer to get back down to the front of the hotel.

if it's only 12 minutes long then 10.30 should work fine.

 

[Pegasus928]

I think you are answering your own question Ali.
What sort of day do you have planned before the meal? Will the girls be able to have a lie in that morning maybe - to offset the late night. Will you be having a lazy day around the pool or hot footing it around the parks?
If you all have a chill out then a later night than normal might not be much of an issue - especially with Wishes to entertain them for the last half an hour or so.
The chances are that if you book a limo for 10.45 it may well be there waiting for you when you get down to the lobby - even if it is 5 minutes early or so, but also bear in mind that they only have 1 - maybe 2 - elevators from the floor that CG is on, and you can guarantee a few people will want to leave the same time as you once Wishes has finished.

 

[alibeau]

Thanks guys

After my initial PANIC I have thought things through and I'm sure 10.45pm will be fine. We have a lazy day planned or perhaps some shopping if we fancy but nothing major..... The girls will be able to have a lie in that morning and although I have planned for Epcot the next day, our 'plans' are very much open to change on this trip as if the crowds are too heavy for us we will give the parks a miss anyway......

Also when I think back to our last hol, they may well have been in bed between 9 and 10pm but they were chattering for ages so I'm sure all will be well

So, thank you for your advice, I would rather book for 10.45 and be waiting for them to arrive than booking 10.30 and panicing that we are keeping them waiting if we are running late......

Thank you

Ali