Fireworks at Cali Grill worth it ?

[lilasmom]

For my husbands birthday, I have a 9:20pm dinner at the California Grill. The Summer fireworks are at 10:00pm. I am now having second thoughts on watching the fireworks from there. I think I would prefer to see them on Main Street, since it will be our only evening to see them. There is an earlier ADR available that would get us to the mk in time to see them there. We've never eaten at the Cali grill, so I don't know what to expect, but we just got home from a 5 night stay at the BLT and watched the fireworks from our balcony. I'm assuming the fireworks view from the Cali Grill will be similar? What would you do ? Thanks !

 

[BriarRosie]

The view at California Grill will be very similar to the view from BLT.

That being said, I would want my only time to see the fireworks to be on Main Street, where they were meant to get the best "impact" visually.

I go to California Grill for the food. Currently I've been hooked on doing a mix of appetizers as my meal. In December, I had a bowl of soup and a specialty sushi roll and was a happy camper.

Yes, I do like some of their entrees, but I'm really happy with getting appetizers. If I wanted flatbread, I'd usually split that with someone.

 

[scot@dvcstore]

Same outstanding view.

 

[Connears]

We saw holiday Wishes on xmas day (9:00pm)from CG(we had 9:00pm adr) and it was great! They do have the music piped in which will be different than watching from your balcony. We really enjoyed it.

Connears

 

[lovesdumbo]

I really enjoy CG but always make an early ADR. I love the view up there but not so much the view of the fireworks. The balcony is crowded and watching through the glass isn't as nice as being right there on Main St.

 

[Treacle44]

As lovely as watching Wishes from Cali Grill is, if you can only watch it once, nothing beats watching it from Main Street.

x

 

[septbaby]

A couple of thoughts just came to mind on this:

1. It is hubby's bday, ask him not us...

2. CG has a policy that we took advantage of just last Thursday.
We had a 5:35 ADR and enjoyed a lovely meal, outstanding really. We were invited to return to watch the fireworks later that night. All we had to do was check in on the 2nd floor again and we were taken back up to the restaurant. We'd planned to head out to the deck, but just as we arrived someone got up from a table in the lounge which is first come first served. We had a great view of the show and enjoyed more great service with our tea service during the show.

3. Main Street does have a special magic, but the CG experience was really nice to have at least once. We've also done the fireworks at Narcoossee's and that was wonderful as well.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

2. CG has a policy that we took advantage of just last Thursday.
We had a 5:35 ADR and enjoyed a lovely meal, outstanding really. We were invited to return to watch the fireworks later that night. All we had to do was check in on the 2nd floor again and we were taken back up to the restaurant.

Don't forget about showing your reciept from your meal before they let you back up.

 

[Flossbolna]

I think the view from Main Street is so much better that I would get the earlier reservation. Also I really like the atmosphere at CG when it is still light outside and if you can be there for the sunset it is wonderful as well. That's what has become my perfect combination: CG during sunset then head over to the MK via the walkway for fireworks from Main Street.

 

[minniebeth]

I think the view from Main Street is so much better that I would get the earlier reservation. Also I really like the atmosphere at CG when it is still light outside and if you can be there for the sunset it is wonderful as well. That's what has become my perfect combination: CG during sunset then head over to the MK via the walkway for fireworks from Main Street.

I agree with Flossbolna, the sunset at California Grill is great. I think it's the fireworks that get all the attention, but the sunset there that is the best kept secret. It is spectacular!

 

[MrsLS]

If you are just going for the fireworks, no its not really worth it, but if you are going for the food, then yes it is. I love the Cali Grill, the food & service are great, but to just go and not care about the food and just for the fireworks, you can see them from a lot of places.

 

[Tara]

We saw holiday Wishes on xmas day (9:00pm)from CG(we had 9:00pm adr) and it was great! They do have the music piped in which will be different than watching from your balcony. We really enjoyed it.

Connears

FYI, you can hear the music for the fireworks in rooms at BLT through the television.

OP - I understand your dilemma. After lots of dinners at CG where we watched the fireworks, I'm a bit tired of it. The view is much better in the park, so this time I've scheduled our dinner there so it doesn't compete with fireworks. Given that this summer's fireworks are special and no one knows if they'll be back after August 14th, I wouldn't miss seeing them in the park. Try for an earlier CG dinner. If you can't get that, I HIGHLY recommend Citricos - it is every bit as special a dining experience as CG, it just doesn't have the view, but it's probably more readily available at a time that will still allow you to see fireworks inside the park.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We loved it so much we're going back this August!! It is awesome!

 

[Soarin' Rocks]

Went to California Grill for the first time last month. We had a 9:15 ADR and the fireworks were scheduled for 10. We didn't get seated until 9:55 because it seemed that several diners were reluctant to leave their tables before the fireworks. Didn't bother us though - we went out on the deck to watch them and the view was pretty good. Once we were seated, our waiter asked if we wanted to go outside or stay at the table to watch the fireworks, but we didn't have a very good view from inside, so we ordered drinks and went outside to watch.

I'm glad we experienced the fireworks from there once, but I'd have to say that seeing them on Main Street is the best!!

 

[lilasmom]

I was able to get a 7:50pm ADR, is this early enough to get to the park by 9:45pm to watch the fireworks ?

 

[Tara]

I was able to get a 7:50pm ADR, is this early enough to get to the park by 9:45pm to watch the fireworks ?

Tell your server that you need to leave by X time (whatever time you think to get to the park - depends on how fast you walk, I suppose!). That will mean your dinner will be somewhat rushed by CG standards (which tends to be on the slower side - they don't rush you through), but you should still have a good 1.5 hours if you are seated on time. Also, go a little early - maybe they can accommodate you a bit earlier.

 

[ibcnu]

Went to California Grill for the first time last month. We had a 9:15 ADR and the fireworks were scheduled for 10. We didn't get seated until 9:55 because it seemed that several diners were reluctant to leave their tables before the fireworks. Didn't bother us though - we went out on the deck to watch them and the view was pretty good. Once we were seated, our waiter asked if we wanted to go outside or stay at the table to watch the fireworks, but we didn't have a very good view from inside, so we ordered drinks and went outside to watch.

I'm glad we experienced the fireworks from there once, but I'd have to say that seeing them on Main Street is the best!!

I have a 9:10 ADR and was hoping to be up at the 15th floor by 10pm for Wishes. Did they allow you up at 9:15pm so you can wait for your table there?

 

[Tara]

I have a 9:10 ADR and was hoping to be up at the 15th floor by 10pm for Wishes. Did they allow you up at 9:15pm so you can wait for your table there?

Yes, you will be allowed up after you check in on the 2nd floor. Word of warning, though - there aren't a lot of seats for people waiting - if there's no room at the bar, there's a short line of chairs along one wall, but that's it - if there are a lot of people waiting, it's SRO in the vestibule area between the elevators and bar.

 

[Vohdre]

Like others have said, if you only have 1 night to watch them I would suggest doing it from inside the park. Last time we were there I was able to arrange it so we saw them once from Main Street, once from CG, and once from the beach at the Poly.

CG probably had the best "perspective" view being up over the top like that, but the experience is still the best from Main Street.