Help me wow my (soon to be) Wife at Cali Grill!

[Destructsean]

So, here's the scoop:

For the past two years, my fiancee and I have been to Disney, and each time, it's been amazing. Both years we've dined at California Grill, and we're just blown away by it all. The view, the atmosphere, the food, all top notch.

This year, our trip is going to be a little different.. It's going to be our honeymoon!

We're going in December, from the 2nd-14th.

My wish (no pun intended!) is to book an ADR during Wishes, so we can watch the fireworks while we dine (or very shortly after/before.)

Help me do this! What's the best way to ensure this happens? I know I can't make ADR's until 6 months out, but how will I know when Wishes is happening on certain nights? Is it always a fixed time?

Knowing me, I'd screw this up, and I want this meal to be REALLY special.


Help me out!

 

[minniebride]

In 3-4 months, you will be able to find out Wishes times by going here:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm

Actually, if you click on the December, 2011 calendar and go to the date you want to dine, it is very likely the timing will be the same as this year.

Plan to make your reservation 45 minutes to an hour before Wishes timing. Average meal at CG is around 2-3 hours, especially if you are celebrating and likely ordering wine, apps, etc...

Be sure to tell the waiter that you are planning to view the fireworks so they can time your meal right.

You may also want to request to eat in the Wine Room-it's much quieter and more romantic than the main room.

Congratulations!!

 

[TDC Nala]

You may also want to request to eat in the Wine Room-it's much quieter and more romantic than the main room.

However, there is no view of the Magic Kingdom from the wine room.

I can't tell from the OP how imperative it is that you have a view of Wishes from your table, without having to go to the observation deck to watch. I believe there is no way to absolutely ensure that you get a table with a view. You can make the odds better by: 1) booking an early reservation and telling the check-in desk that you will wait for a view - keep in mind that you may have to wait a long time or that you still may not get the view; 2) Make sure it is noted on your reservation that it is your honeymoon - again not a sure thing but it might help.

Park hours, including times for fireworks shows, should be released about the same time that you are able to make ADRs. Times for Wishes vary, it's not a fixed time. Usually if you are looking at December, and it is a Christmas party night at MK, they will present Holiday Wishes at 9:30 pm.

 

[Destructsean]

Thanks!

This is exactly the information I was looking for. I'll just have to keep an eye out and see if the schedules are available before I make my ADR for California Grill.

It's not a deal breaker if I don't have a table with a fireworks view, but it would be nice.

They play the music/audio from the fireworks show into the restaurant during the show, right?

 

[Gorechick]

I preferred the wine room on my honeymoon. We were able to go see Wishes from the main dining room, then watch the Electrical Water Pageant from our table, and see fireworks from something else in the distance.

 

[minniebride]

Thanks!

This is exactly the information I was looking for. I'll just have to keep an eye out and see if the schedules are available before I make my ADR for California Grill.

It's not a deal breaker if I don't have a table with a fireworks view, but it would be nice.

They play the music/audio from the fireworks show into the restaurant during the show, right?

We loved watching Wishes from their special outside viewing area. They pipe in the music, great view, and very romantic to be outside way up high

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I preferred the wine room on my honeymoon. We were able to go see Wishes from the main dining room, then watch the Electrical Water Pageant from our table, and see fireworks from something else in the distance.

Not to hijack the thread, but how did you sit in the wine room then view Wishes from the main dining room? I am acrophobic, & have put off eating at CG forever. Now that I heard they're closing it to make changes, I decided to suck it up & give it a try. We would prefer the wine room for the quieter atmosphere. Due to this, I had resolved myself to the idea that we wouldn't see Wishes from the restaurant. There's no way I would go out to the outside viewing area. If we could do as you did & sit in the wine room, but view the fireworks from the main dining room, that would be perfect. I would be fine with viewing them from a distance. I won't get too close to the windows anyway.

 

[Gorechick]

We found an area to stand near the windows in the main dining room, not blocking anyone, and watched from there. Server invited us to do so and reminded us when it was time.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We found an area to stand near the windows in the main dining room, not blocking anyone, and watched from there. Server invited us to do so and reminded us when it was time.

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize this was a possibility. It will be great to see the fireworks, & hopefully have a quieter meal in the wine room.

 

[Laura8880]

My Hubby and I went to Cali grill after we got engaged. We checked in super early for our reservations (hour before) because we really wanted a window seat. We went to the bar preparing for a looooong wait and we didn't have high hopes of even getting a window seat......well once the bartender found out we had just gotten engaged, we were approached by the hostess who escorted us to our table. The table had little mickey ear confetti all over and there was a "congratulations" sign. It was awesome...Never really expected anything like this....The best part was that our waiter (can't remember his name ) spaced our meal out perfectly so we got our dessert when Wishes started. I guess my advice to you is to show up early to your ressie....I hope your experience is as good as mine was!

 

[minniebride]

You should request Gary as your waiter-he was top notch!!!

 

[Destructsean]

Ok, thanks for the help everyone.

I'll make a reservation for about an hour before wishes is supposed to start. I'll show up super early for the reservation, and definetly drop the hint that it's our honeymoon. Hopefully all this will get us the table/experience I'm looking for.

Last question. I know this is probably one for the "Cake Chatter" thread, but....can you have custom cakes sent to the Cali Grill? I was looking at some of the smaller, fondant covered cakes that people have custom ordered, and I thought that might be the perfect end to the meal.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

A few thoughts, for what it's worth...

1. You're going in Dec so it will be MVMCP on some nights...meaning it will be Holiday Wishes vs. Wishes. On top of that...you'll know the MVMCP schedule before the Dec calendar comes out...so that may help you plan a nt.

2. We went in Dec back in 2010 and I planned all of my dining around the calendar that came out in June. The only problem...a few things changed as we got closer to our travel dates...including Wishes. I remember it being November and Wishes was suddenly added to the calendar for a night when it originally only listed MSEP. I was excited, but it also threw our plans off a bit. Things like this can make it harder to plan...meaning relying on the MVMCP schedule might make it easier for you to plan well in advance. Then again, last minute calendar changes like we experienced may mean increased odds of getting a better time later on in the planning stages.

3. We went to Cali Grill back in August 2011 and timed to perfectly (for our needs) to Wishes. Wishes was at 10p that night and my goal was to be eating dessert during the show. Everyone told me to try for something between 8-8:30 and to also expect at least a 30 min wait to be seated if our ADR was before that hour leading up to the show. I was also advised to expect very little table movement and much longer wait times if our ADR was within that hour before the show. We waiting about 35 min for a table, were seated in a spot with a great view of the castle even if we weren't up against a window, and were being served dessert just as the lights dimmed.

4. While 3 is all well and good, you want a romantic meal. Cali Grill is probably FAR more romantic after all of the people lingering to see Wishes have departed. So, if you can time it to be seated just before the show, or watch the show out on the view deck and then get seated after Wishes- you might have a more romantic evening.

5. Obviously, you can add a celebration to the adr, but you might also look into some kind of special cake or dessert delivery. I know- you will have just gotten married and you might be caked out but it might be sweet to surprise your fiance (then bride) with a mini wedding cake styled after your big wedding cake...or something like that.

And finally---CONGRATS!!! Have an awesome time!!!

EDIT- definitely check out the cake chatter for cake tips and ideas. We had Brian at the Contemporary make our older daughter's 5th bday cake and it was wonderful. They would also handle any custom fancy cakes delivered to Cali Grill.