How long can we stay at California grill?

[GSLand]

Could only get a 5:45 pm reservation at California Grill. Will we be able to hang out there in order to see the 9 pm fireworks at MK??

 

[si-am]

I think that's a little ambitious! Plus, if everyone with a 5:45 reservation stayed til 9 to watch Wishes... the restaurant wouldn't turn over any tables at all!

They will let you come back up to watch Wishes from the observation deck, though, if you've eaten there that night.

 

[focusondisney]

Could only get a 5:45 pm reservation at California Grill. Will we be able to hang out there in order to see the 9 pm fireworks at MK??

Hi! We ate at California Grill 2 years ago. We were told then that if you had an early ADR, you will be allowed back up to watch Wishes. You need to save your reciept & show it at the check in desk on the 2nd floor & you will be escorted up. I believe I have read the same info here also, so I think that is still the policy. That way you don"t have to try to stretch you dinner for 3 hours & tie up a table all night. Have a great vacation!

 

[OhThePain]

Hi! We ate at California Grill 2 years ago. We were told then that if you had an early ADR, you will be allowed back up to watch Wishes. You need to save your reciept & show it at the check in desk on the 2nd floor & you will be escorted up. I believe I have read the same info here also, so I think that is still the policy. That way you don"t have to try to stretch you dinner for 3 hours & tie up a table all night. Have a great vacation!

This is true. However, IMO, Wishes is better if you just watch it from MK. You could always return to CG and grab a drink before watching but I personally think your better off going to MK after and watching Wishes from there.

 

[Silver Queen]

I agree with OhThePain. We've viewed Wishes from the terrace at Cali Grill when we were having dinner there. We've also seen Wishes from inside on another dinner occasion at the Cali. We didn't find it to be that impressive. The view and audio from the MK is much better. This may not be possibe for you if the day of your dinner isn't a MK dinner and you don't have a Park Hopper or AP.

 

[TDC Nala]

I wouldn't hang out that long. You can take your receipt and go back up to watch the fireworks from the deck. I believe this is allowed to prevent early guests for tying up tables for 3-4 hours.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think that's exactly why it's allowed.
But there are still those few who have that coveted window table and who don't move for 3-4 hours---

 

[Polydweller]

Simple rule, don't try to use a table for that long. There will be someone else wanting to eat there too. Restaurants want to turn over table 2-3 times per night or about every 2 hours minimum and will have booked the restaurant accordingly. You can come back to watch the fireworks so that is the right thing to do.

 

[weaverlfc]

Iv'e got a reservation for 7.55pm, with the fireworks at 9.pm. Im guessing it will be fine to stay for 1 hour.

 

[mom2of2]

Iv'e got a reservation for 7.55pm, with the fireworks at 9.pm. Im guessing it will be fine to stay for 1 hour.

Of course an hour is acceptable! Two hours is acceptable as long as you continue to eat or order.

 

[poohbear227]

Oh goodness, please do not hog the table for 2 extra hours for the sake of watching the fireworks. It's rude and inappropriate and you are taking the space away from someone who actually planned ahead to make an ADR at a time closer to the fireworks. I'm sure you would be so disappointed if someone did that to you.

As others said, save your receipt and return later to watch the fireworks from the CG balcony.

Why is it that people have the hardest time remembering that they are sharing the parks with thousands of other people??

 

[Uncleromulus]

weaverlfc:
Assuming that you get seated on time (which may not be the case at California Grill) the meal itself will likely last an hour or more--you'll be just fine.

 

[jenniea159]

Could only get a 5:45 pm reservation at California Grill. Will we be able to hang out there in order to see the 9 pm fireworks at MK??

They will let you come back up to watch the fire works the same night that you ate at there, but I do not think they will kick you out either. They will just give you subtle hints like giving you the check and after you pay asking time after time if they can get you something else.

AND they do have a balcony to watch the fireworks from so you can grab a drink and head outside to watch the sun go down as you wait

 

[Hopefully]

Holding a table that long would be selfish and inappropriate. The ADR system has booked it for someone after you based on their calculations. You would be preventing that family from being seated.

 

[RMulieri]

An hour to 90 mins ,even 2 hrs is acceptable..But to tie up a table from 545p to 9pm ( actually over since Wishes starts at 9pm) is grossly inappropriate.I would do as others suggested and save the receipt and come back to watch

 

[vinotinto]

Do you want to sit at a table for 3.5 hours? I think even the most patient person would grow restless after 2-2.5 hours. Not to mention that it could turn into a very, very expensive meal. You'll probably go through a couple of bottles of wine or 4-6 rounds of drinks in that time. The drinks alone would be over $100. Keep checking for a later ADR or return to watch Wishes from the viewing deck.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Dinner shouldn't take more then two hours, so you should be finished eating by 8:00 at the latest. Holding a table, would just be inconsiderate, but you will be allowed to stay upstairs if you like, or be allowed to return upstairs with a receipt from that night.

 

[apicozzi]

You're allowed to head back up to CG to watch Wishes if you had reservations there that evening. It would be rude to try to stay at your table for such a long time; others have reservations there as well and you'd be holding that table from the next party.

 

[JimmyV]

Could only get a 5:45 pm reservation at California Grill. Will we be able to hang out there in order to see the 9 pm fireworks at MK??

I guess I read this differently than most others. I didn't get the sense that the OP was asking about occupying a table, but instead was wondering about "hanging out", like, at the bar. If so, once dinner is over, if you want to grab a seat at the bar and order drinks, there is no time limit to doing so, same as any other bar in the world. But nursing a single cocktail while occupying a coveted seat for an hour and a half should be discouraged, same as it would be at any other bar in the world. I've sat at the bar and talked food and wine with Ray for several hours. No biggie. Order and tip appropriately. That's all.

 

[TDC Nala]

I must say I've spent three hours in the lounge before, love the lounge servers. It is true I read this as the OP was thinking about holding their table for that long.