How long is the average meal @ Cal Grill?

[biz410]

We will be there for my wife's b-day.
We have a 7:45 reservation, but I plan on hanging until the fireworks @ 9.
Even without appetizers, that's not pushing it is it?

 

[cbg1027]

I think that depends on your eating habits. But last time I went we had a 5:10 and had apps, entrees, and desserts and didnt get up from the table til like 7:30.

So I don't think thats pushing it at all. But also be aware, you're welcome to hang around until the fireworks show if you finish before they start. We left and and wondered around the CR and came back upstairs to watch the fireworks at 9.

 

[kxs401]

Tell the waiter you want to watch Wishes. They are pros at timing the courses, so he will figure it out for you and save you the stress.

 

[tdsbu]

Yes, the b-day will help - but you won't be stretching it at all - in march, there were four of us, and we stretched it to almost 4 hours ... granted we ate 6 courses, but we made it last and savored every moment!

 

[FigNewton]

I think that depends on your eating habits. But last time I went we had a 5:10 and had apps, entrees, and desserts and didnt get up from the table til like 7:30.

Are you certain about the seating time? I'm pretty sure they don't start seatings until 5:30.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

I don't know what they ate, but friends of mine just ate there last week, and it took 3 hours.

 

[madalex]

We will be there for my wife's b-day.
We have a 7:45 reservation, but I plan on hanging until the fireworks @ 9.
Even without appetizers, that's not pushing it is it?

That's not pushing it, especially when you consider that CG often gets backed up, so that you may not get seated for your 7:45 ADR until after 8:00.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Are you certain about the seating time? I'm pretty sure they don't start seatings until 5:30.

I think you are right about the 5:30 seating time, however I believe you can start heading up there and go sit at the lounge at around 5pm.

To the OP, I too think that you will not be pushing it because it takes my family around 2 hours to eat up there, but we like to really take it slow there because the view is amazing and the food is something you just don't want to scuff down and be done. Also, make sure you let them know it is your DW's b-day, since you already made your ADRs, let the check-in desk downstairs know before you head up. We went there for our 10 yr. anniversary and they had us sitting at a table that was by the window facing the MK and there was also confetti of Cinderella's carriage and the clock tower all over the table with streamers, then the waitstaff signed a very nice card and gave it to my DH and I, and last they gave my DH and I a huge piece of chocolate cake to share and which said "Happy Anniversary".

 

[biz410]

Great. Thanks, everybody.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Tell the waiter you want to watch Wishes. They are pros at timing the courses, so he will figure it out for you and save you the stress.

I am not convinced they are all "pros" at this. DH and I planned a special birthday dinner there just a few weeks ago. Our ADR was for 7pm on my birthday with fireworks starting at 9pm. We figured that would be perfect!

We arrived at 6:30pm and actually were seated shortly before 7pm. We made it abundantly clear to our server that we were there to see the fireworks and it was our first time eating there and we wanted to get outside in time to see them, etc.

Our service was SO slow! By 8:15pm we finally got our entrees. We literally gobbled them down and asked for dessert right when our entrees came - again making it clear we wanted to get outside to see the fireworks. She assured us we would make it with no problem. Our desserts were served to us at 8:55pm!

I almost choked eating it so fast. DH was kind enough to let me go outside to see the fireworks but he had to stay back to deal with the bill. He finally made it outside to join me as the finale of the fireworks went off. By the time I got outside, I could not find a spot by the railing and I'm only 5'0" so I could see but not well.

Overall, it was NOT the way I had hoped to spend my birthday evening and we were very unhappy with our server.

If we would do it again (and I would - I won't let her spoil that beautiful place, food & experience), we would definitely go with at least 3 hours prior to fireworks!

 

[avalanche1977]

You'll probably just be getting your food by the time Wishes starts. Plenty of time.

 

[avalanche1977]

double