Just ate at CG--WISHES info

[ducklite]

We dined at CG Saturday night, and were there for WISHES. They DO NOT dim the lights. They continue serving and seating people. They DO pipe in the soundtrack, although it is not loud, you really have to listen for it because the kitchen doesn't come to a standstill.

They are really enforcing the no going upstairs until there is room for you policy. It's wonderful to actually be able to get off the elvator without swimming through throngs.

They also seem to be giving true priority to those with PS's over walk-ups.

Anne

 

[mcr5298]

Thank you for the information Anne. We took a last minute trip down at the beginning of this past December. Unfortunately, we were not able to make many PS's. Just for the heck of it, we tried to see if there was any available seating at CG without a PS. We were told that they do not take walk ups. We made sure that we now have a PS for our upcoming trip at the end of this month! We have been to CG several times in that past, and viewed the fireworks during dinner. Although it was a special perk, we are going to enjoy the food and atmosphere of the restaurant itself.

Your house is absolutely gorgeous! I am very jealous! Enjoy!

 

[Regina]

Yes, this was discussed recently: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=706614&highlight=Wishes

It's really a shame.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for confirming this. It helps make the tough decision, of where to eat on my anniversary, easier.

 

[ducklite]

Yes, this was discussed recently: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=706614&highlight=Wishes

It's really a shame.

In my opinion it's not a shame at all. I LOVE that it will hopefully bring this restaurant back to what it was intended to be--an award winning, upscale destination restaurant with excellent service and truly inspired cuisine. The people who are/will be the profit centers for this restaurant are not there for the fireworks, they are there to dine.

It's a restaurant, not a theme park, and the fireworks should fall far behind the food, winelist, service, and overall atmosphere. For those who want to watch the fireworks, there are plenty of places to do so that won't interfere with those looking for an exceptional dining experience.

Anne

 

[jeancbpugh]

In my opinion it's not a shame at all. I LOVE that it will hopefully bring this restaurant back to what it was intended to be--an award winning, upscale destination restaurant with excellent service and truly inspired cuisine. The people who are/will be the profit centers for this restaurant are not there for the fireworks, they are there to dine.

It's a restaurant, not a theme park, and the fireworks should fall far behind the food, winelist, service, and overall atmosphere. For those who want to watch the fireworks, there are plenty of places to do so that won't interfere with those looking for an exceptional dining experience.

Anne

Then they would do best to move California Grill to a different location, and create a new restaurant that specializes in the view.

Personally, I like the great food AND the view of Wishes.

 

[ducklite]

No, they need to keep an upscale restaurant at the CR, all deluxe resorts offer one, and without an upscale restaurant, it wouldn't be a deluxe resort.

Those looking for a view can find it on the 4th floor observation deck for free.

Anne

 

[Regina]

hopefully bring this restaurant back to what it was intended to be--an award winning, upscale destination restaurant with excellent service and truly inspired cuisine

I never felt that it strayed from what it always was. I think that when they dimmed the lights and piped in the music that it enhanced the dining experience.

I guess that we're going to have to disagree about this.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

ducklite

We have PS in March for 6pm for my son's birthday and I now see that wishes is at 7pm. I am wondering if you think we will have any problems being seated at 6pm. I will be happy to watch the fiewworks but we are really interested in the meal. Any thoughts.

Thanks

Kathy

 

[ducklite]

You should be fine, I don't think they open until 6:00. I'd get there a little early.

Keep in mind that only about 15% of the tables are window seats, and those are only tables for two and four, so if you have more than that it's very possible you won't have a window seat. You can still see the fireworks from many other tables, or you are welcome to go to the 15th floor observation deck to watch.

Anne

 

[KNWVIKING]

First time I ate there I did my homework. I made my PS to coincide with a Wishes nite & got a time that would allow us to view Wishes without "lingering " for an hour or more causing others to be inconvienanced. We even got a window seat facing MK. Everything was going great until we noticed the ambiant noise in the restaurant was incredibly loud. That's when we saw this massive amount of people just hanging out everywhere. Hardly the experience I had planned & paid good money for.

I did not go to CG for Wishes, it was just a great perk and with a little effort & a little luck I got a great meal & a show. I was not happy about the crowd.

 

[drumflower]

Just in case you want to know they start seating at 5:30.

 

[sotoalf]

Ducklite, thanks for the updates. The CG had just implemented these changes when we stayed at the CR last June; nothing made me happier. I've dined four times at the Grill, and not ONCE have I caught the fireworks. I don't care for them. This is a first-class restaurant, the view a lovely accessory.

I suppose it depends on what your priorities are. I've bumped into people whose first reaction when asked about the CG is, "Oh! The fireworks were great! The food was just too `froo-froo' though." I'm not trying to be a snob; if you're going to pay top-dollar for food, you better know what you're getting, and not just dine at a restaurant for a view. Why go eat at a deluxe restaurant like the CG in the first place without knowing what to expect? there's plenty of places, both in and out of the CR, from which to catch the fireworks.

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

Thanks for the info. I will enjoy seeing the fireworks since we will be there, but the meal is more inportant to us.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

What if you just want to go the bar at the CG? Dh and I used to walk up and eat at the bar....

 

[rascalmom]

I think this is a great change for both CG and Wishes fans. We have always loved the CG for the dining experience, but have tried to time our ressie to be finished with our meal to go out to the observation deck to view the fireworks. With the previous fireworks show, this was fine. Last summer, I saw Wishes for the first time from the observation deck of the CG. My dh & dd had seen it at MK the previous night while I'd stayed in our room with youngest who wasn't feeling well. After viewing it from Main Street the next night - there was no comparison! Wishes was meant to be experienced from the park. Lots of special effects are missed at the greater distance from the CG. We love CG and will continue to go there for wonderful meals, but when I want to see Wishes I will make sure I am at the Magic Kingdom.

PS - when we were there in October, we were able to get a "walk-in" table at CG. Just dh & I were in town for a meeting. Called dining to get a ressie on our way from our offsite hotel. They could only get us in at Concourse Steakhouse. When we arrived, I decided to double check at the podium. They had room for us & we were escorted up in the elevator & seated immediately.

 

[Mich Mouse]

We love the CG, but I will admit that the last time we were there, it was really chaotic. People literally everywhere....It did not seem like an upscale restaurant at all. They even gave my daughter crayons, and told her she could draw on the table covering. (Table covering is paper, replaced w/ each new party.) Things like this have really changed the atmosphere.

Anyway, my question is, Can you still go outside on the observation deck and watch Wishes? That would seem to solve all the concerns of this post. Intimate dining inside, beautiful view of Wishes outside. Also, Is the music piped in outside?

Thankds for any information!

 

[Lesley]

Dh and I had a date night at the CG last month...we did enjoy Wishes, from the deck...but even more we enjoyed the view of Epcot from our table! The view at the CG is absolutely stunning.....but the food certainly didn't take second billing. Ask anyone who was with me...I raved about the meal all week!

We did not find the restaurant to be crowded. It was fairly noisy...partially because of the openness of the room, but also due to the open kitchen. I was glad because we had the possibility of needing to bring the baby up (my parents had the kids at Chef Mickey's downstairs...) but that turned out not to be an issue...she had fun with her grandparents. I don't think its an unsuitable place to bring children...but then again, I know I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my meal as much if they were there. I couldn't have given my meal the attention it deserved while trying to attend to their needs. We might bring them someday when they are a bit older.

I agree that Wishes is probably more enjoyable seen from the park. It is now my desire to watch it from the second floor of the railroad station....which I think would be the perfect view. That one huge firework that appears to fill the whole sky from the ground is not nearly as impressive from the 15th floor of the Contemporary.

 

[eeyore0062]

Lesley,I completely agree! DH and I had seen it from the Poly beach and out side of the MK, near the busses. We can even see the high fireworks of Wishes from our neighborhood and I have been known to pull over to the side of the road to watch them on my way home from work. They are beautiful, but to truly appreciate the storyline you need the music, the lower effects that cannot be seen from anywhere but the Magic Kingdom. Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks could be appreciated from anywhere within sight of the Magic Kingdom, but Wishes looses something in the translation. Also, have you even watched others while they watch Wishes... that is also part of the MAGIC!

 

[ducklite]

What if you just want to go the bar at the CG? Dh and I used to walk up and eat at the bar....

Check in on the 2nd floor, if there is room at teh bar you will be escorted up. Otherwise you will be held at teh second floor until there is room. Diners arriving early with a PS who want to have a cocktail at the bar before dinner will be given priority over those without a PS.

Anne