Late seating at California Grill

[vickalamode]

Is this a bad idea? We have 9:20 ADR's on Halloween. One of my goals for this trip was to have dinner at California Grill and watch Wishes during dinner.

Hallowishes is at 9:30pm that night. I would have preferred an earlier reservation, but the only other option at the time was around 5:00pm-way too early for us!

I am planning on having us get there around 8:30pm to see if they can seat us a bit earlier, if not I am thinking we can have a drink in the lounge or explore the shops in the CR. Has anyone ever had luck being seated early for their ADR here?

I've been trying for an earlier reservation with no luck. I still have a few weeks to try to get something earlier, though!

Also, one last question...are we going to be totally rushed with a 9:20pm ADR? This is obviously a "Special" dinner out for most guests, including us, and I would hate to be rushed. Let me know!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) No problem in being rushed.
2) Do not even hope for a table.
3) Planning:
. . . go to the bar and drink
. . . go outside to see fireworks
. . . go back inside afterward to eat
. . . unfortunately, this is a very late dinner

 

[leebee]

August 2010 we had a 9:30 adr at California Grill, with Wishes at 10pm. I was worried that our appetizers would be sitting on the table, getting cold, while we were out on the deck watching Wishes. NO PROBLEM!! We came back to the table after Wishes, and our appys appeared within two minutes. We then had a long, leisurely dinner, and were there until the restaurant closed, and later... they were kind, courteous, professional, and we never felt rushed (and weren't the last people out of the restaurant). I realized that the Cali Grill folks do this for a living, every night. They know people schedule their adr so they can see Wishes, and will work around this. Don't sweat... it'll be fine. I am not even going to worry about my 9:10pm ressie for THIS SATURDAY, 10/8 Originally, Wishes was scheduled for 9pm, so I figured we'd be fine... check in, watch Wishes, be seated. NOW Wishes is at 10, so I am hoping they will hold our entrees until after that. I figure, CG usually runs a tad behind, and if we have a leisurely drink and appy, it'll be just about time for Wishes... I hope... not worrying... not too much!!

 

[Pakey]

We have dined at CG several times and we have never been seated early. From my experience, I'd say if you have a 9:20 ADR and fireworks go off at 9:30, you will not be seated before the show starts. The lounge will probably also be packed. Just plan on going out onto the observation deck to see the show and get seated afterwards.

The restaurant can be pretty amazing after fireworks because of the mass exodus of people who had been lingering long after their meals are finished, waiting on the show. We actually prefer dining here after fireworks; it can be a completely different restaurant.