Likelihood of getting window seat for California Grill?

[Nathaniel.Strawn]

I am new to posting these forums, but I used them extensively when planning my honeymoon this past December. Like the title says what is the likelihood of getting a window seat for Spectromagic when I go for my anniversary this November. I know my 180 day mark is may 11th, and coincidently I will be at Disney with my wife and dad celebrating my dad's 62nd birthday. Is there anything I coud do or say when making the ADR to help my chances? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[OrangeJax]

We did nothing and got a window seat but it made the dinner even more amazing than just the delicious food. We were there on a Friday night (the week following Easter). We had a 7:30 reservation for 2. We were told it was a slow night and we were sat right at the window. We had appetizers, salad, entrees and dessert. Our waiter, Gary, (who was AWESOME) did not rush us to eat and we stretched our dinner until the fireworks (BTW the fireworks are Wishes. Spectromagic is the light parade.)

I would do some research to see if you could find a slower night to make a reservation for. While we were sitting at dinner there were a few tables that got up to leave and were re-sat along the window. Maybe make an earlier reservation and tell them you'd be happy to wait for a seat at the window.

Good luck -- I think even without an window seat it's a GREAT dinner!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

When booking the ADR there is nothing you can really say that will help improve your chances, they will just give you the standard "all requests are taken at the podium" response. That said, when I arrive at the restaurant, and get upstairs to the second checkin (the first one is downstairs where you wait briefly before you are taken up the special elevator), I always tell the host that we'd be happy to wait a bit for a window seat. We've always gotten one that way and never waited more than 10-15 minutes and usually less than that.

 

[TDC Nala]

When making the ADR, no, there is nothing you can say or do. You might put the celebrations on the reservation; that might or might not have an effect on seating. Arrive early and say you will be glad to wait (and be prepared to wait, don't demand or throw a fit). You will have better luck if your ADR time is not too close to the time for the fireworks. It will be hard to get folks who already have those seats to abandon them.

 

[Nathaniel.Strawn]

I appreciate all of the responses. I do not mind waiting at all. In fact when DW and I went for our honeymoon this past December we did it without any ADR's since the honeymoon was a surprise that my dad and mom had talked about before my mom passed away, so we had to wait everywhere we went but got in pretty much everywhere we wanted to.

 

[wdwislife]

My family ate at the CG this past Feb. At a fairly crowded time of year and had no trouble getting a window table!
We mentioned wanting one to the CM checking us in, and went upstairs to find we were seated at one.
Good luck! I hope you're able to get one! Wishes is breathtaking from the completely different perspective.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) You cannot do anything special.
2) SOMETIMES, you can wait for a seat.
3) But, remember, others at the tables may be waiting for the fireworks.
4) Your odds are about 15%, based upon the number of tables and window tables.

NOTE: Listing your celebration on the ressie doesn't help must. There are LOTS of folks with celebrations. Theirs are no more important or lesser important than yours.

 

[Mickey_Man]

Can you tell me where the 15% rate is coming from as far as success rate? Maybe you are just assuming number of tables / total tables in the restaurant. I am curious though how you came up with that figure. I think your chances are better than that. Some people do not request a window seat, and some people don't even know that they can. I would suggest doing what most of the others have said:

1) Make note on your ressie when you make it that you are celebrating something and that you would like a window seat, if possible
2) Check in for your reservation early. This will allow you some extra time to wait for the seat.
3) While checking in early, be sure to request that window seat, let them know you are willing to wait for it, and repeat the fact that you are celebrating something


We have never had a problem getting a window seat when we have actually wanted one, and at least once or twice we got one without even asking. Do note that "window seat" and fireworks window seat are two different things, as part of the restaurant's windows are on the side opposite of the Magic Kingdom. However, those are great seats as well because you can see other parts of Walt Disney World from there, and of course, you can always go outside to watch the fireworks instead of viewing them from your seat. Best of luck!

 

[TDC Nala]

You can always request the window seat (and most people, when they say window seat at CG, mean window seat with the MK view) when you get there. You may or may not get one. Your odds are of course better after the fireworks. I think you have decreased odds within an hour of the fireworks because people who already have those tables will probably stay at them until the show is over. If you are determined to watch the fireworks from your table, you can try getting there early, putting in a request and saying you will wait, but you may have to have an alternate plan in mind (such as viewing from the observation deck).

I think what most of us are trying to say is that you should not be disappointed if you don't get the MK view table in time to watch the fireworks. You can still see the show from the observation deck. Not sure how important it is to you and your group to view them while seated at a table; to some people that's make or break the experience.

 

[Mickey_Man]

I think what most of us are trying to say is that you should not be disappointed if you don't get the MK view table in time to watch the fireworks. You can still see the show from the observation deck. Not sure how important it is to you and your group to view them while seated at a table; to some people that's make or break the experience.

Very well said!