Lounge at the California Grill

[aengus]

I'm travelling solo in October and wanted to have a nice meal at the California Grill near fireworks time so went ahead and made a reservation for 4 thinking I could surely pick up some other solo's here at the DIS solo forum and then feel more comfortable dining with a group there rather than alone.

Anyway, then reading my terms after confirmation I noticed a section saying people wanting to go to the lounge just check in at the 2nd floor podium.

Can I eat at the lounge? Can I just walk right up without a reservation and head to the lounge? I am very comfortable with a lounge environment, just thought I might feel funny being alone at a table there.

Any details would be appreciated

 

[TDC Nala]

Can I eat at the lounge? Can I just walk right up without a reservation and head to the lounge? I am very comfortable with a lounge environment, just thought I might feel funny being alone at a table there.

Yes you can. The lounge has a bar and a few tables, not sure which you would be most comfortable with, but you can order from the full menu at either.

You may want to be careful with the timing, if you are too close to the scheduled time for the fireworks you might not be able to go up because the restaurant is too full. Sometimes persons who are sitting at tables don't clear out before the fireworks, they hang onto the tables until after the show, which means those waiting for their ADR can fill the lounge. If your intention is to be in the restaurant for the fireworks, you might want to go up early and plan to spend some time there.

 

[aengus]

Yes you can. The lounge has a bar and a few tables, not sure which you would be most comfortable with, but you can order from the full menu at either.

You may want to be careful with the timing, if you are too close to the scheduled time for the fireworks you might not be able to go up because the restaurant is too full. Sometimes persons who are sitting at tables don't clear out before the fireworks, they hang onto the tables until after the show, which means those waiting for their ADR can fill the lounge. If your intention is to be in the restaurant for the fireworks, you might want to go up early and plan to spend some time there.

Thank you so much. Yes that was my intention as well, I might try to time it one night, and if that doesnt work out go up earlier as you suggested. The bonus of going solo I suppose

I read as well, I could go to the observation deck if I ate their earlier and show them my receipt. The bar receipt would be valid for that option as well wouldn't it?

Very helpful stuff, thank you!

 

[TDC Nala]

I have never tried it because I am not that interested in the fireworks, but I would imagine a bar receipt for a meal will get you up to the observation deck.

 

[aengus]

Thank you

If I need to test the theory I will report back!

 

[Uncleromulus]

The bar receipt won't be any different than the one that you would get from the restaurant generally. I'm sure it would be fine were you to need it to go back up.
When we go to the CG we ALWAYS eat a full meal at the bar. The few lounge tables are almost in the center of the restaurant and are pretty low to the ground. The bar is much more comfortable and your server is always right there!!
And to note the bar isn't all that large either, so TDC Nala's advice is good--earlier is better. Around fireworks time you can't even get near the bar, much less find an unoccupied lounge table.