Narcoosee's/Cali Grill...another question

[DeeCee735]

Sorry, should have popped this into the last post. I can only get reservatinos for 9:20 and 9:30 respectively at these restaurants for the date I want to go. The fireworks start at 9. If we get there before the fireworks start, and check in for our ADR's, can we go out on the viewing deck to see the fireworks while we wait, will the pager work out there?

TIA

 

[kmk1180]

Don't know about that but beware of being too far.
They royally screwed us when we visited. (and will never go back)

We got to the 4th/3rd? floor where you check in and get your pager.
We arrived 15 minutes early befor our res, 1:15 before fireworks begin
(so 1 1/2 before)
The girl at the desk handed us our pager specifically said, to wait till it goes off THEN we can go up the elevator to our table.
Never being there before we did as we were told and waited.
15 minute Then asked what's taking so long. and waited some more.
The the girl said something, and called the manager.
The manager came down then told us we didn't respond to our page so they gave our table away.
I told her we followed what the girl told us and our pager never went off.
she said at that point there's no thing she can do, she'll try and get us the next table.
I was ready to leave and grab a burger but my wife wanted to stay so we did.
Only after fireworks began did we get a table.
Right next to a family with little kids, litterally running circles around their table screaming.

And even though the manager knew they screwed it up, she didn't compensate us for anything.
Not even a comp appatizer.
I don't normally expect something for a mistake but in this case felt they should have done something.

I'll never visit again.
Personally, say you should go to Narc instead.

 

[Pugmalion1]

I know that if you have a reservation at California Grill eariler in the day, they will let you leave and come back to watch the show. I don't see why they wouldn't let you up earlier than your reservation, too.

I'm sure Disney Dining could fill you in for sure, but seems like you shouldn't worry about it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The answer to your question is yes--for both restaurants. And the pager will easily work outside at both places.

To add to kmk1180's story--almost the exact same thing happened to us.

We checked in on the second floor, got a pager, told the hostess that we would wander around and then sit in some chairs on the second floor right near the podium while we waited. Well--we waited FAR beyond check in time soI went up to the podium to inquire. Turns out we didn't answer the pager!! But it also turns out that 1/2 the time or more, the pager from the restaurant does not reach the second floor!!! And they KNOW that!!!
Of course, no one told us that.
So now every time we eat at CG and if we arrive early, we insist on going up stairs and waiting IN the restaurant itself.

 

[Pugmalion1]

I like the lounge area up there, so it's worth saying that you want to head up early for that reason alone, anyway. I can think of plenty of worse things to be doing while waiting for my reservation than chilling out in those plush chairs, sipping on a cocktail and gazing out on the Magic Kingdom.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

Don't know about that but beware of being too far.
They royally screwed us when we visited. (and will never go back)

We got to the 4th/3rd? floor where you check in and get your pager.
We arrived 15 minutes early befor our res, 1:15 before fireworks begin
(so 1 1/2 before)
The girl at the desk handed us our pager specifically said, to wait till it goes off THEN we can go up the elevator to our table.
Never being there before we did as we were told and waited.
15 minute Then asked what's taking so long. and waited some more.
The the girl said something, and called the manager.
The manager came down then told us we didn't respond to our page so they gave our table away.
I told her we followed what the girl told us and our pager never went off.
she said at that point there's no thing she can do, she'll try and get us the next table.
I was ready to leave and grab a burger but my wife wanted to stay so we did.
Only after fireworks began did we get a table.
Right next to a family with little kids, litterally running circles around their table screaming.

And even though the manager knew they screwed it up, she didn't compensate us for anything.
Not even a comp appatizer.
I don't normally expect something for a mistake but in this case felt they should have done something.

I'll never visit again.
Personally, say you should go to Narc instead.

Aww, that's terrible! I can't believe that happened, nor do I understand why you needed to wait downstairs - DH and I normally wait at the bar, no one has ever told us to go downstairs. Maybe it's a time of night issue - we never go that late so as to conflict with the fireworks and the madness that is everyone trying to see them @ CG.

Anyway, to the matter at hand: I would call Disney Dining to ask for sure. With situations like this, when you're booking a rather expensive meal that you don't want to ruin with a bad experience, I leave nothing to chance! Good luck!