Narcoossee's or California Grill outdoor seating

[tng123]

I'm sure this question has been asked many times. I am wondering which of these two is better for viewing the fireworks. We will have my mom with us, who doesn't have the best knees for standing long periods of time. Do both places offer chairs or benches to sit on outside on the viewing decks?

We would like to treat my parents to a nice meal the night before our vacation is over, so I just want it to be the best experience.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We love watching Wishes from California Grill...it is a must do for us every trip. Not only do you get a wonderful view being so high up, but you also get a different perspective of the fireworks going off (you will have to see it in order to understand what I mean ). Unfortunately there are no benches outside on the observation deck but if your mom is willing, she can lean on the railing while watching. As for Narcoossee's, yes there are a couple of benches at the door's entrance, but they are right where the smoking area is, however there may be others around the viewing area, but I can't think of any right now. As for both the restaurants, they are great places to eat and you will enjoy both.

 

[JZCubed]

Better View is not necessarily the Easiest View.

First, as you probably know, the audio/music portion of the fireworks is piped into both Narcoossee's & CA Grill. You cannot go wrong with either. And unless your meal is entirely about eating a Maine Lobster, CA Grill has, in my opinion, the better food.

Then assuming you're not planning to be at Disney during time CA Grill is being refurbished - it is easier to see fireworks from just about any seat in CA Grill than from Narcoossee's. There is also an outdoor area at CA Grill where you may stand to view the fireworks. And the resort-wide view from CA Grill is lovely and you might also see lights/fireworks from other Parks too.

However, Narcoossee's may have the better view of the MK fireworks, since you are more centered to the way the rockets are sent into the sky. And while the view from your seat inside Narcoossee's may be a bit obstructed, you are also welcome to view the fireworks from an outside balcony.

My family just spent a week with a MKingdom view from Bay Lake Tower. We could see fireworks from our room, from rooftop lounge at Bay Lake Tower, at CA Grill, and Narcoossee's. In my opinion, the best view was from Narcoossee's.....but the entire ambiance at CA Grill is a bit more spectacular.

 

[chamonix]

Wishes is about 12 minutes long. The good news is you don't exactly have to line up early or stake out a spot or anything like that when you view from those restaurants, so the only time she would have to stand would be for those 12 minutes.

It is possible to view from inside the restaurants from some of the tables (they do pipe the sounds in) so perhaps mention it to them when you check in that your mother would prefer/need to be seated for Wishes, and perhaps they can accommodate that by seating at one of the tables with a good view.

 

[hooch11bear]

A PP had mentioned the benches located near the smoking area at Narcoossee's. If you continue walking around the walkway, there is at least one bench there because we used it to wait for Wishes to start after our dinner. I'm not sure if there were more there or not. If you decide to go to CG, you could always ask for a window seat to view Wishes so that you don't have to go outside and stand. You may have to wait a few extra minutes for a table to become available, but I would much rather eat at CG than Narcoossee's. I like the view of the fireworks from there better too.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you had a chair on the viewing deck at CG you couldn't see anything, the walls are too high.

I have never seen anyone using a chair outside at Narcoosees either.

 

[tng123]

Thank you all very much for your responses! I didn't even think about her only needing to stand only while the fireworks are going off -she will be able to do that. I was just imagining the last time we were there (without my parents), standing on main street forever. That's why I think doing a nice meal and then watching Wishes would be better for them.
I'm leaning towards Narcoossee's, due to it being a seafood restaurant, but both sound wonderful. If Wishes starts at 9:00, would 7:30 be a good ADR time?

 

[figment_jii]

Thank you all very much for your responses! I didn't even think about her only needing to stand only while the fireworks are going off -she will be able to do that. I was just imagining the last time we were there (without my parents), standing on main street forever. That's why I think doing a nice meal and then watching Wishes would be better for them.
I'm leaning towards Narcoossee's, due to it being a seafood restaurant, but both sound wonderful. If Wishes starts at 9:00, would 7:30 be a good ADR time?

As the PPs mentioned, there are a few benches out on the Narcoossee's observation deck (a few are not near the smoking area), but none will be really good for fireworks viewing because people will stand against the railing blocking your view. In terms of the least amount of time standing, I think you have a better chance of getting a good/decent spot at Narcoossee's than at California Grill. Folks starting heading out to the observation deck about 15 minutes before the show. At Nacroossee's it seems like folks wait until closer to 5 minutes.

At both places, you can request a window table to watch the fireworks, but neither place will promise you one in time to see the show. So you can always ask.

In terms of ADR time, 7:30 pm sounds like a good time. Assuming you're seated on time, you should be just finishing up your entrees when the show starts (the average Sig meals seems to take about 2 hours).

 

[DisneyLvr55]

Have you concidered going to dinner at the Poly, and then sitting out on their beach and watching the fireworks? I've never done it personally, but I've read about people doing it on here enough! It wont be a meal, but you could go to Kona or O'hanna and then buy her a drink on the beach. Have a great time!!!

 

[tng123]

Have you concidered going to dinner at the Poly, and then sitting out on their beach and watching the fireworks? I've never done it personally, but I've read about people doing it on here enough! It wont be a meal, but you could go to Kona or O'hanna and then buy her a drink on the beach. Have a great time!!!

I was considering this option as well We are for sure doing Ohana one night on our trip. We've never been to a signature restaurant before, so I thought Narrcoossee's would be a nice way to end our vacation.