Question about Cali Grill and Mickey's Christmas Party...Halp! :P

[Captain Kittens]

Hello everyone! New member here *waves*

I have a question about the workings of California Grill and timing it right for Mickeys Christmas Party fireworks which start at 10 (if its like 2017).

I have a reservation a for 9:35 and am wondering if this will be enough time to ask for a window seat, get seated and managed to watch the show at 10. My concern is waiting for a window seat will have us waiting until after 10 and miss the event we are specifically going to CG for.

I can always move the reservation earlier and trust me I am looking every day for an opening. I am wondering what everyone else's thoughts are? Is there anyway I can call CG in advanced, as in earlier in the day, and specify its for a wedding anniversary and window seat wanted?

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[shifteru]

I can't say from recent experience, but if the past is any indication all window seats will definitely be taken and held LONG before 9:35pm for a 10pm fireworks show and no one will be leaving those seats until after the show is over so even if you do wait, it will be just for a MK view (which is also nice!). I'm not sure about requesting in advance, however, so maybe someone else can speak on if that's possible.

EDIT: And to add, we have an 8:45p during the Christmas party and 10pm fireworks show and even then I'm not hopeful for a window seat. We enjoy going and viewing from the outdoor deck though so we're fine either way.

 

[rwdavis2]

As was mentioned don't count on a window seat. But the view from the observation deck outside is just as good. The wait staff will gladly coordinate your meal around the fireworks. You can even take a drink out there with you.

 

[Captain Kittens]

Thank you for the quick replies! Sorry for the newb questions...so a Magic Kingdom view is pretty much the same thing, just not up against a window? We will still have a good vantage point? And for the observation deck...how does that work? Just tell our waiter/waitress we want to watch the show out there and they will let us get up from the table and afterwards we just come in and finish up the meal? If that's the case I am not gonna sweat it over a window seat, but might try just for funzies.

*edit*
Hmmm I'm am curious about the part where you window seats will long gone before 935. I get that anyone before us is gonna snag em up but some people just linger for the show? IE: They have a 7:00 reservation, eat and hang out until the show even though they might have finished dinner at 830? Basically being a seat hog.

 

[shifteru]

Thank you for the quick replies! Sorry for the newb questions...so a Magic Kingdom view is pretty much the same thing, just not up against a window? We will still have a good vantage point? And for the observation deck...how does that work? Just tell our waiter/waitress we want to watch the show out there and they will let us get up from the table and afterwards we just come in and finish up the meal? If that's the case I am not gonna sweat it over a window seat, but might try just for funzies.

*edit*
Hmmm I'm am curious about the part where you window seats will long gone before 935. I get that anyone before us is gonna snag em up but some people just linger for the show? IE: They have a 7:00 reservation, eat and hang out until the show even though they might have finished dinner at 830? Basically being a seat hog.

When I said MK view, I mean if you arrive at 9:35pm and wait for a window seat, none of those will vacate until AFTER the fireworks, so the only benefit of waiting for those windows at that point is being closer to look out on the Magic Kingdom.

In terms of your second question, yes, people absolutely linger and will do that for HOURS. It's not unheard of for meals to take 2+ hours there anyway, and so I wouldn't be surprised to see people with 730/8pm reservations and earlier holding those tables until the fireworks.

 

[Captain Kittens]

Got it, awesome. Thank you for the all the help and clarification! Even though they close at 10 we wont be rushed to get out will we? I read a story of someone being rushed out and the restaurant closing at 10 on the dot. I dont see how when, if we sit at 935, we probably wont get our appetizer till 10.

 

[rwdavis2]

Got it, awesome. Thank you for the all the help and clarification! Even though they close at 10 we wont be rushed to get out will we? I read a story of someone being rushed out and the restaurant closing at 10 on the dot. I dont see how when, if we sit at 935, we probably wont get our appetizer till 10.

No, they won't run you out. I think 10 is the last reservation time. If they seat you at 9:35 they have to give you time to finish. Dinner there can take up to 2 hours if you're not in a hurry.

 

[Captain Kittens]

Thanks again everyone! You've been very helpful.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I like to watch the show outside. It’s so nice out there