Question About California Grill And Wishes

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

I need the help of all you experts out there. My family and I will be in the Orlando area in just a couple weeks and I'd really like for all of us to eat at the California Grill. I personally have been there twice in the last 8 months and I'm really looking forward to sharing that experience with them.

I thought that maybe this time we could be there for Wishes. When I call Disney reservations, they're not very sure of the facts as far as watching Wishes from CG.

How does it work? When we're there, the show will be at 8pm. I thought I'd make a 8:30 reservation. If I make an 8:30 reservation, will we be allowed up to the restaurant before then so we can watch the show, and then eat?

And also, there seems to be confusion whether or not the show music is in fact piped thru the restaurant. Is this true? Can you hear the whole soudtrack of Wishes while inside the restaurant? What about if you're outside on the terrace?

And also, for those of whom have done both, which do you all prefer? Would you rather watch the fireworks from CG or from MK?

Any answers, opinions, suggestions are very much appreciated.

 

[stacy6552]

Yes, you can arrive early and try to see the fireworks. However, you will probably end up out on the roof to actually be able to see, so you wont be listening to the music, which is piped into the resturaunt.

 

[Nancyg56]

We watched Wishes from the CG saturday evening. We had an 8:10 Adr, and Wishes was scheduled for 10. We had a party of 7, so the timing could be different for a smaller party, but Wishes started just before we ordered dessert. The waiter advised that we could see it from the balcony, or stay where we were, near the window. Both views were beautiful, and the music was clear. I loved the view from both MK and CG, although both are entirely different perspectives, as was the view from Ohana.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Music is piped into both the restaurant (they dim the lights) and the Observation Deck. The Wishes fireworks are designed to be best viewed from the MK or out on the lake. From CG, you get a side-angle view, which IMO detracts from the whole show. They're still pretty, it's just not as cohesive a show (from MK they appear to be coming from the castle, and the whole layered effect of the fireworks looks best from the front).

 

[John's Mom]

I agree with UrsulasShadow. When watching Wishes from the Observation Deck, the shorter fireworks looked like they came from one side of the castle, while the taller fireworks look like they came from the other side.

 

[slmjam]

Can anyone tell me if you can only go to the observation deck if you eat at CG? What if you eat at Chef Mickey's or Concourse Steakhouse - are you able to view Wishes from the observation deck?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

When we went you check in down on the 2nd floor. You had to be eating at CG just to go up there.
Also, allow for about 2-3 hours to eat if you're on the meal plan. Service is appropriately slow for the type of restaurant.

How does it work? When we're there, the show will be at 8pm. I thought I'd make a 8:30 reservation. If I make an 8:30 reservation, will we be allowed up to the restaurant before then so we can watch the show, and then eat?

You can but you're taking a chance. Don't show up a mere 5 minutes before the start of the show and expect to get up there. You might, but you might not. If the bar and waiting area is full they make you wait downstairs a bit before you get to go up. We had to wait downstairs about 15 minutes but because our ressie was 1 hour before the fireworks, it didn't matter. I'd say if you're going to show for the show, try to get a pre fireworks time but no more than 10 minutes after I would think. I really don't know exactly how early they will let you up there. And like I said, if it's full, you're out of luck.

What's happening up at the grill is people that are done or nearly done with meals slow down and occupy their tables so they can take in the show. When we were there, about 2/3 of the tables in our section emptied right after the show. Meanwhile everyone like you with ressies after the show is going up early.
So you get the picture. And there's only room for so many.

 

[Lancer]

Just want to add this for what it's worth. A CG manager told us that people, that have reservations and are seated up to 1 1/2 hours before wishes start, tend to milk out their stay so they can catch the show. Thats a big reason why reservations are hard to get. They CG knows this but accept it as just normal. Having said that, we had a ps for a time when wishes was going to be about over. We went early, thinking that we would have to watch it from outside but when we got there they took us right to our seat which was not at the window but six feet from it with a clear view. I wasnt about to question it (although I asked them to repeat the name when called) and enjoyed the show.

 

[francie]

hi folks, a question for you, please. anyone have an opinion on the view of wishes from a contemporary tower room versus the cal. grill? thanks in advance

 

[kaytieeldr]

Can anyone tell me if you can only go to the observation deck if you eat at CG? What if you eat at Chef Mickey's or Concourse Steakhouse - are you able to view Wishes from the observation deck?

You can pretty much only get up to the fifteenth floor if you have ADRs for California Grill. If there's space in the bar, you may be allowed up there but it's not likely.
On the other hand, I've heard there is an observation deck on the fourth floor that is most likely open to everyone.

 

[ccw]

7:30 ADR when Wishes was at 8 PM worked perfectly for us in Nov. Loved viewing from the deck because of just being outside, light breeze blowing, fresh air...just magical! We checked in 15 minutes BEFORE ADR, went right upstairs, received pager to be called when our table was ready, were seated the second WISHES ended so the timing was ideal! Fantastic evening!

 

[ducklite]

How does it work? When we're there, the show will be at 8pm. I thought I'd make a 8:30 reservation. If I make an 8:30 reservation, will we be allowed up to the restaurant before then so we can watch the show, and then eat?

Only if there is room at the bar. They do'nt allow people up early ebcause after teh fireworks there's no place for them to go.

And also, there seems to be confusion whether or not the show music is in fact piped thru the restaurant. Is this true? Can you hear the whole soudtrack of Wishes while inside the restaurant? What about if you're outside on the terrace?

When I ate there in OCtober they did not pipe in the music or dim the lights.

And also, for those of whom have done both, which do you all prefer? Would you rather watch the fireworks from CG or from MK?

MK is the better view.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Can anyone tell me if you can only go to the observation deck if you eat at CG? What if you eat at Chef Mickey's or Concourse Steakhouse - are you able to view Wishes from the observation deck?

You can't go to teh 15th floor observation deck. There's a small one on the 4th floor you can use if you can find a spot.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Just want to add this for what it's worth. A CG manager told us that people, that have reservations and are seated up to 1 1/2 hours before wishes start, tend to milk out their stay so they can catch the show. Thats a big reason why reservations are hard to get. They CG knows this but accept it as just normal. Having said that, we had a ps for a time when wishes was going to be about over. We went early, thinking that we would have to watch it from outside but when we got there they took us right to our seat which was not at the window but six feet from it with a clear view. I wasnt about to question it (although I asked them to repeat the name when called) and enjoyed the show.

We've vacated a seat by or near the window a couple times within 15 minutes of the fireworks. I can watch them from my house every night, so when we dine at the CG, it's for the food, not the view.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

hi folks, a question for you, please. anyone have an opinion on the view of wishes from a contemporary tower room versus the cal. grill? thanks in advance

I guess it depends on how high you are in the tower. From a 14th floor room they are identical.

Anne

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

WOW! Thanks for all the info and opinions, it helped out ALOT! Really, thank you, I appreciate all of your help very very much. I didn't realize the thing with the bar and the waiting area if you have a later ressie. I just thought I'd walk in and get right up there. And maybe since it's the middle of Jan I would be able to, but you never know,so I'm gonna make the res for 7:30 I think.

My only concern with that is I don't know if I'll be there by 7:30 b/c I HAVE to watch SpectroMagic which is on at 7 that night. What do you think?

 

[Lancer]

I am not going to say it's impossible, but boy, I dont know. I am not sure exactly how long spectromagic runs but you have to figure at least 20 min or so. You best chance is to watch spectromagic some where near the entrance. Once it is over, many who are not staying for wishes will be rushing to the monorail which I assume you would be taking. Hope you get on the first monorail. I forget if it stops at the poly before or after the contemporary. Then you will have to go to the checkin desk. I am not sure how they handle late arrivals but I would think you will still get a table, just not in time for wishes. Give it a try, its all part of the adventure and challenge to get everything in, like going from Fantasmic to Illuminations.

 

[Got Quattro?]

I have done Cg 5 times at least and have it down pat. We are eating there this jan 27th, my birthday, Whishes is at 8:00pm that night, so my ADR is for 7:00pm.

We always get there about 15 mins early and check in. Usually seated right at our time. We order a bottle of wine, and some flat bread..YUM.......and then the server takes our order. The server comes out to ask if we want our food before or after whishes, and we say after. The food is brought right out (along with half the restraints) as soon as whises is over.

CG is so much more enjoyable since the have stopped letting any tom dick and jane up to the CG for fireworks. In the old days, there would be throngs of people standing around the bar, watching out the window waiting foor fireworks. Then when they would start, they would all rush the windows, or the deck. Standing over those trying to eat, and getting infront of those in the 2nd or 3rd row of tables. It was real bad. So glad they stopped.

 

[ducklite]

WOW! Thanks for all the info and opinions, it helped out ALOT! Really, thank you, I appreciate all of your help very very much. I didn't realize the thing with the bar and the waiting area if you have a later ressie. I just thought I'd walk in and get right up there. And maybe since it's the middle of Jan I would be able to, but you never know,so I'm gonna make the res for 7:30 I think.

My only concern with that is I don't know if I'll be there by 7:30 b/c I HAVE to watch SpectroMagic which is on at 7 that night. What do you think?

No way are you going to see Spectro at 7:00 and be on time for a 7:30 ADR. Spectro is at least 20 minutes, and if it starts at the far end of the park that night, it won't even be to the end of Main street until about 7:20. If you catch it from the far end, it would take at least half an hour to get through the MK (and the crowds) to get out of the MK. If you catch it from the front of the MK (the top of the train station lets say) it might not even get there until 7:20, and wouldn't be over until 7:40. Then you need to allow time (minimum ten minutes, even if you're walking fast, probably longer on a monorail) to get to the CG.

And FYI, just because you've got the ADR doesn't mean you'll be seated in time for the fireworks. In your case if you'll be in the MK anyhow, why not just watch WISHES from there--the view is better from the MK, and then have dinner after?

Anne

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I agree with Anne completely. Wishes will be much better on Main St. then at CG. If you don't want to stake out a spot 11/2-2 hrs before Spectro then you can catch a later spot in Frontierland and then walk over and stand in the middle of main st. for Wishes.

You'll never make it over to the CG in the short time between Spectro and Wishes, even if you skipped the monorail and walked to the Contemporay.