Reservation time at California Grill help

[reefer2005]

What would be the best time to try to get a reservation if the fireworks start at 9:15? 8pm, or closer to 9?

Thanks

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do 8 pm so you have a table, are able to get your order in and are in the restaurant once the fireworks start. I wouldn't want a 9 pm reservation at the risk of being seated late.

 

[Greg36]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... We grabbed a reservation at California Grill for 6:50 pm the other day for July 3rd. I have been watching to see about getting something a little later and we have also been exploring some other options but if this is what we end up with how easy is it to hang around after dinner to watch the show on a busy night like July 3rd? I know they say on their site that you can return for the fireworks show even if you eat earlier in the day (with your receipt) but is it realistic to think there would be room on the balcony or lounge at this time? I am thinking we would likely finish up eating around 8 or so with the fireworks starting around 9:15. Any advice from the experienced would be appreciated. We have never been to CG before... Thanks.

 

[gharter]

I would try for 7:30 to 8.
If you can't, an earlier time works and you can come back for the fireworks.
We just got our ADRs for October and could only get 6 pm. We'll either come back or go to the DVC lounge to watch.

 

[SamFaniam]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... We grabbed a reservation at California Grill for 6:50 pm the other day for July 3rd. I have been watching to see about getting something a little later and we have also been exploring some other options but if this is what we end up with how easy is it to hang around after dinner to watch the show on a busy night like July 3rd? I know they say on their site that you can return for the fireworks show even if you eat earlier in the day (with your receipt) but is it realistic to think there would be room on the balcony or lounge at this time? I am thinking we would likely finish up eating around 8 or so with the fireworks starting around 9:15. Any advice from the experienced would be appreciated. We have never been to CG before... Thanks.

The balcony areas really do have quite a bit of space, so I would not be concerned even if you do have to come back later.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Can I piggyback on this? Want to book during the fireworks on a Halloween party night in October. I believe they would be at 1015, should we aim for a reservation approximately an hour before?

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... We grabbed a reservation at California Grill for 6:50 pm the other day for July 3rd. I have been watching to see about getting something a little later and we have also been exploring some other options but if this is what we end up with how easy is it to hang around after dinner to watch the show on a busy night like July 3rd? I know they say on their site that you can return for the fireworks show even if you eat earlier in the day (with your receipt) but is it realistic to think there would be room on the balcony or lounge at this time? I am thinking we would likely finish up eating around 8 or so with the fireworks starting around 9:15. Any advice from the experienced would be appreciated. We have never been to CG before... Thanks.

What do you mean “ hang around “?
I think it would be wrong to sit at the table waiting while another party can’t be seated cuz you aren’t moving.
There is plenty of room, but nothing to do for an hour on the balcony.
It is unlikely that there will be room in the small lounge v

 

[cedricandsophie]

I usually get a reservation at 9. And arrive a few min early. We have always gotten a table, ordered drinks and then the kids go out to watch the fireworks. I’m just happy to stay at the table, or the bar if the table is not ready, to enjoy a cocktail.

 

[goofy4prez]

I enjoy still eating while the fireworks are going off. I have always made an ADR around 7:30- 7:45 and have never had a problem getting a table prior to. I'm also not tying up a table either since it takes a couple of hours to enjoy our meal. I have a 7:45 ADR in June for the California Grill and looking forward to it.

 

[jillt2ph]

Can I piggyback on this? Want to book during the fireworks on a Halloween party night in October. I believe they would be at 1015, should we aim for a reservation approximately an hour before?

I had a 9 PM ADR when I went on a Halloween party night. It worked out well.

 

[jillt2ph]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread... We grabbed a reservation at California Grill for 6:50 pm the other day for July 3rd. I have been watching to see about getting something a little later and we have also been exploring some other options but if this is what we end up with how easy is it to hang around after dinner to watch the show on a busy night like July 3rd? I know they say on their site that you can return for the fireworks show even if you eat earlier in the day (with your receipt) but is it realistic to think there would be room on the balcony or lounge at this time? I am thinking we would likely finish up eating around 8 or so with the fireworks starting around 9:15. Any advice from the experienced would be appreciated. We have never been to CG before... Thanks.

If you finish your meal early, you can wander around the resort a little before heading back up to watch the fireworks. The Outer Rim lounge, maybe?

 

[Cramden]

If you're interested in getting a window table this is what we did this past Saturday Night for my Wife's Birthday. We had a 7:25 pm reservation but I arrived early to request a window table. I checked in around 6:15 and explained we were celebrating (they had her cake listed on our reservation) and could wait later for a window table if necessary. The host actually suggested that I hang around in case a table opened up and he'd get us up earlier rather than later. My wife and daughter went off to the arcade while I stuck around waiting for an opening. He called me over at 6:30 and said a window table was opening up and he wanted us to take it then to ensure we got it. I texted my wife and we were seated at our table by 6:45 pm. We ended up making a meal of several different plates of Sushi, Pizza and Apps with the waiter stretching it out and bringing one at a time. We ordered dessert around 8:45 and instead of the chosen options the waiter brought out my wife's cake much to her surprise. We finished at about 9:05 and got ready for the 9:15 show. It was a great night! I also tipped extra heavy since we took up the table a little longer than someone normally would.

 

[Greg36]

What do you mean “ hang around “?
I think it would be wrong to sit at the table waiting while another party can’t be seated cuz you aren’t moving.
There is plenty of room, but nothing to do for an hour on the balcony.
It is unlikely that there will be room in the small lounge v

No, we would not do that. Was thinking more about just hanging out in the lounge or on the balcony. Just trying to get a sense of what that would look like on a busy night like July 3rd. Thanks for the info on the size of the lounge.

 

[Pumbaa_]

You can leave, head to the shops, wander the resort then head back up. That’s an awkward time. If you had a large party, cocktails, multiple courses a dinner can easily take 2-3 hours.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We had an 8:50 ADR on a 9:00 fireworks night. I honestly figured we would be seated late because I thought we would get the table after someone who wanted to hold onto it through the fireworks left. We checked in about 8:35 and were taken right up. We got our drinks right as the fireworks were starting. It was fantastic.

 

[jcvalenti]

I usually line up 7pm if I want to see fireworks. California Grill is a night out for us - so we want a very leisurely experience, with cocktails, appetizers, desert and coffee ... if we get done eating too early and have time to kill before the show, we just order another bottle of wine. Ouila.