seating time for CG

[CPer'sMom]

I tried for an 8:30 (& 8:00) seating for CG on a nite when Wishes are at 10, but nothing available. So I took the 7:30 one. If we can't eat slowly enough (!) to make it until 10, can we go into the lounge and see Wishes from there?
Since we will already be up there for dinner I was hoping this would be a possibility.
Anyone done this?

 

[MaryFMac]

We got a reservation at 9:00 for CG. You might try later....

I think if you had after-dinner drinks or coffee and dessert in the lounge after a slow meal, they'd be fine for you to linger.

 

[CPer'sMom]

I did try for a later time also, but 7:30 was the only option ~ since it's for next week, I'm sure I was probably lucky to get that time

thank you ~

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Keep the earlier ps and take your time and enjoy your dinner. Since you will be there when it is busy, it will be packed in there. In our experience, having ressies later than an 1 hr before left us with no option for a window seat. Better to go earlier and enjoy dinner and dessert. Or, you could go out on the deck after dinner as well so not to occupy the table. Your choice.

 

[MaryFMac]

Also, most fine dining is intended to take 2.5 hours.

That'd put you right on schedule.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yes--your meal may last longer than you expect. Our's are almost always in the near 2 hour range. Of course, we do drinks, appetizers and dessert--.
You could go to the bar or small lounge they have--but you probably won't find any seats there.
I believe that they will allow you back in the restaurant to see Wishes if you dined there anytime that night. So if you do find yourself finished too soon, you could always go down to the Monorail level and look around, shop, or even have a drink in the lounge down there.

 

[bhencey]

You don't have to stay in CG, you could eat early, go walking around the grounds or even back to MK for a bit. Show your same-day CG receipt and you will be allowed back upstairs to watch Wishes from the decks if you want.

 

[CPer'sMom]

You don't have to stay in CG, you could eat early, go walking around the grounds or even back to MK for a bit. Show your same-day CG receipt and you will be allowed back upstairs to watch Wishes from the decks if you want.

Thank you all so much for your replies
I was thinking that our dinner just may last around 2 + hours - what with drinks, appetizers & desserts! So, depending upon what time we actually are seated, we may by just fine to still be at the table for Wishes.
If not, it's great to know we can go back up to the deck and watch from there. I had no idea that was possible.

 

[pixiedust23]

OK i'm gonna sound like the mean bad person here, but.... I always find it very annoying when people try to stick around longer to enjoy the fireworks when clearly they are done with their meal. It makes it difficult for the servers, the restaurant, and other people waiting to dine, who prolly made their PS before you did, and got the correct time to see WISHES.

I don't intend for this to sound mean at all, just want you to think about this from other peoples perspective.

 

[CPer'sMom]

OK i'm gonna sound like the mean bad person here, but.... I always find it very annoying when people try to stick around longer to enjoy the fireworks when clearly they are done with their meal. It makes it difficult for the servers, the restaurant, and other people waiting to dine, who prolly made their PS before you did, and got the correct time to see WISHES.

I don't intend for this to sound mean at all, just want you to think about this from other peoples perspective.

I'm not sure what I said that gave you the impression we would "stick around" IF we were done with our meal. The remark 'eating slowly' was not meant to be taken strictly literally. I didn't realize that there was a correct time to have a PS to see Wishes ~~ we have dined at many Disney restaurants with PS times & we are usually not seated at that exact time ~ often it is after the PS time depending upon how the seating is 'running' that particular evening. There are many factors that can/will affect what time you are seated.

We don't intend to "annoy" anyone by sticking around after we are clearly done with our meal. That was why I was asking if there were any other options available to us for after dinner in order to be able to view Wishes and appreciate the answers I got from everyone.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

We just ate at CG two weeks ago and we had a 7:20 PS. We asked for a window table so DD could see the monorails go by...that is a favorite thing at WDW for our 2YO.

We had a wonderful server and we had drinks, sushi, flatbread and entrees. We were not planning on being there for WISHES. After all of our food we did not have room for dessert! It was 9:20 at this point WISHES was at 10PM. We told our server we were ready to go and he said for us to stay and relax then order dessert, so we could enjoy WISHES in a few minutes! We told him we were through and were going to watch it from our room at the GF. He said okay and brought us our check.

We left at 9:30, and as we left the hostess encouraged us to stay, or go for a stroll but come back for WISHES!

Everyone could not believe that we didn't want to stay! I believe they really wanted us to stay for WISHES, but we didn't! We felt so welcome by the CM's there!

I think that you will maybe be finishing up your dessert right as WISHES starts, so go ahead and ask for that window table...they want you to enjoy yourselves at the CG!

By the way, that wa our best meal this past trip!

Enjoy!

 

[pixiedust23]

I'm not sure what I said that gave you the impression we would "stick around" IF we were done with our meal. The remark 'eating slowly' was not meant to be taken strictly literally. I didn't realize that there was a correct time to have a PS to see Wishes ~~ we have dined at many Disney restaurants with PS times & we are usually not seated at that exact time ~ often it is after the PS time depending upon how the seating is 'running' that particular evening. There are many factors that can/will affect what time you are seated.

We don't intend to "annoy" anyone by sticking around after we are clearly done with our meal. That was why I was asking if there were any other options available to us for after dinner in order to be able to view Wishes and appreciate the answers I got from everyone.

Ok I misinterpreted you, as perhaps eating extra slow in order to still be there for WISHES. Once again I was not trying to directly insult you, I've just seen many people sit around clearly after their meal to see the display while other hungry people are waiting...haha and hungry people are not happy people! Enjoy your meal, and once again I didnt mean to insult I was just stating an opinion!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Ok I misinterpreted you, as perhaps eating extra slow in order to still be there for WISHES. Once again I was not trying to directly insult you, I've just seen many people sit around clearly after their meal to see the display while other hungry people are waiting...haha and hungry people are not happy people! Enjoy your meal, and once again I didnt mean to insult I was just stating an opinion!

Thank you for your post

We are really looking forward to eating at CG ~~ In all of our many trips to the World we have, for some reason or another, never been there.

I was trying to come up with a special meal for this trip and I think CG will definitely be that. Seeing Wishes would just be an extra bonus.
I'm taking my daughter and her boyfriend there ~ he knows about it; she doesn't, so it'll be a fun surprise for her. They have both been at Disney on the college program since January and it's time for them both to leave. So,,,,one more special memory for them until their next visit.

 

[CPer'sMom]

Our CG dinner was last night and it was AMAZING!! When my daughter & her boyfriend stepped off the elevator and into the restaurant they were quite impressed .... but when we were seated at our table they were pretty speechless ~~ it was so fun watching their expressions

When I checked in at the podium at 7:25 I mentioned to the girl that I was dining with 2 CPs who were leaving Disney this week ~ told her that we wouldn't mind waiting a bit for a window table if that was possible. She called upstairs to ask when the next table would be avabilable and it turned out there was one right then ....... she told me to give them 5 minutes to prepare the table before we went up. They added some Mickey confetti to the table for them (told us they were just out of pixie dust!).
Our table could not have had a better view - directly at the Castle.

Our server, Abdul, was absolutely the best I've ever had at a Disney restaurant. He gave us plenty of time to order drinks and decide on starters. He then gave us plenty of time to enjoy each course before he brought more out. Told us to go out and see the view from the deck, take some pictures. We never, ever felt rushed. Foodwise, we ordered quite a variety of items & everything was perfect.

It was fun watching the lights come on all over the kingdom and the lagoon. We also had a great view of the Electrical Water parade.

We were still on our main course when Wishes started ~ We honestly have never been really big fans of Wishes. Since Katie and David work at Epcot, Illuminations has always been their favorite of the nighttime shows. But, seeing Wishes from the CG just gave it a whole new perspective It really is a wonderful fireworks show.

All in all it was a truly magical evening ~

 

[Aimeedyan]

Oh yeah! I'm so thrilled you had such a magical night, esp since it was a special one for your daughter and her boyfriend!

 

[pixiedust23]

I"m so happy you had such a great time! I'm sure it was an amazing bonding experience for you, your daughter, and her bf!

 

[karma3939]

Can you go out onto the observation deck or whatever it is called before your reservation time? I have never been to the CG and I am confused where you can and cannot watch Wishes... there is a lounge too? Can someone please explain to me what my options for watching Wishes are if I don't happen to be seated at that time? I would like to have some drinks and watch it before being seated because it is going to be at 7 in November on the date I am going and I would rather eat later then that. I am so confused! And I need to make my ADR's next week! Please explain the set up to me so I can figure out how I want to do this!

 

[pixiedust23]

I also just got a reservation for 730 b/c I was unable to get an 8pm. I'm really glad that this time will work out for the viewing of WISHES.

As for whether you can go up early I"m not sure. I know if you have the receipt from dinenr you can go back later. I dont see why they wouldnt let you go up earlier for a drink if you wanted.

 

[garada3]

how many tables have a great view of Wishes? Is it difficult to get a window seat for dinner? Do you ususally have to wait a long time to get a window seat after checking in for your ADR?

I have never been to CG but am thinking about it for our next trip.

Thanks.

 

[akayf]

Oh no! Now I'm regretting our time for next week! When we made our ADRs DH told them that we wanted to be there during Wishes. They gave us a 9:20 ADR for Sat and encouraged us to ask for a window seat when we check in. But reading this, I'm wondering if all the people who had earlier ADRs will still be at all the tables? Will we at least be allowed up in the lounge area after check in and be allowed to go on the balcony if our table isn't ready? I understand that window seats are in high demand and don't expect to get one just because I ask for one, but what if there are no tables available in the entire place and we have a 40 minute wait?