Second thoughts on California Grill.... HELP!

[figmentgirl]

Hi All!

Me, DH, DSS12 and DSS8 are staying at the Poly from March 12th to the 19th, 2010. DSS8 will be turning 9 March 14th and he requested we go to Yak N Yeti for lunch. I made that ADR yesterday. He didn't know what to do for his birthday dinner so I picked the California Grill because he LOVES fireworks. He always has. They mezmorise him
The plan was to hit rope drop at AK and go back to the room for a break after lunch (around 2pm), then head to California Grill later on and watch Wishes. When I made my ADRs, Wishes starts at 10pm. DSS8 needs his beauty sleep and usually starts to fade out around 9:30. I did set the ADR for 8:55pm but I'm nervous that he will be run down and overstressed from that much activity so late.
Am I being overprotective? Anyone else ever do this with a young one?

We are planning a day of rest on Monday so we won't we getting up early the following day.

 

[Trinityloo]

I took my 2 and 5 year old girls to CG for the 9 or 10pm fireworks in May (sorry, can't remember exactly, but I think it was at 10). They had a great time and LOVED the view of the fireworks! Unless your son is unbearably cranky without his beautysleep, I would go for it! After all, it's not everday you're at Disney!!! If you can though, I would try for an earlier ADR, perhaps for closer to 8 or even 7:30 so that you would at least be finished dinner and can then leave right after the fireworks. Starting dinner at 9 would most likely mean taking a break from your meal for the fireworks, and then returning to your table for the remainder of your meal (meaning you'll be at the restaurant even later!)

 

[Pirates4me]

we had the same reservations. my daughter was 10 and she did very well. The califonia grille is my favorite restuarant at Disney

 

[TJA]

I'm just going through a similar dilemma. My kids are age 6 and we're staying at Poly. I made a Calif Grill ADR and Wishes is at 10:00 pm also! Great..... In the end I decided to make our ADR for 7:35 figuring if we finish eating around 9:30ish that we can play in the arcade or shop, whatever, until 10:00 Wishes. I believe we can re-enter Calif Grill again by showing our receipt so we can still watch Wishes from inside (or outside). Or, you never know, maybe dinner will last until shortly before 10:00 and we don't have to leave Calif Grill at all. I just don't want to hold up a table if people are waiting for it.