Update on why we had the long wait at California Grill

[Michele]

It's been a while not sure if anyone will remember but we had trouble last year, September, with a 7:20 reservation time at the California Grill.

Long story short, we arrived 20 min early were seated in the lounge and finally at 8:05 were told that we probably couldn't be seated until about 9:30 since most people at the tables were probably going to be staying for the 9:00 Wishes.

Now I know why that happens. We ate there again last week with a 6:00 reservation. Wishes that night was set for 10:00. Well, I can tell you now why all those people hung around waiting for Wishes, because the staff encourages them to!!!! The person accompanying us up on the elevator and the hostess who seated us both went on about the view of Wishes from the observation deck and how we were seated at a table on the Magic Kingdom side which would have a great view. This was FOUR hours before the show!!! No wonder people with later reservations can't get a table. We didn't stay, we've seen that view of Wishes before and had other plans for the evening. Hence the early reservation time.

Maybe they could just pass out wristbands or special cards to the people with early reservations so they can come back later to watch the fireworks from the observation deck if they want to.

 

[msteddom]

I have always been told that I am welcome to return for the fireworks if I show my receipt. Sorry you had such trouble. That would be really frustrating!

Melissa

 

[Uncleromulus]

Lots of folks evidently who just don't leave and come back--they hang around for hours inside the CG. Which is why the nite we last went, there were NO seats in the lounge and NO seats at the bar--2 hours before Wishes.

 

[Dana49]

This is why we now eat at Artist Point instead of California Grill. We're not put on hold at Artist Point for an hour, and the dining experience is every bit as good. We then watch "Wishes" elsewhere.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

This is why we get an ADR right when they open, at 5:30. No wait and we are out of there before the big crowds

 

[tinkandpan]

You are welcome to come back and watch from the obervation desk if you show your receipt. I can't imagine sitting there for 4 hours and I think if that is going to be the DIsney policy to encourage this, then they shouldn't take ADR's for later tables like you had.