View - Top of the World and California Grill

hayesdvc

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Nov 23, 2015
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I have never been to either place. Which one do you have a better view of the MK fireworks?

Other than the fireworks, which one do you prefer?
 
I go to each for different reasons. Cali Grill is a restaurant, TTOTW is a lounge, not many food offerings.

We go to the TTOTW much more frequently! I enjoy the view of fireworks from either, but probably the view from Cali Grill is better.
 
You will need dining reservation to go to California Grill. Not needed for Top of the World, just staying on points and have your member ID.
 
Not needed for Top of the World, just staying on points and have your member ID.
You don't need to be staying on points to access the TOTWL. On most nights, members staying at any Disney owned & operated resorts (either points or cash) have access. On 4 nights (7/3, 7/4, 12/30 & 12/31), you must be using your membership (member cash reservations are eligible) to stay at BLT to have access.
 

But my preference is on the ground. When you are up in the air, the fireworks all seem disjointed. The BLT parking lot was pretty good. The bridge between BLT and the tower at CR is also a good place. My favorite place is New Fantasyland at the MK for MK fireworks.
 
If CG and TOTWL are your options, I'd say CG. For me, TOTWL is too far to the side so you get a very warped perspective. CG isn't perfect, but better. The view from Poly beach is further away but at least more dead center if that is an option. The view from TTC is good too.
 
These high up locations don't center the fireworks over the castle. In fact, they appear "layered" (one behind the other) because you're partially looking at the side of the show.

The low out of the park locations, such as the Poly beach and Narcoossee's deck lose some of the view of the lower fireworks due to the tree line.

Wishes was designed to be seen from Main Street USA and in front of the castle. That's where to go to see the best view. I recall being nudged forward by the crowd one evening so that I ended up on the street close to the bridge going to Liberty Square. The fireworks, at times, looked like they were above me. It was, in a word, awesome.
 
Yeah my wife was very shocked and somewhat disappointed at the appearance of the fireworks from TOTWL. I tried to explain the perspective differences but once she saw them from the TOTWL she said she would never see them again from anywhere other than Main Street.
 
You will need dining reservation to go to California Grill. Not needed for Top of the World, just staying on points and have your member ID.

Is it worth getting in line to eat at the Cali Grill if you don't have reservations? Would I ever get in?
 
You could try, they usually won't take walk ups. If not, just walk over to BLT. The walk way connects the CR to the 5th floor of BLT, an elevator is just on the right as you enter BLT. Go to the first floor, exit right to the main hall and go left. Lobby is about midway in the building.
 
CA Grill will take walk ups at the bar and they serve the full menu there, if you can handle sitting at a bar. They'll turn you away if it's full though.
 
CA Grill will take walk ups at the bar and they serve the full menu there, if you can handle sitting at a bar. They'll turn you away if it's full though.

Good to know. We only tried a few times and have been turned away. I didn't know we could ask for a seat at the bar.
 












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