Walkway On Top of Contemporary/California Grill

[manooly]

My family will be staying at the Grand Floridian in mid August for the first time. We are so excited to be on the monorail. I believe the walkways on top of the Contemporary are connected to the California Grill correct? Do you have to be eating there to walk out and watch the fireworks and water parade at night? Can you just go to the bar and then walk out? I'm assuming you have to be a customer or some sort to get out there and watch. Sorry for the "noobish" type questions but I want to be sure about what we can and can't do here because we really want to try and get out there at night to see the views. Any tips, tricks or information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

- manooly

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

If you eat at the California Grill any time that day, you can show your reciept and be given access to see the fireworks from the walkway. I'm not sure if access is given to those who eat/ drink in the lounge as well.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Definitely have to be a "paying customer" to access it.

 

[manooly]

Thanks for your replies! So when you say "paying customer" do that mean I could order a drink or two at the bar and be ok? Just curious...

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Thanks for your replies! So when you say "paying customer" do that mean I could order a drink or two at the bar and be ok? Just curious...

That would be fine but you cannot even access the elevator to get up there without the blessing of the check-in desk, who will phone up to see if there is space. If there isn't, it's a no go, unfortunately.

 

[CraigInPA]

A slightly lower alternative is to walk out onto the Contemporary's terrace, conveniently located on the same floor as Chef Mickey's, the Contempo Cafe, and the shops. Anyone can go out there. At this level, you're looking over the trees into the park. I, personally, think it's a better view than way up on top of the Contemporary. Be aware, however, that it gets kind of crowded, so you'll want to get there early-ish to get a good viewing spot.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

My family will be staying at the Grand Floridian in mid August for the first time. We are so excited to be on the monorail. I believe the walkways on top of the Contemporary are connected to the California Grill correct? Do you have to be eating there to walk out and watch the fireworks and water parade at night? Can you just go to the bar and then walk out? I'm assuming you have to be a customer or some sort to get out there and watch. Sorry for the "noobish" type questions but I want to be sure about what we can and can't do here because we really want to try and get out there at night to see the views. Any tips, tricks or information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

- manooly

Yes. You can just go to the bar and go out there. However, be advised: If the bar is full, they won't let you up. So if you really want to do this, you probably don't want to have it determined by guessing how early you have to be there before the bar fills up. The food there is nice and you are not required to buy a full meal with appetizers, drinks and deserts and spend $500. The entire menu is available in the bar. If you have a receipt from that day you can go back up and watch. Also if you have a reservation, they will let you up to watch also.
The view is a bit off to the side so the low fireworks and the high ones look like they're going from two completely different spots rather than the straight on view from the hub or main St.

 

[TommyMac_DisneyEdition]

If you eat at the California Grill any time that day, you can show your reciept and be given access to see the fireworks from the walkway. I'm not sure if access is given to those who eat/ drink in the lounge as well.

We have a reservation at CR later this month. Our reservation is at 9pm, the same time as the MK fireworks. My original thinking was that this would allow us to eat during the fireworks, but now it seems the better strategy would have been to make an earlier reservation and then take advantage of the fact that our receipt for that dinner would entitle us access to the walkway at 9pm. Live and learn. In any event, how would they react if we wanted to go straight to the walkway for the fireworks at 9pm, delaying our dinner to 9:15 or so?

Just curious my best option here. Maybe I make a special request to get near a window (good luck, right!)?

Thanks!

 

[DisBuckMan]

We have a reservation at CR later this month. Our reservation is at 9pm, the same time as the MK fireworks. My original thinking was that this would allow us to eat during the fireworks, but now it seems the better strategy would have been to make an earlier reservation and then take advantage of the fact that our receipt for that dinner would entitle us access to the walkway at 9pm. Live and learn. In any event, how would they react if we wanted to go straight to the walkway for the fireworks at 9pm, delaying our dinner to 9:15 or so?

Just curious my best option here. Maybe I make a special request to get near a window (good luck, right!)?

Thanks!

It's highly doubtful that you'll even have the choice to "delay" dinner until 9:15 or so. 99% of the folks already dining aren't about to turn loose of their seat (especially a window seat) at fireworks time. You'll be allowed to go up and watch from the observation deck with a 9pm reservation, and you'll be seated sometime after the fireworks are over with.

 

[TommyMac_DisneyEdition]

Hah, OK. Good news. Thanks!