Watching fireworks from California Grill

[cdnsluvdisney]

We're trying to figure out what time would be best to make a reservation at CG to watch the 8:00 pm fireworks. Is it better to go at 6:00 or 7:00? Your comments are appreciated. Thanks

 

[dqpowell]

One strategy would be to make an early reservation (say, between 6 and 6:20) then linger over dinner, assuming you get a table near a window.

Another strategy would be to make a reservation close to the time of the fireworks (say, around 7:30) and get a table without a good fireworks view. Order drinks and appetizers, then leave the table at the right time to view the fireworks, drinks in hand. Return to the table following the fireworks.

Another strategy is to make a reservation for right around 8 PM. Arrive a little early and watch the fireworks before you're seated.

HTH,
David

 

[PrincessMinnie28]

One strategy would be to make an early reservation (say, between 6 and 6:20) then linger over dinner, assuming you get a table near a window.

Another strategy would be to make a reservation close to the time of the fireworks (say, around 7:30) and get a table without a good fireworks view. Order drinks and appetizers, then leave the table at the right time to view the fireworks, drinks in hand. Return to the table following the fireworks.

Another strategy is to make a reservation for right around 8 PM. Arrive a little early and watch the fireworks before you're seated.

HTH,
David

I agree with the last two of those strategies. I'm not trying to start a debate, but I disagree with the first one only because I was a server and I know how irritating it is when people hang out at a table after they've finished or try to draw out a meal. I think the CG has recognized that this is unfair to their servers and that it clogs up the seating and has made it so that now, even if you have an early reservation time, you can eat your meal, leave, and come back before the fireworks. All you have to do is show your dinner receipt (only for that day, obviously) at the 2nd floor check-in and they will let you back up to watch the fireworks. Again, no debates please, and OP if you want to linger over your meal, you go right ahead... I just thought I'd offer the suggestion so you don't feel like you have to sit there for hours drinking coffee until you explode!

But, dqpowell, I like how in the second strategy you made sure to include the instruction "drinks in hand." I think that is a very important step!

 

[dqpowell]

I'm not trying to start a debate, but I disagree with the first one only because I was a server and I know how irritating it is when people hang out at a table after they've finished or try to draw out a meal.

We're actually on the same page, here. I offered it as a strategy because, well... it is one, and from what I've read it seems to be popular.

Strategy #2 is what I'll be doing on my trip in December. I have an ADR for 7:30, and others have told me I basically have no chance of getting a window seat prior to the start of the fireworks if I arrive at that time, because of all the people doing Strategy #1. In the extremely unlikely event that a table for two is available with a nice fireworks view at that time, I'll luck out. If not, I'll just take a table without a view and leave my table to watch the fireworks.

But, dqpowell, I like how in the second strategy you made sure to include the instruction "drinks in hand." I think that is a very important step!

Well, my wife and I both like a good bottle of wine. Makes all the sense in the world to me to watch the fireworks with a glass in hand.

David

 

[CamColt]

I like the ide of an early dinner, then get a drink at the bar, bring it out on the deck and wait for the fireworks. I have found the view from the deck to be better than at most tables.

 

[Inkmahm]

We're trying to figure out what time would be best to make a reservation at CG to watch the 8:00 pm fireworks. Is it better to go at 6:00 or 7:00? Your comments are appreciated. Thanks

I would do the 6 pm reservation and hope that you're done in time for the fireworks. Dinner at CG takes about an hour and a half or more in my experience. We have appetizer and dessert so that may make a difference in timing. I have a 6:10 reservation in December for 12 and hope to be seated near our time (they are usually 15 to 20 minutes behind) and just about done eating by pm. I guess that isn't any of the options since I don't think we'll be lingering and waiting for the fireworks as much as we'll be trying to be done in time.

 

[JennyRMouse]

Can you hear the music there?

 

[PrincessMinnie28]

We're actually on the same page, here. I offered it as a strategy because, well... it is one, and from what I've read it seems to be popular.

Oh, I don't doubt you for a second!

Strategy #2 is what I'll be doing on my trip in December. I have an ADR for 7:30, and others have told me I basically have no chance of getting a window seat prior to the start of the fireworks if I arrive at that time, because of all the people doing Strategy #1. In the extremely unlikely event that a table for two is available with a nice fireworks view at that time, I'll luck out. If not, I'll just take a table without a view and leave my table to watch the fireworks. Well, my wife and I both like a good bottle of wine. Makes all the sense in the world to me to watch the fireworks with a glass in hand.

David

I wouldn't entirely rule out getting a window seat. DBF and I happened to luck out and get a window seat with an amazing view of the castle (over to the right after you step out of the elevators and the bar is on your left) and we didn't even ask (and keep in mind that I'm not a naturally lucky person). The table was great to watch all the pre-Wishes stuff, but we did go out on the deck to watch the actual fireworks just so we could take pictures, etc. And we most certainly had our wine with us as well! Here's some pixie dust to hope you get a window seat! Enjoy!

 

[deej696]

If they still allow you to walk out onto the catwalk outside, then I would say any of the options work. But if you do opt to dine early, it would be nice to free up the table and watch the fireworks from the catwalk, so the server can seat a new party.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We always make our ADR's for CG an hour before the fireworks. We are then always somewhere into the meal when the show starts. We then go out on the deck, watch the show, then resume our meal.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Can you tell your server that during the meal you wish to go out on the observation deck to view the fireworks, therefore taking a break during your meal? Assuming of course I don't get a window seat!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Certainly! In fact, Id' be suprised if your server didn't suggest it. Happens every night at the CG and the servers are completely used to it.

 

[Inkmahm]

Certainly! In fact, Id' be suprised if your server didn't suggest it. Happens every night at the CG and the servers are completely used to it.

I've seen food delivered and then a whole table of people get up and go watch the fireworks only to come back to food that has been sitting there cooling for 10 minutes. No, thanks. It makes no sense to me to let perfectly good food on my plate get cold so that I can go outside to get a better view than from my table.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Dinner at CG takes about an hour and a half or more in my experience.

This was my experience last time I was at CG too. We had been there almost an hour and a half, placed our dessert order, and the fireworks started. We weren't trying to "linger" - that's just how long it took. The dessert was delivered after the show.

 

[Golden Rose]

We ordered an extra course of flatbread so we would have an excuse to linger, and it turned out not to matter because our dessert hadn't been served by the time the fireworks started. If you don't want to be kept waiting for a table by all those camping out at their tables, go for the earlier reservations.

We do like to linger over a meal, anyway, so it worked wonderfully for us.

 

[SauceBoss]

WOW! Doesn't anyone go there for good food anymore? It's one of the best restaurants in the area and all anyone cares about is seeing the fireworks. For shame!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I go for the food. But if I can get dinner and a show that's even better!

 

[Dana49]

I suggest dining at Artist Point and then heading over to the boat dock at the Grand Floridian and enjoy the fireworks. It much less stressful than dining at the California Grill.

 

[CoolMickster1995]

dana49: We have never eaten at CG, so I'm wondering what the stressful part is? Thanks!

 

[Dana49]

dana49: We have never eaten at CG, so I'm wondering what the stressful part is? Thanks!

The California Grill has excellent food and service. However, the wait for a table, even with an ADR, can be very long when it get close to the time for fireworks. I know that you would like be there for the fireworks, but get there fairly early. Enjoy!