What day should we dine at California Grill?

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Hi all. We are planning on dining at California Grill for the first time during our upcoming trip in January- slow time 21st-28th We are trying to decide the best day for us to go eat and watch fireworks.

Would you go on our first mk day (first full day of trip) which also happens to be an evening magic hour (11 pm close-fireworks at 8pm)

Or on our 2nd mk day (4th day of trip) when the park closes at 8pm and fireworks are at 8pm.

This will be our first emh at night and we would really like to just see the park at dark ( our kids were young the last two trips and never were able to stroll the park after dark). We don't plan on staying till 11pm. Kids probably wouldn't make it (though they are great at sleeping in strollers)

We aren't concerned about losing out on park time- have three days planned in mk which is plenty for our family.

Which day do you think would be less crowded when heading back to mk to
catch a bus back to AKL?

Any thing else to consider?

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I wouldn't want to do CG on a travel day with young children. They may not be in the mood to sit for a long meal (CG lasts at least 90 minutes) and they should be on the best behavior here.) Plus there is a cancellation fee at this restaurant so if something unforseen happens while traveling it would cost you $$$.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Whoops should have been more clear- we are actually getting in the day before -Then the next day would be our first park day

 

[RFrank9504]

Honestly it gets COLD in Florida in late January. My DDs bday is the 26-we take her every year- it gets bitter cold in the 30s and you might not last with 2small kids at night for EMH...I'd book for the first night and enjoy a later dinner at Californai Grill. But thats just me...

 

[Pakey]

I would do it on the 2nd MK day. Your children might be worn out on the first day just from the excitement of being at WDW.

Even though it's a slow time, Ca Grill will be packed. The last time we ate at Ca Grill in January for fireworks, we waited 30 minutes pasat our ADR for our table.

 

[JimmyV]

We like to shower and change into nicer clothes when we go to California Grill. Not a requirement, but it makes the evening feel more special to us. So we always go on a the day when we visit AK because we are out of there by 5:00-ish. That gives us time to relax and get ready. We've also done it on days when the MK closes at 7:00 for the same reason. I've never gone straight from a park to the CG and probably never will. But that's just the way we roll. So under your schedule, I would definitely not go on an EMH (p.m.) day.