Window seat at California Grill

[amberpi]

Yep. Disney do not want preempting via c-notes.

Now that I think about it, if WDW acted like a lot of places, it would probably get to public auction type of bidding for certain times and tables. Le Cellier at 7? Princess meals whenever families eat? V&A Chef Table?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Now that I think about it, if WDW acted like a lot of places, it would probably get to public auction type of bidding for certain times and tables. Le Cellier at 7? Princess meals whenever families eat? V&A Chef Table?

Yep.

And people already complain about the paid special access stuff like Early Morning Magic and Dessert Parties. Disney did shut down the ADR squatting sites, though.

 

[Nancyg56]

Lord, I didn't mean to give anyone ideas. My original post was to be funny - basically saying you couldn't get such a table unless you were willing to go 'under the table" if you will.

I will say, not knowing that employees couldn't accept tips does make me realize why it seems to work less often, but I have definitely seen it work, at 3 different restaurants. We don't get upset when people say they saw someone puking drunk in the bushes at Epcot, but apparently that happens too. I've seen this happen. Neither one is something you should probably expect to do at WDW.

Personal note: I'm on the dis, I get ADRs, I've never tried this, nor has any member of my party attempted this in WDW, because we didn't have to even try, as we could drink our cocktails while waiting for our reservation, or whatever, knowing we'll be seated. And, I certainly didn't know it was against the rules.

I believe that you meant no harm. The reason we keep coming back to repeat that while this may work once in a while, we have absolutely no idea what the repercussions for the CM were after the guest paid his "tip" was granted whatever was asked for, proceeded to enjoy what was "paid" for.

A few years ago I made a huge faux pas. I was in the Club Lounge at the Grand, and had brought several bottles of my homemade wine as gifts for my friends who were in WDW at the time. I had no idea that the staff was not allowed to accept alcohol, so I brought a gift bag in to the lounge. Now I make really good wine, so I was trying to share, but Holy Not Allowed! The CM was gracious, and set the bag to the side, but I did not realize why. Not until the next trip and I called and wanted to bring enough on the next trip for everyone and was advised this was not okay. I placed this nice young lady in an uncomfortable position and she handled it well, but this is never going to happen again. She accepted it but never placed it where it was "unseen", but put it where it was obvious to any superior watching that she was being nice to me, but had set it in plain sight out of her area, KWIM?

WDW is not like other resorts and hotels. Concierge do not take money to grant you access to shows, restaurants, etc. Hosts at restaurants are not to be bought off because guests did nto plan ahead, distraught or not. The "good stuff" is not sold off to the highest bidder. Does it happen? Of course. But it is not the norm, and CM's who are caught are terminated.

 

[amberpi]

Yep.

And people already complain about the paid special access stuff like Early Morning Magic and Dessert Parties. Disney did shut down the ADR squatting sites, though.

I love the idea of EMM, I haven't been to one yet, but this week I started flirting with the idea of a quick trip in Feb. when I saw some of the dates. Now, if only they'd start having special Illuminations viewing wine and cheese parties at Epcot, but I guess that's basically just "Worldshowcase" on any given day, or is it for me

 

[vicb]

I have dined twice at CG. First time we were given a terrible table almost in the walkway, not even a dining table more of an undersized cocktail table. We very politely refused and said we were willing to wait for a table "closer to the windows" and not in the walkway. After a 5 min. wait we were give a wonderful table for 2 right on the window and watched Wishes from there.
Second time we were a group of 4 and had the raised booth right by the door (but not on a window)to the observation deck. Our young adult children wanted to watch the fireworks on the deck even though we could have seen them from our table. It was better outside, fun. Our waiter was good about timing our food so we didn't have anything sitting getting cold on the table.
It is fun to watch the progression of the electric water parade from restaurant as well.

 

[Nancyg56]

I love the idea of EMM, I haven't been to one yet, but this week I started flirting with the idea of a quick trip in Feb. when I saw some of the dates. Now, if only they'd start having special Illuminations viewing wine and cheese parties at Epcot, but I guess that's basically just "Worldshowcase" on any given day, or is it for me

There are Illuminations Dessert parties

 

[amberpi]

There are Illuminations Dessert parties

Yep, but I can't hold my sugar, it makes me like an overactive 5 year old, and no one wants that, so I keep dreaming.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yep, but I can't hold my sugar, it makes me like an overactive 5 year old, and no one wants that, so I keep dreaming.

You can make your own party. It is easy to choose a snack and a beverage adn tehn stake out yuour spot.

 

[Polydweller]

And back to the OPs question asking for a window seat isn't sufficient. There are south facing windows that do not see the fireworks which are north of CG. You need to ask for a west facing window or wishes view (west facing are wishes view, the same thing).

 

[Uncleromulus]

And to chime in and say that trying to sit at the bar or in the so-called lounge to wait may not work either--there are but 18 chairs at the bar and 8 lounge tables--and almost always they are all filled up anywhere near fireworks time.

 

[fbarker]

The same way you get the table you want at any decently nice restaurant Or get in without a reservation...

So you are saying maybe a nice $ tip to the host may get you that table?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

So you are saying maybe a nice $ tip to the host may get you that table?

Did you READ the rest of the thread?

 

[dpswift]

I had anniversary trip noted on reservation. When I checked in I did not ask because they had put up a sign that the window tables were gone for the night. We went upstairs and the host told me to tell them if I felt our wait was too long. We patiently waited and we were rewarded with a window seat. Unfortunatly the fireworks were cancelled

 

[Barbruka]

When I made my resort reservation months ago, they asked me if we were celebrating a special occasion. I told them our 40th wedding anniversary and my 60th birthday. They then asked which restaurant did I want to celebrate it at and I told them California Grill. We are also having a cake made. I hope we get some Disney magic with a window seat!

 

[Hopefully]

When I made my resort reservation months ago, they asked me if we were celebrating a special occasion. I told them our 40th wedding anniversary and my 60th birthday. They then asked which restaurant did I want to celebrate it at and I told them California Grill. We are also having a cake made. I hope we get some Disney magic with a window seat!

I hope you do as well. Just don't get your hopes up. We have listed several over 40 years anniversary celebrations and we have never received anything special.

 

[Uncleromulus]

As can be seen, it's pure luck whether or not you get a window table.

We've done CG so many times that for us it makes no difference whatsoever--we never ask. Yet several times we did get a window table. I remember once when they let us up early and-since there were no seats at the bar or in the lounge-we were forced to "appropriate" 2 chairs and then sit with our backs against the wall waiting an hour BEYOND our reservation time. I guess the manager/hostess felt sorry for us or something, as when we were seated we got a window table.

Sort of a "pity" seating I suppose---

 

[Nancyg56]

As can be seen, it's pure luck whether or not you get a window table.

We've done CG so many times that for us it makes no difference whatsoever--we never ask. Yet several times we did get a window table. I remember once when they let us up early and-since there were no seats at the bar or in the lounge-we were forced to "appropriate" 2 chairs and then sit with our backs against the wall waiting an hour BEYOND our reservation time. I guess the manager/hostess felt sorry for us or something, as when we were seated we got a window table.

Sort of a "pity" seating I suppose---

LOL! Last year my friend went with her fiancé. She had not been to WDW since she was a child, and her fiancé had never been. She booked great restaurants becuase dining was going to be a part of their trip, and we helped her with timeing meals. My DD and I never told her about the elusive window tables, in part because my family never requests special seating, and because why get her hopes up? She texted a picture of their gorgeous view from their two top by the window!!!

I think that the special surprises of window seats, and the other little perks that Disney randomly offers are way better than meticulously planning for something that logistically, not many people can have and then being disappointed.

 

[Lori1985]

If you stay club level, sometimes your concierge can make a call in your behalf to get things done. That is the closest thing I have found to having a tip or bribe, and you don't even tip, just have a concierge in a good mood. I always make sure no matter what type of mood I'm in to give every CM a smile and a kind word. Catch more with honey and all.

 

[maxiesmom]

So you are saying maybe a nice $ tip to the host may get you that table?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Nancyg56]

If you stay club level, sometimes your concierge can make a call in your behalf to get things done. That is the closest thing I have found to having a tip or bribe, and you don't even tip, just have a concierge in a good mood. I always make sure no matter what type of mood I'm in to give every CM a smile and a kind word. Catch more with honey and all.

OMG! I was sitting in the CL lounge at teh Grand having my mornign coffee when an irate bully came in. He was furious that he could not just traipse into 1900 PF that mornign for breakfast, and gave the CM a tough time. SHe tried to be reasonable, explaining that in WDW no one has special access to any restaurant and that teh people who were able to dine in PF that morning had made their ADR's in advance. No way was this guy accepting that. He gave her the entire "MONEY I SPENT" thing, and he was not happy with the continental breakfast offered in the lounge, Blah Blah! She asked him what was missing> bacon. This composed young woman made a call and got this guy a little plate of bacon! LOL! Now I have been in Customer Service most of my life, so I could not help but observe this entire mess, but I wanted to give her the gold ring when she was done. She gave this guy exactly what he demanded....bacon.... when all he needed to do was come in and ask if she could assist him in getting his family into the restaurant. I dont know if that would have been possible, he never gave her the chance to see if she could help. I wanted to kick the guy though. What a jerk.