Window seat at California Grill

[Barbruka]

Is there any trick to securing a window seat at California Grill? We are eating there on January 25th. Celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and my 60th birthday. We have a reservation for 7:40 and Wishes is at 8. Really want a window seat.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Luck of the draw, and quite frankly, you'll probably be lucky to even be seated anywhere before Wishes with an ADR so close to Wishes start time. People who are already seated probably won't be giving up their seats that close to time for the fireworks.

 

[purple figment]

When you arrive at the check in podium you can request a window table, but I agree with Disbuckman that your chance of being seated by a window in time to view Wishes is extremely unlikely. Anyone who has a window seat at 7:40 won't be leaving until after the fireworks, but afterwards you can probably have a window table and enjoy the view while dining. With a reservation so close to fireworks time we would go outside to one of the decks to watch Wishes and ask to be seated afterwards.

 

[DisneyRobin]

We usually let them know we'd like to wait for a table near the window. They can give you an idea of how long the wait might be. You can also go up early and have some drinks and food in the lounge. You may get a table by the window that way. You can always stay and eat dinner in the lounge too if you like the table.

 

[Missyrose]

Like @DisBuckMan said, you likely won't even be seated until just before the fireworks and everyone at the window tables will have been there since 6:30 or 7. You may not even be seated until after show ends. Either way, the balconies afford a much better view of the fireworks.

 

[amberpi]

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

 

[psac]

We've eaten at Cali Grill about 7 or 8 times and have ALWAYS been seated after our reservation time. And that was with arriving early, and usually way before wishes. As the others have said, people will linger, and no way you get seated by 8pm. But, as also has been said, the window view is still nice after wishes, so your best bet is watching the fireworks from the balcony (bring a jacket if it's a cool season!), and then enjoy dinner, hopefully by the window. Happy Anniversary and Birthday!

 

[Nancyg56]

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

And how would that be?

 

[Barbruka]

Money.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Money.

at Disney if the CM accepts a "tip" to make that happen, it is a firing offense.

 

[Barbruka]

Really??

 

[Nancyg56]

Money.

Perhaps this is a viable method if securing a reservation or a specific table elsewhere, but if a cast member accepts a "bribe" that cast member will be terminated.

at Disney if the CM accepts a "tip" to make that happen, it is a firing offense.

Indeed it is.

 

[Barbruka]

Good to know.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

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

 

[amberpi]

I was trying to be funny - the snotty nose emoji and all, but I have seen some desperate dads do this. There are tons of great places at WDW, you can get an ADR for somewhere decent most any day if you know to. Sorry if I suggested anything that anyone else, or Disney ,views disdainfully. In the real world though, lets admit, this happens all the time.

 

[amberpi]

I was trying to be funny - the snotty nose emoji and all, but I have seen some desperate dads do this. There are tons of great places at WDW, you can get an ADR for somewhere decent most any day if you know to. Sorry if I suggested anything that anyone else, or Disney ,views disdainfully. In the real world though, lets admit, this happens all the time.

And maybe, I notice this, like some people notice "the drunks." I know someone who does this so often, I'll say to my party, "that guy is trying to pull a M, think it'll work?"

 

[Hopefully]

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

Not True at Disney

Money.

As @Nancyg56 stated if accepted taking money at Disney is an offense CM's are fired for.

 

[Nancyg56]

I was trying to be funny - the snotty nose emoji and all, but I have seen some desperate dads do this. There are tons of great places at WDW, you can get an ADR for somewhere decent most any day if you know to. Sorry if I suggested anything that anyone else, or Disney ,views disdainfully. In the real world though, lets admit, this happens all the time.

And maybe, I notice this, like some people notice "the drunks." I know someone who does this so often, I'll say to my party, "that guy is trying to pull a M, think it'll work?"

The problem with this is that if folks believe that this is acceptable with WDW, they will either be very upset when it does not work out in their favor, or even worse, IMO it does work and the cast memebr is then fired. You may have been teasing or discussing what is acceptable in other restaurants and resorts, but many people who read here have no way of knowing that.

The bottom line is that in any WDW resort, you cannot tip your way to preferential treatment. You can purchase all kinds of upgrades, but you cannot buy your way into sold out restaurants, and cannot buy your way to a table that is already occupied.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I mean, it's not untrue -- you can often tip a maitre'd somewhere in Manhattan or Chicago and have it help matters. But Disney works by Disney rules.

I'm not saying that, particularly when talking to a concierge or a desk CM, you won't get further with honey than with vinegar, but that honey is not supposed to be the rhyming word that starts with m.

And given how many people I've seen ask about if there's anything they can do to get certain tables/walk-up/an extra 15 party members in on an ADR for 2, I think it worth stating explicitly: The Disney restaurant greeters and seaters can't/are not supposed to be taking cash bribes for this stuff, and trying it may backfire on you entirely, as the response may be to the opposite extreme as it involves their jobs.

 

[amberpi]

The problem with this is that if folks believe that this is acceptable with WDW, they will either be very upset when it does not work out in their favor, or even worse, IMO it does work and the cast memebr is then fired. You may have been teasing or discussing what is acceptable in other restaurants and resorts, but many people who read here have no way of knowing that.

The bottom line is that in any WDW resort, you cannot tip your way to preferential treatment. You can purchase all kinds of upgrades, but you cannot buy your way into sold out restaurants, and cannot buy your way to a table that is already occupied.

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.