WISHES at California Grill

[KBarber]

We are planning to have dinner at the California Grill to watch the WISHES Fireworks. Has anyone experienced this? Is it better to watch in the park?

 

[ducklite]

The California Grill is a fine dining restaurant. Not all the tables have a view. There is a dress code, and it's not suitable for some kids.

You shouldn't dine there to possibly have a window seat and possibly see Wishes while you dine, if that's your only purpose for dining there you'd be better of elsewhere, as the view of WISHES is best from the park.

Anne

 

[KBarber]

Can we request a "window seat"? I was thinking the California Grill would be a great way to view the fireworks while having a great meal!

 

[laura12581]

We ate there on on Honeymoon last year and will return this year. We were lucky enough to have a window seat, but if you don't there is a nice viewing deck that you can go out on. People have said on the boards that the waiters would hold you meal for you until you return. I think that it is a great idea and my DH an I will probably be returning for years to come.

Laura

 

[Collette]

In October, I had the opportunity to do both - view Hallo-wishes in Magic Kingdom on Tuesday and from the observation deck at CG on Thursday. My thought was that viewing them from CG was very nice and viewing them in the park was spectacular. And that could be just me. I love seeing the fireworks coming up from behind the castle and it was side view from the OD.

Our waiter planned our courses around Wishes. You can request a window seat. It just may be a longer wait until one is available. We chose not to wait.

I would do both Wishes is certainly something to enjoy seeing more than once and the combination of a great meal at CG and Wishes makes for a truly memorable evening.

Collette

 

[KBarber]

Thanks Collette! I think we will plan on doing both.

 

[ducklite]

Can we request a "window seat"? I was thinking the California Grill would be a great way to view the fireworks while having a great meal!

You can request one, but only about 10% of the tables are window tables, and there's no guarantee.

Anne

 

[Del]

I actually preferred the view from CG over the view from Main ST. and I didn't have neck strain. DEl

 

[minijeanie]

We did CG in June. Did not have window seat. At first I was disappointed but our server was excellent. Wouldn't trade him for a window seat. About 5 minutes before wishes started, he told us to go outside and view it.

Perfect, perfect perfect.

Music piped in and you feel like you are there.

I would always prefer to be at CG than on main street watching wishes. I didn't in any way feel left out because I was not with the crowds

Go for it, great great meal, good service and wonderful way to end evening

 

[Leah and Emily's mom]

We ate dinner at the California Grill in OCT 2004. My family absolutely loved this restaurant. The waitress brought my daughters ( ages 2 and 7 ) a basket of goldfish crackers and crayons. They loved being able to color on the table. We ate at Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and were even the Magical Moments Bell Family at the LIBERTY TREE TAVERN but the dinner at the California Grill was our family's favorite. If you are not lucky to get a table by the window they do have an area where you can sit and watch the fireworks. While we were dining a family brought their children in from the hotel in their PJ's to watch the fireworks. The staff was very friendly and attentive to our daughters. We highly recommend this restaurant.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are having dinner on our last evening at the CG. Our ADR is for 8:10, with Wishes scheduled for 10:00PM. I think this will give us enough time to have a nice meal, and view WIshes from the balcony. Our only problem is that we are traveling with a 4 year old. We have plenty of time to let her rest in the afternoon. My DD has let us all know that if she gets cranly.....it's time to go. I'm not too worried, because everytime we take her out she is the last one standing.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I like to do both -- watch the fireworks during dinner from CG (from the observation deck if our table doesn't have a view) and from the park. The two experiences are quite different.

 

[exwdwcm]

I've had dinner there twice now, but the fireworks were only happening on one of my trips there. We did see the Electrical water pageant instead though.

My sister and I had a window seat (keep in mind window seats are usually 2 seaters or 4 seaters) and it was incredible. we had a great meal, wonderful dessert and excellent server. The fireworks were icing on the cake. It was our first time to see WISHES. We saw it later in the week in the park and it was incredible then too. I liked seeing it in the park more, but the CG view was worth the trip too- just different perspectives.

we have ressies again for 12/3, the first night of our trip and my BIL's 30th bday. we have a party of 8, so i am not hoping for a window seat. but i know we can go on the viewing deck nonethless. we have an 8pm ADR for the 10pm WISHES that night. can't wait to share it with my family.

 

[teacher2001]

We will be dining there for the first time on 11/28! We have 7:50 ADR's and Wishes is scheduled for 8:00. I doubt we'll be seated in time for the fireworks, but the CM told me that we can use the observation deck if our table isn't ready.

How big is the deck? Does it get overly crowded?

 

[kidsister]

It can get crowded but not so much now that you cant go up there unless you have a dinner ressie. In the good ole days, we'd go up there and have a drink in the bar and then walk out on the deck which is really a long 'parapet'
Since the restaurant is less for kids and more for adult meals, there is less of a 'push' to see wishes. So those seated in the rest't often just watch from the table. same in the bar. It should be fine...get there by 7:30, buy a drink and if the weather is nice, mosey out onto the balcony. THey pipe the music in, and also on the outside just by the door...so you'll be able to hear it too!
Enjoy!

 

[ducklite]

We will be dining there for the first time on 11/28! We have 7:50 ADR's and Wishes is scheduled for 8:00. I doubt we'll be seated in time for the fireworks, but the CM told me that we can use the observation deck if our table isn't ready.

How big is the deck? Does it get overly crowded?

You might have a problem. They might not bring you up until your table is ready, because after the fireworks, there's really no place to wait until your table is ready. That's one of many reasons they began teh second floor check-in.

Anne

 

[teacher2001]

Thanks for all the info.

ducklite - you are definately a "glass is half empty" person!

quotes:

"The California Grill is a fine dining restaurant. Not all the tables have a view. There is a dress code, and it's not suitable for some kids."

"You shouldn't dine there to possibly have a window seat and possibly see Wishes while you dine, if that's your only purpose for dining there you'd be better of elsewhere, as the view of WISHES is best from the park"

"You can request one, but only about 10% of the tables are window tables, and there's no guarantee."

"You might have a problem. They might not bring you up until your table is ready, because after the fireworks, there's really no place to wait until your table is ready."

Don't get mad; just joking!

 

[LordAthens]

I see it as being realistic...

 

[Cookie Princess]

We have done both and prefer the view from the CG observation deck. Main St. is a zoo and trying to get photos or take a video with people's heads in the way is a pain. We LOVE eating at CG and then watching wishes.

 

[ducklite]

Thanks for all the info.

ducklite - you are definately a "glass is half empty" person!

quotes:

"The California Grill is a fine dining restaurant. Not all the tables have a view. There is a dress code, and it's not suitable for some kids."

"You shouldn't dine there to possibly have a window seat and possibly see Wishes while you dine, if that's your only purpose for dining there you'd be better of elsewhere, as the view of WISHES is best from the park"

"You can request one, but only about 10% of the tables are window tables, and there's no guarantee."

"You might have a problem. They might not bring you up until your table is ready, because after the fireworks, there's really no place to wait until your table is ready."

Don't get mad; just joking!

You are quite wrong in your assumptions. I am a realist. Otherwise people would be set up for disappointment. I would rather have someone go with tempered expectations and be pleasantly surprised, than have them go with unrealisitic expectations and be disappointed. Does that sound half empty? I think it sounds half full when you look at the logic behind it.

I have dined at this restaurant dozens of times, and understand their policies as well as the layout of the place. I also know that what the reservationists in the call center tell people and what in fact happens are quite often two different things. The current policy is that no one goes up until their dinner time, and a table is ready, OR there is a seat at the bar, OR they have already dined and are returning to see the fireworks. There is an observation deck on the 4th floor, and the second floor reception CM's have been directing people to the 4th floor deck. I tell you this for your benefit. COuld you be pleasantly surprised and be allowed up? It's possible if there aren't too many others waiting as well. But realistically speaking, quite possibly you will not be allowed up. There is really no place for people to wait for their table upstairs without spilling over into the dining room area near peoples tables.

Anne