WISHES at California Grill

[SunFloridaDisney]

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. Anne

I agree. That's the attitude we went with back in April for our anniversary.

We made ressies because it was our anniversary, and thought this would be a nice place, with a nice view (which is fantastic BTW!) IF we could get a good spot and IF we timed it right, MAYBE we'd see Wishes.

As it turned out, everything was perfect, seat by the window. excellent timing, except.........Mother Nature didn't cooperate. Wishes was cancelled that night due to severe thunderstorms with wild lightning. So we did, actually, get to see a nice light show after all!

Were we disappointed? Maybe just a bit, but it was a wonderful evening, and we didn't pin every hope on this one particular event.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I've dined there twice with a window seat during Wishes. The view is much better for Wishes in the Park, IMO.

In the future, we'll dine there so as to not coincide with Wishes -- the food is very good!

 

[DreaminDisney]

How do you know what time Wishes is scheduled for?
Just asking because DH and I want to have our Anniversary dinner there with our kids and wanted to see fireworks even if we saw them from observation deck.

 

[liamsaunt]

How do you know what time Wishes is scheduled for?
Just asking because DH and I want to have our Anniversary dinner there with our kids and wanted to see fireworks even if we saw them from observation deck.

Check the walt disney world website for the parade and fireworks schedules. They usually have the times about three months out.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We ate at CG and watched the fireworks last summer and it was one of the highlights.

I don't think watching Wishes in the park would have been for me. For one thing, I really don't like crowds. For another thing, I don't really like loud noises. Also we found that doing a half day in the park was enough for us each day, and that early mornings were a great time for the MK.

The food at CG was wonderful! The atmosphere was fancy enough to feel like a treat but not so fancy that we felt out of place with a 6 year old and a 10 year old. Between dinner and desert we went out on the observation deck and watched the fireworks. I can't tell you if the view was "as good as" from the parks because I haven't tried it, but it was very nice. We then went back, got our desert to go (we were on the DP) and were back in our room at the BC 1/2 an hour later, which was great since we were exhausted from a day at the park.

The one caveat I'd add, though is to watch that you don't order too much food. For 4 people we got 3 people's worth of food plus an extra salad on the dining plan and it was way too much. The sushi appetizers were so good that we filled up on those and didn't touch our entrees.

 

[Lady Belle]

We did this in Dec. of '04. Beware that this is a fine dining restaurant with a dress code and a rather expensive menu. Also, they do not dim the lights or pipe in the music for Wishes (they used to, but not anymore).

All that said, we loved it! We were lucky and got a window view and I thought it was just spectacular. I wouldn't say seeing it in the park vs. the restaurant is better or worse, just differant.

We also loved the food!

 

[liamsaunt]

We did this in Dec. of '04. Beware that this is a fine dining restaurant with a dress code and a rather expensive menu. Also, they do not dim the lights or pipe in the music for Wishes (they used to, but not anymore).

All that said, we loved it! We were lucky and got a window view and I thought it was just spectacular. I wouldn't say seeing it in the park vs. the restaurant is better or worse, just differant.

We also loved the food!

Actually, they do dim the lights and pipe the music in again now. We were there for dinner last week, and also in November, and enjoyed wishes both times.

It is true that they weren't doing it last year though. Don't know why.