Your California Grill advice, please

[Beccabooey]

Hello all!

We will be on Disneymoon this Oct. and I'd love to surprise my DH2B w/ a romantic dinner at the CG. I've heard this is the place to be to watch the fireworks. Does anyone have any advice on how to secure a table by the window? The fireworks are at 8 p.m., so what time do you think we should have our PS for? Thanks so much! Sorry if this question has been asked a million times already.... ;-)

 

[damgi]

On our Disneymoon last October we also did dinner at CG in order to view the fireworks! Very Romantic!

Make the ressie for about an hour and a half before the scheduled fireworks. This way you'll have plenty of time even if you have to wait a bit for a table. We had a few minutes wait, but just grabbed a drink at the bar. We had a very leisurely dinner and our waiter didn't rush us at all.

When we checked in, we mentioned it was our Disneymoon and also my birthday and that we wouldn't mind waiting for a window seat with a good view of the fireworks. We had the absolutely best table!

Conrats on your upcoming wedding!

 

[CLEO Z]

We went there last week. Had ressies for 8:20 and we were in between entree and desert during 10 pm fireworks. There were 15 of us so if your ADR is for 1.5 hrs before fireworks you should be fine. It is soooo beautiful and romantic (when you're not with 15 anyway!). Hopefully it will be warm enough for you to slip out on the observation deck.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

On our Disneymoon last October we also did dinner at CG in order to view the fireworks! Very Romantic!

Make the ressie for about an hour and a half before the scheduled fireworks. This way you'll have plenty of time even if you have to wait a bit for a table. We had a few minutes wait, but just grabbed a drink at the bar. We had a very leisurely dinner and our waiter didn't rush us at all.

When we checked in, we mentioned it was our Disneymoon and also my birthday and that we wouldn't mind waiting for a window seat with a good view of the fireworks. We had the absolutely best table!

Conrats on your upcoming wedding!

Great advice-we have made our ressie for 1hr and 1/2 before fireworks everytime we have eaten at CG for special occasions. We always let them know it is special (birthday, disneymoon) they have always accomodated us with a great window seat!

 

[disneybride16]

We will be there in Dec. celebrating our 1st annv. The 16th there will be a MVMCP. I think there fireworks are at 9 pm. Should I still go for an hour and half before 9?

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

We are going in August, fireworks are at 9:00 and the CM suggested a 8:20 AR?!?!? Should I try and get it earlier?!? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

 

[missycj96]

yes - you should get an earlier reservation than 8:20 for 9:00 fireworks. I recommend about 7:30. I noticed that just before the fireworks, people don't really leave so you will need to get a table enough before or just after.

In any event, it is nice to walk out on the observation deck to watch the fireworks anyway so you don't need to worry too much. You may even prefer this.

The California Grill is my favorite restaurant at WDW. You will enjoy

 

[Uncleromulus]

I agree completely. In fact, we don't even bother requesting a window table any more.

 

[tinkamom]

When we checked in, we mentioned it was our Disneymoon and also my birthday and that we wouldn't mind waiting for a window seat with a good view of the fireworks. We had the absolutely best table!

Conrats on your upcoming wedding!

What did they do for your birthday?

 

[gonga]

I have 7:30 reservations for 8:00 fireworks..............

Do you think I will get a table??? Maybe we should show up earlier???

We are going mid sept.

 

[olbear]

We celebrated our 20 year disneymoon at the CF last year. We made our PS for an hour and a half before Wishes started. It was timed perfectly. Wishes started right after we finished our entree's. So we enjoyed a leisurly dessert right after. By the way, I called a month in advance and arranged a surprise for my hubby. The white chocolate mickey dusted with gold and served with tuxedo strawberries. Such a nice touch to a spectacular evening. And yes, we requested and were given a window seat. When we got to our table it has mickey head confetti on it and a card from the restaurant. During dessert they presented us with an anniversary card and autograped picture from Mickey and Minnie. It was just the best celebration.

Blessings,
Winnie

 

[Uncleromulus]

Gonga:
If you have a PS you'll get a table. But it may not be a window table.
If you are in "mid-meal" when the fireworks start, all you need do is go out on the deck, watch the fireworks, then retutrn to the meal.

 

[jarw00]

I read somewhere that that the dress code went to business casual. Can anyone confirm.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Business casual , smart casual, dressy casual--no matter how they say it, stll means no bathing suits or tank tops (on men). Almost anything else will get you in--including shorts and jeans.

 

[gonga]

Gonga:
If you have a PS you'll get a table. But it may not be a window table.
If you are in "mid-meal" when the fireworks start, all you need do is go out on the deck, watch the fireworks, then retutrn to the meal.

Thank You

 

[Uncleromulus]

Certainly!!
IT's how we usually handle things at CG these days. In fact, we don't even ask for a window table any more. We just get up and go out whenever the fireworks start and come in when they're over. The servers at CG are well used to that sort of thing and the meal is "stopped" while you are out during the fireworks,.