Too late of a reservation for California Grill?

[DisneyDreamerK]

Hello! I booked a reservation for the California Grill for Aug 4th at 9:40pm. Wishes is at 10. Did I book too late to see the fireworks? Should I arrive there more than an hour early to get a Wishes viewing table. Sorry, this is my first time planning my own trip, not sure how these things work. Thanks for your time!

 

[sweetale]

I can't speak for certain but you probably won't get a "window seat" for the fireworks. Many people make ressies between 8-9pm and then have a leisurely dinner waiting for wishes. However, most tables provide good views of the fireworks (especially since the restaurant dims the lights and pipes in the music) and you always have the option of heading out onto the rooftop and watching from there. To try your best to get the best possible seat, arrive and check in at least an hour before your actual reservation time. While your waiting you can catch a drink at the Outerrim and relax or just stroll around the contemp and shop (my favorite sport!). Either way, you should have a great time. Cali Grill is an excellent dining experience!! Have fun :wave:

~Amy Lynn

 

[WDWFigment]

Hello! I booked a reservation for the California Grill for Aug 4th at 9:40pm. Wishes is at 10. Did I book too late to see the fireworks? Should I arrive there more than an hour early to get a Wishes viewing table. Sorry, this is my first time planning my own trip, not sure how these things work. Thanks for your time!

I'm glad you asked this question. We have reservations on August 20th for the exact same time. Looks like we'll be getting there quite early!

 

[SweetMagic]

To try your best to get the best possible seat, arrive and check in at least an hour before your actual reservation time. While your waiting you can catch a drink at the Outerrim and relax or just stroll around the contemp and shop (my favorite sport!). Either way, you should have a great time. Cali Grill is an excellent dining experience!! Have fun :wave:

~Amy Lynn

This is a great answer to hear because it's exactly what I'm doing, so I'm glad to hear someone else suggest it. I couldn't get the exact time I wanted either, so my plan is to check in early at the podium. Whenever I check in early at any restaurant I am still seated in a reasonable amount of time. Usually it's an accident that I arrive too early, but for the Cali Grill I do believe it will be on purpose!!

 

[DisneyDreamerK]

Thanks for the advice guys, I really needed it. I'm going down to Florida for a friends wedding and I just couldn't be so close to Disney and not go. So on Aug 4th the wedding ends at 4pm and I'm booking it out of there and dragging my boyfriend to Disney for 3 days (he had no choice). It's also our 3 year anniversary so I wanted to plan something special. I was thinking about taking him to the Magic Kingdom the first night to see wishes because he really enjoyed Wishes the last time we were there. He LOVES food...theme parks not so much (I need to Disney brainwash him more). Yesterday I got the bright idea of the California Grill, I wish I thought of it sooner to get a better time. Thanks again!

 

[WEDisney]

Tell your server you want to watch the fireworks and they will set the pace for the meal and allow you to leave and go to the observation deck for the fireworks. Those reservations are great. Just arrive early like others have said and if you get up there at that time just let the server know your intentions. I have eaten there at least 6 times and each time the servers honored our intentions for fireworks viewing. Its nice to watch them from a window seat but nothing beats watching them from the observation deck .