1st time visit - Need advice... CA Grill, or Halloween Party?

[Beetuna]

Hey all!

My g/f and I (mid 20s) are planning to go to Disney World at the end of September. 24-29 to be exact.


I was told the best fireworks view is from the California Grill. So we got a reservation first thing! Unfortunately, I heard that the 'special fireworks' for the Halloween show were a different day, so we moved it from the original time (24th) to the 25th.

Of course, after looking into it, we see that maybe we want to go to the Halloween party. (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party)

Unfortunately, there are NO more openings at the California Grill during our stay out there.

What should we do? :shrug:

1) Go to the California Grill.. the fireworks show from there is definitely worth it, and so is the food.

2) Go to the Halloween Party. The California Grill is cool, but the party is a lot more fun.


If option 2, what restaurant would be available instead? We have a meal plan so I want to make sure it is used effectively. We already have reservations for "Boma" and "Ohana" I think they're called.

Thanks all, I really appreciate the help!

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Hey all!

My g/f and I (mid 20s) are planning to go to Disney World at the end of September. 24-29 to be exact.


I was told the best fireworks view is from the California Grill. So we got a reservation first thing! Unfortunately, I heard that the 'special fireworks' for the Halloween show were a different day, so we moved it from the original time (24th) to the 25th.

Of course, after looking into it, we see that maybe we want to go to the Halloween party. (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party)

Unfortunately, there are NO more openings at the California Grill during our stay out there.

What should we do? :shrug:

1) Go to the California Grill.. the fireworks show from there is definitely worth it, and so is the food.

2) Go to the Halloween Party. The California Grill is cool, but the party is a lot more fun.


If option 2, what restaurant would be available instead? We have a meal plan so I want to make sure it is used effectively. We already have reservations for "Boma" and "Ohana" I think they're called.

Thanks all, I really appreciate the help!

Option 2. Fireworks from the Cali Grill are "different", to be sure... But not a "don't miss", if you ask me.

MNSSHP is a complete "don't miss", in comparison. If you're there and don't attend the party, you'll be disappointed.

I would suggest a table service inside MK on the early side of that evening, so that you're right there ready to go for the beginning of the Halloween Party. I believe you can get in the MK starting at 4 with your party tickets... We've done it that way and had 4:15 rezzies at Tony's Town Square during the hour or so switch from normal park to party park (when they usually have everyone stay in one section of the park).

 

[timeman]

You can still go to the California Grill in the Contemporary without a reservation and still see the fireworks from there. They have a lounge that you can sit in which affords a great view of the Magic Kingdom. The nice thing is that you can eat in the lounge. All you have to do is ask the waiter for a menu and order. It is the best way to eat there if you don't have a reservation.

I went there the night before new Year's Eve to see the fireworks from there and ordered a glass of wine. The waiter told me you can order the food from the Grill and eat it right there. I did notice that there were some people already there that had done that very thing.

 

[Beetuna]

Thanks guys. A few questions. (I really am new to this whole thing)...

Buried:
"I would suggest a table service inside MK"
What 'table service' would be available inside MK? Would they still have reservations available?
I actually have tickets for every day, with park hopper, so moving around shouldn't be a huge deal I don't think.

timeman:
I have heard this place is PACKED, and getting in there is really tough. Also heard that you have to be a patron and actually eating there in order to go on the balcony for the fireworks. Even waiting on the lounge can take forever I would assume. And will they take any walk-ins?

We're arriving about 4:30PM on the 24th. I thought maybe we could leave the airport and go straight to the CA Grill.. maybe get there around 6... and then just try to get a walk-in table. 7:30-8 by the time it would be ready I guess? And then we'd be good to see the show. This plan seems really flakey.. what do you think?


Also!
1) Do you have to have an actual reservation in order for them to take your Meal swipes? (We got the free meal plan when we booked)

2) If we bail on CA grill, what else should we use our swipes on? What would actually have reservations available?

 

[wdwmagic]

The best view of Wishes is from Main Street. The view from California Grill is different, but not the best. Wishes uses two firing locations, one over the castle, and one directly behind the castle. When you are on Main Street, the two line up, and you can see it the way it was designed to be seen - as one single show. When you are on the roof of the Contemporary, they dont lineup, so you basically see fireworks near the castle, and then some way off to the side. Its like two separate shows.

If you've seen the show lots of times before, then the Cal Grill is great to see it from a different viewpoint. However, if its a first time, or you want the really best view, get on Main Street USA.

 

[wdwmagic]

Thanks guys. A few questions. (I really am new to this whole thing)...

Buried:
"I would suggest a table service inside MK"
What 'table service' would be available inside MK? Would they still have reservations available?
I actually have tickets for every day, with park hopper, so moving around shouldn't be a huge deal I don't think.

timeman:
I have heard this place is PACKED, and getting in there is really tough. Also heard that you have to be a patron and actually eating there in order to go on the balcony for the fireworks. Even waiting on the lounge can take forever I would assume. And will they take any walk-ins?

We're arriving about 4:30PM on the 24th. I thought maybe we could leave the airport and go straight to the CA Grill.. maybe get there around 6... and then just try to get a walk-in table. 7:30-8 by the time it would be ready I guess? And then we'd be good to see the show. This plan seems really flakey.. what do you think?


Also!
1) Do you have to have an actual reservation in order for them to take your Meal swipes? (We got the free meal plan when we booked)

2) If we bail on CA grill, what else should we use our swipes on? What would actually have reservations available?

Walk ups at Cal grill are not that likely, its very very popular.

A good bet might be Sanna or Paradiso 37.

Menus and reviews are at

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Dining/Paradiso-37.htm

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Dining/Sanaa.htm

 

[Monty]

Walk-ups anywhere on property are near impossible during Free Dining.

I'd call and see what you can get as soon as you can.

 

[addcogulf]

Without doubt, the halloween party is the dont miss. Get into Magic Kingdom early, about 4, make a reservation at Tony's, if its open, or if Leberty Tavern is open, its nice there too, and then have a ball at the Halloween party. The dance parties are great, terrific photo shoots, great parade and stage shows, and the fireworks are out of this world. I went last year, and I still go back and look at the photos, they are so terrific.

 

[mickey7879]

Do the Halloween Party and maybe try to get ressies elsewhere before the party starts. I was able to get ressies early for Chef Mickey's before the party starts, but try for others as well. You could even do a late lunch/early supper if you want to get in as early as possible. Maybe if you try for something like that you'd be able to get a better chance of getting in some place. We'll be there at that time too, so if you see a dh, 7 months preggo me and us pushing our 2 yr old ds, it could be us!

 

[Victoria]

Definitely do the Halloween Party! It is an absolute blast (even if you don't dress up) and HalloWishes is great. It really should be seen from within the park though. The view from Cali Grill is nice, but not an absolute must see. You can do Cali Grill and Wishes anytime, but MNSSH parties only come around once a year.

 

[sublimesting]

Halloween Party is a must. For one, it's an entire evening/night as oppossed to 20 minutes worth of entertainment. Also Main St. is the best place to see the works. I have seen LOTS of spots claimed to be the best but they are not....only Main St.