California Grill - How long for dinner?

[captainkidd]

Fireworks are at 10:00. We have a reservation for 8:00. Will we be able to stretch dinner out long enough to be there for the fireworks?

 

[Lucky]

Order lots of wine. Leave a big tip.

 

[PoohBear119]

Here is what I would do if I were you:

1. When you get there order a galss of wine and take your time perusing the wine list.

2. Order apps. I recommend either the sushi or flatbreads.

3. After you finish apps. then order your dinner.

4. Order dessert and watch fireworks

That should stretch dinner enough for you. And enjoy your meal, it's one of my DH and my favorites.

 

[Flower'sChild]

I talked to a cast member a cast member at California Grill over the phone a couple day ago and I think she said it takes most people a while to eat there. I don't drink wine, but I am sure it will take me about 2 hours to eat there. Also I might not even get a seat right away.

I want a table by the window so I am going to book my dinner there about 2 hours before the fireworks. Sometimes it can be an hour wait for a table by the window. When I talked to the cast member over the phone she said about 2 hours before the fireworks start was a great way to book it if I want a table by the window.

 

[catne]

you can still view the fireworks from the deck even if you're done eating (even if you're done long before fireworks time.) When we were there in May 2008, we had the earliest ADR (5:30.) Meal took nearly 2 hours, but was still only 7:20 or so when we got done. Both the CM who took us up to the restaurant and the waiter told us to hang onto our receipt...if we wanted to come back to view the fireworks from the deck we just had to show our receipt for dining that evening.

 

[Flower'sChild]

you can still view the fireworks from the deck even if you're done eating (even if you're done long before fireworks time.) When we were there in May 2008, we had the earliest ADR (5:30.) Meal took nearly 2 hours, but was still only 7:20 or so when we got done. Both the CM who took us up to the restaurant and the waiter told us to hang onto our receipt...if we wanted to come back to view the fireworks from the deck we just had to show our receipt for dining that evening.

Thanks for this information. I am going to remember this when the times comes for me to book a dinner at this place. I think think I might want to book a dinner 2 hours before the fireworks show and ask for a table by the window. But I will for sure be thinking about what you said also.

 

[disneymyway]

I actually think it's better watching outside on the catwalk after dinner. That way you are can see it with an unobstructed view and you can really hear to audio. I stopped trying to plan dinner for inside the CA grill and just go outside.

I love doing that in the winter with shorter hours and when it gets light earlier - we watch the fireworks outside with a cocktail and then have a late dinner.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Ive yet to get seated anywhere close to any reservation time Ive made. A bit of a nonn issue. IMHO of course.

 

[LoveYa]

Last time we were there, we had res for 6pm. and wishes was at nine. we had an appetizer, which i agree with pp about those flatbreads, had our meal, just talked and enjoyed being there. we finished around 830 and then we went on the observation deck for awhile before it started.

it was a sooooo nice watching from there. the best view ever.
brings back such memories, because that night i was proposed to on the observation deck ha ha.

 

[disneymyway]

Ive yet to get seated anywhere close to any reservation time Ive made. A bit of a nonn issue. IMHO of course.

Good point.

 

[Philo]

I don't think it will be a problem. In the worst case you will be finished maybe 40 minutes early. If you are then just go stand on the balcony ready for the show or ask if you can return a little later on (don't leave it too late - it get's busy out there)