California Grill - Help Me Choose A Time

[Linda67]

Hey everyone

I am hoping you can help me decide on my ADR time for California Grill?

According to the WDW calendar Wishes will be showing at 10pm on the night we have selected to have dinner there

It's a table for two for me and DH and I have two options available

7.35pm or 8.50pm

I understand that if you have an earlier dinner you can come back into the restaurant if you keep your receipt in order to view the fireworks from the outside deck?

If we take the 7.35pm ADR we were thinking of going for a stroll and then returning just before 10pm as I can't imagine making our dinner last until 10pm.

I am also guessing that unless you are lucky enough to get a window table that you would probably go outside to view the fireworks anyway?

If we go for the 8.50pm ADR then we would almost certainly still have our table when the fireworks start but I wasn't totally sold on eating so late as we are flying home the next day

What do you all think?

I am so looking forward to our evening there so would love you advice on the most enjoyable way of doing this

If we would be most likely to go outside anyway then perhaps the early option isn't such a bad idea?

Can you hear the music out on the deck?

Sorry, one more question - would the EWP be just before Wishes?

Thanks guys

[MickeyNicki]

Honestly? What I would do is eat at 5:30 and have a wonderful view in the daylight, enjoy a leisurely dinner and then go to MK for a bit and pop back over to the CG for the fireworks later.

We did an early dinner and it was perfect, except the horrible thunder and lightening rain storm cancelled any hopes of going back for fireworks

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Linda67

I understand that if you have an earlier dinner you can come back into the restaurant if you keep your receipt in order to view the fireworks from the outside deck?

Yes that's correct, just go back to the 2nd floor check-in with your reciept and they will let you in the elevator to the restaurant.

[Linda67]

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

Honestly? What I would do is eat at 5:30 and have a wonderful view in the daylight, enjoy a leisurely dinner and then go to MK for a bit and pop back over to the CG for the fireworks later.

We did an early dinner and it was perfect, except the horrible thunder and lightening rain storm cancelled any hopes of going back for fireworks

Thanks for this - so you think that viewing the fireworks on the deck is just as good (or better) than bagging a window seat and staying inside?

[Linda67]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Yes that's correct, just go back to the 2nd floor check-in with your reciept and they will let you in the elevator to the restaurant.

Great thanks for this - I think the ealier option is probably going to work better for us

[MickeyNicki]

Originally Posted by Linda67

Thanks for this - so you think that viewing the fireworks on the deck is just as good (or better) than bagging a window seat and staying inside?

Oh yes I do....we had a great table right along the windows (they say when you check in early for the first seating you are almost promised a wonderful table. The view of MK, the Poly and the GF was just to die for and after dinner we did walk out on the deck (although it was so wet from the storm and another huge one coming in) that I almost slipped and fell but the view was amazing.

I have heard alot of people not getting seated timely for a later reservation because the other diners are not leaving their tables, they are stretching it out so they can sit and watch the fireworks...but for me I would rather go on the deck then go hungry ha ha

[Linda67]

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

Oh yes I do....we had a great table right along the windows (they say when you check in early for the first seating you are almost promised a wonderful table. The view of MK, the Poly and the GF was just to die for and after dinner we did walk out on the deck (although it was so wet from the storm and another huge one coming in) that I almost slipped and fell but the view was amazing.

I have heard alot of people not getting seated timely for a later reservation because the other diners are not leaving their tables, they are stretching it out so they can sit and watch the fireworks...but for me I would rather go on the deck then go hungry ha ha

with you on that i don't want to rush dinner or get stressed about getting a window seat, can you hear the Wishes music outside?

[MickeyNicki]

Originally Posted by Linda67

with you on that i don't want to rush dinner or get stressed about getting a window seat, can you hear the Wishes music outside?

That I dont know...the night we went the storm was roaring in and we were more concerned about getting back to our resort...if you click on my June link there is are a ton of pics of the food and the view from our table

[Linda67]

appreciate it

[MickeyNicki]

Originally Posted by Linda67

appreciate it

Happy to help!

[Linda67]

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

Happy to help!

wow - just been checking out your photos from June
it's lunch time in the UK and I now HAVE to go eat

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Linda67

Great thanks for this - I think the ealier option is probably going to work better for us

You're welcome.

[E&K's Dad]

I have a slightly different opinion on this one since it is a table for two adults. I know that you listed two possible times for ADR's so I am not sure if you have looked into an even later time. . .if you book an ADR for 9:45 or 10 (assuming you can get one) you can arrive a few minutes early . .go outside for Wishes and come back in to have your meal in peace because once Wishes is over CG will empty out.

[Linda67]

Originally Posted by E&K's Dad

I have a slightly different opinion on this one since it is a table for two adults. I know that you listed two possible times for ADR's so I am not sure if you have looked into an even later time. . .if you book an ADR for 9:45 or 10 (assuming you can get one) you can arrive a few minutes early . .go outside for Wishes and come back in to have your meal in peace because once Wishes is over CG will empty out.

Thanks for this, it seems like the one thing that everyone agrees on is that you should go outside to view the fireworks even if you have a good table

[PoohsFan1]

Originally Posted by MickeyNicki

Honestly? What I would do is eat at 5:30 and have a wonderful view in the daylight, enjoy a leisurely dinner and then go to MK for a bit and pop back over to the CG for the fireworks later.

We did an early dinner and it was perfect, except the horrible thunder and lightening rain storm cancelled any hopes of going back for fireworks

I second this....we always get 5:30 ADRs. We personally love watching the sunset over MK, plus watching the attractions while you eat is awesome. However, instead of going to MK between dinner and Wishes, we usually hop onto the monorail and resort hop until it is time to head back to CG. Good luck with whatever you choose.