Subsonic Radio

I was wondering how long in advance would be a good time to book the California Grill for Dinner & Wishes show for our visit? We have never done this before and have had it recommended to us many times but have never got round to it. Please share any experiences good or bad about this Restaurant and the viewing of the show here.

the max # days you can...e.g. if 90 days is the first day you can book, get on the phone!

It probably depends on how many people... we got a table for two within our requested time frame (fireworks viewing) after calling the morning of. This was during busy August too. I'm sure we never would have gotten that if there were more than two of us.

Just to be safe though with a resturaunt like this, you'll probably want to call as soon as you can.

You're never guaranteed to be able to see the show from your seat (there are a lot of places in the restaurant that you definitely wouldn't be able to see it, actually) but I believe if you're in the restaurant at the time, they let you go out on the viewing platform to watch. I would second what others have said about making the ADR for the time asap, though.

One other thing I've heard, in the event you can't get the time you want; if you eat earlier than the fireworks, and come back to the podium on the 4th floor where you check in with your receipt from dinner, they'll let you go back upstairs to watch. I haven't tried this myself so I can't vouch for it, but have heard others have success with it.

You can also just walk up the fire escape to get on the roof. I don't think they mind, although it's hardly advertised. Take the elevator to the top floor of rooms to save yourself the hard work after a long day of parking.

I love CG but don't see the sense in trying to make an ADR during the fireworks show because, as cool as it would be to watch from my seat, the best place is from the platform!!! And, as Captain Schnemo said, you can access the platform from a lower floor or stay at one of the lower open stairways and watch.

ghostelias I would check with WDW dining. Some restaurants, like Cinderella's Royal Table book 180 days out. California Grill might be one of those restaurants.

Rich

Well it's not as good as it use to be. Because of the screaming children who are up way too late, they don't turn down the lights anymore, and there are just too many people that have heard it's a great place to watch from. The last few times I've been to the CG the food was a bit disapointing.

I saw one woman having a meltdown at the reception on the 2nd floor for CG (to control the number of people up there they have it locked out on the elevator you have to go via a reception on the 2nd floor now.) at anyrate she "just want to watch the fireworks and have desert" I didn't say anything but my mind was racing, with "you can book 90 days out what makes you think you can just show up and get what you want? now out of the way with you for those of us that have reservations."

Anyway, all dining reservations (as far as I know) are 180days +10, which means you can book up to 180 days from your check-in date and for 10 days after your check-in or the length of reservation which ever is shorter.

johno

My wife and I were able to experience this in December. I know we made the reservations on the first day they were available.
The night we were there things could not have been more perfect. Food was great, lights were turned down and the music was clear. We really lucked out as we had a table right next to the window in the corner closest to the MK.

Thanks so much for everyone's help will try about 180 days before we want the reservation.

You need to do it 180 days before you check-in, assuming you aren't staying more than 10 days.

johno

Cal. Grill is nice and it depends on how many you have dining, my husband and I didn't call that far ahead of time and got in. Another great restaurant with a fieworks view is Narccoosse's at the GF. You can see the fireworks from almost every table or you can step outside onto the deck and view them from there! We loved it!

narcoossees has some great seafood

This is off topic but I have to second the view of Wishes from Narcoossee's at the GF. They lower the lights and pipe in the music too. And the food is out of this world; easily the best meal I've ever had on property. If you can't get into the California Grill, definitely try over there.

Thanks for the recommendation