california grill help!!! Calling all Fiend planners!

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Ok we are coming to the Fort for our first time this Christmas, 2012. Our wedding anniversary is the the 31st of December and wanted to do something special for my DW. We had talked about going to the California Grill but still have not been there. I heard its very hard and very expensive, over $500 per person, to get reservations on New Years Eve. Besides we have a DD7 that will be with us and doesn't stay up much past 9:00 pm. So I thought we could have dinner and watch the fireworks show on a different night. I also heard there is an outside viewing deck so if we can't get a rez during the fireworks we can still watch them from the outside deck. Ok that was a lot said to ask a simple question. When does the schedule come out showing the Fireworks schedule at the MK? How do I get a table next to a window facing MK? Do i get there an hour early? I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS NIGHT SPECIAL FOR MY DW. I know I have to make my ADRs 180 days in advance, which i've never done, but is it better to call disney direct or book it at midnight? It's just to much planning for someone who doesn't plan anything ever. Heck if it wasn't for Judy and Donnie we wouldn't be able to goto the Fort for Christmas at all. lol

Now, I have read enough of the posts about some of you and your charts and graphs that i'm sure at least one of you has done what I want to do and can tell me how to get this done.

Thanks a lot from a confused, lazy, newbie Fiend.

[WannaBeImagineer 98]

I'll take a stab at answering some of your questions.

Back in October we ate at California Grill the day after our wedding, it was pretty great!

First reservations, I’ve never tried for New Year’s Eve, but for a typical night we didn’t have a problem getting a reservation 60 days in advance. I would think if you go online to make your reservation 180 days in advance you should be fine.

A table near the window, this can be tough. When you make your reservation online or over the phone make sure they note you are celebrating your anniversary. No matter what they will tell you requests are not guaranteed though. Your best bet is to arrive at the Grille early and request a table by the window. I know you asked if you needed to be there an hour early but that part I don’t know. I got there about 10min early and we did not get a table by the window, but our waiter asked if we wanted to see Wishes, he then made sure none of our food arrived just before or during the fireworks, so we could walk out to the Restaurants private viewing deck. Only people at the restaurant are allowed out there though so keep that in mind. Some people there were early for their reservation, some during dinner, and some had already finished but they all had to come in through the restaurant. By the way you are escorted up the elevator to prevent people from just riding up.

Fireworks, I don’t remember off the top of my head how the fireworks work on NYE, I’m sure they do them at Midnight but they may do an early show. Either way they typically release the park hours/schedule 6 months in advance.

Price, do you know if they do a prix-fix menu on New Year’s Eve? If they do that may drive up your price. When we were there in October we spend around $150, for two glasses of wine, 1 appetizer and 2 entrees, (plus a free desert).

Hope that helps.

WBI

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

WBI covered your questions very well! I'd just add that if this will be Christmas week, definitely make your ADR as close to the 180 day mark as possible.

We've never had trouble getting an ADR during non-holiday weeks, but that is THE busiest week of the entire year at WDW and everything books up early.

Park hours are usually released 180 days out too, so even if the fireworks schedule isn't set, you can generally figure out when they will be - they don't change a lot. Dinner can take a couple of hours (definitely take your time and enjoy it!) so as long as you come "close" you'll be fine.

One caveat to that... if this isn't actually during Christmas week (i.e., it's in the weeks before) the one possible glitch in there is if there's a Christmas Party at the MK. That will change up the fireworks schedule a little, but not much.

Also, if you end up finishing dinner before the fireworks, as long as you hang onto your receipt, you are allowed to come back up to the Grill to watch the fireworks later in the evening. We've had hit or miss luck with getting a table near the windows. However something that may help your odds would be to make sure that you note on your reservation that you're celebrating an anniversary. :)

Menu at the Grill changes often - sometimes weekly (one of the few WDW restaurants whose menu changes regularly) so it's tough to find a current one, but AllEars currently has THIS ONE posted for March if you want an idea of what kinds of things they serve. Just keep in mind that it will probably be somewhat different when you get there.

There are a few things that stay on the menu all the time - flatbreads (types sometimes change) and the pork tenderloin are pretty much always on there. Also if you like sushi, CG has THE BEST sushi on WDW property - and some of the best we've ever had period.

Enjoy!!!

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Let me give you another suggestion. While California Grill is wonderful, and will make a great dinner, for my money Narcoosee's is a much better restaurant for an anniversary dinner. It is a much more intimate setting, has great fireworks views, and the service is impeccable!!! It is smaller, and you don't have all the hoopla of getting to the California Grill. Pricewise, it is about the same as CG.

Hope this helps!!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

One of the best meals we ever had at WDW was at Narcoosees! And agree about the calmer, quieter atmosphere. We had just finished our meal when Wishes started and watched from the deck just outside the restaurant. Lovely :)

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Just found a thread here from November that includes a first hand Fiend review along with one that was posted to the Disney Food blog...

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/4343-california-grill/page__hl__%2Bcalifornia+%2Bgrill__fromsearch__1

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Thanks everyone. I feel better now and I guess it won't be as difficult as I thought. I will ALS check out Narcossees. We have never eaten there either. I just want it to be a great night.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

I have another suggestion. Get a GAG, eat on the porch at Trails End, and watch the fireworks and EWP from the beach. DW might not be impressed, but think of the money you'll have left over for beer! :rofl3:

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

I have another suggestion. Get a GAG, eat on the porch at Trails End, and watch the fireworks and EWP from the beach. DW might not be impressed, but think of the money you'll have left over for beer! :rofl3:

Yes!!! Extra beer money! We actual plan on the fried chicken dinner on the boat dock to watch the fireworks also but we aren't sure if they allow people on the dock after dark.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Not a problem! There are tables right along the entrance to the dock that are perfect for a GAG picnic.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Dumd newbie question... What does GAG mean?

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Giddy Up and Go.

It's a family chicken meal offered at Trails End for takeout. Fried Chicken, Biscuits, and other fixins (beans, fries, coleslaw??)

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

GAG=YUM

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Giddy Up and Go.

It's a family chicken meal offered at Trails End for takeout. Fried Chicken, Biscuits, and other fixins (beans, fries, coleslaw??)

Almost right.

The correct spelling is "Giddyap and Go":

TCD

[thegooftroopfla 18]

I know the magic kingdom does fireworks at midnight on December 30 and 31st. We were there a couple years ago and watched the midnight fireworks on the 30th at magic kingdom and 31 stat Epcot. We have also eaten at the grille however without a reservation. We usually go up and ask the guy in the lobby if we can have a drink at the bar. They let us do this twice. Then when we sit at the bar we order dinner. It was not 500 dollars but it was over 100. However I was never impressed with there portions. I also think they close at 11 but I don't know. They might also have late dining that night, and it might be a special price for that night. Good luck. Best case is be waiting at midnight 180 days prior and book it right at midnight. If they are open I am sure it is a popular viewing area. Also someone just released a secret way to get to the viewing deck without being escorted. I plan on using that this week.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

We have also eaten at the grille however without a reservation. We usually go up and ask the guy in the lobby if we can have a drink at the bar. They let us do this twice. Then when we sit at the bar we order dinner.

That's actually a little secret we found out a couple of years ago. As long as the lounge area isn't swamped (they'll call up to check), they'll let you go up without an ADR. The lounge area has a good number of comfy chairs and a few small, low tables, and you can order off the menu if you sit there.

You can also do this for the sushi bar at the Grill - however there are only a handful of seats (maybe 6 tops). We've done that before. Again, as long as it's not full up you can go without an ADR.

Sitting at the sushi bar was actually a great time. Aside from the fact that the Grill has some of the best sushi ever (definitely the best at WDW) we got THE head sushi chef that night. Her name is Yoshi and it's my understanding she is revered around the world and that WDW essentially built the Grill around her. You could tell from how all the other chefs and people working in the kitchen treated her that she definitely ran the show.

She was a hoot! It was like being served dinner by your grandmother... if your grandmother was one of the best sushi chefs in the world.

She gave Brian a hard time when he asked for soy sauce, telling him that she'd slaved all day to make the sauce she served him. She (gently) badgered him to try it and if he didn't like it, she'd bring him soy sauce.

He didn't need the soy sauce. :)

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

That's actually a little secret we found out a couple of years ago. As long as the lounge area isn't swamped (they'll call up to check), they'll let you go up without an ADR. The lounge area has a good number of comfy chairs and a few small, low tables, and you can order off the menu if you sit there.

Yes, but I would think NYE would not be a night that you would have any chance of finding the lounge un-swamped.

For what it's worth, the sushi chef at the Polynesian sushi bar told me that the sushi at California Grill costs twice as much as what they charge at the Polynesian, but all of the ingredients are identical. I have no idea if this is true, as when we want sushi, the Polynesian sushi bar is where we go.

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Yes, but I would think NYE would not be a night that you would have any chance of finding the lounge un-swamped.

Oh absolutely agreed! It might even be one of those nights when no one without an ADR gets in, no matter how many empty seats are in the lounge.

For what it's worth, the sushi chef at the Polynesian sushi bar told me that the sushi at California Grill costs twice as much as what they charge at the Polynesian, but all of the ingredients are identical. I have no idea if this is true, as when we want sushi, the Polynesian sushi bar is where we go.

TCD

We were told the same thing actually - right after the Poly sushi bar opened. The biggest difference is that the Poly sushi bar has a limited menu and it really hasn't changed at all since they opened it.

But given the difference in cost, and the fact that you can just walk up and sit down almost any time, the Poly sushi bar is our go-to also.

That said, nothing on the planet beats the Spicy Kazan at the Grill (I'd give up my pinky toe for one right now)

We tried Kimonos at the Swalphin last year and it was excellent - but very pricey. Not quite Grill pricey, but definitely more than the Poly. However they had a really big selection - maybe even bigger than the Grill.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Oh absolutely agreed! It might even be one of those nights when no one without an ADR gets in, no matter how many empty seats are in the lounge.

We were told the same thing actually - right after the Poly sushi bar opened. The biggest difference is that the Poly sushi bar has a limited menu and it really hasn't changed at all since they opened it.

But given the difference in cost, and the fact that you can just walk up and sit down almost any time, the Poly sushi bar is our go-to also.

That said, nothing on the planet beats the Spicy Kazan at the Grill (I'd give up my pinky toe for one right now)

We tried Kimonos at the Swalphin last year and it was excellent - but very pricey. Not quite Grill pricey, but definitely more than the Poly. However they had a really big selection - maybe even bigger than the Grill.

So now it's just "The Grill"

Funny!!!!!!!!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Only to those of us "in the know"

:rofl2:

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Quit talking about sushi!!! I'm getting hungry.