I LOVE the new check-in policy at the CG!

[ducklite]

We had dinner at Citrico's and then decided to pop over to the CG for cocktail with Ray, our favorite bartender. Got there and went to the 2nd floor, and let them know we simply wanted to sit at the bar for a cocktail. Not a problem, and we were escorted right up.

Saw a family in front of us refused entry because they just wanted to "go up and look around".

Had our cocktail at an almost empty bar. The noise level was noticably reduced, no one milling about and standing against the walls. If you want to go up to sit in the lounge you still can without a PS, only if there are tables available. The bar area will still allow a small amount of standing patrons, but they will not let it get super crowded. Children will not be allowed to stand or sit in the bar area. If you want to go up with children for the lounge area, you will have to be accomodated at a table. If there isn't one available you will be turned away.

We were also told when we ate up there later in the week that they will no longer allow people to come up to the lounge and camp out, taking tables without ordering anything.

All in all I'd much prefer the few moments of inconvenience having to go to the 2nd floor and be escorted up in order to have a much., much more enjoyable and controlled experience once there.

Anne

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

Anne,
It is great to hear that you can still go up and have a drink or apps at the bar with out PS. Do you think that the non busy bar area takes away at all from the atmosphere? While I am glad that the fireworks only people aren't around I sort of liked the hustle and bustle of the bar area. For some reason in my head I picture one or 2 people sitting at the bar, and that doesn't really sound fun to me.

 

[ducklite]

There were about five of us at the bar. Keep in mind this was at about 9:30 in the evening, past the peak time of people waiting for a table. I didn't think it took away at all, it was better than previous times when people were just camped out waiting for the fireworks, three deep around the bar area so you couldn't even order a drink.

The noise level was also very reasonable. In times past it's been deafening.

Anne

 

[sotoalf]

Great news! We stayed at the CR two weeks ago and went up for a drink at the CG; they had just started the new procedure, and there were a few annoyed people turned away at the 2nd floor check-in. I was amazed by how less frenetic it seemed. I hope the CG managers stick with the new policy.

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

After you check in are you able to go up and wait for your table at the bar?

 

[ducklite]

If there is room. If not, you will be kept waiting on the second floor.

Anne

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

Thanks so much for the info! I can't wait to go and see what it is like in November. We had dinner with Roy (he served us at the bar) when we were there in January....great bartender!

 

[webray]

Glad to hear it..we are eating there next Friday...can't wait.
I am glad it won't be so crowded in the lounge area...we like to enjoy a drink before dinner while waiting for our table. Great news. Looking forward to meeting Ray..as we haven't yet..we have many favorite bartenders at disney..haven't met Ray yet though..yippee!

 

[sters]

I don't like the new policy, no offense to the OP. It prevents those who want to enjoy the fireworks from the 15th Floor observation deck from doing so and the observation deck SHOULD be open to the general public (in my opinion) since it has access without going through the restaurant. Sorry, CG is too fancy-pants for our family, but the fireworks sure were breathtaking from that view! I'm glad I got to see them from there in November before the new policy took effect. It was one of my fondest memories!

 

[ducklite]

Sters--you still have the option of viewing from the 4th floor observation deck, which is open to anyone.

Dining at the CG is expensive, and the experience has been ruined for us more than once by having the restaurant MUCH to crowded and subsequently noisy due to people just standing around, or traipsing though to get to the observation deck.

The food there is NOT "fancy pants", (that would be V&A's or Bistro IMHO) it's actually just normal food. Salmon. Steak. Chicken. Try it sometime. I think you'll be quite pleasantly surpised

Anne

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I am sooo glad for this policy change!!! We are taking my parents to CG for the first time in December. It is nice to know that we will be able to hear each other while waiting at the bar AND have seats.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I am so glad to hear this new policy is working out! We will have to try CG again soon.

We went to CG for the first time in March. The food was wonderful, the service fine, but we had to wait 45 min. standing shoulder to shoulder with people jammed into the lounge. The hostess told me people come in at opening and camp at the lounge tables by the windows. I saw a couple playing cards!

 

[jarestel]

Nice to hear that paying customers are finally being considered.

 

[OaksPAC]

My family and I dine at the CG every year and I have to admit that I like what I have been reading about the new check-in policy. (we'll be there on 7/19) Our last couple of visits to the CG have been a little crazy and while we still love the food and service, I must admit that the "just looking around/passimg through" activity was starting to get out of hand. I can see where some visitors might be a little upset with the new check-in policy and even consider it exclusionary, but try to see it from the diners side. The CG is not an inexpensive restaurant. While the food and service are the mainstays, the pricing also takes into account the view and the whole "CG experience." With that in mind, I think the new check-in policy is more than fair,especially since there are so many other areas open to watch Wishes. Also,the fact that the CG is considered a "fancy pants"restaurant isn't really the point. Take for instance the HDMR.........another great dining experience but certainly not fancy. I don't think anybody who goes there would enjoy having hordes of people just "passing through"to get a look at the show,while you are trying to eat and enjoy the experince with your family. As always,you can't please everybody,but I just wanted to put in my two cents on this one. Also,just one more point about CG. IMHO,I do think that "fancy pants"is an unfair label. If the food is not to everyone's taste that is one thing,but the restaurant welcomes one and all,even the youngest of children. Their exuberance and enthusiasm when the fireworks start only adds to the enjoyment for all of us!

 

[BCV23]

Great points, OaksPAC.

We're dining there the night after you. Can't wait.

The change sounds like an excellent idea to me.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I am glad you can still go up to the bar, without a PS.
The food at CG, though it comes highly rated, does not seem like my thing. We are staying at CR for a few nights in Sept, and I was hoping to be able to have drinks at the bar, and check out the view from up there. DH and I were not really looking to see the fireworks, but thought it would be romantic to have a drink and look out over the World from up there.

 

[WEDWDW]

It seems like the way to make the most people happy would be to open up the observation decks to all guests from 9am-3pm.The decks could then be closed to all but CG guests when it opens at 5pm.The view from the decks is breathtaking and a special part of WDW.This seems like the best solution to me.What do you think?

 

[OaksPAC]

WEDWDW,
Excellent idea but I think that it's not so much the view in general as it is the view of "Wishes," that attracts all of the people up there. But certainly for those who just want to take in the awesome view during the day, your idea sounds terrific. Why not submit it to the powers that be at WDW?

 

[slp87]

So can you not go up to the top at any time?? If so, I agree with WEDWDW. There have been a couple of times that we went up to the observation desk to take some pictures during the day. I totally understand about the nighttime crowds and agree that it should not be a general Wishes viewing area. The current set up helps to aleviate that, but it would be nice to go up during the day.

 

[WEDWDW]

slp87-When I was at WDW last Christmas,I tried to go to the observation decks during the day.I got on the elevator and pressed the button for floor #15.The button did not light up and the elevator did not respond.I was then told,I can't remember if it was by a CM or a guest,that you could not go to the 15th floor until 5pm when the CG opens.In late April,I got on the elevator at 4:30pm and it was operational for the 15th floor.They had just completed a private event at the CG,so that may have been why the elevator was operational at that time.Possibly it is a hit or miss type thing.