Restaurant Questions

I think you would want to book closer 6 than 8. I think that most of the people who get the window seats tend to nest there until the fireworks are over. We always book 6 or 6:30 and so far have never been finished with our meal and just waiting for the fireworks.

Serenity:

At the California Grill you will want to ask to wait for a window seat, so as Scrappy says you want to get there earlier than 1 hour before the fireworks. It's also a slowly paced meal so you shouldn't have to worry much even if you get seated quickly. I'd try around 90 minutes before the fireworks, or even earlier. They know that no one who finishes any time near the fireworks is going to leave.

The restaurants generally open at LEAST as early as the parks, if not earlier. Many of the breakfasts generally start an hour before the parks open.

Don't be sorry, we like questions!

Signature dining is definitely paced more slowly. I'd budget at LEAST 90 minutes. It does depend on the place. Here are my experiences:

California Grill - Inconsistent. Generally a pretty long meal, but sometimes more quick. But a "quick" one would be an hour.

Citiricos - Always slow. Too slow for me sometimes.

Jiko - Usually pretty quick. Not much longer than a regular meal.

Yachstman Steakhouse - Pretty brisk. Not much longer than a regular meal.

A regular meal I would say is about an hour if you get appetizers and deserts and even quicker if not.

If it were me..I would pick a NON EMH day to do Cinderella's Royal Table..and here's why..I would book the earliest ADR possible. The awesome part is you'll get into the parks before ANYONE else and basically get to walk up Main Street USA alone except for many a small handful of people. You can stop and take pictures and it is awesome..in my opinion totally worth getting up before the crack of dawn! If you go during an EMH there will be tons of other guests heading into the parks and it won't be AS magical as it could have been.

Yes, yes, yes! Those are the best times to get photos! I love this trick.

Getting into the parks before the gate opens is an experience everyone should have at least once.

I second (third?) the "getting there early" on Cali Grill. People do settle in once they have their hot little hands on a window table. Make the ADR for an hour before the fireworks, then arrive 30 minutes early and let them know you'll wait for a window table. (While you're waiting, there's a great bar/lounge area, so it's no big deal)

I agree with going early in the morning for the pictures. We have also gotten great shots in Hollywood Studios by booking one of the last diner times available at the Brown Derby. By the time you finish your meal and walk out there is almost no one there. Both times we did this was in January when the park closes at 7 and when they do not have a Fantasmic show.

Anytime..and I forgot to add..by the time you're done the park is just opening up so you can literally knock out Fantasyland in about an hour!