Hi Ellen,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Thank you for bringing this question to us! How did you know? The
California Grill is one of my favorite restaurants!
Your 8:55 p.m. reservation might be perfect. When I checked, the times for the new Magic Kingdom fireworks show,
Happily Ever After, were not available for July 3rd. A few days prior, the show is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. When we dined at the California Grill last July, we had an 8:50 p.m. dinner reservation and were able to enjoy the fireworks from the balcony of the restaurant during our meal. Although we had a table by the window, the balcony provided a lovely view as well.
If your dining reservation is before or after the fireworks, you can still enjoy the fireworks from the restaurant's lounge or observation deck. Just take your receipt to the California Grill check-in stand on the second floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort.
I also suggest that you consider the
Celebration at the Top - Savor, Sip and Sparkle event at the California Grill. It might provide you with a nice alternative if your dining reservation time is not quite what you would prefer once the fireworks times for that date are posted!
Enjoy that stunning view while dining atop the resort. I will never forget the look on our girls' faces last summer when we dined there. They were so excited that we got a seat by the window. It was Disney magic!
Remember to arrive a few minutes early to your reservation. Doing so might help you secure a window seat.
Happy Planning!
-Donyell