Flavors & Fireworks Party at California Grill for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary
Walt Disney World has announced the new “Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort” coming to California Grill next month during the World’s Most Magical Celebration. This post covers dates, details, and pricing.
Per Disney, this new food and dessert party at California Grill will be an intimate event toasting to the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Indulge in a cocktail party featuring fine food, simmering sips and beautiful music while you await the new Disney Enchantment fireworks spectacular.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed to the private Sonoma and Napa Rooms at California Grill to sample a selection of specialty drinks, sushi, and small plates that pay homage to the original menu from the Contemporary Resort’s opening in 1971. Guests ages 21 and over can also enjoy such libations from the complimentary bar as California wine, beers, and cordials.
After an elevated cocktail hour, step outside to the private observation deck reserved just for Celebration at the Top guests on the 15th floor. Here, you can enjoy a unique viewpoint of Disney Enchantment, complete with the synchronized music. The event continues back inside California Grill after the fireworks with petit-fours, cordials and coffee.
Now let’s turn to pricing, dates, and booking info for Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort…
Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will cost $129 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
This fireworks party at California Grill begins on October 2, 2021. Reservations will be available beginning September 17, 2021.
Guests are asked to adhere to the minimum dress code requirements at this Signature Dining experience. Dressier attire is also welcome. Please explore the minimum dress code requirements:
- Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional.
- Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition.
- Not permitted are tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and T-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.
Know Before You Go
Reservations
Advance reservations are highly recommended. Learn when advance reservations can be made. Same-day reservations can be made on a limited basis and are subject to availability.
(Our note: It’s highly unlikely that’ll be possible with this. Given the 50th Anniversary crowds, new Disney Enchantment fireworks, and limited capacity of the private dining rooms at California Grill, this should sell out well in advance on a nightly basis.)
Checking In
Check-in takes place at the California Grill check-in podium, located on the second floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. A Cast Member will escort you up to the fifteenth floor in an elevator exclusively reserved for California Grill Guests and show you to the event location.
Parking
For your convenience, complimentary valet parking at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is included with Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at California Grill.
Alcoholic Beverages
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. A valid form of government identification will be required to verify your age.
Fireworks
Fireworks are not guaranteed as part of Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. On rare occasions, evening fireworks may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Please refer to the entertainment schedule on Disneyworld.com, in the My Disney Experience app, or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 to confirm showtimes two weeks prior to your reservation, and check again the day of your reservation. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.
Even though this is more expensive than the new Disney Enchantment Fireworks Pre-Party, After-Party, or Treats & Seats Party coming to Magic Kingdom for the 50th Anniversary, it’s still more appealing to us. Having food included as part of a fine dining experience for “only” $15 more than the Treats & Seats Fireworks Dessert Party makes this our top pick.
Additionally, we’ve been big fans of past special events at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, as well as Brunch at the Top at California Grill. That is the second-best dining experience we’ve had at Walt Disney World, behind only Victoria & Albert’s. Once you factor the nature of the meal, ambiance, price, and everything included, Brunch at the Top is very difficult to beat. We’ve found that brunch to be “worth it” in terms of the cost and experience–and just about everyone we know who has done it agrees.
Although Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is obviously not Brunch at the Top (different time of day, after all!), it instantly called that to mind. We’re hopeful there will be similarities beyond the location. Given our enjoyment of that brunch offering coupled with the menu and vibe here, this is the easy winner for us in terms of the Disney Enchantment fireworks parties. Of course, everyone’s preferences differ–both in terms of viewing fireworks and food–so what is best or works for us might not work for you!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be booking Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? What about any of the other new Disney Enchantment Fireworks Dessert Parties for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary? Which sounds most appealing to you? Are you a fan of Walt Disney World’s nighttime spectacular dessert parties? If so, which is your favorite? Do you agree or disagree with my ‘review’ of WDW’s dessert parties? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Will California Grill Sunday brunch be returning any time soon ?
There was no availability at 6a either … woke up very early on the west coast to see only one day open for a party of 2, in the entire run (and 0 days open for larger parties). TA Bots have destroyed these sorts of experiences for normal people. I saw in disboards 2 people got reservations for this today.
I am reading Disney’s description here as appetizers and dessert treats, with beer, wine, and cordials. It sounds to me like no meal included, or cocktails?
Thanks, Robin!
Btw: I wonder why the other dates were blocked off; staffing issues(?) I’m hoping they add more dates or they open up to regular dining. Maybe Tom B. might be able to find out(?).
Cindy,
I can see Nov. 4, 5, 6, 8,11, 13, and 16 all in blue. When I click a “range'” though, I get Buzz saying, “no availible times.” I might keep trying (depending on how strongly you feel about getting a reservation). The same thing happened to me, but I was finally able to get one of my dates earlier this morning. I do hope it works out for you and others who are trying to book.
If it makes anyone feel better, we were also shut out of the Celebration at the Top. Started trying at 5:30 am and had absolutely no success.
Since it’s in two private dining rooms, I’m guessing capacity is incredibly low. Hopefully more availability opens up!
@Robin: Nov 6 or 7. For Nov 7 it woudn’t allow me to click on it so maybe they aren’t doing that date.
Cindy, Maybe keep trying? The same thing might happen here that happened with Boo Bash; first, there was no availibility on certain dates then there was availibility. What date(s) are you looking at?
Still hoping they open up CA Grill for regular dinner dining soon.
@ Robin: I should have followed my instincts and did as you did; to try to book at the usual ADR 6 am ET. However, I relied on the Enchanted Extras CM who told me 7:00. I think she thought I was asking about phone line even though I specifically asked about online access. Therefore, by the time I got online there was no availability.