EPCOT & Illuminations - Dining Ideas

[LaWa]

We're planning a late dinner at EPCOT and would like a nice spot to view Illuminations. I don't expect front row viewing, but a good location would be great!

Any suggestions? Would either of the Japanese restaurants work? We have a 8 yo ds and 6 yo dd who both love foreign food. Any momma's gonna need a cocktail!

Thanks, guys!

LaWa

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

Teppan Edo (formerly Teppan Yaki) is a family tradition....but I don't see how you can view Illuminations during your meal...

MAYBE I am not understanding the question....

If I had to recommend a dining/viewing of Illuminations...it would be Rose & Crown......

Have a magical visit....
Mary

[DVC~OKW~96]

If you are fortunate enough to get a window seat at the very front of the restaurant in Japan and IF the view is not blocked by other guests standing on the deck outside, you may see some of Illuminations.

Same for the Bistro in France (upstairs). IF you have a window seat... no outside deck so you won't be blocked, but the trees will interfere.

Rose and Crown outside seating is about the only place that you can be certain to see the show (for a TS restaurant).

There is the Cantina in Mexico with outside seating. That will allow you to be right at the edge of the lagoon while dining. It is counter service, of course.

Those are the limited choices.

Now, if you meant where to view after having dinner, any place you can find a spot to stand! There really are pretty good locations all around the world showcase. Some areas aren't so great, but more important than location is to be aware of wind direction. If you stand downwind, you will be engulfed by the smoke from the fireworks and that will obstruct your view more than anything else.

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We had a fantastic seat on the patio of the Rose and Crown during our honeymoon! Our ADR was for 7:30 and our server let us stay until the end of the show. BUT, there is no guarantee that that you will be seated out there. You can request it but so wil everyone else. It's just the luck! I would suggest an early time, no later than 7:30 (because everyone who is already there will stay there) and ask nicely! And if you aren't seated outside, they will let you go outside to watch.

[TDC Nala]

If you want to view Illuminations while you sit and eat a TS meal, the only options are Tokyo Dining, Rose & Crown and Bistro de Paris (not recommended for young children). At any of these places you'd have to luck out and get a patio table or a window table, and those are pretty limited. There are very few window seats at Bistro or Tokyo Dining. At Bistro all window tables appeared to be tables for two. Rose & Crown won't take requests for patio tables. You can go outside to the patio to view the fireworks if you're seated inside, but that would mean getting up from your table.