A couple Qs about Inventions

[torsie24]

Off in a week and a bit so I can really start thinking about restaurants etc.

I'm thinking of eating at inventions on our first night.

What time does it open? And what time are the characters around from/till?

Parks shuts at 8, so I'm guessing Candlebration (or Boogie Lumination as I prefer to call it) will be at 8, so would like to see it, but will have 2 other chances. Would 6.30/7 be a smart time to eat? Nice and quiet?

But then what would we do for the rest of the evening if we eat at 6.30 and miss park closing.....

Sigh - why do I always make it such a to do?!?!

 

[britchic4]

If you have a window table at Inventions (which you have a good chance of getting - think they're all tables for 2) you'll be able to see the castle being lit up since you have a good view of the top 2/3s of the castle.
I think characters will be there at 6.30 but not sure. Personally I would ask to be seated at the rear end room away from the food. We were at the wondow near the far table of food and we found the atmosphere to be slightly stressful and not what I would expect to pay all that money for.
I'm actually in a dilemma now because having booked HB premium for our 2 surprise nights in March I'm now having to think restaurants again. (Shame!) Definitely California Grill one night, and Steakhouse Brunch is DH's favourite but if they aren't accepting HB vouchers it needs to be something else. The food at Inventions is wonderful, and it's lovely not to leave the hotel at night, but DH really didn't enjoy the atmosphere there. Maybe we should start a best place to sit in Inventions thread.

 

[torsie24]

If you have a window table at Inventions (which you have a good chance of getting - think they're all tables for 2) you'll be able to see the castle being lit up since you have a good view of the top 2/3s of the castle.
I think characters will be there at 6.30 but not sure. Personally I would ask to be seated at the rear end room away from the food. We were at the wondow near the far table of food and we found the atmosphere to be slightly stressful and not what I would expect to pay all that money for.
I'm actually in a dilemma now because having booked HB premium for our 2 surprise nights in March I'm now having to think restaurants again. (Shame!) Definitely California Grill one night, and Steakhouse Brunch is DH's favourite but if they aren't accepting HB vouchers it needs to be something else. The food at Inventions is wonderful, and it's lovely not to leave the hotel at night, but DH really didn't enjoy the atmosphere there. Maybe we should start a best place to sit in Inventions thread.

Thanks Cathy - that's really helpful!

So I recon if we get reserve for 7, and say we're happy to wait a bit for a window seat, should be good.

 

[DLPHereWeCome]

We ate here in our December trip.

We were seated in the room slightly away from the food and were in the middle (there were 4 of us).

This is also the same room/section that we were seated every morning for breakfast.

We booked for 6pm and characters arrived about 6.15 and were there for the duration of our meal - the characters changed so we had 7 different ones throughout the meal. Excellent interaction!

The food was excellent too. Our fave dining experience on our trip.

 

[torsie24]

We ate here in our December trip.

We were seated in the room slightly away from the food and were in the middle (there were 4 of us).

This is also the same room/section that we were seated every morning for breakfast.

We booked for 6pm and characters arrived about 6.15 and were there for the duration of our meal - the characters changed so we had 7 different ones throughout the meal. Excellent interaction!

The food was excellent too. Our fave dining experience on our trip.

Cool! Im actually tempted to maybe go for 6, as I recon we'd be done eating by 7/7.30 and could nip in for a dark ride on BTM and ten candlebration.....

Too many options!!

 

[torsie24]

So I've talked to Jack about it.

Who orignally rolled his eyes and shrugged, as he thnks planning restaurants is pointless.

He then said it would be nice to watch Candlebration from the restaurant.

But now I'm worrying we won't get a window seat!

Argh! I hate what disney does to me!!!

 

[britchic4]

If you eat in there on your second night, you could always ask the restaurant manager the night before for a window table. We ate twice in the California Grill and asked for the same table for our second visit, the manager greeted us by name the second time and took us to our table straight away.
It's a very narrow restaurant so there are quite a few window tables.

 

[A Small World]

we have always eaten here as soon as it opens (6.00/6.30) and found its a good time as its fairly quiet so we had good interaction with characters.

We have always eaten in the room passed the food and prefer to sit here than in the area with the food.

Personally Torsie I would enjoy your meal at Inventions and try and get into the park to see candlebration but dont rush to get there and see it another day if you dont manage

 

[torsie24]

we have always eaten here as soon as it opens (6.00/6.30) and found its a good time as its fairly quiet so we had good interaction with characters.

We have always eaten in the room passed the food and prefer to sit here than in the area with the food.

Personally Torsie I would enjoy your meal at Inventions and try and get into the park to see candlebration but dont rush to get there and see it another day if you dont manage

Thanks SW, I think I shall do as you suggested.

Did you ask to get the separate room? Or jsut they fill it first? Can you still get a window seat there?

 

[mummyal]

I'd also do what Small World suggested, ie eat & then head to the park to catch Candleabration (or as you've said, you have 2 other evenings where you can catch it). We sat in the main "room" (or I think it's the main bit anyway) - ie walk past the buffet, down the few steps and into the dining hall.

This was the view from the restaurant.

I don't think you'll be able to see much of Candleabration (or the stage) from the restaurant?! (Or I could be very wrong lol).

 

[torsie24]

No, I think you'd be right Alice, Plus I'm sure by 6 we'll be plenty cold enough to come in for an hour or two!

Could even go in at 5, get our room and warm up and put on some make up or something so my photos aren;t all as awful as the july ones!!!

 

[A Small World]

Thanks SW, I think I shall do as you suggested.

Did you ask to get the separate room? Or jsut they fill it first? Can you still get a window seat there?

You can get window seats - as mummyal posted but I seem to remember a lot of the tables were bigger. We have never asked to be in here we have just been put here but we would ask if we werent next time if you see what I mean. (Im not sure if Im making sense today)

To me it just seems nicer than being sat by the food where people are constantly wandering about

 

[gemmybear83]

We got window seats two nights running at Inventions and the CG, I seem to remember they were mostly for couples so I think you should be ok. We had a table booked for 8pm (park closed at 7pm with fantillusion at 7pm) it was really busy throughout our meal and when we left and 9ish.

We were sat right next the food !