Any Restaurants you can see Illuminations from?

disney2008

Mouseketeer
Joined
Aug 24, 2007
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103
Just wondering if there is any restaurants in Epcot you can see Illuminations from? If so, are the views limited or would you get better views somewhere else?
Thanks for the info!!!
 
Illuminations is so huge, you can see it without being right at the edge of the lake. You can get lakeside viewing from the Rose & Crown in England and the new Mexican cantina La Hacienda de San Angel. Tokyo Dining in Japan has a view from their front windows on the second floor. Chefs de France has limited viewing. They are on street level so there will be standing people blocking your view. Bistro de Paris is upstairs and only has a few tiny windows. I was eating there once (don't recommend it) when Illuminations was happening and the view was very poor. Nine Dragons has some viewing but it's not optimal.

My advice is to eat around 6:30 or 7pm, so you are done before Illuminations and just watch from the many areas around the lake. Like I said, the show is so massive, you don't have to be at the rail to see it. If you don't have to leave right after the show, a nice place to watch is from the courtyard of the Japanese pavillion but there are other paths towards to mouth of World Showcase if you want to head back to the buses ahead of the swell of humanity after the show.
 
During our March trip we decided to try and catch Illuminations from Tokyo Dining. It worked out perfectly. We requested a window seat at check in and out request was granted. We actually ended up with a corner window seat which had an amazing view.

I had read reviews that said they no longer piped in music and dimmed the lights so needless to say we were very surprised when showtime rolled around and the lights dimmed and music started. We enjoy Japanese food and had no complaints with the meal. I have to say it was a very romantic meal for the g/f and I!
 
we eaten at the Rose and Crown in the past and plan to do it again during our upcoming trip

They have a private viewing area so even if you do not have a table by the window you can go out on the patio and see from there
 

None of these restaurants have great views of Illuminations from every table, although some (Rose and Crown, La Hacienda) are better than others and at some it's easier to step outside for viewing than at others.

It could be nice to try one to add to your catalog of Disney experiences (just to see if you do get a good view from your table), but if it's your one chance to see IllumiNations, I highly recommend finishing your meal in time to get a viewing spot along the promenade.
 
Thanks everyone for the advise!!! I've never seen Illuminations so maybe for the first time I should see it outside and do the dining another time!
Thanks again!
 


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