Better restaurant view of IllumiNations (not R&C)

[MillerTribeMum]

We will be in EP our first day and would like to view Illuminations as a great kick-off to our week (first trip for our family). I just don't think Rose & Crown is the way we want to begin our trip. Is there another great restaurant with terrific views of the show? What time would you suggest ADR for 9:00 viewing? Someone said that there is an "upper terrace" somewhere over in Japan. Tokyo is VERY high on our list (LOVE sushi and just can't find much of it in West Texas ).

Jeni

 

[MillerTribeMum]

Or should we just dine where we want and find a place on a bridge/ near the water to view IllumiNations? I know with travel from Texas that morning and no nap our littles will be exhausted-- thought sitting at a table would be best for them. On the other hand, maybe we dine and go back to GF for early bed and do IllumiNations another night.

I think I'm rambling.

Jeni

 

[oybolshoi]

for what it's worth I think you're better off having dinner somewhere and then finding a good outdoor viewing spot for Illuminations.

You'd have the same problem at Tokyo Dining in some ways that you'd have at R&C ... no guarantee of a window table.

We prefer to watch outdoors anyway.

BTW ... for really good sushi try Kimonos over at the Swan or Wolfgang Puck's sushi bar at Downtown Disney's Westside. Fabulous!!

 

[Sandy321]

Or should we just dine where we want and find a place on a bridge/ near the water to view IllumiNations? I know with travel from Texas that morning and no nap our littles will be exhausted-- thought sitting at a table would be best for them. On the other hand, maybe we dine and go back to GF for early bed and do IllumiNations another night.

I think I'm rambling.

Jeni

rambling works for me!!

with the ages of your kids, and its your arrival day, I think planning to be flexible is your best bet!

I believe Rose and crown is the only outdoor seating/viewing restarurant - there is a cantina (CS) restaurant in Mexico Dis'ers have said you have to get there very early, people get the seats there and save them while family moves about - not sure if that's still true -

we usually view Illuminations by the Bridge between France and England - there are great spots - but again, a lot of people stake their claims up to an hour prior - getting treats from the French pastry shop - - I just dont think its practical with young ones...

we ate at Canada's LeCellier and they told us they'd hold dessert while we went out to view Illuminations - and you could see very little - the trees were in the way, or people... (who had been waiting patiently )

 

[pixie08]

I think rose and Crown is the only restauraunt with a decent view of Illuminations because it is on the Lagoon. Tokyo dining has windows but it is set in the park and no window gaurantee, same with Bistro de Paris.

When are you going to be there? That will decide how early you have to line up to see Illuminatins. There are many good spots. The UK lower patio is a nice spot and has benches so if you get there in good time (or a private event is not going on) then you can get a seat. upper France Patio has large planters (I mean really large) that people always sit on. There are tables at the CS Cantina place in Mexico where you can grab some snacks and drinks if you have a light early dinner. There are other options as well...like you mentioned in Japan there is a terrace that has a decent view right outside tokyo dining. You could eat dinner then go outside and watch.

 

[ntsammy5]

Pretty much any place around the lagoon is a good place to watch - the best place we ever saw it from was at a wedding reception on the little terrace/island between UK & France.

Look out for over hanging trees though - that can detract from the view a little.

 

[MillerTribeMum]

Such fantastic answers-- thank you !!! We will be there May 31-June 7. I think we will go with the go-with-the-flow approach: eat dinner, stake out a place, enjoy IllumiNations, go back to GF and SLEEP.

Jeni

 

[IrishMinnie]

Sorry no answer. I had the same question, so thanks for posting!!

Also wanted to say hi, we are in west Texas as well!!