Lenny Illiminations is usually 9.00 unless they have changed the time for the period you are going.
8.00 would be early enough , we had PS's for 7.30 and the CM's let us linger untill the illuminations had finished, as long as you are eating.drinking or having a lazy coffee they dont mind.Who told you ,you only had 45 minutes?, with all the best will in the world, you wouldnt be able to manage a meal that quick,unless the waitress was on roller skates LOL!!!.
Jules