Dilemma: Epcot Restaurant to see Illuminations

[Erica524]

Hi! I am excited to be going my first Disney trip since 1993 (i was only 14 then My family is going 10/25-11/1. I need a little help. I have made reservations at a few places around the world show case while I decide which is the best place/time to view Illuminations!

La Hacienda de San Angel (not to be confused with La Cantina)
6:45 pm Reservation; 7 guests
1. Is this res. too early for 9:00 viewing?
2. Can we see Ill. from restaurant?

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining
8:05 pm Reservation; 2 Guests
9:20 pm Reservation; 5 Guests
First, of all, there was nothing for 7 really anytime. So I grabbed the latest res. with the largest amount of guest avail. My hope was to arrive @ 8:00 (for the 9:20 res) and sweetly ask if they could seat us early?

Does anyone have any experience with either of these places?

Thanks,
Erica[/B][/B]

 

[minnie mum]

La Hacienda de San Angel (not to be confused with La Cantina)
6:45 pm Reservation; 7 guests
1. Is this res. too early for 9:00 viewing?Yes.You will be finished you meal long before Illuminations begins
2. Can we see Ill. from restaurant?There is limited viewing if you have a window table. You cannot request one or ask to wait for one to open up.

Rose & Crown Pub & Dining
8:05 pm Reservation; 2 GuestsProbably the perfect time if you want to see Illuminations. But again, you are not guaranteed a patio or window table
9:20 pm Reservation; 5 Guests
First, of all, there was nothing for 7 really anytime. So I grabbed the latest res. with the largest amount of guest avail. My hope was to arrive @ 8:00 (for the 9:20 res) and sweetly ask if they could seat us early?You would be asking essentially for a walkup and that won't happen. Arriving an hour and twenty minutes before your ADR is a lot more than "early" and they would just tell you to come back 15 min. before your ADR.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these places?

Thanks,
Erica

I think that you might want to try for 2 ADRs at the same time (you would need to do this under 2 different names/guests) if you cant get a table for 7. Try for a 2/5 or 3/4 split.

 

[Erica524]

Thanks for your advise & suggestions! I guess in either situation there is no gaurantee we'll be able to see the show....lots to think about

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I know many like the idea of eating dinner during the illuminations, but to be honest, outside, around the lagoon is the best place to watch the show!

just IMO

Have a great trip!

AKK

 

[Sappermont]

I know many like the idea of eating dinner during the illuminations, but to be honest, outside, around the lagoon is the best place to watch the show!

just IMO

Have a great trip!

AKK

I definitely agree. And IMHO, I think that there are a lot of good views around the WS - not just over by the France/UK area.

 

[sleeperclan]

"I know many like the idea of eating dinner during the illuminations, but to be honest, outside, around the lagoon is the best place to watch the show!"

Agree with this poster! We snagged a great spot in France at a table right next to the water.

 

[saskdw]

Illuminations has started at 9:30pm not 9:00pm everytime we have been there. Getting a table for 7 on the patio at R & C and fireworks time is probably not going to happen.

 

[OKW Lover]

Illuminations has started at 9:30pm not 9:00pm everytime we have been there. Getting a table for 7 on the patio at R & C and fireworks time is probably not going to happen.

I'm guessing you only go during the Christmas holiday period. The rest of the year Illuminations is at 9:00.

 

[vicki_c]

Illuminations has started at 9:30pm not 9:00pm everytime we have been there. Getting a table for 7 on the patio at R & C and fireworks time is probably not going to happen.

Illuminations is only at 9:30 when the Candlelight Processional is happening. The rest of the year it is at 9 PM -- with some hugely rare oddball exceptions (like Friday nights a few years ago it was moved - to either 8:30 or 9:30 - for a while).

 

[purple figment]

Illuminations is only at 9:30 when the Candlelight Processional is happening. The rest of the year it is at 9 PM -- with some hugely rare oddball exceptions (like Friday nights a few years ago it was moved - to either 8:30 or 9:30 - for a while).

Another exception: the OP is going to be there during this year's F&W when IllumiNations will be at 10 PM on Saturday nights. The rest of the week it'll be at it's usual 9 PM.

To the OP: If you want to eat at R&C, I would keep trying to get a reservation for your entire group. Online I would try 7 people and also 8 people because the system is more receptive to even numbers than odd. If you get a ressie for 8, just let the CM at the podium know there are only 7 of you. It is much easier to show up with one less person than with extra people.

Depending on how busy R&C is you may not be allowed to wait for a patio table and during F&W it could be quite busy. If you are seated indoors, let your server know you want to see IllumiNations and they will pace your meal accordingly. The R&C has an outdoor viewing area adjacent to the patio for just the people dining at that time. Your server will show you where it is.

If you decide to watch IllumiNations from around the lagoon, there are many excellent viewing areas. Just choose one where you can see the center of the lagoon - avoid the little islands or any overhanging trees. And avoid being downwind because of the smoke from the fireworks.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

 

[redc]

Last trip we booked an 8:30pm ADR at Tokyo Dining and it worked perfectly. We paused during the meal and went out on the deck and watched Illuminations. We have the same ADR next Tuesday!