Dining near Illuminations?

[tanprofessional]

Hello everyone!! I have being reading every little tidbit and morsel of dining advice. I wanted some good suggestions for dinner and Illuminations viewing.
I have not been to Disney since the 80's as a kid. So I need the help of the experts. I have made all my proirity seatings based on the evening shows. First night is California Grill and viewing Wishes from their observation deck. Our second night is Illuminations. We are doing the Silver Plan so they have a prority viewing area for Illuminations. Then the 3rd night will be Fantasmic Dinner Pkg at the Brown Derby.
That leaves me with one dining choice left to make that is convient to viewing Illuminations.
We have wishes to use so I prefer an expensive restraunt. It will just be me and my DBF. Any great suggestions appreciated.
Thanks for the help!!!!!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Here ya go:

The Rose and Crown is the only World Showcase restaurant on the lagoon side. If you can snag PS's for about an hour before Illuminations starts, and BEG to be seated outside near the water, you'll get a show with your meal. Even if you can't get a table outside, it seems to be SOP for guests to leave their tables and go outside for Illuminations.

Only problem ... other people have thought of this scheme, too. You gotta make PS's as soon as allowed.

DUH - just re-read your post. If you've got a reserved spot for viewing, then where you eat isn't all that critical. If you want to save a walk, then just choose a restaurant that sounds good and is close by.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

The Rose and Crown is what I would suggest too. One thing to keep in mind though is that you could always just have cocktails and/or dessert and eat dinner elsewhere and earlier too.

If you want a lesser view of Illuminations and a more expensive meal I say Chefs de France and ask to be seated by a window if you are going to be eating late enough for Illuminations. The view won't be as great as outdoors in England but you will definitely enjoy yourself.

Have a great time!

 

[tar heel]

I certainly wouldn't go to Rose and Crown if you have Wishes AND a viewing place for Illuminations. I'd definitely go for something more expensive, then walk outside and see Illuminations. I don't totally understand your post, but it sounds like you may be planning to watch Illuminations twice -- is that the case?

Bistro de Paris is the most $$$ restaurant in Epcot -- how about it? I personally like Marrakesh, Le Cellier, Chefs de France, San Angel Inn, Teppanyaki and Akershus -- in other words, all the sit-dow restaurants we've tried -- better than Rose and Crown. We've not eaten at the bistro, though, b/c of the price.

 

[tanprofessional]

Thank you for the feed back so far!! I was reading and noticed I was asked to clarify a few things. We are doing the Silver Plan so we have priority viewing for Illuminations. I am trying to get suggestions on good restraunts convient to the area and timing of Illuminations. We will only have one shot at each parks nighttime show due to being in the parks only 3 nights and 4 days.
So my goal is to make a priority seating for a restraunt that is worth the wishes and convient to the time and place to view Illuminations. And the Restraunt itself does not need to offer a view of Illuminations.

Please pardon the newbie!!!! (me)

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I would suggest LeCellier in Canada. They have wonderful steaks, a great chedder cheese beer soup and good desserts. You could take advantage of your Silver Plan there very nicely. If your view area is near UK in that little area they keep roped off, you are just a short walk away... only one country.

 

[tanprofessional]

Thank you!! Le Cellier sounds perfect!! The DBF really wanted to dine at Shula's but it is in the Dolphin and does not take wishes. So this sounds like he will still get a great steak!!
I figure we will be resting in the afternoon at the resort then go back in the late afternoon evening to the parks. I prefer dining at the parks so we can get in a few more rides, have dinner then see the nightime shows and visit Pleasure Island!!!

I can't wait!!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

You could also consider the Yachtsman Steakhouse located at the Yacht Club resort for dinner. This is one of the restaurants they showed on the travel channels "a fans guide to WDW". You could go right out the Int'l gateway and either take a leisurely stroll to the resort or hop on the resort boat. The Boardwalk also has some great after park night spots to visit and it's really convenient to Epcot.

Tammi

 

[BCV23]

I second Yachtsman's for steak. We think the steaks there are much better than Le Cellier. Bistro de Paris as someone else noted is very expensive and very good too. Flying Fish at the Boardwalk might be another idea.

 

[two-foxes]

Originally posted by tanprofessional
Thank you for the feed back so far!! I was reading and noticed I was asked to clarify a few things. We are doing the Silver Plan so we have priority viewing for Illuminations. I am trying to get suggestions on good restraunts convient to the area and timing of Illuminations. We will only have one shot at each parks nighttime show due to being in the parks only 3 nights and 4 days.
So my goal is to make a priority seating for a restraunt that is worth the wishes and convient to the time and place to view Illuminations. And the Restraunt itself does not need to offer a view of Illuminations.

Please pardon the newbie!!!! (me)

Just an FYI....if you priority viewing is at the Morocco Boat dock, it is not the best view. It is nice because you don't have to wait for your area, but the view isn't all that good at all. If you have an opportunity, see the Illuminations twice and find a better viewing spot the second time around....
Yachtmans is pretty darn good, as is Bistro, but stay away from Marrakesh, blaaacchhhh (just one persons opinion though!) We have PS for R&C at 8:00...we're trying to get some good viewing seats...we'll see how it works out!

 

[gogiant]

We just came back and booked Rose and Crown just for the sake of having this great view for Illuniations. While the food was tasty, our food did not come until Illuminations was just beginning (7:40 reservation) and they sat us on the side of the wall even though we had asked the hostess as well as when we made the reservations (months in advance) for the outside seating. If I had to do it over again, I would just watch it from outside - it's not like you can't see it. It's in the sky and over the whole lagoon - why be trapped inside a restaurant?

 

[wmarsich]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but... I just changed our PS's from Le Collier to the Yachtsman due to all the positive reviews. Tammi mentioned a quick way to get there from the international gateway using a boat?? I'm not at all familiar with Epcot or the Boardwalk. Where do you walk or catch the boat??? Can you see illuminations from the boardwalk? We have PS's for 7:00 and the fireworks are at 9:00. Will this be enough time??? Thanks!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I know I recommended LeCellier, but I prefer Yachtsman, too. I was thinking LeCellier so it would be really close for viewing Illuminations.

If one wants to go to Yachtsman from Epcot, exit thru the International Gateway between UK and France. Head down the path way and exit the park. Don't forget get your hand stamped. The boat dock will be there on your left and you can take it to the YC/BC or you can walk.

If you want to walk, follow the path to the right, keeping the lake on your left. You will pass the Beach Club, the dock, and then come to the Yacht Club. Follow the sidewalk into the resort and head right to get to the Yachtsman.

You can see Illuminations from the bridge along the walkway, but not very well. So much goes on low on the lake and you will miss all that.

I think you should be fine with a 7pm PS, with one problem. The problem is finding a good viewing spot comiing back in that late. I would change it to a bit earlier unless you are on the Silver plan with the viewing area.

 

[wmarsich]

Thanks for the detailed reply Coolcat! I'll take your advise and change those PS's to 6:30!

 

[tanprofessional]

I think I am still sold on Le Cellier just because it is in the park itself. That to me will maximize that all important park time one needs when they only have 4 days!!

Somone mentioned above about the viewing area near Morroco not being the best. That is the priority viewing area for the folks on the Silver Plan. Is there a better viewing area besides obviously an Illuminations cruise?