Dinner at Rose and Crown before Illuminations...

[maurihart]

Just made a reservation for Rose and Crown for our last night at WDW in October. I had planned on being at DTD that night but moved it to Thursday so we can take the kids to Rainforest Cafe (we don't have those here and Friday night had no reservations before 9pm). So, Friday night I want to do Illuminations since we won't be able to do that Thursday night now. Just worried that we won't like Rose and Crown. My reservations are for 7:10. Will we be hurried out before the show? Also wondering if we should just do DTD for dinner again that night and then bus to Epcot for Illuminations. We will be at POR and I think the kids will like ferrying to DTD for dinner. That day we will be doing a a waterpark.

 

[nkereina]

You won't be rushed at R&C. We have found R&C to be extremely busy at this time, but didn't feel pressured to get out. We had a 7:35 ADR and had to wait 20 minutes in line just to check into the ADR, and another 20 minutes to be seated. We were seated on the upper patio and had an obstructed view of Illuminations. Our food came out pretty quick (and we were on DxDP so we had apps to), and our dessert had just come out when Illuminations was starting. We were told we could move to the standing room section to see better but we didn't since we were still eating. Glad we tried it once, but I won't go out of my way to do it again.

 

[darkwing818]

Just made a reservation for Rose and Crown for our last night at WDW in October. I had planned on being at DTD that night but moved it to Thursday so we can take the kids to Rainforest Cafe (we don't have those here and Friday night had no reservations before 9pm). So, Friday night I want to do Illuminations since we won't be able to do that Thursday night now. Just worried that we won't like Rose and Crown. My reservations are for 7:10. Will we be hurried out before the show? Also wondering if we should just do DTD for dinner again that night and then bus to Epcot for Illuminations. We will be at POR and I think the kids will like ferrying to DTD for dinner. That day we will be doing a a waterpark.

7:10 might be iffy... We usually book 8:00 & haven't had any issues.

 

[Ro Z]

Just made a reservation for Rose and Crown for our last night at WDW in October. I had planned on being at DTD that night but moved it to Thursday so we can take the kids to Rainforest Cafe (we don't have those here and Friday night had no reservations before 9pm). So, Friday night I want to do Illuminations since we won't be able to do that Thursday night now. Just worried that we won't like Rose and Crown. My reservations are for 7:10. Will we be hurried out before the show? Also wondering if we should just do DTD for dinner again that night and then bus to Epcot for Illuminations. We will be at POR and I think the kids will like ferrying to DTD for dinner. That day we will be doing a a waterpark.

Try calling RFC direct if you want something earlier. there have been many posts saying they don't give Disney a lot of reservation times and you have a better chance getting seating thru them. I did it once years ago and got exactly when I wanted. We liked R+C. They have changed the menu since we were there last March. Our reservation was 7:20 and when we were seated (outside) The girl said 'perfect view of the fireworks'. We took that to mean they did not expect us to leave before them. We didn't!! We did have drinks before ordering apps. Then didn't order dinner until apps were done, same with dessert. It was a fantastic evening! We were not rushed at all! ENJOY!

 

[purple figment]

In October, IllumiNations will be at 10 PM on Friday nights because of Food & Wine so you're looking at sitting at R&C for almost 3 hours. Service tends to be pretty fast once you're seated so even if they're running behind schedule it may be a lot of waiting after you've finished eating, although they won't pressure you to leave.

If you want to eat at RFC, you can call the restaurant directly because they only release a small percentage of tables to the Disney res system. If you call, you'll have a very good chance of getting the time you want. The phone number for the DTD location is (407) 827-8500.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The food is pretty good at Rose & Crown. We enjoy it.


If you want to get the Illuminations experience without buying the food...you can sit at the tables next to the restaurant. Some people get food from the UK Counter Service Fish & Chips place and eat at the tables next to Rose & Crown.

 

[maxiesmom]

In October, IllumiNations will be at 10 PM on Friday nights because of Food & Wine so you're looking at sitting at R&C for almost 3 hours. Service tends to be pretty fast once you're seated so even if they're running behind schedule it may be a lot of waiting after you've finished eating, although they won't pressure you to leave.

From what I can find currently Illuminations only has one 10 pm Friday night so far, Oct 18. Though that can change.

OP--Just be aware that not every table has a view of Illuminations. And they will no longer allow you to wait for a table that does, you have to take the table they have ready for you.

 

[mousefan73]

We did this two years ago. Was awesome. We had the furtherst outside table to the left. like or own private water terrace..

AND the best was this food there was one of our favorites! To be honest we were not too excited ( british food???) but the choices, quantity and quality were great. I'd eat there again.

 

[Disney Vegas Couple]

Also wondering if we should just do DTD for dinner again that night and then bus to Epcot for Illuminations. We will be at POR and I think the kids will like ferrying to DTD for dinner.

To get from DTD to Epcot you would have to take a bus to another resort then take a second bus to Epcot. No direct bus from DTD. This might help you decide where to have dinner depending on how much time you have.

 

[purple figment]

From what I can find currently Illuminations only has one 10 pm Friday night so far, Oct 18. Though that can change.

OP--Just be aware that not every table has a view of Illuminations. And they will no longer allow you to wait for a table that does, you have to take the table they have ready for you.

According to the Travel Agents calendar (updated on 6/28/13) every Friday and Saturday in October is listing IllumiNations at 10 PM. Schedules can change up to the last minute, but I've found this calendar to be fairly reliable and updated sooner than many other sites. Last year was the first time they extended WS hours until 10:00 on most Fridays and Saturdays during F&W.

Here's a link to the calendar:
http://media.disneywebcontent.com/S.../pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_oct.pdf

If you are seated at an indoor table or on the patio without a view of the middle of the lagoon, R&C has a viewing area adjacent to the patio that is exclusive to R&C diners. Let your server know you want to see the fireworks, remind them just before the start and they will show you to the viewing area.