Garden Grill ADR time and Illuminations

[quest4dl]

I just made ADRs for our upcoming trip in the third week of March. We are a party of 7 so I could only get Garden Grill for 4:10 or 7:10 - I chose the 7:10 ADR because the other is too early for dinner. Will we get out in time to stake out a decent spot to watch Illuminations at 9 pm?

 

[cole4/25]

We eat there in 2 days!!! But ............. last time we were in WDW we ate at the Coral Reef - can't remember what time our ressies were for but I planned it so we could make it out in time to see Illuminations. As it turned out they were sooo backed up we ended up missing Illuminations! And with a party of 7 just to be safe I would take the earlier one! I'm still upset we missed Illuminations - that's why Epcot is our first stop with a 5:25 ressie so there is NO WAY we will miss them this time!
Hope that helps................

 

[figment_jii]

Are you fast or slow eaters? Are you fast or slow walkers? The Land is pretty close to WS, so it won't take you very long to get there after dinner, but that's probably not going to be the make or break issue.

As the PP indicated, there is always the possibility that the restaurant is running behind.

Overall, you need to ask yourself, which is more important: eating at Garden Grill during a 'normal' dinner time or seeing IllumiNations? If the answer is seeing IllumiNations, then go with the earlier seating. That way you won't spend the entire meal looking at your watch worrying about the time.

My guess says that with seven people and a little under two hours for dinner, you'll probably make it out just about the time IllumiNations start (assuming you eat fairly quickly). You'd be able to see it, but not 'stake out' a spot or be at the front near the railing.

 

[littlelaura]

from what i can remember, our meal took about 1hr (from when we were seated); there were 5 of us. we checked in slightly early, and had to wait about 20mins to be seated. If the restaurant is running on time, you should be out in enough time to see illuminations, although wont get front of railing spot. enjoy

 

[quest4dl]

Thanks! Seems a little tight so I think we will try to plan for Illuminations on another night. I've made most of my ADRs so trying to plan around those.