How do I book Rose & Crown for Illuminations

[pandamom]

I was unable to get an Illuminations cruise and thought watching from R&C might be a good 2nd choice. We are going in November so what time should I book for? Do I just book a regular ps and hope to get patio or request patio at time of booking?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Suzanne033]

I would like to know this as well. Anyone??

 

[Tess]

Do I just book a regular ps and hope to get patio or request patio at time of booking?

Yep, depending on what time in November your luck could be better than at a busy time of year. We have tried this several times and never received patio seating and the arrangements were booked by the concierge staff. I believe they (R&C staff) were trying to hold us off one night (in order to seat us on the patio) and we waited well over an hour after our PS and then it started storming so there were no outside seatings. We were able to go outside once Illuminations began and had the entire lower patio to ourselves--it had stopped storming at that point and there was no one seated on the lower patio.

Concierge always recommended a 7:45 p.m. PS in hopes that you would be seated in time for Illuminations and on the patio. Of course, I've seen people book a 6:00 p.m. PS and then sit and sit and sit until 9:00 p.m.--personally, I'd feel pretty awful not turning the table, then again--that's me.

You can certainly ask for outdoor seating at the time you check-in to which you should receive the following reply: "Seating is assigned on a first available basis for your size party. When called you will be seated accordingly." In other words, it's the luck of the draw. I think they have become a bit testy over the years with so many people requesting it.

Personally, I prefer the outdoor cantina in Mexico--another place you need to stake out around 6:00 p.m. in order to have a seat on the water! For me, the view is much better. Oh yeah, I have no problem purchasing food items and drinks at this place to fill the time.

 

[luvsTink]

How much seating is available on the patio at R&C? We will be traveling mid-January and at Epcot on a Thursday....

I don't want to end up "stuck" inside during illuminations....and with kids (5&7) camping at the Cantina at 6:00 is very unappealing.

hmm, what to do, what to do.....


Anne

 

[Tess]

How much seating is available on the patio at R&C? We will be traveling mid-January and at Epcot on a Thursday....

I really have no idea the capacity of the outdoor seating area--it's equivalent to the frontage of R&C with an upper and lower level and seating along the perimeter of each level.

Why not make your reservation as outlined above and simply refuse the table if you aren't seated as you desire. Of course the drawback is that by that time other choice viewing locations will be secured by others AND you won't have had dinner. Then again, the odds for attaining the seating you desire are better in January than June AND if not, the viewing crowd would certainly be considerably less than a prime season.

We rather enjoy camping in the Cantina. Our kids are older (teens) so they are otherwise occupied until closer in time to Illuminations. My husband and I use the time to enjoy each other's company, have some cocktails, and snack. . .quite lovely actually.

 

[doodle]

Hi pandamom,
While I hate to discourage you I do want to add that outdoor seating at Rose and Crown for Illuminations is definitely "iffy". I completely agree with Tess that the staff there is less patient with the request to sit outside than they used to be. I think it is a very popular request now and they can only seat so many outside. When I go with that hope (to see Illuminations on the patio) I remember that it is just that - a hope. It may or may not happen. My advice is only plan to eat there if you like the food/menu and would be okay with standing on the patio behind other diners for Illuminations. Hope this has helped!

 

[jann1033]

we went to the cantina in jan just for a churro and it was empty...this maybe 8 or so, so i don't think you'd have to camp there that long ( unless more crowds cause of food and wine) maybe just pop back and forth( save that general area to do till about 7 or so ) and sit down once it looks like it's getting busy..remember there are seats in the "bar area" also which was completely empty except for 1 table when we went .

 

[Sunkissed]

When I booked the CP pkg. for 12/3, we were able to secure an 8pm PS for R&C. During CP, Illuminations is at 9:30pm, so we are hoping for a patio table. Obviously, it is hit-or-miss, but every guidebook I've read suggested booking a PS 1hr, 15 mins. in advance of Illuminations, if you hope to view the show from a patio table. Hope that helps. I'll be sure to include this info in my trip report when I get back.

 

[pandamom]

Thanks everyone for the input. We will probably play it by ear and check out both sites the day we are there. We like both the cantina and r&c so either would be great.


Thanks

 

[jxgallan]

Hi, our first trip to Disney and I can't wait. I have booked a CP package for the Rose and Crown and realize by reading the threads that is it only hope that will get you a patio seat (especially since we have a party of 7).

However, if I follow correctly, if you are seated inside at the Rose and Crown, you can go outside on the patio when Illuminations starts? Does anyone know if this is encouraged by the CMs or do you have to just get up and do it??

Many thanks, I love these forums

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

I think if you let the CM know when you are seated that you want to be outside for the show they will time your meal accordingly and then take you to a veiwing area and in front of a wall you can lean against, so that you area not in front of the seated dinners.

 

[Suzanne74]

Okay we just returned and here is what we saw..

We walked right in and got a patio table at 8pm at the R&C. It was not at a good sight area for Illuminations though but our waiter said the lower patio deck was closed but we could go down there for the show, just no food down there. So we were almost done our dinner around 8:55 and he told us to head on down. Most of the others in the "bad" patio seating and inside seating were down there hanging out with their wine, beers etc... Our dd age 3 HATED Illuminations - was extremely too loud so DH took her back to the table and I watched it. After the show was over, everyone either cleared out or went back to their tables. It was nice to finish up and our waiter even offered to get us more beverages, dessert etc.. It was nice to hang out watching the crowds leave.

Now on another night we were in Mexico and were starving. We went to the Cantina to eat around 8:30 and there were tables available. We ate real quick and DH took dd inside Mexico and I watched it again (I wanted to videotape it) and I thought the view was much better there. But you can't make ressies there and if you are going when it is crowded, it might be tougher.