How is Rose and Crown for watching Illuminations?

[tx2tn]

We are going to WDW in February and would like to watch illuminations from one of the restaurants.

Is Rose and Crown a good choice for this? When is the optimum time to set up your reservation?

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I've heard great things about R&C, as well as La Hacienda.

I've never eaten in either, so I'm not speaking from experience, tho.

Illuminations starts at 9:00PM - so your time for dinner would depend on how crowded the time of year would be. When we were making plans last year, we were advised to make ADR's around 7 - 7:30 PM. We were there during peak summer hours and people were saying to try an earlier time, just in case we had to wait for our table.

HTH.

 

[catheren]

Rose and Crowne is a great spot to watch Illuminations, but only if you get a table out-side. And they do not guareentee the table, or let you wait for the outside tables. So it really is the "luck of the draw". They also will not let you stay at your table for more than 2 hours. (i.e. people in the past made 5pm ADR's, and slowly ordered, some people had 1 in there party sit there while the rest of the party went around the park).

We usually make 7:30pm ADR's, and again it is a hit or miss to get a table outside. They do allow the inside diners, to stand outside and see the show but they but stay behind the outside table diners.

Hope this helps.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We've eaten there twice and both times got an outdoor table for Illuminations! It was perfect! (We are a party of 2, though, so I think that helps us.) Our ADRs were for around 7:15-7:30, if I'm remembering correctly. At that point, they expect that you are going to stay. In fact, when they were seating us, the said something about having a great view for the fireworks.

 

[Hopefully]

Rose & Crown is great for Illuminations. I would make a 7:30 - 7:45 ADR.
If you do not get an outside table, there is a private viewing area for R & C guests. The CM will take you there.
La Hacienda only has few inside tables with Illuminations view. Most do not.
Have a Great Dinner

 

[purple figment]

We've eaten at Rose & Crown and viewed IllumiNations from there many times. Many people request a table on the patio, but the CMs at the podium may or may not allow you to wait for one, depending on how busy the restaurant is or if they are allowing it. Also, not all tables on the patio have a clear view of all the fireworks.

If you are seated inside the restaurant tell your server you would like to see IllumiNations and they will pace your dinner accordingly. Just before the start of the show they will escort you to the viewing area reserved for R&C diners. It is a separate area adjacent to the patio. Afterwards you can return to finish your dinner.

We've found that a reservation around 7:30 allows for enough time to be seated even if the restaurant is seating late or if you have to wait for a patio table. If you're seated on time you will probably finish just a little before IllumiNations.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

A few notes here...

A previous poster noted that Illuminations is at 9, but there are some times of year when it's at 9:30. So, you'll want to bump the ideal time back to 8-8:30p if you're going when it's at 9:30. Either way- check the calendar to determine the time before you book. *EDIT* nevermind- you're going in Feb, so it looks like it is a 9pm showing

Additionally, another poster noted that your server will bring you out to a reserved area for viewing if you're seated inside. While this seems to be the norm, do not count on it either. We tried this last December- spoke to our server about it- was promised she'd take us out and it never happened. I was furious! To top it off- we were seated inside b/c they said there was no space outside. Well, when we took matters into our own hands to find a viewing spot (after the show had started ), we saw MANY open spots on the patio. Our server was pretty ticked off, but she failed to get us out to see the show and she and the hostess staff wasn't exactly honest about patio seating.

To make it even worse- this was the first thing I booked on day 180 and the best time I could get was 7:45p. I tried every day, multiple times per day, for a better slot...and never found anything better. I expected a packed house, but I'd say the place was less than 50% filled on the night we dined. I know they hold some spots at that time of year for Candlelight Processional, but this was just insane.

In any event, while we've heard it's nice to view Illuminations from R&C, after this fiasco - we'd never try it again. We'd eat there again, but the staff really messed this up for us from the Illuminations standpoint.

 

[tx2tn]

I've heard great things about R&C, as well as La Hacienda.

HTH.

I was told on another threadthat La Hacienda was in fact a poor location to view illuminations from. Apparently there are not very many tables that allow viewing of the fireworks.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks for pointing that out, tx2tn.
Good info to know...

 

[figment_jii]

Additionally, another poster noted that your server will bring you out to a reserved area for viewing if you're seated inside. While this seems to be the norm, do not count on it either. We tried this last December- spoke to our server about it- was promised she'd take us out and it never happened. I was furious! To top it off- we were seated inside b/c they said there was no space outside. Well, when we took matters into our own hands to find a viewing spot (after the show had started ), we saw MANY open spots on the patio. Our server was pretty ticked off, but she failed to get us out to see the show and she and the hostess staff wasn't exactly honest about patio seating.

Sounds like you had a bad experience. We've eaten at R&C several times and it has gone really well every time. We usually tell the server at the start of the meal and then remind him/her near the start time. They've always gotten us out in plenty of time and none of the servers seemed annoyed. With regards to the patio table, it is possible that there were no patio tables available when you were seated, but they opened up later. When I was out on the patio, I was surprised how many tables emptied within 30 minutes of the start of the show.

With regards to the viewing area, it was a great view of the show:

 

[purple figment]

A few notes here...


Additionally, another poster noted that your server will bring you out to a reserved area for viewing if you're seated inside. While this seems to be the norm, do not count on it either. We tried this last December- spoke to our server about it- was promised she'd take us out and it never happened. I was furious! When seated inside, we always let the server know that we want to go outside to see IllumiNations, then remind him/her again a little in advance. They've always been very gracious about taking us out to the viewing area.

To top it off- we were seated inside b/c they said there was no space outside. Well, when we took matters into our own hands to find a viewing spot (after the show had started ), we saw MANY open spots on the patio. There might have been empty tables because a number of the tables actually have obstructed views due to the awnings or where the tables are placed. so people got up and moved. Not all of the patio tables have good views. Once a family asked if they could sit behind our table because their patio table had NO view of the fireworks. Our server was pretty ticked off, but she failed to get us out to see the show and she and the hostess staff wasn't exactly honest about patio seating.

To make it even worse- this was the first thing I booked on day 180 and the best time I could get was 7:45p. I tried every day, multiple times per day, for a better slot...and never found anything better. I expected a packed house, but I'd say the place was less than 50% filled on the night we dined. I know they hold some spots at that time of year for Candlelight Processional, but this was just insane. I agree that it was hard to get reservations for December. Much of the afternoon and early evening was blocked out for CP so that left far less availability than usual. Unfortunately I think people took what they could get, then didn't bother to cancel or show up when their plans changed.

.

Sorry you had such an awful experience. If you're willing to be proactive about going outside, you can have a great view from the R&C viewing area.

 

[tx2tn]

I just made 7:15 pm reservations for our trip. We are excited.

Anyone want to give us some suggestions on what to eat??

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Sounds like you had a bad experience. We've eaten at R&C several times and it has gone really well every time. We usually tell the server at the start of the meal and then remind him/her near the start time. They've always gotten us out in plenty of time and none of the servers seemed annoyed. With regards to the patio table, it is possible that there were no patio tables available when you were seated, but they opened up later. When I was out on the patio, I was surprised how many tables emptied within 30 minutes of the start of the show.

QUOTE]

Sorry you had such an awful experience. If you're willing to be proactive about going outside, you can have a great view from the R&C viewing area.

I'm guessing we just had a very bad experience; however, I have encountered a few other people with similar negative experiences. It's too bad b/c the meal itself was great. In any event...We brought it up with our server multiple times during the meal and a couple of times around the time they light the torches. She assured us she'd get us out to watch Illuminations. I believe DH was the one who took a trip outside early in the meal and saw there were many spots to sit outside - which continued to be the case when we ran out to catch the remainder of the show. I know some were obstructed view spots, but obstructed view is still better than being left inside with no view. I'd say R&C - inside and out - was no more than 50% capacity that night. Normally, we just find a good spot along the WS, but this was our girls' first trip - so we were just trying to find something a little bit easier for them. Oh well.

 

[ZoZo]

Be aware that,even if you get patio seating, your view might be obstructed. We were seated on the patio up against the building, underneath an awning. Couln't see at all, and had to get up and walk over to the "standing room" viewing area, which was a little crowded. I was disappointed!

 

[HolliePoppins]

We ate here this past sept. for the first time. I made a 7:45 ressie. We did arrive about 15 or 20 min. early. I asked for an outside table and was told they could not garuantee(sp?) it but they would try. We waited 10 or 15 min. and were taken to an outside table. We ordered apps, entrees and dessert. We did space out the ordering by not ordering the second course until we were done with the first and so on. This led to us having our dessert served just as Illuminations was starting. It was great especially because it was raining that night so we had a nice dry view.

As for the food. I thought it was excellent.
Apps.- Scotch egg and the trio of cheeses. Both were so good.
Entree-Grilled sirlion,sunday roast, and fish & chips. All were very good.
Dessert-sticky toffee pudding. So so yummy!

We will definately eat here again.

 

[nkereina]

Didn't read all the posts so sorry if I'm repeating things.

We had a 7:35pm ADR for 9pm Illuminations at R&C back in September. They were very very busy at this time - not sure if that's typical, but I'd assume so. It took us a good 20 mins to get through the line to check-in for the ADR, and then another 20 mins to be seated, so we weren't sat until about 8:15 but that was fine by us. We got a table outside on the upper patio, which turned out to be not that great of a table. We had to lean down a little to see the show, and missed some of the higher fireworks because of the awning blocking our view. Our server did tell us to feel free to move around or over to the viewing area for a better view, but since we were seated late, we were still eating our dessert and would have much rather sat than stand after a long day. We also thought the food there was just mediocre. So, overall, our experience at R&C for Illuminations was just ok. I'd try another restaurant on the lagoon some time if I could coordinate the times, but next time I think we'll just find a spot to watch from.

 

[Muddypaws]

We have a reservation made at the RandC on Feb. 16. The latest I was able to book a table was at 7:15 (and this was on the 180 day exactly!). I am worried that with 2 kids this will be too early. Will the staff have a problem with us dawdling through our meal so that we are there for Illuminations? Or will it just be pretty much assumed that we will be waiting for the fireworks?

 

[mirage0306]

I think a reservation around 7:30 - 7:45 would be perfect. We had a 6:55 pm reservation and were seated *very* late, but it ended up working out great. We had a patio table and the view of Illuminations was amazing! It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.

 

[tink2]

We've eaten at R&C twice for fireworks. The first time was not so good~ had to literally shove our way into the area they have for viewing. This past week, Christmas week, we had reservations at 8:05. Fireworks were at 9:30. We spoke to them when we checked in for our reservation about our past experience and asked how the firework viewing area would be handled that night. they were super nice. They ensured we would have a great spot. they came to get us first at 9:20~ we had front row of their little area. then they got everyone else. and I don't know why, but honestly, the area they have wasn't even full. so it was wonderful this time. Definitely made it worth eating there to get that spot~ especially as busy as it was (this was Wednesday~ when the other three parks were closing with phase 2 earlier in the day). I suggest if you eat there, to discuss it with the person checking you in and they will speak to the waiter/ waitress. they were very nice and accomidating

 

[nkereina]

We have a reservation made at the RandC on Feb. 16. The latest I was able to book a table was at 7:15 (and this was on the 180 day exactly!). I am worried that with 2 kids this will be too early. Will the staff have a problem with us dawdling through our meal so that we are there for Illuminations? Or will it just be pretty much assumed that we will be waiting for the fireworks?

I guarantee you will not be seated at 7:15. From experiences I've read and from my own experience, it will probably be a good 20-30 mins after that, in which case you shouldn't have a problem staying for fireworks. They are very busy at this time and the seating seems to run late. Most everyone at that time intends to stay for the fireworks so just let your server know you plan to stay so he or she can expect it.