Illuminations and La Hacienda de San Angel

[psimon]

We are considering trying La Hacienda de San Angel.

First, opinions of that restaurant?

Second, on a summer night, when the park closes at 9PM, I assume that Illuminations will be at 9PM as well. What is a good time to request a seating at La Hacienda de San Angel so that we could be there to watch Illuminations from our table? How long do they allow you to drag out dinner so you can be there at 9PM? Do they expect you to keep eating in order to stay there?

Third.. how good is the view? Is it worth the trouble to be there for Illuminations?

Any info on doing this would be greatly appreciated....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

I will try to help but hopefully someone else will provide more info. I was at La Hacienda in Dec, food was good. A little on the spicy side, but I like that type of food. Good Mexican food choices.
I don't recall an area where you could see Illuminations from restaurant?? Next door to La Hacienda is a counter service restaurant La Cantina that they just renovated. You can get counter service food and tables do overlook the lagoon. Not sure how the view is, but would think it is decent. You cannot make a reservation there, but if you arrived an hour or so before Illuminations, you might get a table. I would think this is popular, just like at Rose and Crown. People stake out a spot 1 1/2 hours before, get counter service and wait.
You are correct that Illuminations will be at 9pm. It is usually at 9pm even if the park has EMH. Once in a while it is moved to 930, but it will be posted that day.

 

[jmkst58]

we just tried to do this last friday (one week ago today)- the whole experience was just--- mehhh....


#1- EVERYONE was asking for a window table and were being told that it would be a very long wait- so i didn't even ask...

(i mean people were being RIDICULOUS with threats and begging and "it's my anniversary- wink, wink"). I was embarassed for them.

so anyway-- we were put in a side room with no view. Which was fine- whatever- I've seen the show a dozen times- we'd just skip it.

We were still there when the show started so my 10 year old wanted to get a closer look so she went into the main room and a CM actually grabbed us and put us in an empty booth so that we could watch from there. (I CMs). Anyway- it wasn't against the window- but you could still see--- and mehhhhhhh.... it was just ok. I really would never even begin to go out of my way for it ever again. I didn't think the view was special at all- I think there are many, many better views.

Anyway- to each their own and you might think the view is PERFECT. Please decide for yourself.


Anway- the service was good. I loved our waiter. Food came out a little slow- but i doubt it was his fault- i liked him and thought he was very attentive.

The food was a little spicy for me- but that is me. I tihnk my DH thought the spice level was fine. But none of us thought is was GREAT food. Just- meh.. whether spicy or not.

It would take a lot to get me to go back. Although the food was fine- the view was fine. And I really liked our server. I just think there are better places.

My 2 cents-- and I could definitely see where some people may fall in love. Nothing was wrong or bad about the restaurant. (except how badly the other patrons were acting to get window tables. I wanted to grab the guy in front of us and scream 'Seriously- ask them to note your request and then WALK AWAY, man.... WALK AWAY!!'). sheeesh. I think he begged and threatened for 7 minutes straight. A grown man.

 

[mousekatool]

I can't speak to the Illuminations question, since our ADR was early in the evening, but the views from our table were very nice, and we weren't even right next to the window. The food was good when we were there. I didn't think it was as spicy as others seem to, but I like it hot. I'd go back.

 

[WEDWDW]

FWIW,this is my experience with Hacienda and IllumiNations:

I was "Pixie Dusted"(did not make ANY request) with a GREAT "IllumiNations view window table" at Hacienda during my trip in December.

It was AWESOME and since it was FREEZING outside it was more "awesomer" to watch from indoors as I enjoyed a great meal.

It was really cool-they pipe in the IllumiNations music.At the moment that the Narrator "blows out" the Lagoon Torches,the lights in Hacienda are dimmed.

Although I had a GREAT experience,there are VERY,VERY few "prime" tables.

Hacienda just isn't "set up" very well to provide a great IllumiNations experience for A LOT of Guests,only a FEW.

I would not encourage anyone to make a Reservation there JUST for the IllumiNations experience,unless the Guest goes in with a "if we get a "good" table,fine,if we don't,fine" attitude.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We went when it first opened. It was during the soft opening and they still were not taking ADR's. It was AWESOME! The place was empty and the CM's were very attentive. We got a window seat (but didn't realize that we would see illuminations.) From the window with the food it was awesome. I can see where most of the restaurant probably wouldn't have a great view. It's all in the luck of the draw. We are going back in May and have planned a 7:15 ADR in hopes of seeing it.... but we don't really care if we miss it either. So for us it really is a no loss situation. Good food and the possibility of seeing a show. We'd go without the show though.

 

[jabead]

DH and I really enjoyed our dinner at La Hacienda in Nov. Our ADR was for 7:30. We weren't in a hurry to eat so asked if we could wait for a table near a window. We ended up waiting about an hour and were seated one table over from the window. I took this picture from our table.

If you'd like to see more pictures of both the food and Illuminations, here is a link to my Dining Review:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2600277&page=10