Illuminations and Rose and Crown

[Chip Endale]

Hi all.

On the cusp of PS time and would love to know just how great it would be to view Illuminations from the Rose and Crown. I would love to hear from those who have had this experience and would share. Thanks.

 

[danacath]

We were on the covered patio about 2 years ago, and I was disappointed. It may have just been our particular table that was the problem, though. We weren't right on the railing, so the roof blocked our view of the fireworks. DS was able to go out closer to the water to watch and then he had a nice view. It was too crowded for us to join him, though. On a positive note, we all enjoyed our meal at R&C very much.

The past two times that we've watched Illuminations , we've just stood along the walkways and have had great views. HTH

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Sorry for those who've read my posts on the disappointment of having tried to watch from the patio before but we had a terrible time.

The CM's were very unhelpful about us getting a patio seat - not quite rude but they must hear someone ask for outside seating several times every night. If fact I just made another PS for Dec. at the Rose and Crown and the CM at WDW DINE read off a spiel about no quaranteed outside seating so this must be a problem for the crew.

Of course we ended up inside with the CM's assuring us we could go on the back patio when illuminations began. We were instead escorted to the side patio under a tree you couldn't see a thing because we stood behind 6 ft men AND under a tree. Our view was completely obstructed and the wind blew ashes in our face. We were knocked around by a crowd. With so many people talking so closely we couldn't hear the music.

It was a beyond a dissapointment. We would have been much better off to pick a spot at 7:30 and gotten a take out dinner and sat outside.

I don't need to tell you the completely clueless family behind us with NO PS got a beautiful outside patio seat.

 

[circus slim]

We've been a couple of times and thought it was the very best experience we had watching Illuminations. We've made 7:30 reservations and let our server know immediately that we wanted to sit outside for the show. One time they were happy to oblige, the other time they were not so hoppy, but we pressed the point and were seated outside after dinner.

On both occasions we sat right on the rail and had a completely unobstructed view of the show.

Sipping on a beer with Illluminations unfolding directly in front of us was a truly marvelous experience.

I'm sorry it didn't work so well for the other folks posting here, but I highly recommend it!

 

[swanmom]

Twice we've had the same experience as Circus Slim. Beautiful table with wonderful view of Illuminations. My suggestion is to make a slightly earlier reservation. We had reservations at 6:50 p.m. When we checked in, we nicely and extremely politely requested a patio table with a view and made it clear that we knew these were in demand and were not guarenteed and we were willing to be patient and wait. The host seemed to appreciate that we were not expecting that we were entitled to a patio table. We were seated at around 7:25. You have to be prepared to have a longer meal. We ordered drinks, then appetizers, then main course, then dessert and after-dinner drinks. (We made sure to compensate our waiter very well.)

The next suggestion is to be aware when you make this reservation you are taking a chance and that many factors affect the host's ability to accommodate you (most of them are out of his control.) If you get a great seat, wonderful! If you don't, you have a fine meal in a fun surrounding. If you're the type to get angry or annoyed if you can't get the table you want, this probably isn't for you.

 

[Chip Endale]

I will take a chance following your recomendations, thank you. I am pretty patient especially if it has a happy outcome. We'll be only 2 so we could just try again if all else fails. We plan on seeing Illuminations a few times from different locations anyway.
Thanks again.

 

[Kallison]

Our trip end of August we walked up to podium during the afternoon around 2pm and asked about our chances of getting patio seating for 7. A very nice British lady said she would do her very best. Our ressie was for 7:40 she told us to check in at 7:30. At 7:30 we checked in, they said come back in about 20 minutes, then give your names. At this point I didn't have high hopes, we caught British Invasion, I went to restroom with DD and DH checked in AGAIN at about 7:50. DH came rushing out to get me and said hurry, hurry we have the perfect table and we did. We were on the lower patio, we had a wonderful meal, I kept asking my family over and over - Do you know how lucky we are?? It was one of the highlights. Of course the kids could have cared less, in fact DD had to go to the bathroom again about 2 minutes before Illuminations started. I think we set a record for dashing across the street and back again. She has been known to spend 30 minutes in a stall and I warned her to not even try it tonight - lol!

 

[rip109]

Having eaten at the Rose and Crown several times once on the upper patio and once lower, I can say that both locations offer some of the best viewing of Illuminations. Nothing better than watching the child whom was chosen to start Illuminations with the "Magic Wand" The look on their face when that first firework shoots out from the UK to start the show is priceless. Obviously the lower pation is an unrestriced view, but either way you cant go wrong.Of course it may just be because my son works here! NO really you cant miss viewing from the Rose and Crown.