Illuminations from R&C

[HappyGramma]

I was thinking about doing ps for dinner at R&C for 7:30 and asking for a table outside (weather permitting) and telling them that I would wait so that we culd watch Illuminations from there. Then I read on another board that they are not letting you do this anymore. Has anyone done this recently? Am taking granddaughter to WDW next December and she has never seen Illuminations and wanted to be sure that we had a good place to watch it. Thanks for your help.

HappyGramma

 

[chell]

You'll probably get tons of different answers. What worked for us was that we were luck to get a table on the patio, but we got in about 6:30. We didn't mean to, but we were dining with friends and it just took us for ever. We would up getting extras after the meal was over and also gave the waiter a rather large tip. We did not set out to do it at all, but it just worked out that way.

It was funny because every time we had a meal with our friends it seemed to take at least an hour longer then the one before.

 

[KCMiller]

We ate at Rose and Crown on New Years Eve, and we did get a table outside, right on the wall. It was incredible - it was beyond incredible. Actually, Illuminations was just OK, as far as I'm concerned - that whole globe thing was pretty boring, and I couldn't make out what the point was. But the NYE fireworks were TOTALLY awesome.

That being said, here's the skinny on sitting outside at Rose and Crown. I spoke with one of the managers, and 1. There is now a 2 hour limit on tables (which they enforce if they like) to prevent people from camping for the fireworks, and 2. you can't really ask for an outside table. Oh, you can ASK. But you'll get the next available table. There are a LOT of outside tables, though. You may get lucky.

PS, if you do get a table and decided to camp out to see the fireworks, be sure to tip the server for the TIME you sit, not just the food and drink - if you are taking up time at their table more than you would to just eat dinner, you are cutting into their pay. This is just reality, and a reminder.

cheers,

KC

 

[Lorien]

We were there in July. We had PS at R&C for 8pm. We got there a little late and had to wait a few minutes but the CM said he would make it worth the wait and boy was it! We finally got to our table about 8:20. We sat in the center part of the patio right where the steps come down from the inside part of the restaurant. We had a spectacular view for Illuminations. The only problem with going that late is that we had to kind of rush our meal before the show started and as soon as the show is over everyone starts cleaning up and clearing out. We skipped dessert even though it was included in our "Wishes" package. The CMs were very nice about it but it was pretty obvious they wanted to get done for the night. But we really didn't mind because the meal was great and our viewing spot was unbelievable. I've seen Illuminations a couple of times before from the back of a crowd and there is just no comparison to the view from the R&C patio.

 

[HappyGramma]

Thanks for the input. Will probably make ps and hope for the best.