Illuminations View

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Are there any restaurants in Epcot with good outdoor seating or window views of Illuminations to be able to view while you eat?

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

Most of the Epcot TS venues do not have a view or a good view of IllumiNations. The only ones that have tables that do have a good view are La Hacienda and Rose & Crown. I've not been to La Hacienda, so I cannot really comment on that venue. However, at R&C, only some of the tables have a view; those are located on the patio that face WS lagoon. There are some tables on the patio that do not have a good view and none of the inside seating has any view. In general, you cannot wait for a patio table (there are times when the CM allow it, but it is not the general practice so I would not count on it). R&C patrons are allowed to go outside to a special viewing area to the left of the restaurant and watch IllumiNations. We did that on our last trip and the view was really good.

 

[cbg1027]

As the pp said, the only places with any real view are La Hacienda and Rose and Crown.

But remember that if you do book an ADR at one of those places, there is no guarantee you will get a table with a decent view.

If I'm eating in Epcot, I try to book my ADR for about 2-2.5 hours before Illuminations time so I can eat and then find a spot where I know I will have a view.

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Thanks for the info guys! Has anyone had luck with this at La Hacienda?

 

[iminla]

What spot is the best to view illuminations from???

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Illuminations restaurant viewing (rev 5/6/2011)
. . . Rose & Crown - Excellent Patio View
. . . La Hacienda - Excellent Window View
. . . Tokyo Dining - Good Window or Patio View
. . . Chef de France - Obstructed Window View
. . . Bistro de Paris - Partially Obstructed Window View
. . . Liberty Inn - Obstructed Patio View
2) All have limited quantity of window/patio seats available.
3) Seating for restaurants with Illuminations views are highly prized.
. . . in most cases, you will not get a seat at a window
. . . you may ask for a window seat at the podium
. . . but, must take ANY seat when your ADR is ready
. . . if you refuse, ADR is cancelled
. . . in the past people would make an ADR and then not eat if no window seat
. . . this left a lot of open seats in prime meal time

 

[Figment2]

We had a window seat at La Hacienda in December. It was okay but I much prefer to go to one of my favorite viewing spots (sorry not sharing those spots).

 

[Disneyfreak616]

1) Illuminations restaurant viewing (rev 5/6/2011)
. . . Rose & Crown - Excellent Patio View
. . . La Hacienda - Excellent Window View
. . . Tokyo Dining - Good Window or Patio View
. . . Chef de France - Obstructed Window View
. . . Bistro de Paris - Partially Obstructed Window View
. . . Liberty Inn - Obstructed Patio View
2) All have limited quantity of window/patio seats available.
3) Seating for restaurants with Illuminations views are highly prized.
. . . in most cases, you will not get a seat at a window
. . . you may ask for a window seat at the podium
. . . but, must take ANY seat when your ADR is ready
. . . if you refuse, ADR is cancelled
. . . in the past people would make an ADR and then not eat if no window seat
. . . this left a lot of open seats in prime meal time

Well, the mods can just go ahead and close this thread, TheRustyScupper is all-knowing...



Thanks for the tips!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Tokyo Dining has some excellent views. If you don't get a great view, you can easily go out to the deck/balcony right there and watch. We did that once and then came back in and finished our dinner. Another time we had a perfect view. They do dim the lights and play the music which is nice.

When you check in you can ask for a window seat and they might be able to accomodate you.

Tokyo Dining is one of our favorite meals at Epcot, excellent service and atmosphere.

 

[mom2aandj]

Thanks for the info guys! Has anyone had luck with this at La Hacienda?

I've read some reviews where people had a wonderful view of Illuminations from La Hacienda....and I've read reviews where people were stuck back in another room that had absolutely no view of Illuminations.

 

[traylorc]

We had a window seat at La Hacienda in December. It was okay but I much prefer to go to one of my favorite viewing spots (sorry not sharing those spots).

I'm heartbroken you are not sharing those secret spots...I guess there is no reason to go see Illuminations.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm heartbroken you are not sharing those secret spots...I guess there is no reason to go see Illuminations.

Well, let me give you mine . . .
. . . angled sloping area between souvenir shops as you enter
. . . benches near Italy
. . . any of the four Friendship boat docks
. . . but, there are really no "bad" spots around the lagoon