illuminations ?

3smithboys

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
1,948
in June, DH and I were planning on going to La Cava for margaritas, then we have a 6:55 Via Napoli reservation where we were planning on sharing a pizza... Then we were thinking on grabbing a couple of desserts from the bakery in France and finding a spot for Illuminations.

So, I was wondering where is a great place for the two of us to grab a seat to watch it?
 
We enjoy the patio to the left of the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK. Some may not like this area, but we find it the best (for us) to watch Illuminations. Not much seating there, so you will have to arrive sooner than other locations of course. Also, if the wind is relatively strong, the smoke and some debris (very unusual) can drift over towards you.

Still. We watch this show at least once a week and always from this location. We enjoy meeting and talking with people from all over the world waiting to watch the show around us. We offer open seats with us to other people as well to join us. It's a lot of fun there for us.
 
We enjoy the patio to the left of the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK. Some may not like this area, but we find it the best (for us) to watch Illuminations. Not much seating there, so you will have to arrive sooner than other locations of course. Also, if the wind is relatively strong, the smoke and some debris (very unusual) can drift over towards you

This is our "go to" spot also. Though with dinner reservations at 6:55 on the opposte side of the world showcase, I am not sure I would try to get there.

You might try on the deck outside Teppan Edos.
 

Ok, that's good to know... we can see when we get out of dinner and where we are... as long as we have a few options of decent places to plop ourselves, we'll be fine! Thanks!
 
Ok, that's good to know... we can see when we get out of dinner and where we are... as long as we have a few options of decent places to plop ourselves, we'll be fine! Thanks!

Just to note that no matter where you find a place to "plop yourselves", be prepared for others, at the last minute, to stand in front of you to watch the show. Having a seat doesn't guarantee you a full view of everything. If you are enjoying a dessert from France, I'd suggest you find yourself a spot along the railing and stand and eat, or sit on the ground and eat at the railing before the show starts.

I have witnessed (and been accosted once) many people having seats and then getting upset when people would stand in front of them at the railing before the show started. I'm not talking "right in their face" standing in front of them but across a walkway. That's how we were accosted - there were people sitting on a planter across a walkway along the promenade. We didn't even see them but the railing was open in front of them and they were a ways back so we thought they were just sitting there eating. Only when we stood there for a few minutes, did the nasty comments come flying about how we were obstructing their view and how we should leave because they were there first. We turned around and said they were welcome to join us if they wanted but they said they needed the seats and we were rude to even consider it. Not saying you would do that but just warning that others might stand in between your seats and the view of the lagoon.
 
We enjoy the patio to the left of the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK. Some may not like this area, but we find it the best (for us) to watch Illuminations. Not much seating there, so you will have to arrive sooner than other locations of course. Also, if the wind is relatively strong, the smoke and some debris (very unusual) can drift over towards you.

Still. We watch this show at least once a week and always from this location. We enjoy meeting and talking with people from all over the world waiting to watch the show around us. We offer open seats with us to other people as well to join us. It's a lot of fun there for us.

What time do you normally get there?
 
It sounds like a perfect night. :) It's fairly easy to find a place to watch as long as you're not too picky. We've watched from all over World Showcase and each area gives you a slightly different view. I recommend you just wander for a bit until you find somewhere that doesn't have trees obstructing your overhead view, and you have a good view of the middle of the lagoon so you can see the globe. If you're willing to plop down on the ground, find a place against the railing and sit. No one can get in front of you that way, but people may still crowd around you.

Have a great trip!
 
there were people sitting on a planter across a walkway along the promenade. We didn't even see them but the railing was open in front of them and they were a ways back so we thought they were just sitting there eating. Only when we stood there for a few minutes, did the nasty comments come flying about how we were obstructing their view and how we should leave because they were there first. We turned around and said they were welcome to join us if they wanted but they said they needed the seats and we were rude to even consider it.
That was totally crazy on their part.
 
Thanks everyone for your posts.... We don't have to sit; however, if we can sit anywhere (even on the ground) we are fine with that. We can look for something right up close to the railing to make sure that no one gets in front of us. We are fairly non-confrontational people, so if someone got in our way, I'm pretty sure we'd be the ones to move on or suffer in silence. I guess we will see what time we get out of dinner and if we don't get to France in time, we will look for a nice spot in Japan. and then see if we can still get something for dessert in France after it's over... if not, I'm sure we will survive :) Something tells me we will not go hungry that week!
 
Thanks everyone for your posts.... We don't have to sit; however, if we can sit anywhere (even on the ground) we are fine with that. We can look for something right up close to the railing to make sure that no one gets in front of us. We are fairly non-confrontational people, so if someone got in our way, I'm pretty sure we'd be the ones to move on or suffer in silence. I guess we will see what time we get out of dinner and if we don't get to France in time, we will look for a nice spot in Japan. and then see if we can still get something for dessert in France after it's over... if not, I'm sure we will survive :) Something tells me we will not go hungry that week!

There will not be anywhere (QS) open to get something to eat once Illuminations is over unless it is an EMHnight. Everything closes as Illuminations begins
 
There will not be anywhere (QS) open to get something to eat once Illuminations is over unless it is an EMHnight. Everything closes as Illuminations begins

Oh ok... as of right now, it's not... so unless we are quick I don't think we will make it. I'm sure we will survive!
 
What time do you normally get there?

We typically arrive around 8:00 pm or so. It may seem early but we usually grab a drink at the Rose & Crown and some Fish & Chips (outside) ... There are maybe five or six tables that are two tops, right up against the wall nearest the water we can usually get arriving at that time.

Those are by far the best spots there with no obstructed views and no way anyone can stand in front of you. Unless they are in the World Showcase Lagoon :)

The best part about this area is that many think it is a part of the Rose & Crown restaurant so they may not venture down there for Illuminations.
 
We typically arrive around 8:00 pm or so. It may seem early but we usually grab a drink at the Rose & Crown and some Fish & Chips (outside) ... There are maybe five or six tables that are two tops, right up against the wall nearest the water we can usually get arriving at that time.

Those are by far the best spots there with no obstructed views and no way anyone can stand in front of you. Unless they are in the World Showcase Lagoon :)

The best part about this area is that many think it is a part of the Rose & Crown restaurant so they may not venture down there for Illuminations.
Where exactly are you talking about here?

http://binged.it/20xTTkK
 
Where exactly are you talking about here?

http://binged.it/20xTTkK

If you are looking at the Rose & Crown, there are two kiosks outside to the left. Both are dark green. One is for dinning reservations and the other sells beer, snacks, etc. If you walk between them, the patio area is down a short walkway to the left of the building. There are maybe, 15-20 tables there that are NOT associated with the restaurant. It is all open seating right next to World Showcase Lagoon.

The tables are actually attached to the ground so they cannot be moved around. Though the chairs can be moved around. This again is our favourite location to watch Illuminations.
 
There are maybe, 15-20 tables there that are NOT associated with the restaurant.
Interesting. As many times as I have seen Illuminations, as well as having eaten at Rose & Crown, I have never known that those were not part of the restaurant. Thanks for the insight.
 
So they would be just behind the curved wall on that link, on the right in this view?
 
No problem, Dan.

Yes. In the picture/map link you provided, that is where it is located.
 
Dan,here is a "close-up".

The first picture is looking right to the Rose & Crown Patio.

The second picture is looking left to the "open to anyone patio".:)

It has a "touch" of DAK here with A LOT of squirrels and birds "eyeing" your food from the wall!lol:)





17395797965_534d658501_z.jpg
 
Thank you both. I have been seated there before for a Rose & Crown meal by a CM. That's why I always thought that was part of the restaurant. Plus it just foes not look like open seating. Good to know. Thanks.

Haha, WED, I do know about those little buggers.
 


Disney Vacation Planning. Free. Done for You.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts. Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
Start Your Disney Vacation
Disney EarMarked Producer






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter
Add as a preferred source on Google

Back
Top Bottom