Is this true about San Angel

[PartyofSix]

I know that i've read a lot here over the years and i must have gotten my information wrong. We called and made ps today for our trip when we got to San Angel we asked for an 8:20 seating the man told my husband are you sure you want see Illumnations with that seating. So i had him ask is'nt there waterview dining? Nope he said we needed 7:30 seating to get out in time to see Illuminations so that's what we did. We even asked if there was another resturant we could view Illuminations from nope he said. Hmmmm is this true guys what's been your experience? This will be our first time to Epcot.

 

[hygienejean]

i have eaten at the San Angel Inn and it is true that you cannot see Illuminations from that restaurant. The water view that you describe is of the ride that is in the pavillion. I would agree that 7:30 is the time that you want. As far as other restaurants that do have a view of Illuminations, I can only think of the Rose and Crown in England. They have a outdoor deck that would be a terrific view if you could snag it. Good Luck and have fun!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

It is the counter service restaurant in Mexico that has the waterfront seating. Rose and Crown has outdoor seating, but we have never tried to eat there for Illuminations. It is first come, first serve so you pretty much have to luck out to sit on the patio. From what I've read, if you're seated inside, you can go on the patio to watch the show, but you will have to stand behind others who are eating out there. Hope this help.

 

[maggiew]

You can see Illuminations from the Cantina across the way from the San Angel Inn. It is a counter service place - no PS. You also need to get there early (like at least 1 hour) to get a seat on the terrace with a nice view of Illuminations.

You can also try to go to Rose and Crown (the U.K. sit down place) to see Illuminations. But you aren't guaranteed a patio seat there. You may be seated inside.

Maggie

 

[piratesmate]

Were you thinking of the outdoor cantina at Mexico? We watched Illuminations from there on our last trip. We just happened to walk up & find an empty table that night.

Since this is in the category of "counter service" I believe, I don't think you can make a PS. You just have to show up early & stake out a table.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Funny... I think we all posted at the same time. When I started my post, there were no replies. By the time I was finished, there was three.

 

[PartyofSix]

Thank you all so much. I was right then San Angel Inn has a water view but it's the cantina you can view the fireworks from just had the wrong stuff put togthere. I did not realize there where too places similar in name so that clears everything up. I think we'll do a nice supper here proable eat light and be out before illunations and just find a spot to watch from. Can you suggest a nice baker to pick up some pasteries or cookies for a snack later back at the room. I doubt we eat dessert at the resturant and i don't want to miss a chance to eat a dessert from WS resturants. I have no idea how WS is laid out so what would we have to walk pass on our way to hop on the monorail back to CR for the boat ride back to WL assuming that's a quick route back to WL from epcot. Thanks so much to all that have replied.

 

[piratesmate]

Mexico is either first or last, depending on where you're standing. You don't need to pass any other "countries" on your way out.

Norway is next to Mexico & the next one is China. I don't remember for sure, but I think Germany is next. I remember hearing that people have liked pastries from there, but we never got pastries anywhere at WDW so I can't really help with that.

 

[Beca]

The pastries from the bakery in France are WONDERFUL!! I have also heard that the bakery at the Boardwalk is really great, too. There is an entrance/exit to the boardwalk from the far end of the world showcase (down by France and Canada).



Beca

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You'll be closer to the bakery in Norway, which has some good choices, but IMO, the one in France is better. Norway is next door to Mexico. If you walk back toward FW, then continue on the WS loop, you will first pass the UK, Canada, then France. It's not that far, but don't wait until too late to go to either bakery, because the choices become very limited. FYI, the bus will be the most direct route to the WL, or you can take the monorail, then the boat. Hope this helps.

 

[kda]

The bakery in the back of France is incredible! However, it's probably a 12-15 minute walk around the World Showcase lagoon. There probably wouldn't be time to walk there after your meal and then find a place to watch Illuminations, unless someone staked out a viewing spot and someone else went to the bakery (the lines can be long). Even that might not work out.

Edited: I just happened to look at a site that had last December's park hours, and Illuminations was at 9:30. We're always there when it's at 9, so my comments were based on that. If it's at 9:30, you could have time to get to France or Fountainview Bakery, if you want to do some extra walking.

We like the bakery at Norway, which is right next to Mexico. It doesn't have the selection that France does and the sweets aren't as sweet, but we like it.

There's also great choices at the Fountainview Bakery in the middle of Future World, but it's probably closed when you're leaving the park. The timing of your meal and Illuminations makes it a little difficult for you to get something between dinner and Illuminations.

 

[storybookmum]

I probably don't need to mention this, since you really want to see Illuminations while eating, but San Angel really wasn't a great restaurant, in my opinion, when we were there. It was extremely dark; I couldn't see what I was eating. The food wasn't very good, and the waiter seemed positively indifferent to us, and outright unfriendly with our two-year-old, who wasn't doing anything wrong. I was really disappointed with our meal there.

The pasteries in France are to die for.

Kris

 

[Beca]

Get pastries in France BEFORE you go eat at San Angel (or the counter catina), and then you have the desert "in hand" when you need it!!!

I also agree about the food quality at San Angel. A few years ago it was my FAVORITE restaurant. I would go home and "crave" that food. I was there two years ago and was EXTREMELY disappointed in the food. Here's hoping that was a fluke!!!



Beca

 

[PartyofSix]

I believe we'll get our dessert first. As for the food we'll just get somthing light like a taco and nachos or somthing like that so maybe they'll get that right if not i am one of those that will show out and send food back i don't take bad food/service lightly and i make sure to speak to a manager when it's that bad. If i can't a meal i can't eat the manager will know about it. And that way i'll have dessert to fall back on.LOL Maybe it'll be okay maybe. The next day we are going to lunch at teppanyaki so i hear that's a not to miss and that will make up for our disappointment if any with san angel. Thanks Guys

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Everyone in our family liked their food at San Angel. The only complaint that we had, was that we were seated back in a hole, next to the restroom. Not a great atmosphere from this location. Neither DH nor I are one to speak out, but we wished that we would have told them we wanted to wait for a waterview. Maybe we'll go back sometime and try that. Don't expect Tex-Mex, but to me that's a good thing. Have a great trip, and I think you'll enjoy San Angel Inn.

 

[erinch]

the only problem with getting your desserts before is that the best pastries from france tend to have fragile cream and chocolate. They don't keep very long. The napoleon is to dies for )or kill for)!

 

[cnids00]

We went to Epcot Labor Day when they re-opened after Frances...It wasn't crowded at all! We walked straight in to the French "Bolangerie" for pastries, I had the chocolate eclair, DH the apple turnover and my DD had "Marvellous", it tasted all umm umm good, the only thing was my eclair tasted and felt like it had been frozen, but maybe that's the way they do that there. No people in line and we could sit down in their little area.

After that we went to San Angel Inn for lunch! Our food was great, I loved the atmosphere and the very dim lighting, felt like it was nighttime I had Plato Mexicano and I've totally forgot what DH and DD had...doh! I think he had something quesadilla-like.

I loved mine for sure

Oh, we had no dessert had it beforehand YUM!