La Hacienda and Illuminations

[dixielanfan73]

Hey there, I am looking for a little guidence for timing dinner with Illuminations at La Hacienda? We are traveling in August and as of right now Illuminations is scheduled at 9p. Would a 730p reservation be too early? (currently 745p & 8p ADRs are available too). It will just be DH and I so waiting for a table is not a problem.

I'm worried that too early and we will be trying to stretch our meal and too late we will be out of luck..

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!

 

[burberryplaid]

I think 7:30 is fine...especially if you have drinks and some chips & salsa and just relax a little.

Keep in mind that seating right next to the window is not guaranteed, so in that respect if it's something you really want it might be better to go early in case you have to wait a little bit.

 

[purple figment]

I would keep the 7:30 reservation. When you check in you can request a window table, but there is no guarantee that you will get one even if you offer to wait. It will depend on how busy the restaurant is when you check in, how many other parties ahead of you have made the same request and are waiting, and whether they are even accepting requests that evening. It's possible you might be seated at the first available table for a party of your size. If they are not allowing table requests a 7:30 reservation will probably give you enough time to eat and find a viewing spot around the lagoon.

Choose La Hacienda if the menu appeals to you and if you are seated at a table with a good view consider it to be pixie dust. If IllumiNations is more important make a reservation earlier than 7:30 so you'll have time after dinner to find a good spot around the lagoon.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm worried that too early and we will be trying to stretch our meal and too late we will be out of luck..

1) If you finish early, WDW cannot/willnot toss you out or ask you to leave.
2) You can keep the table through the fireworks time.
3) However, few tables have a decent views of Illuminations.
4) So, even with a table, you could be out-of-luck for viewing.

 

[dixielanfan73]

Thanks for all the advice. I think we will take our chances with the 730p time. It will be our first night and first stay at the Poly so we are planing on spending the day relaxing at the resort then heading to Epcot for dinner, so we are pretty flexible since there is no touring or itinerary to stick to. We have always wanted to try La Hacienda but with two picky kids in tow we haven't been able to. I'm thinking a couple margaritas and a relaxing dinner sounds like a nice way to start the vacation.. if we can get a table with a view it will just be the icing on the cake
Thanks again!