La Hacienda de San Angel to watch illuminations?

[Donald Duck888]

I was hoping to get opinions on an 8:15 ressi at La Hacienda de San Angel. I have heard that the food is ok but overpriced but that it is a great place for viewing illuminations.

I would assume with an 8:15 ressi we should be able to watch illuminations from there.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mello]

We just did this a couple weeks ago. I thought the food was very good. But yes, like everything else at Disney, overpriced for what you are getting. The tortillas were freshly made and very good, and we all loved the Mexican fruit ice cream (really like sorbet) for dessert - very refreshing. I would eat there again in a minute, but dh said not so much for him, so it's a matter of opinion.

As to seeing Illuminations, you can see it if you're seated in the right place. We were up against the wall in a booth, so we had to move to the center to be able to see. Those already in the center had a good view from their tables. They dim the lights, which is nice, and the music is piped in, however it's pretty echoey in there, and people did not stop talking during the show (drives me crazy when people do that!) so it was hard to hear as well.

Our take on it was that it's nice atmosphere for a second viewing of Illuminations, but not sufficient if you really want to see the show and it's your only chance to do so.

 

[NicoleLarson]

We ate here in jan and really loved everything. Asked for a table to see fireworks when i checked in but i'm pretty sure that everyone else did to. We got a great table in the second room by the windows. So i think its just luck if you can see it or not. If you go here, GET THE APPLE EMPANADA. I've had approx. 50 desserts from various restaurants @ wdw and this one was the best.

 

[koolaidmoms]

We were there the first week in June and while talking to the manager he said EVERYONE asks to sit in the area with a fireworks view after 7:00 reservations.

We were seated off to the side but by the time Illuminations began most of the rest of the dining room around us had cleared. The manager brought a chair for my MIL, 93 years-old and she was able to sit in the next section against the back wall and I could narrate the story for her because it was hard to see what was being projected on the earth from where we were.

We saw maybe 90% of it and were pleased. My children went up to the small window on the side in the first small dining room where we were seated and watched from there as we were the only people in this dining room and they were happy.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hopefully]

There is no guarantee that you will see Illuminations from La Hacienda. Some tables have excellent views, some tables, in a side room, have no view. There is no outside viewing area like there is at Rose & Crown.
If the menu doesn't really appeal to you and you are going primarily to see Illuminations, you may be disappointed.

 

[TDC Nala]

If the Illuminations view is all you want, remember that it isn't guaranteed. Some tables don't have an optimum view and some don't have a view of the lagoon at all. If you are not interested in the food, and only wanted the Illuminations view, it may not be the best place for you to go. They cannot seat everyone at a view table.

 

[hannahryan]

Our take on it was that it's nice atmosphere for a second viewing of Illuminations, but not sufficient if you really want to see the show and it's your only chance to do so.

Totally agree! We were lucky and had a perfect window lagoon view table, but we still much prefer the experience outside. Illuminations is my DH favorite WDW attraction and he was disappointed with this "inside experience".

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

I'll take MK fireworks over Illuminations any day, so I figured eating at La Hacienda would be a nice way to watch them w/o having to vie for a spot outside. I requested a table with "any" view of illuminations when I made the ressie and when I checked in outside. She said she didn't do the table choices. Ok. So I went inside to the host stand and made the same request "if possible." She said yes, there's no guarantee. Ok. We were called for our table and brought way to one side, to a table with a pretty minimal view. As we approached, I saw there was a table right next to ours, completely empty, but right at a window. I asked the hostess if we could have that one instead. She called on her headphone, and then said, oh, sorry, they're already bringing the next couple to that table. ??????

Really? So why couldn't we have that window table and the next couple have our original table? I know I don't know whether that couple had also requested a fireworks-viewable table of course. But if they hadn't, I find it a bit annoying. If they had, then it's a 50/50 toss up between the 2 of us as to who gets the better table, and it really shouldn't matter to the restaurant who gets it. If we were the 1st to sit down, then I think we should have gotten the viewable table.

Oh well. My point is, definitely don't count on getting a viewable table.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

For my full report on the fiasco of la hacienda click here

8:30 reservations on a Monday night + Checking in at podium at 7:45 + Asking to sit by a window + Celebrating a birthday + Willing to wait for a table + Not on Dining Plan = seated at 8:30 in dark, dirty side room with no windows and no service, not even water, for 20 additional minutes and no options but to leave without ordering anything.

good luck.

 

[maxiesmom]

I did the whole Illuminations thing at La Hacineda in December, and I loved it! It was just me and my dad that trip, and we had a great meal. The drinks were good, the food delicious (especially the scallops) and we had a great view of Illuminations from out booth. I highly recommend it.

 

[maxiesmom]

For my full report on the fiasco of la hacienda click here

8:30 reservations on a Monday night + Checking in at podium at 7:45 + Asking to sit by a window + Celebrating a birthday + Willing to wait for a table + Not on Dining Plan = seated at 8:30 in dark, dirty side room with no windows and no service, not even water, for 20 additional minutes and no options but to leave without ordering anything.

good luck.

I'm not trying to be mean, however you do know that even if you check in early for your ADR they many not be able to seat you early, right? And while you can ask for table with a view of the fireworks, they cannot guarantee it.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

I'm not trying to be mean, however you do know that even if you check in early for your ADR they many not be able to seat you early, right?

It doesn't sound like being seated right at the time of their ADR was their biggest problem though. Yikes! Might have to read that story!

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

For my full report on the fiasco of la hacienda click here

8:30 reservations on a Monday night + Checking in at podium at 7:45 + Asking to sit by a window + Celebrating a birthday + Willing to wait for a table + Not on Dining Plan = seated at 8:30 in dark, dirty side room with no windows and no service, not even water, for 20 additional minutes and no options but to leave without ordering anything.

good luck.

Ok, DID just read that. I think anyone who goes to La Hac with a later reservation HAS to be aware of just this issue. (And I thought my story was bad!) You simply can't be guaranteed a table with a fireworks view - though many have them. (Apparently, you also can't be guaranteed service!) You won't be able to beg and plead. It really seems to be luck of the draw. And the CM's must absolutely hate this about dining from 8:00 on.

Anyway, if you've never seen Illuminations, watch it outside. If you have seen Illuminations and don't mind gambling with a partial or no-view, give La Hac a try. Our food was really good and we are returning next trip - just at 5:30.

 

[Donald Duck888]

WOW JEG that is a horry story. That is just totally not acceptable for any restaraunt let alone Disney.

Thanks to all for advice I decided to cancel ressi and watch illuminations outside instead. To replace the ressi we are now going to Kona at the poly on our MK day.

 

[speedo]

I think you made a good decision to cancel. If you are going for the food that would be something different but if you are really going for the view - it is just too much of a gamble. I always like to watch illuminations near UK.