La Hacienda for Illuminations

[princessmom29]

I just made a 7:45 reservation for La Hacienda on Thanksgiving night. I am thinking that by the time we are seated and eat we may be able to get an after dinner drink and catch illuminations. I am reading a lot about how great the illuminations view will be. Has anyone watched illuminations from here yeat, and how is it??

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I don't have any input but I'd like to know too! We have an 8PM reservation in January (and another for the same time in February) for our first trip... would love to have a great view!

 

[katieam1]

I just made a 7:45 reservation for La Hacienda on Thanksgiving night. I am thinking that by the time we are seated and eat we may be able to get an after dinner drink and catch illuminations. I am reading a lot about how great the illuminations view will be. Has anyone watched illuminations from here yeat, and how is it??

We just got back. If you look at my signature there will be a link for food from our past trip. Not only is the food amazing the view for illuminations is amazing as well. I can not tell you how amazing it was to sit there and watch while dining on out of this world food. We were so pleased with it we booked it twice for our coming Nov/Dec trip. We were in mid restaurant and still had amazing view of illuminations. Can not go wrong and once more people take notice I think this will become more people's MUST DO.

 

[neodymm]

We just did similar -- booked at 8:00 hoping that we can stay at our table through Illuminations and have a great view. I can't imagine they'd rush us out. I've heard the coffee margarita is great, can't wait to try it!

katieam1 -- how late was your reservation?

 

[katieam1]

We ended up being a walk up because when we were just there it is still soft opening. We walked up around 8-8:15. We only waited at the door maybe 5 minutes and they brought us right in. Illuminations was at 9. We ended up eating our entree while the fireworks were going because we were on the DXDDP so we had our apps first. The servicer we had was great and we did not feel rushed but we did not feel like we were waiting either. It was a wonderful close to a wonderful day.

 

[ThinkTink09]

We just got back. If you look at my signature there will be a link for food from our past trip. Not only is the food amazing the view for illuminations is amazing as well. I can not tell you how amazing it was to sit there and watch while dining on out of this world food. We were so pleased with it we booked it twice for our coming Nov/Dec trip. We were in mid restaurant and still had amazing view of illuminations. Can not go wrong and once more people take notice I think this will become more people's MUST DO.

Awesome Pics! Thank you

 

[katieam1]

Awesome Pics! Thank you

You're welcome!

 

[skunk]

Just an FYI. The start of Illuminations changes to 9:30 the day after Thanksgiving, to accommodate the Candlelight Processional, thru end of Dec.

 

[katieam1]

Just an FYI. The start of Illuminations changes to 9:30 the day after Thanksgiving, to accommodate the Candlelight Processional, thru end of Dec.

Thank you! I just changed one of our La Hacienda reservations to move it back a little since we will be there the week after thanksgiving! Thank you again!

 

[skunk]

Thank you! I just changed one of our La Hacienda reservations to move it back a little since we will be there the week after thanksgiving! Thank you again!

You're welcome. Also, if you have never seen the "Holiday" Illuminations before, there are 4 extra minutes of fireworks, narrated by Walter Cronkite, right after the regular show ends. Not to be missed. Have fun at BLT!!

 

[neodymm]

We ended up being a walk up because when we were just there it is still soft opening. We walked up around 8-8:15. We only waited at the door maybe 5 minutes and they brought us right in. Illuminations was at 9. We ended up eating our entree while the fireworks were going because we were on the DXDDP so we had our apps first. The servicer we had was great and we did not feel rushed but we did not feel like we were waiting either. It was a wonderful close to a wonderful day.

Thanks! TWe will be on DxDDP, too, so that's exactly what I was thinking...with apps and drinks, it will take longer. Can't wait to go!

 

[p1n0ijigga]

I think anywhere around the Illuminations is a good view. Just have to be there early.

 

[princessmom29]

Thanks for the replies all! We are standard DDP, but plan to order an appy, so it looks like we will work out ok on time. Glad to hear the great review! Tanks for the reminder about illuminations. We forgot it changed last year, so we straked out a spot WAAAY early. We are doing la hacienda on Thanksgiving day, and coming back for Le Cellier dinner and illumination Friday to see the additional holiday fireworks.

 

[katieam1]

You're welcome. Also, if you have never seen the "Holiday" Illuminations before, there are 4 extra minutes of fireworks, narrated by Walter Cronkite, right after the regular show ends. Not to be missed. Have fun at BLT!!

Thank you so much. This is our first time going for the holiday time. We are so looking forward to it. I am trying to find out all the musts for this season and ANY and ALL tips are so welcomed!! Thank you this will be our first stay at BLT and we are so super excited.

 

[sdwrdt]

You're welcome. Also, if you have never seen the "Holiday" Illuminations before, there are 4 extra minutes of fireworks, narrated by Walter Cronkite, right after the regular show ends. Not to be missed.

I know this is an old thread, I'm that far behind.

I assume that the sound is piped in?

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, they will dim the lights and play the sound.

Not all tables in the restaurant have a view, though. There should be some view from anywhere in the main dining room. There is a side room, though,that does not face the lagoon.

Pictures from windowside:

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We will most likely be eating Dessert when Illuminations starts...

So can you request a window seat like at Ohana???? Should I add the request too our ADR or do you ask when you check in?????

We are all set right now with and ADR for 8:30pm on Dec 9th. I can not wait! We orginally planned a late lunch at Chef's, but now that I snagged this 8:30 La Hacienda I may cancel and just eat an early counter servicel lunch that day.

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[TDC Nala]

I do not know if La Hacienda has a policy on the requesting of windowside seats. I didn't request one. In fact, I didn't have one. I moved to an empty table when the show started.

I know Rose & Crown generally does not allow such requests.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Sounds like your chances of a view are pretty good no matter where you sit and like you said...You can move and watch once it starts....

I am willing too take my chances..Sounds like a wonderful new place and we love Mexican food!

Michelle

 

[katieam1]

I assume that the sound is piped in?

Yes it is