La Hacienda Question - Dessert/Illuminations

[HunnyJar]

Has anyone out there gone to La Hacienda strictly for dessert in hopes of watching Illuminations? Just wondering what your experiences have been like. While I love Mexican food, my husband does not. He does however like the sound of the desserts and we thought this might be a nice place to watch Illuminations.

Anyone have any feedback on their visit?

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're planning to go just because you want to see Illuminations and will be vastly disappointed if you get a table with no view, don't go. Go to Rose & Crown where they will let you walk outside if you're seated indoors and watch the show. There's no way to do that at La Hacienda. You can go stand in the main dining room if you don't happen to get a table in there but you won't be allowed to block the view of those at the tables. And the desserts are not anything to write home about. The margaritas are a different story.

 

[~Tonga Wingo~]

Has anyone out there gone to La Hacienda strictly for dessert in hopes of watching Illuminations? Just wondering what your experiences have been like. While I love Mexican food, my husband does not. He does however like the sound of the desserts and we thought this might be a nice place to watch Illuminations.

Anyone have any feedback on their visit?

If you do make a ressie, I'd make one for say 8:00 or so since illuminations are at 9:00 PM. Then when you get there at 8, request a window table and inform the CM that you are willing to wait. They should accommodate if they can. Then either you will be just finishing if sat near 8 or maybe enjoying your dessert still if you have to wait. I think it sounds like a wonderful way to end a night! I've never had the desserts but the margaritas are wonderful.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

If you do make a ressie, I'd make one for say 8:00 or so since illuminations are at 9:00 PM. Then when you get there at 8, request a window table and inform the CM that you are willing to wait. They should accommodate if they can. Then either you will be just finishing if sat near 8 or maybe enjoying your dessert still if you have to wait. I think it sounds like a wonderful way to end a night! I've never had the desserts but the margaritas are wonderful.

Even with this plan you might be out of luck. Word about viewing from Illuminations is out and people are requesting those seats. You may get one, you may not. The desserts are ok. We really did like the food even though. We weren't able to get a good viewing table but that wasn't our primary objective. I second or third the margaritas though! If this is your only chance for illuminations though... it's not worth the risk!

 

[chartle]

Even with this plan you might be out of luck. Word about viewing from Illuminations is out and people are requesting those seats. You may get one, you may not. The desserts are ok. We really did like the food even though. We weren't able to get a good viewing table but that wasn't our primary objective. I second or third the margaritas though! If this is your only chance for illuminations though... it's not worth the risk!

I have read here that they will not let you wait for a "viewing" table.

You can see why, if everyone asked for the outside tables and even asked to wait, they can't turn over the tables.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I have read here that they will not let you wait for a "viewing" table.

You can see why, if everyone asked for the outside tables and even asked to wait, they can't turn over the tables.

Do you mean they won't let you wait for a table with a view at La Hacienda - or is that at both LH & Rose & Crown?
TIA

 

[Sammie]

Do you mean they won't let you wait for a table with a view at La Hacienda - or is that at both LH & Rose & Crown?
TIA

Both.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Wow - thanks, I didn't know that...
I made an ADR at LH at 7:45 on a nite with Illum at 9, thinking I would just wait until a table with a view became available.
I may have to re-think this...
We had a great view from the bridge last year, but my granddaughter is somewhat afraid of loud noises, so I thought I would try to book something inside.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do you mean they won't let you wait for a table with a view at La Hacienda - or is that at both LH & Rose & Crown?
TIA

1) As mentioned, no to both.
2) Let's take an example
. . . let's say there are 20 tables and only 5 with a view
. . . 15 tables worth of folks want Illuminations windows
. . . when called, they don't take non-view windows
. . . the 15 tables with no view go unused
. . . the eatery makes no money from those tables
3) So, you cannot wait for a window table.
4) You must agree to take the table that is offered.
5) If you do not agree, your ADR is canceled on the spot.
6) This is fair to all.
7) Including WDW.
8) After all, business is business.

.

 

[HunnyJar]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I appreciate it.

Wow - thanks, I didn't know that...
I made an ADR at LH at 7:45 on a nite with Illum at 9, thinking I would just wait until a table with a view became available.
I may have to re-think this...
We had a great view from the bridge last year, but my granddaughter is somewhat afraid of loud noises, so I thought I would try to book something inside.

That's what we were hoping to do. Find somewhere inside where we could still see the fireworks without hearing the fireworks so loudly. I have thought about buying some baby/toddler ear protectors. Back to the drawing board.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

1) As mentioned, no to both.
2) Let's take an example
. . . let's say there are 20 tables and only 5 with a view
. . . 15 tables worth of folks want Illuminations windows
. . . when called, they don't take non-view windows
. . . the 15 tables with no view go unused
. . . the eatery makes no money from those tables
3) So, you cannot wait for a window table.
4) You must agree to take the table that is offered.
5) If you do not agree, your ADR is canceled on the spot.
6) This is fair to all.
7) Including WDW.
8) After all, business is business.

.

Sure - I understand the reasoning - I just wasn't aware of the policy - nor had I taken the time to think it thru.
That's why these boards are invaluable - they are truly full of info I might not necessarily have known or thought of...
Thanks!