la hacienda versus rose and crown for illuminations

[collegejunkie]

which is better? i saw pictures from both and they both look good. we would prefer the menu at la hacienda, so if that's just as good, then we will go there. is there a viewing area like there is at rose and crown?

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Have not eaten at R&C, but there is a viewing area. Apparently, you cannot request a patio table - though some will tell you they've had luck attempting to wait for one. Some will also tell you (I think) that you can get up to watch Illuminations if you're dining inside when it starts.

Now, La Hacienda. We really loved it in March for our first time. However, it is NOT a guarantee that you can see Illuminations - at least, see it well - from the restaurant. Everyone and their brother asks for a view of Illuminations, and there are a ton of tables with some type of limited view. But it seems totally random (the seating) no matter which CMs you ask, and you could get a table way away from a window or in a different room all together. (Personal bad experience myself, can you tell?) Anyway, I don't care for Illuminations, so at the end of the day, I didn't mind our view. But if it's your first time, or you love it, don't count on La Hac for a good view. No outdoor viewing area is specifically attached to the restaurant - the good outdoor spots are for CS from La Cantina and people definitely camp out for those.

 

[Hopefully]

R & C is definintely better for an Illuminations view. There is patio seating that some are lucky enopugh to snag, and there is a private outdoor viewing area reserved for those with indoor tables. The CM's direct you there for Illuminations.
La Hacienda has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lagoon. Many, not all, of the tables look toward these windows. If you are seated right next to the window you will have a great view. If you are further back, you will have a more restricted view. However, there is also a side room with no view at all. Where you sit is the luck of the draw. There is no outdoor viewing available.
If the view is important, R & C is the better choice.

 

[bicker]

Do keep in mind that as of a few years ago, R&C won't let you wait for a terrace table any longer. It's take what you're offered or give up your slot.

Does anyone know if Hacidenda takes the same tack for their tables by the windows?

 

[sdwrdt]

We managed to eat at both during our last stay (Tuesday before Thanksgiving through Wednesday after)

La Hacienda has a nice view, but I really like hearing the fireworks themselves. Yes, they pipe in the music and narration, but it's not the same (at least not for someone who LOVES fireworks like I do). It was not full the night we were there, so had no trouble moving to a table on the main level. You couldn't see the higher fireworks though.

Rose & Crown was VERY DISAPPOINTING for me this time. We had been 3 other times and enjoyed it immensely. We have been able to sit outside each and every time. But this time, we were put on the second level underneath some covering. We missed MOST of the fireworks! One couple let their child throw a fit so that they could be moved somewhere else. They must have known what the viewing actually was like.

Our last time this trip, we sat on the outcropping outside of Germany and LOVED IT! Even though Epcot felt busy that day, there were only 8 other people there besides my family of 4! Probably my best IllumiNations viewing ever and we've seen it A LOT! (Our 2005 visit I think we saw it most every night because the other parks all closed early! I definitely know we watched it a couple times from what used to be the outside seating at Mexico and 1 time Rose & Crown)

 

[collegejunkie]

We managed to eat at both during our last stay (Tuesday before Thanksgiving through Wednesday after)

La Hacienda has a nice view, but I really like hearing the fireworks themselves. Yes, they pipe in the music and narration, but it's not the same (at least not for someone who LOVES fireworks like I do). It was not full the night we were there, so had no trouble moving to a table on the main level. You couldn't see the higher fireworks though.

Rose & Crown was VERY DISAPPOINTING for me this time. We had been 3 other times and enjoyed it immensely. We have been able to sit outside each and every time. But this time, we were put on the second level underneath some covering. We missed MOST of the fireworks! One couple let their child throw a fit so that they could be moved somewhere else. They must have known what the viewing actually was like.

Our last time this trip, we sat on the outcropping outside of Germany and LOVED IT! Even though Epcot felt busy that day, there were only 8 other people there besides my family of 4! Probably my best IllumiNations viewing ever and we've seen it A LOT! (Our 2005 visit I think we saw it most every night because the other parks all closed early! I definitely know we watched it a couple times from what used to be the outside seating at Mexico and 1 time Rose & Crown)

how do you do that? is this through a restaurant also or just somewhere you went and stood?

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

Having done both, Rose & Crown is the winner for Illuminations viewing, while La Hacienda has better food (IMO, anyway). You don't need a patio table at Rose & Crown to see the fireworks, they'll let inside diners get up and go to a special viewing area to see the show, then return to their seats once its done. At La Hacienda, it's catch as catch can whether you get a fireworks view table, and some of the tables where you can see the windows still don't get very good views anyway. If seeing Illuminations is important to you, I'd book Rose & Crown. You can ask for a patio table, but don't worry if one isn't available. Just tell your server that you want to go to the viewing platform to see Illuminations once it starts. They'll time your dinner around it.

 

[collegejunkie]

my reservation is at 7:45. will dinner last until 9:30? also, i don't really like anything on the rose and crown menu. what's good?

 

[sdwrdt]

how do you do that? is this through a restaurant also or just somewhere you went and stood?

I assume you mean sitting outside Germany? That was just someplace we went and sat until time for IllumiNations (we picked up goodies from the Norwegian bakery, plus took turns at some quick shopping with each daughter in their foreign language country)

 

[collegejunkie]

I assume you mean sitting outside Germany? That was just someplace we went and sat until time for IllumiNations (we picked up goodies from the Norwegian bakery, plus took turns at some quick shopping with each daughter in their foreign language country)

oh, awesome! good to have another choice. was it very crowded? how much earlier did you get there? sorry for all the questions! we just don't like the menu at r & c but were going to go for illuminations, so if we can avoid it, we'd be happy to lol

 

[kaytieeldr]

my reservation is at 7:45. will dinner last until 9:30? also, i don't really like anything on the rose and crown menu. what's good?

If you don't like anything on the menu, nothing's good. It seems a waste of time and effort to spend money slowly eating food you don't like just to maybe get somewhat of a slightly better view of IllumiNations.

Just eat what you want, when and where you want, and find a good viewing spot near the south end of World Showcase.