La Hacienda

[summerlady]

I have an ADR for 7:30 p.m. at La Hacienda. In your opinion, would it be better to switch to a later time in order to be present for Illuminations at 9 p.m.?
TIA!

 

[OhThePain]

I don't know from experience (trying it for the first time in October), however, from what I have read, watching IllumiNations from there is not the greatest experience. We decided to go with an earlier ADR (6:30) to give us time to find a spot after the meal. As I understand it, it is nothing like watching Wishes from Cali Grill or IllumiNations from Rose and Crown.

 

[catne]

I do know from experience...keep the 7:30...and if you're lucky enough to get a table in the room with the windows, just plan on stretching your meal out (order drinks...don't order entree until after drinks come...don't order dessert until finished with entrees, etc.) The servers expect people to linger.

If you have the bad luck to get seated in the non-view room (about 1/3 of the tables) you can order & eat at the regular speed, you'll be out of there before 8:30 and have time to walk out & find a good viewing spot around the lagoon somewhere (walk towards the top of the World Showcase...closer to America--to find a spot to view...the area around Mexico will probably be packed because people like to be at that end of the World Showcase to make a quicker get-away after Illuminations.)

If you are seated in the non-view room, and for some reason your meal is not over at 9:00, they allow you to get up and go stand at the back of the other room (they dim the lights & pipe in the music...the view is not great from standing at the back of the room, b ut better than no view at all.) Chances are you would be done well before 9:00 unless you deliberately stretch it out...Disney restaurants are more apt to get you in & out in 45-60 minutes.

 

[nilseks]

Can't speak for Hacienda but I know with Rose & Crown, 7:40 is the PERFECT time for watching Illuminations. Last time we had just finished dessert when Illuminations started--it was perfect. We arrived about 20 minutes before our ADR and asked for an outside table. We were seated right at the rail with the most wonderful view (next to Erik Estrada, lol!). I have read that the view from Haciena isn't as good but I think your timing should be fine.

 

[summerlady]

I don't know from experience (trying it for the first time in October), however, from what I have read, watching IllumiNations from there is not the greatest experience. We decided to go with an earlier ADR (6:30) to give us time to find a spot after the meal. As I understand it, it is nothing like watching Wishes from Cali Grill or IllumiNations from Rose and Crown.

I've read mixed reviews about watching Illuminations from La Hacienda, a couple of them had some spectacular photos from inside the restaurant. But if you get stuck in one of the side rooms, not so good. I should have just booked Rose & Crown at my 180 days but wanted to try something different this time. LOVED our patio table at R&C in the past, I'm going to keep trying to switch to a dinner ADR there and cancel La Hacienda if I can. Ack! I really do make myself crazy sometimes.

 

[summerlady]

I do know from experience...keep the 7:30...and if you're lucky enough to get a table in the room with the windows, just plan on stretching your meal out (order drinks...don't order entree until after drinks come...don't order dessert until finished with entrees, etc.) The servers expect people to linger.

If you have the bad luck to get seated in the non-view room (about 1/3 of the tables) you can order & eat at the regular speed, you'll be out of there before 8:30 and have time to walk out & find a good viewing spot around the lagoon somewhere (walk towards the top of the World Showcase...closer to America--to find a spot to view...the area around Mexico will probably be packed because people like to be at that end of the World Showcase to make a quicker get-away after Illuminations.)

If you are seated in the non-view room, and for some reason your meal is not over at 9:00, they allow you to get up and go stand at the back of the other room (they dim the lights & pipe in the music...the view is not great from standing at the back of the room, b ut better than no view at all.) Chances are you would be done well before 9:00 unless you deliberately stretch it out...Disney restaurants are more apt to get you in & out in 45-60 minutes.

Is it possible to ask for a window table? Or is it just luck to get one? I'm still debating keeping this ADR, if I can snag one for the Rose & Crown I'll switch over, we loved having a patio table a couple of years ago during Illuminations. Had an ADR for La H. last November but we ended up canceling because we were just too tired that night to trek back to Epcot. I'm so indecisive about ADRs.

 

[summerlady]

Can't speak for Hacienda but I know with Rose & Crown, 7:40 is the PERFECT time for watching Illuminations. Last time we had just finished dessert when Illuminations started--it was perfect. We arrived about 20 minutes before our ADR and asked for an outside table. We were seated right at the rail with the most wonderful view (next to Erik Estrada, lol!). I have read that the view from Haciena isn't as good but I think your timing should be fine.

Yes, I agree, we had a patio table at R&C a couple of years ago and absolutely LOVED it. I just wanted to try something different this year but now I'm wondering if I should switch back to R&C, ADRs aren't available for our date, hoping something will open up before October. Or we'll just stick with La H. and hope for the best. I'll keep my 7:30. For now.

 

[minnie mum]

I agree with your decision to keep your current ADR, and look for a cancellation in the mean time. Our choice is to eat at Hacienda and hope for the best (we have a 7:30 ADR as well). We will ask for a window seat if one is available, but won't delay our seating if they're all taken. I read somewhere that Hacienda doesn't even take window requests. And since it's inside anyway, it wouldn't have the same atmosphere as the R&C patio (which we love).

We're going to Hacienda primarily to try a new place, and because we like Mexican food. Illuminations is actually secondary in importance to us, and we'll be just as happy to eat quickly and head outside to find a good viewing spot.

 

[mmay60046]

We had 7:30 ADR's for our group of 10 at La Hacienda on May 6. We checked in at about 7:25 but we weren't seated until about 7:50 (enough time for a few margaritas at the tequila bar inside the pavilion).

We asked if a window table was possible when we checked in and they said "probably not". We were seated at a table in the main room with the windows overlooking the lagoon but kind of off to the side and behind other tables. The food was okay but the service was probably the worst we had the entire week we were there. They did let us get up and move during Illuminations to get a better view of the fireworks, but it did seem like some sort of hassle because initially a CM came over to us and said "you can't stand here" but after saying that our server told us we could stand here there was some talking on walkie-talkies and then they let us stay. In fact one CM there tapped my shoulder and let my mom and I walk through the kitchen and to the outdoor patio for a better view (as she said "I'm not supposed to do this"). So we did get some pixie dust there, but our server was just very slow and inattentive to our table.

 

[summerlady]

I agree with your decision to keep your current ADR, and look for a cancellation in the mean time. Our choice is to eat at Hacienda and hope for the best (we have a 7:30 ADR as well). We will ask for a window seat if one is available, but won't delay our seating if they're all taken. I read somewhere that Hacienda doesn't even take window requests. And since it's inside anyway, it wouldn't have the same atmosphere as the R&C patio (which we love).

We're going to Hacienda primarily to try a new place, and because we like Mexican food. Illuminations is actually secondary in importance to us, and we'll be just as happy to eat quickly and head outside to find a good viewing spot.

Yeah, I'll keep the 7:30, like you, we like Mexican food and wanted to try La H. for something different. We'll have an 11 year old picky eater with us though, so I'm pretty sure she'll order from the kids' menu. I'm gonna keep trying for a Rose & Crown ADR but if I can't get it, it'll be ok.

 

[summerlady]

We had 7:30 ADR's for our group of 10 at La Hacienda on May 6. We checked in at about 7:25 but we weren't seated until about 7:50 (enough time for a few margaritas at the tequila bar inside the pavilion).

We asked if a window table was possible when we checked in and they said "probably not". We were seated at a table in the main room with the windows overlooking the lagoon but kind of off to the side and behind other tables. The food was okay but the service was probably the worst we had the entire week we were there. They did let us get up and move during Illuminations to get a better view of the fireworks, but it did seem like some sort of hassle because initially a CM came over to us and said "you can't stand here" but after saying that our server told us we could stand here there was some talking on walkie-talkies and then they let us stay. In fact one CM there tapped my shoulder and let my mom and I walk through the kitchen and to the outdoor patio for a better view (as she said "I'm not supposed to do this"). So we did get some pixie dust there, but our server was just very slow and inattentive to our table.

Ugh! I'm so torn about this ADR, I was when I booked (and later canceled) last November too. But if I can't get R&C, I guess I'll keep this one at 7:30 and hope for the best. I should have just gotten an ADR at R&C at 180 days.

 

[CathieArms]

I'm so happy to see these responses. I didn't see this post and posted almost the exact same questions.

We have 7:45 ADRs with a party of 7. I don't care if we have spectacular seats, but something that would allow us to see the fireworks and enjoy the view without having to stand outside in the heat would be fantastic.

I've thought about Rose and Crown, but we really aren't outside eaters.

Is there anything at all that we should request to have a better opportunity at seeing the fireworks?

 

[KathleensKid]

We ate there 2 weeks ago at 7:20 (7pm ADR) on a night with 9pm Illuminations (hoping to watch from the restaurant). At least half of the restaurant has a blocked full view of the water. The view we had was quite nice (foliage with glimpses of water behind) but it was not a good Illuminations view. There were no better tables available so we ate (and loved our meal), paid our bill, then walked out and watched the show from outside the restaurant. While we didn't watch from the restaurant, it was actually very relaxing to eat and drink avocado margaritas w/o stressing about the view and then stroll outside with full tummies and happy adult beverage buzzes to watch Wishes. If we had managed to have a perfect view, I think we could have stretched out our meal by ordering more drinks and/or desserts to make it to 9 for the show. Good luck with your decision!