Question about Illuminations viewing from Rose and Crown

[Candleshoe]

To folks who've done this...

How much earlier from the start of Illuminations did you have to get your priority seating?

How did you assure you were outside?

Was the view worth the trouble to arrange?

Is there something about the configuration of the outside area that would be good for me to know about in regards to planning?

Thanks SOOooo much!


Sherry

 

[DebbieB]

I did it in May on a weeknight. Had a PS for 7:20 (Illuminations at 9:00), got there at 7:10 and requested an outside table. We had to wait until 8:00 for a table and got one on the bottom level. There are 2 levels outside, one on the same floor as the inside of the restaurant and one 3 or 4 steps down.

There is no way to guarantee an outside table. You cannot request it in advance, you can only request it at arrival and they will not guarantee it. I understand if you have an inside table, they will allow you to step outside during the fireworks.

 

[Candleshoe]

I did it in May on a weeknight. Had a PS for 7:20 (Illuminations at 9:00), got there at 7:10 and requested an outside table. We had to wait until 8:00 for a table and got one on the bottom level. There are 2 levels outside, one on the same floor as the inside of the restaurant and one 3 or 4 steps down.

There is no way to guarantee an outside table. You cannot request it in advance, you can only request it at arrival and they will not guarantee it. I understand if you have an inside table, they will allow you to step outside during the fireworks.

Thanks for the reply, Debbie

Did you find the view & having dinner there was worth the effort and wait?

 

[Bayshore Bandit]

We've done the dinner and illuminations show a few times and have
been fortunate enough to sit on the patio every time but once.
In my opinion, yes, it is definitely worth the try.

One year it rained right up until about 8:45, so enjoying dinner and
watching the storm was a nice respite from the rain.

There is no guarantee as posted before, but I usually try to politely request,
make small talk conversation, and flirtin' with hostess gals never hurts
either

 

[liamandcaili]

My in-laws love to do this for Illuminations. They don't mind the wait or the lengthy dinner. And as far as they will tell you, it is the best view in Epcot (they like being able to sit.) I have seen the show myself from the terrace outside the Rose and Crown, and it is a great viewing spot.

That said, now that I have two young children, this option is no longer a possibility. When they are hungry, they want to eat and they could care less about getting a better table. When they are done eating, they want to leave and they don't want to pretend they are still milking their milk just so they can see the show. And let's just agree that if I ever made them wait until 7:30 to have their dinner or made them sit for almost two hours, the scene that transpired would certainly appear on the "Have You Ever Had a Shock?" thread.

So...to sum up, it is worth it if you are traveling with adults, but if you have children in your party, I wouldn't attempt it. It's a long evening.

Good luck!

 

[Candleshoe]

We've done the dinner and illuminations show a few times and have
been fortunate enough to sit on the patio every time but once.
In my opinion, yes, it is definitely worth the try.

Excellent! Thanks

One year it rained right up until about 8:45, so enjoying dinner and
watching the storm was a nice respite from the rain.

Does this mean that the patio is covered? Hope so!

There is no guarantee as posted before, but I usually try to politely request,
make small talk conversation, and flirtin' with hostess gals never hurts
either

You know, I would try that but I'm not sure how my husband would react Or if I even want to know how he'd react! LOL.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Candleshoe]

So...to sum up, it is worth it if you are traveling with adults, but if you have children in your party, I wouldn't attempt it. It's a long evening.

Good luck!

Hmm... my daughter will be either 6 or 6.5 on our next trip and if SIL's family goes, there will be my nephew of 5months younger than dd. I wonder if...

a) they don't have to wait around for the table... other adults (with a cell) could take off and DH & I could wait for the table and call them when the table became available. That would cut off wait time -- for the KIDS!-- at the start.

Is this a possibility or is it frowned upon?

b) if there's a small wait at the end of the meal perhaps an adult could hustle the two youngsters for a short walk.

Is this frowned upon?


Thanks for the advice!!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I think it depends on the kids. Mine are used to eating out a lot, and were fine with our wait and the length of the meal. We had a 7:30 AR, arrived late (maybe 7:45), were seated at about 8:00 (outside, but in a spot without a good view). We were done with our meals just before 9:00 Illuminations, the waitress brought us down to a little VIP viewing area to see it, which was already fairly crowded, but some nice folks let my 8yo stand in front, so she could see, and dh put the 2yo on his shoulders in the back, so she could see. When it was over, we went back to our table for dessert.

With the VIP viewing area, I wouldn't worry a bit about where you're seated. I mean, request an outside table because the table might have a good view, but it's no big deal if you don't get it.

Besides, any table service restaurant (other than buffets) is going to be as long a wait and as long for service. It's definitely worth it IMO to watch IllumiNations without waiting for a decent view out in the park. You might as well eat while you wait, you know, kill two birds with one stone. Of course, we also love English food. I guess for people who don't, it may not be worth it.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Candleshoe]

I think it depends on the kids. Mine are used to eating out a lot, and were fine with our wait and the length of the meal. We had a 7:30 AR, arrived late (maybe 7:45), were seated at about 8:00 (outside, but in a spot without a good view). We were done with our meals just before 9:00 Illuminations, the waitress brought us down to a little VIP viewing area to see it, which was already fairly crowded, but some nice folks let my 8yo stand in front, so she could see, and dh put the 2yo on his shoulders in the back, so she could see. When it was over, we went back to our table for dessert.

With the VIP viewing area, I wouldn't worry a bit about where you're seated. I mean, request an outside table because the table might have a good view, but it's no big deal if you don't get it.

Besides, any table service restaurant (other than buffets) is going to be as long a wait and as long for service. It's definitely worth it IMO to watch IllumiNations without waiting for a decent view out in the park. You might as well eat while you wait, you know, kill two birds with one stone. Of course, we also love English food. I guess for people who don't, it may not be worth it.

Good luck and have a great trip!

Thanks for the info! Is the outdoor area covered? We've seen Illuminations twice. Once from in front of Norway on a bench, view not too great but location was just fine we love the food over there. And once from France at a little bistro table, which was great too, except it kept raining -- on and off!

 

[bicker]

Our reservations have varied from 7:20 to 7:40. In six tries, we've gotten seating on the lower terrace once, the upper terrace once, and around the corner on the side of the building (with no real view of the show) once. YMMV.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Thanks for the info! Is the outdoor area covered? We've seen Illuminations twice. Once from in front of Norway on a bench, view not too great but location was just fine we love the food over there. And once from France at a little bistro table, which was great too, except it kept raining -- on and off!

The seating area we were in was covered, but the VIP viewing area was not. I didn't take much of a look around, but I think where we were would be considered the upper terrace. We were on the same level as the indoor portion of the restaurant, and near the entrance, so sort of around the corner from the water. I believe there was one more level of seating below us, guess that'd be the lower terrace, and I can't remember if that seating was covered or not. The VIP viewing area was down right on the water and was standing room only.

 

[Hopefully]

We have been able to secure outside seating on the upper level 3 of our 5 dinners. Where we were seated on the upper level was a partially obstructed view, but still great. I think the lower terrace has a better view, but I am not sure.
Yes the outside dining area is covered, but if it is cold out it is cold there. (I don't know when you are going)
On our trip last month we had an ADR for 7:20, arrived at about 7:15 and asked for on outside table. The Hostess was very busy and a bit flustered and she said, basically, I'll try but I don't know. I did not think we would get an outside table, but we did.
As others have said, even if you eat inside, there is a VIP area they will let you stand in to watch Illuminations. The 2 times we ate inside we enjoyed it as well, it is a nice atmosphere.
We enjoy Rose & Crown - not just for Illuminations. It is one of our meals each trip. If the menu appeals to you - go for it, knowing you may or may not be seated outside.
I don't know if I would do it just for Illuminations alone. As you have stated you have seen Illuminations from some other nice viewing areas.

 

[Candleshoe]

We have been able to secure outside seating on the upper level 3 of our 5 dinners. Where we were seated on the upper level was a partially obstructed view, but still great. I think the lower terrace has a better view, but I am not sure.
Yes the outside dining area is covered, but if it is cold out it is cold there. (I don't know when you are going)
On our trip last month we had an ADR for 7:20, arrived at about 7:15 and asked for on outside table. The Hostess was very busy and a bit flustered and she said, basically, I'll try but I don't know. I did not think we would get an outside table, but we did.
As others have said, even if you eat inside, there is a VIP area they will let you stand in to watch Illuminations. The 2 times we ate inside we enjoyed it as well, it is a nice atmosphere.
We enjoy Rose & Crown - not just for Illuminations. It is one of our meals each trip. If the menu appeals to you - go for it, knowing you may or may not be seated outside.
I don't know if I would do it just for Illuminations alone. As you have stated you have seen Illuminations from some other nice viewing areas.

Thanks for the details! I don't know when I'm going either. LOL. We will either be going in March or in Sept. And we may be going with SILs family or alone. And they've never been before. As you can see I'm in a very fuzzy stage of planning. That doesn't keep me from planning though!!