QUESTION ABOUT ROSE & CROWN DURING ILLUMINATIONS

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

I was wondering if anybody has ever gone to Rose & Crown Pub during Illuminations and if you can give me some info.

See, I have seen all the other parades/nighttimes shows with excellent viewing points, however, Illuminations remains the one show I've never seen with a good view.

So, I was wondering how it would work if I wanted to call WDW-Dine and make reservations for the day we will be at Epcot for 9pm?
We will be at Epcot for the Food and Wine Fest so chances are we won't be hungry for a meal or anything like that, we'll just want a seat for the show and order some drinks. If we are required to order food, I figure maybe we can just get appetizers.
I'm familiar with Disney's No-guarantee's policy. If I call and tell them what we want to do, does this policy apply for Illuminations as well-no guanantees for an outside table with a view of the show?
Any info would be helpful, b/c I would love to see it from this point-of-view.

Thanks!

 

[TyRy]

Outside tables are not guranteed, and I don't know if you could make an ADR and just have drinks. We've been there three times for Illuminations. We plan on a full meal so we are there early and usually do not have any problem stretching it out, so I'm not sure what time you'd have to try and get in to have just apps. We have been pixie dusted with outside tables twice. Our first time there we ate inside and when Illuminations started we stepped out onto this little viewing area.

I think there is a little garden area with tables for the "pub" part of the restaurant that are outside, but I have no idea what time you'd have to get there to snag one of those.

Ty

 

[nannon16]

When I made ADR's for our upcoming trip, I asked about this. The CM recommended we make 7:30 ressies (but we are planning to eat a full meal so I don't know how well this will work with your plans). She said to get there a little early for our ressie and ask if it would be possible to get a table outside. She said there is no guarentee they will give us the outside table, but this would probably give us the best chance of having our request granted.

 

[GoodFairies]

If you make a reservation, you are expected to eat there. The number of outside tables is small compared to the number of inside tables, so the likelihood of getting one isn't very good. Many people dine there in hopes of getting an patio table. If you want to a good view of Illuminations, plan on staking out a spot around the lake about 1.5-2 hours prior to the start of the show.

 

[disfanmac]

7/4/05 7:30 PM we check in for our 8pm PS (ADR). DW asks the CM for a patio table for our party of nine. we had to take two tables inside or out but when we asked the cm told us she would try. pixie dust must have been in the wind because we were seated on the patio at two adjoining tables.
Best place I have viewed illuminations in all my trips. The 4th of July fireworks were awesome as well.

 

[OhMickey]

If you go and you do not get an outside table, you are still able to watch Illuminations from a special viewing area. You have to stand but the view is worth it.

 

[Andiloo]

I wouldn't think you could use an ADR for drinks only, as someone mentioned.

We saw Illuminations from R&C, managed to get a table outside as well...only problem was, we were on the upper level of the outside seating area, and there was an awning that prevented us from seeing the fireworks that were shot off...but it was almost like we could reach out and grab the globe. Really enjoyed it (the meal wasn't my favorite, but I ordered the wrong thing).

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I wouldn't think you could use an ADR for drinks only, as someone mentioned.

We saw Illuminations from R&C, managed to get a table outside as well...only problem was, we were on the upper level of the outside seating area, and there was an awning that prevented us from seeing the fireworks that were shot off...but it was almost like we could reach out and grab the globe. Really enjoyed it (the meal wasn't my favorite, but I ordered the wrong thing).

Oh, please tell me what you ordered. We will be there in August.

OP.........our ADR is for 7:30pm and we are eating a full meal for 5. I would think not ordering an entree would be frowned upon. We will be having three courses, so if we get a patio table outside, I'm sure we will be there for the 9:00 fireworks. And if there are a lot of people there at say, 8:30pm, I wouldn't see why they would leave their spot with Illuminations coming up. But that's just a guess.

 

[dvc at last !]

Outside tables are not guaranteed, but you are allowed to go outside on the patio during Illuminations.

 

[TammiMcMan]

So, I was wondering how it would work if I wanted to call WDW-Dine and make reservations for the day we will be at Epcot for 9pm?
We will be at Epcot for the Food and Wine Fest so chances are we won't be hungry for a meal or anything like that, we'll just want a seat for the show and order some drinks. If we are required to order food, I figure maybe we can just get appetizers.

I think the latest ADR you can get is 8pm, but I may be wrong. If you are not planning on eating, I'd suggest that you go inside to the pub. It's a lively, fun spot and perfect for a drink and/or appetizers. When it's time for Illuminations, they do have a viewing area that inside guests can go to and watch the show.

Out of all the tables at the Rose & Crown, very few offer an unobstructed view. I'm going to guess that the percentage is somewhere around 25%, maybe even a little less. Many of the outside tables are up under the awning and you miss all the aerial fireworks. We've eaten there quite a lot and you'd be surprised at how many claim an outside table as early as 7pm and don't give it up. We've seen families done eating by 8pm, and a few in the party will go off to shop or hit a ride, while one stays behind with the table.

 

[marconat]

I will be at WDW from Dec 31-Jan 15, so what time is Illuminations at that time of year? Is it still around 9 pm... I was planning on asking for a table outside, and hopefully I will get one, since the second week of Jan is a little slower.... cross my fingers.

 

[aubriee]

I had a 7:10 pm ADR at Rose & Crown in May 05. When I checked in I asked to wait for a patio table. I got it and as soon as the waitress arrived she mentioned that I was probably there to view Illuminations. I laughed and said probably depending on how slow I eat. She said no problem as just about everyone out there at that time was probably going to wait for Illuminations and the wait staff expected it and she'd have no problem bringing my courses out slowly, but she just wanted to make sure. My dessert arrived just as Illuminations started. The entire time I was there I didn't see a single person leave that patio and most of them were there before I was. Most were finished well before I was, but just continued to sit sipping their drinks. I have another ADR there for 7:10pm in Sept and plan to try for another patio table. If you show up at 8:00pm or later you probably won't be getting a patio table.

 

[bicker]

We alway ask (VERY nicely) for a patio table, and we've been very lucky, getting seated on the patio three times out of our eight visits. Don't count on it, but don't count it out, either!

 

[tjmw2727]

We have had 6 wonderful meals at R&C around Illuminations time. Of our 6 tries only 2 have resulted in an outside table. IMHO if you like the restaurant and food it can't hurt to try for the outside table. If your just going to eat at R&C for the patio view of Illuminations you may be dissapointed.

If you do decide to take up a table for an extended amount of time like this and only order drinks and appetizers please remember that your servers are likely missing out on a party or two of complete diners and consider tipping accordingly.

TJ

 

[MastaMind]

I would be extremely careful about dining at R & C during Illuminations. Word on the street is that kids tend to trap you in your seat with vomit and the CM's only add to the mess by put smelly chemicals and sawdust down. Then they make you sit there and marinate while they try and make the sick kids start Illuminations. I think it's biological germ warfare on Disney's part. Watch out!

 

[Andiloo]

Oh, please tell me what you ordered. We will be there in August.

I ordered Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips. It was good, but my son ordered the Cottage Pie, and I immediately regretted my choice when he let me try his (it was awesome). Then I ordered the Chocolate Guinness Cake, which was good, but DS & DH had the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was also wonderful. Next time, I'm just going to let them order for me!

 

[DaisyD]

I ordered Harry Ramsden's Fish & Chips. It was good, but my son ordered the Cottage Pie, and I immediately regretted my choice when he let me try his (it was awesome). Then I ordered the Chocolate Guinness Cake, which was good, but DS & DH had the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which was also wonderful. Next time, I'm just going to let them order for me!

I had the cottage pie two weeks ago and thought it was tasteless! The was absolutely no flavor to it at all and I didn't even finish it. I have had the fish and chips before and thought they were just plain greasy and nasty. I did have the toffee pudding which was out of this world!

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

Yeah a couple of the appetizers looked alright, but I don't about the entree's.

Has anyone tried the Guinness beer at Room temperature, the way it's commonly served in Great Britain?

BTW, thanks for all the responses, it helps make my decision a little easier.

 

[pixiewytch]

I am a huge Guinness fan. I drink it at home quite a bit. It is great at room temp because it is a heavy and hearty drink. It is especially great in the winter months. Of course I live in Fl so I typically drink it chilled since it is so hot here but you can't go wrong at room temp either.

 

[Disney Girlie-Wirlie]

I am a huge Guinness fan. I drink it at home quite a bit. It is great at room temp because it is a heavy and hearty drink. It is especially great in the winter months. Of course I live in Fl so I typically drink it chilled since it is so hot here but you can't go wrong at room temp either.

Interesting! I'm tempted to try this. When we go down there we like to drink our way around the world, so I thought if I'm going to drink in England, instead of getting a plain ole beer, might as well immerse myelf into the culture and drink it the way they do!
Hey everything in Epcot can be a learning experience, even drinking!