QUESTION ABOUT VIEWING ILLUMINATIONS FROM ROSE & CROWN

[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!

 

[TinkerTracy]

I have viewed it from that vantage point. The view is absolutely amazing (though certain seats aren't as good). Make your reservations early (like if illuminations starts at 8 make it at 6:30 or 7). So after you make your reservations and ASK nicely for outdoor seating,get there at 6:30-7 then
s t r e t c h your meal/drink out. I hope this helped. Good luck

 

[goofy4tink]

You may luck out and get a table with a view of IllumiNations, but keep in mind, you aren't the only one trying to achieve this. There will be plenty of people trying to get those tables. I have yet to try for a table in the Rose and Crown in order to view IllumiNations. I would rather just stake out a spot early on. But, you could call and get ADRs for Rose and Crown for about 30 minutes before the show, asking for a table with a view. Then, when you check in at the podium ask again. You might even want to try to get to your ADR 30 minutes ahead of time..your chances of getting that special spot may be better.

 

[Cor44432]

Even if you get seated inside, your waiter or waitress will take you outside
at 9:00 for Illuminations if you ask.

We've had great success at snagging outside tables, but this past June we
were seated inside, ended up being no big deal because we were led out
about 8:55 for a great spot on the patio anyway.

 

[J&J]

We once had a seating ouside you never know if you can get a table or not outside. Great view we arrived early had a slow dinner then had dessert for the fireworks. You can proplerly order something small we just didn't feel right not order more. For us eating that late was hard we are early eaters.
You never know but if you are lucky w wonderful view.

 

[Mousema]

We generally make 7:30 ARD's, arrive about 10 - 20 minutes early and request and outside table. 3 out of 4 times we have gotten the outside table. The other time it was raining when we got there. That time the servers let everyone on the patio for Illiuminations at about 8:50. The view is great!

 

[Shelby5514]

We had an ADR for 7:30pm in May. DH requested a outside table when making the ADR and they suggested we arrive 30 minutes early to check in and again request an outside table. When we arrived at 6:50 they already had a sign up stating that all parties would be limited to 2 hours for dinner. We requested again the outside table and they again told us there were no guarantees. We finally were seated at 8:15ish and we did get an outside table. The view was OK from where we were, it would have been better but the inside diners came outside and tried to block our view. (I took care of that with a LOUD cough, they got the hint and moved.) I would try to get a ADR about 45-1hr ahead of Illuminations. If your ADR is for 9 when Illuminations starts, chances are you will miss it, as I have yet to be seated ANYWHERE exactly at the ADR time.

Good Luck...the cheese plate is awesome...btw!

 

[Mickey1122]

You don't need an outside table. They will take you out anyway.

 

[ChrisZ]

Even if you get seated inside, your waiter or waitress will take you outside
at 9:00 for Illuminations if you ask.

We've had great success at snagging outside tables, but this past June we
were seated inside, ended up being no big deal because we were led out
about 8:55 for a great spot on the patio anyway.

Sounds like a good plan for people who are going to be there in December, yes?

Last time we were there in December...it was pretty chilly in the evenings...I don't think we'd want to be eating outside then.

But you guys think they'd pull us out there at the right time if we asked?

Thanks,
C

 

[jennilouwho]

Sounds like a good plan for people who are going to be there in December, yes?

Last time we were there in December...it was pretty chilly in the evenings...I don't think we'd want to be eating outside then.

But you guys think they'd pull us out there at the right time if we asked?

Thanks,
C

Is the view decent enough if you eat inside and just go out for the fireworks?

 

[btuftee]

Last visit, we got ADRs for about 7:50pm, and ended up seated around 8:30pm, inside the restaurant. However, when the show started, my gf and I opted to go outside and watch the show. Our waiter even held our food back and kept it warm (the rest of the family stayed inside and ate), so that was a nice touch. The view was pretty good, but I do remember it being partially blocked by a post or some obstacle where we were standing.

If you don't plan on being hungry, you might try to just sit in the bar, and go outside at 9pm.

 

[chanty]

Hi all,

Last year, it was our honeymoon. As we were walking pass the Rose & Crown, the CM stopped us and said "Come and see me 30 min b4 the fireworks. I'll have a special place just here for you."
When standing in front of the R & C, at your right, there is a standing place with a half wall. They have a rope there for a reason - they let only certain people in. You're not crowded, you're right in front of the water, no one in front of you and it's not crowded. We had a great time... I'll try to find a pic & post it here. If you aren't celebrating anything...maybe you could ask the CM politely and see what he says!

I just looked for my pic...don't have it on my online album. I'll check at home and try posting it later on.

Cheers!