Rose and Crown and Illuminations

[RebeccaB]

Hello!! We have ressies at Rose and Crown at 7:30pm. What are the odds that we will be seated outside down below by the water, and will we still be eating at 9pm when Illuminations starts? There are 5 of us...we have eaten here before and I honestly cannot recall how long our meal lasted. We were seated outside but on the upper level. Thanks for your help!!

 

[DaParkers]

Hello!! We have ressies at Rose and Crown at 7:30pm. What are the odds that we will be seated outside down below by the water, and will we still be eating at 9pm when Illuminations starts? There are 5 of us...we have eaten here before and I honestly cannot recall how long our meal lasted. We were seated outside but on the upper level. Thanks for your help!!

It's a toss up. If you happen to get there when someone is leaving, then you have a chance, but I would assume that I'll be inside. We ate there last December around 8pm. We were seated inside, but just went to the outdoor seating area once illuminations started. We stood on the side.

 

[dahall]

We have managed to stretch out our meal until the fireworks start every time when our reservation is 7:30 (I think 3 times). We have 2 boys under 10 at the time so they took their time, and the last time had nana and paw paw who had a few beers. We have never been rushed.
Even when we have been outside sitting down we move to the rail to get closer. This will be the first time we have not done this, we are going to see Boy II Men instead.
I am sure you will be fine, just take your time. ENJOY!

 

[GeorgeG]

Where you are seated at Rose & Crown is entirely up to the person who seats you. There was a time when you could wait for a table to come available on the patio, but they changed that because everyone wanted those tables so if you have a reservation you sit where they seat you, period. If it's slow, you may be able to wrangle a patio table.

I thought they had also put a stop to people coming outside to watch Illuminations because they crowded the people out there still trying to finish their meals. They will, however, take you to an area to the left of the restaurant to watch Illuminations after you've finished your meal.

The area down by the water is benches and is offered to guests who are given special passes earlier in the evening. This is random and you just need to be in the right place at the right time. They only allow enough people to be seated comfortably on the benches, no standing. There is a VIP area for standing along the walkway leading down to the lakeside, but you have to pre-arrange that.

Over the years I've seen several downsides to eating on the patio during Illuminations. In addition to having other people crowding around your table (even after being told not to), if the wind is blowing from across the lake, you can get debris from the fireworks in your food. It also gets a bit dark for eating out there during the show. As for lingering out there from a 7:30 reservation, it's just wrong (rude) to remain at the table for 30-45 minutes beyond your meal just to see the show. An 8:15 or 8:30 reservation would be more appropriate.