Rose and Crown and Illuminations

[puffkin]

We really enjoyed our lunch at the Rose and Crown last year and wanted to return. I thought it would be nice to try and get a PS for our July trip so that we could catch Illuminations from the patio. I have a PS for 7:30, however the CM said that she could NOT note on the reservation that we were requesting a patio table. I know that they can't guarantee it, but I thought that they were at least able to note it on the ressie. So, what is my best strategy to try and get a patio table.

 

[goofybabe2001]

If you try to stop by early in the day sometimes they will try to accomodate a patio seating for you.We did that last year and got a wonderful patio table in the corner next to christina aguilera ( who was seating at a private table sectioned off by a fence.)

 

[mom o'2princesses]

We were just there last week for dinner with a 7:30 PS. We got there at 7pm and asked for a patio table. I told them we'd be willing to wait for one to open. The hostess said that we would only be given the next available table, with no guarantee that it would be outside. However, for us it worked out and the next available table was outside. I think if it wasn't, they likely would have let us wait for another, but if I were you I'd get there early, just in case. It was great. Have fun!

 

[kdibattista]

Bring gifts, show a little leg... just kidding.... but maybe it would work!!! Anyway, it is true they cannot guarantee seating but we did request it when making the PS (they didn't tell us whether they noted it or not). We asked again when checking in and we were able to get it... I guess we were just lucky!!!

 

[puffkin]

So, my best strategy would be to stop by Rose and Crown earlier that day and request a table, then show up early for my PS and offer to wait for a table on the patio? Just want to make sure this is the best strategy.

 

[JetMom]

We tried this last year and had a really bad experience. we stopped by about 4 and mentioned our request. We got the standard "we'll do our best" reply. we checked in at 7:10 for our 7:30 rservation. after about 45 minutes of waiting, we said that we would take any table.We did not get seated until 8:30! We were outside, but on the side of the restaurant, so we could not see Illuminations from our table any way.

Overall, although the food was good, we did not really enjoy it. Waiting for an hour and a half with 4 hungry children for a less than stellar experience cooled my enthusiasm for R&C.

 

[lookingforward]

We also requested an outside table and were told the standard "we'll do our best" but our concierge made the reservations (not sure if this made a difference?) and we were seated outside next to a roped off area for Michael Eisner (who was dining there that night...we never saw him though!) Anyway, what I noticed about asking for an outside table was that at least one out of two parties have the same request. Some people can be really demanding and rude about it and actually have temper tantrums when they are led to an inside table. From my unscientific evaluation...those who were kind and non-confrontational got a better response.(for example..one couple asked for an outside table and were led inside to a table and NICELY said that it was their anniversary and they would be happy to wait for an outside table and the women said okay...then a women started yelling when her party was dragged inside and she was really rude and the castmember would not budge!) NOW..I feel I must say that sitting outside on prime patio space was nice but MESSY! The Illuminations show was wonderful but the patio was sprayed with black soot like materials from the pyrotechnics. One girl seated in the second row of the balcony got some of it in her eye and they had to call the paramedics..they were still treating her when we left and her parents were very angry.

 

[Rafikifan]

Has anyone gone for an early p.s. just to enjoy the view across the lake and of the WS as the sun is going down? I enjoy the view while sitting at the Cantina in Mexico. Other than for Illuminations is sitting outside at Rose and Crown worth it? And of course I'm NOT talking about getting an early p.s. and camping out at the table until Illuminations time. I'd be fine with an early dinner, a nice view, and leaving in plenty of time for another party to get the table for Illuminations and we can watch it at another spot in the WS after strolling around. I guess what I am asking is a round about way is....is it a nice atmosphere for dinner in the daylight on the patio?

 

[jtjcwise]

We were at Epcot last year in April, and did not have a PS. We just stopped to check how long a wait would be at around 6:00PM, and we were seated in 5 minutes. Our table was on the patio and the view and experience was wonderful. It was relaxing to sit by the lake and watch the sunset. Plan on doing it again in June. Already have the PS.

 

[Carl]

Are you people saying that you get a table as early as 6 or 7 and just sit there until 9:00 for Illuminations? Do they allow you to sit at the table for several hours after you finish eating, just to watch Illuminations?

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had mixed results on getting a patio table for illuminations but always great service and great meals. Out of 4 tries for "illuminations" we got a wonderful patio table once. The other three times we were seated inside but allowed to stand on the upper part of the patio for the fireworks. We were not near anyone eating and IMHO didn't disturb anyone.

IIRC, about 7:30 is the start of the seating for those that expect to stay for illuminations. Just over an hour for dinner brings you to the 9ish time frame.

TJ

 

[Tesabat]

My understanding is that R&C has tightened the "rules" a bit w/r/t Illuminations and they can no longer note a request for patio or let you wait for a request for the patio. Also, I had read about letting people inside go outside to stand on the terrace. But, when we were there, they did not let anyone stand on the terrace. There was an altercation about that right next to us. Some people tried to come out on the patio to stand, and the mgr. clearly let them know that R&C is a "Restaurant first, and a place to watch Illuminations, second." We've never tried for another patio table during Illuminations again as we were happy with the one time, and have enjoyed the show from other viewing areas. However, I DO enjoy sitting on the patio for a late lunch or early dinner, especially when there is a slight breeze. It is a nice spot - and a pint helps it seem nicer!

 

[Safari Steve]

Do they allow you to sit at the table for several hours after you finish eating, just to watch Illuminations?

Technically... yes, but it's very, very rude. Additionally, the longer you sit at a table after your meal is finished, the less money your server will make from gratuities provided by other guests who could be eating at that table while you just sit and take up space. Remember that R&C is a restaurant first and foremost, and there are plenty of places to watch IllumiNations from if you're not eating.

I'd be fine with an early dinner, a nice view, and leaving in plenty of time for another party to get the table for Illuminations and we can watch it at another spot in the WS after strolling around.

That is MUCH more considerate of others... if everyone had that attitude, no one would experience this:

Waiting for an hour and a half with 4 hungry children for a less than stellar experience...

And, as is ALWAYS the case, this is true:

From my unscientific evaluation...those who were kind and non-confrontational got a better response.

I think that's basic common sense. In my role, I am MUCH more apt to go the extra mile for someone who is treating me with respect. I will not be rude to someone who is making a fool of themselves, but I won't bend over backwards to pacify them.

 

[pewing]

I have a question in this vein...I tried to book a PS through Dreams Unlimited for this coming Sunday evening (April 27) and the response said 'I am sorry, this restaurant has no availability at all for dinner this evening."

Is it closed? Are the ressies just full? Advice?

I would LOVE to see Illuminations from there...and since we are without our kids this trip...we can sit around and relax. What do you think?

 

[Safari Steve]

Probably no more PS left. They allow for a certain percentage of walk-ups and they will not book more PS than they can accomodate.

 

[CarolA]

I actually did wind up with a table at around 6 or so and stayed until Illuminiations, but before you talk about how rude we were. IT WAS NOT MY FAULT! They basically told us at sitting that we could not stay until illuminations and we were fine with that. We had the world's slowest waiter! LOL! We have no idea if he just did not want to turn over the table or what. And we ordered very easy dishes. We sat down at 6:30 and did not get our check until 9 when Illuminations began. We both had salads and appetizers as our meal with another appetizer split between. The service was so slow it had both of us laughing. It really did take him 2.5hours to get all this to us.

I have eaten lunch there lots of times and normally do sit on the patio. I really enjoy it and the service is always fine. (just the one time!)