Rose and Crown and Illuminations

[diskids2]

I'm looking for some strategies on securing Rose and Crown outside PS so that I am there when illuminations is "playing".

thanks!

 

[PammyK]

Your best bet is probably to make a PS for between 7:30 and 8:00pm. However, honestly, a good bit of it is the luck of the draw. Parties are seated in the order they arrive as tables for their party size become available. So if you are the next party of 4 on the list when a 4-top opens on the patio, you're in luck.

 

[LAinSEA]

When I called to make my parents' PS's for their trip in July (they decided just 30 days out from their trip to go), I asked about a PS for Rose n Crown. The CM helping me said that even though there were PS's available for the time frame during their trip (7:30-8pm), and they are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, that it would be very unlikely for them to get a patio table.

My DH and I had a perfect table for dining during Illuminations in November 2000. I did make the PS at exactly 120 days out. The CM made the PS for 7:45 pm and then told us to check in as early as 7:15 pm and politely request the patio table. We weren't seated until almost 8:30 pm and finished our desert after the show was over.

The CM said the policy is now first come first served...but those who made their PS's the earliest seemed to have a better chance of getting the patio tables during Illuminations (like getting a better table for Hoop de do the earlier you make your reservation).

 

[Sweethappiness]

I can't remember what day but we have a PS for 8:00 at rose and crown so lets hope we get to see some fireworks.

 

[becka]

This was over 2 years ago when we made a PS for 7:30. We checked in around 7:00 and inquired about patio seating and said that we were willing to wait if there was a chance at getting a table outside. We were called right at 7:30 and had a great table for 2 right on the rail. It might have been luck but it worked for us. We ordered apps, drinks and our entrees and they brought out our dessert just as Illuminations was about to start.

 

[diskids2]

My trip is not until Easter, so I will be sure to make my reservations 120 days out. I know that we wouldn't mind waiting for a patio table. Thanks for the info on the times. I'll probably shoot for 7:15, since we may have a wait

Thanks everyone!

 

[beccasmom]

When we ate dinner on the patio at the Rose & Crown the first time, the view of Illuminations was outstanding. However, on the second time, it was somehwat obstructed by the umbrellas on the lower patio "tier". If it is still set up that way, that was my only complaint. I'm still not sure why the umbrellas were up that late at night.

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

DW, DS and I were in the world 4 weeks ago in middle of may. The seater at rose and Crown said it is first come first serve and that we could not wait for an outside/patio table. The reason being that reservations were getting backed up on people. So I don't think there is a strategy anymore to getting an outside table except for good old fashioned luck.


Have a great trip.

Scott

 

[letfuller]

Having read these posts faithfully before our trip two weeks ago, I called a week before the date I requested for a 7:15 table for two. I made sure that we stopped in earlier that day, about 3:00 to reconfirm our table and at that point I said: "I realize that you cannot guarantee a patio table, but as we are celebrating a special occasion (10 years of marriage) we would greatly appreciate it!"

Well, upon our check in, it began to POUR buckets of water. This resulted in the lower patio area to become useless to diners and they were scrambling to seat people inside. I must say that they were very prompt at seating us and, yep, we were seated outside under cover on the top patio.

The rain ceased as Illuminations time approached and they were not seating anyone out on the lower level, so I asked our server, Susan the fabulous, if we could move down there. She checked with her manager and said we could!!!! So, just before the show she escorted us down there with a complimentary bottle of champagne. This view was fabulous!!!

In addition, she had stated that if, in cases of rain, they will open up the patio for those that had to dine inside. So, there is always a chance.

 

[Antonia]

The first week of June my DH, who has something about him that women find charming (as do I), managed to talk to the hostess and get an outside table on the lower patio. It was our 20th wedding anniversary, but I attribute our seating to my DH - he usually can charm his way into great tables, etc. He has a boyish grin that women love. We did stop by prior to our seating time and he explained to the hostess that it was our anniversary - she said to come back about 15 minutes early and remind her. Once we checked in at our PS time we had to keep the little buzzer and sit around and when it finally buzzed we were seated on the lower patio. We had a great view of Illuminations and we did complete a form commending the staff of Rose & Crown for making our anniversary special. So if there is a charmer in your group, send then to talk to the hostess.

 

[jdaa1]

Has anyone had any experience with having concierge make Rose & Crown reservations? I'm wondering if that makes any difference in getting a patio table...

 

[diskids2]

Oh I do have a charmer in the group and I will send him to the hostess. Thanks for the tip.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We tried this all of the above strategies and it failed miserably!

It was Easter week and the Hostess was practically hostile about waiting for a patio seat. They assured us that we would be able to go outside on the patio when Illuminations began. In reality we we crowded under a tree on the SIDE.

I stood behide a 6 foot man and had to hold my 40lb toddler and we saw NOTHING! The wind was blowing our way to boot so smoke and ash were raining down on us.

I won't risk trying that again.

 

[d-r]

They've changed the "policy" on this around several times in the last several years. Whatever you do, there will be some "luck of the draw" to it. Basically, you are better off having that sort of attitude and not setting yourself up for something, just going in and figuring whatever happens will be fine. Basically, let's see, I think we've had PS there four times, and gotten a patio three times, and two other times when we didn't have PS we just sat on the patio next to Rose and Crown, got some take out fish and chips and beer, and did just fine. You have to take that out a while if you want it, but not any more than you have to stake out the patio seat. YMMV of course, and how crowded the park is that night will matter a lot. Actually, the last time we sat right on the end of that area closest to the water and the restaurant, and the view was as nice as from the patio - the service wasn't as good though -

DR

 

[DisneyFanatik]

Antonia - I had to laugh at your post! My dh is also a "charmer"! He has charmed us into a concierge room at the YC (on a postcard rate of $165 !) and a patio seat at R&C just to name a few. So take her advice! If there is a charmer in your party, just step back and let them give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

This past Easter break we made reservations for R&C about 1 week before got a 7:30 time. We showed up at 7:30, sat outside and were told by our excellent waiter to just hang out take our time and stay for illuminations. There was no calling 120 days out, there was no special occasion, there was no stopping by during the day in fact none of those things would even occur to us perhaps that is why we had no trouble. Same thing with CA Grill that trip. Made the reservations Easter morning for that night around 8 and were seated right at the window for fireworks with no request. Has happened to us every time we eat at those restraunts.

 

[Antonia]

MickeyisanNDfan - you all must be ABSOLUTELY charming!! hehehe

 

[chinamom3]

We just got back from Disney and ate at the Rose and Crown on Wednesday evening. It was the best meal we had the whole time we were there. We stayed at the GF concierge level, and the concierge did manage to get us reservations for 6:20 the day of(at that time it was 5:00 in the afternoon.) However, there were other places we tried, and they were booked, except for after 8:00.

 

[diskids2]

Hey Mickey rub some of that luck on me!

 

[JodyTG]

My daughter and I have eaten an Rose and Crown on two separate WDW trips (both times with GREAT views of Illuminations) and I don't know that I'd bother again. The last time (June 2002) was the absolute WORST. We sat next to some very obnoxious brits that LOUDLY complained about the food while their children fed the ducks which started jumping on people's tables even though there are signs clearly marked not to do this. THEN, to make matters worse, once the fireworks began people started crowding into our area to see the show. We weren't quite finished eating at this time but were unable to eat the rest of our food due to these rude people. People bumped into our table spilling my daughter's drink all over her and the rest of my prime rib was dumped on the ground (broken plate and all) when people jockeyed for a better position. All requests to move away were ignored and one person was so rude as to say "I paid for this too". Well...I paid for the food that was unedible. Once the jerks moved away and my waitress came back she offered to bring me more food but at this point I just wanted to get away.

Think not just twice but THRICE about wanting one of those tables. I'm sorry about the long complaint but I just wanted to warn everyone.