Rose and Crown and Illuminations

[MrTerrorChair]

I love the Rose and Crown Pub restaurant in the United Kingdom pavillion. The service is great and the food is just a step off from the traditional American fare. I can see where our culinary heritage comes from.

I have never been at the Rose and Crown during Illuminations. My family likes to eat early and I know we'd need a latter priority seating.

Can you help me out? I need some comments from those who have been at one of the lakeside tables at the R&C during Illuminations. Is it worth it? What was the show like? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

We were in WDW in August 2003. We sat at one of the outdoor tables, and had a 'ringside' seat!

Not only was it pretty awesome to be able to sit down for the show, at our table, but it was also pretty neat to not have anyone in front of us! This made the show just that much more enjoyable for my three sons, who were with us!

I would say, YES! Go for it!

 

[estnh]

We are also trying to do this on our April trip. What's the best time to make your PS reservation to catch Illuminations at 9PM?

Right now we have them for 7:30, but that might be a bit early.

 

[TammiMcMan]

There are maybe 8-10 outside tables that have a full Illuminations view. If you are lucky enough to get seated at one of them, the view is like nothing else. Unfortunately, this is no longer a well kept secret and these tables are very hard to come by. You can no longer make a request for an outside table and offering to wait for one is usually not an option either. There are just too many people wanting them. Picking out the perfect PS time is similar to picking the winning lottery number. We've been there on days when the folks seated at 7pm have nested there for 2 hours to watch the show and other nights when tables have opened up after 8pm. If you go in the summer months, you run the risk of having the patio closed for those frequent early evening storms. We had this happen to us once and our 7pm PS became an 8pm actual seating time.

If you like the food, then I say go for it. If you do get seated inside, they will allow you to come out and stand to watch Illuminations.

Tammi

 

[Princess Wannabe]

No, actually 7:30 isn't any too early. To begin with, you're not guaranteed you'll be seated EXACTLY at 7:30. A 5-10 minute wait may not be that unusual. Once you're seated, it takes awhile to go through dinner....the servers didn't rush you, and there was ample time between courses.

Our PS time was at 7:30, and we were just finishing up dessert when Illuminations started...it was perfect!

I would keep that 7:30 PS time, if I were you!

 

[Luv2Roam]

You can try for it. It may work. It may not. Just don't be too disappointed if your plans don't work as you anticipated.

 

[pewing]

You can try for it. It may work. It may not. Just don't be too disappointed if your plans don't work as you anticipated.

Good advice. We tried this once, but when we were there without our kids (DH business trip). We were afraid they would be too disappointed if we tried and didn't succeed.

We did get seated outside. Actually it rained and they closed the outside and reopened it just before the show. We just lucked out really. And...it was awesome! You could feel the heat. I LOVE Ilumminations and it is even more amazing up close and personal

 

[CPer'sMom]

We have seen Illuminations many times, but saw it for the first time from the Rose & Crown on our December trip. It was the best viewing location ever!!
We had a 7:30 PS time ~~ when I checked in I politely asked if we could have an outside table if at all possible. The CM's were very nice; they said they would see what they could do and just asked us to wait until we were called. No mention of "we can't do that anymore". After about a 15 minute wait we were taken to a wonderful table on the patio. Our server was great; she knew that we were there to view Illuminations and didn't rush us at all.

Best advice ~ try for a 7:30 PS and be polite when checking in.

 

[Micca]

7:50 has been the magic number for us on several trips. I agree with the suggestion to "be polite". I think the CMs get all kinds of persuasive tactics from begging to rude. I think they do what they can and don't want to hear about how they are ruining your whole trip if you can't be seated outside. BTW, try the pie sampler

 

[mhaley]

Last Nov. we had a 7:15 PS and we were seated outside. Our lovely server Ashleigh told us to take our time and we did not have to leave until after the 9pm Illuminations. I was fantastic. We ordered lots of drinks and dessert after our meal, so she ended up with quite the tip. It was my parents first trip to EPCOT and it was the highlight of their trip. Of course our 5yr daughter fell asleep at the table and missed all the fireworks...

 

[Savin4Disney]

Is there an extra charge it you go during Illuminations? Maybe thinking of doing that now. Can you sit outside in Late Nov.

 

[Spoisal]

bumping this old thread to see if there are any recent comments....