Rose and crown for IllumiNations

[firstvisit14]

We were able to find and book a reservation for Rosé and Crown at 7:40 one evening during our July trip. Is it worth reordering our agenda and changing our Epcot day to match? What do you think are the odds that we can see IllumiNations from the restaurant (or patio) with that reservation?

 

[figment_jii]

We were able to find and book a reservation for Rosé and Crown at 7:40 one evening during our July trip. Is it worth reordering our agenda and changing our Epcot day to match? What do you think are the odds that we can see IllumiNations from the restaurant (or patio) with that reservation?

Is IllumiNations at 9:00 pm? In my experience R&C tends to run slightly behind in terms of seating guests and dinner runs between 60-75 minutes for two to three courses. I think there is fairly good chance you'll still be eating when IllumiNations starts if you're having more than one course.

It is worth noting that in most cases R&C does not allow guests to request a patio table. If you are seated at a table without a good view, there is a reserved viewing area you can ask to be taken to. It's located to the left of the restaurant (when facing W&S lagoon). They do not encourage you to go out to the patio where other guests are dining and watching the show.

Now, whether you want to re-order your Epcot day is a different question. I would not re-order a whole day just because I got an ADR for a venue that I might be able to watch IllumiNations from my table. If you wanted to eat at R&C and IllumiNations would be a bonus (but not required), then I would go ahead. If you otherwise would not eat at R&C, then I wouldn't make the ADR.

 

[firstvisit14]

Thank you! Your answer is extremely helpful!

 

[mousefanforever]

We tried this in October and even arrived plenty early but they wouldn't grant us a table to see illuminations, dinner was not that great and then we never did get to see illuminations. I wouldn't count on this. Good luck!

 

[figment_jii]

We tried this in October and even arrived plenty early but they wouldn't grant us a table to see illuminations, dinner was not that great and then we never did get to see illuminations. I wouldn't count on this. Good luck!

Just to clarify, do you mean you weren't offered to be taken to the reserved viewing area OR did you ask to be taken and was told no?

 

[Polish Hammer]

Anybody know how many tables there are and how many have a view of Illuminations? That would help in deciding if the odds are worth trying for an ADR when Illuminations is important. Thanks!

 

[mousefanforever]

Just to clarify, do you mean you weren't offered to be taken to the reserved viewing area OR did you ask to be taken and was told no?

We specifically asked to be seated with a table to watch illuminations( also asked months ahead when making the reservation). It was also my 40th birthday. They said they cannot guarantee that but show up at least 15 min early( we were 45 min early and willing to wish for a table for 2 to open). They stuck us inside and said we can go to the special viewing deck after dinner to stand

 

[LucyBC80]

We did request a patio table and we're granted that request after a short wait. Our reservation was for 7:20PM.

 

[jlh512]

It's not the greatest view for illuminations, but to not have to fight the crowds is worth it for me. We have had an 8pm ressie on a night when Illuminations was at 10 and we just hung around the table and the server didn't mind. We kept ordering drinks and the restaurant was not crowded anyway. We always request an outside table, but they usually say that cannot be granted.

 

[nkereina]

We had a 7:40pm R&C reservation two years ago. Took us 20 mins to check into the ADR and another 20 to be seated, so we were sat around 8:15pm. We did get a patio table without asking for it, however it was on the second level patio and the awning created an obstructed view of Illuminations. We were invited to move to the standing area for a better view, but hadn't gotten our dessert yet. All the patio tables were full but the inside was virtually empty, so I'd imagine they make a good effort to seat everyone outside at that time. It's worth a try but we probably wouldn't bother with it again for the purposes of Illuminations, only if we wanted to eat at R&C.

 

[lylone]

We have for many years watched Illuminations from Rose and Crown and were usually successful except this past year(12/13).

Even though it was our Disneymoon we were told we had to be seated indoors and it was right next to a very loud large party. Not romantic at all. We were told to come back and find our waitress to get on to the reserved area and had no luck. They wouldn't let us back in to the restaurant after we left at all.
We saw the "reserved" area and it was standing room only with a whole mess of people in it including that loud large group that sat next to us. We found somewhere else to stand and watch Illuminations instead. Only to have some parents with kids on their shoulders who push in front of us.
Yes, it was a nice romantic evening....NOT!

We are going to try the Illumniations Sparkling Dessert Party instead this year and bring our own towel to sit on.