Rose and Crown/Illuminations @ 10:30

[Gehrig1B]

Rose and Crown is showing 8:00 PM as the last reservation for dinner on December 30 with Illuminations at 10:30 that evening. We are booked for 7:55. Will restaurant staff be available through Illuminations if one wishes to remain for Illuminations? Anyone have any experience with this? Obviously we would not want to put our servers out by hanging around for 2.5 hours if the restaurant has closed but wondering if the restaurant hours might change to sync with Illuminations viewing or should we expect to be asked to leave after our meal is complete or would it be possible to stay for dessert and coffee and ultimately viewing of the fireworks? Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

 

[Gehrig1B]

No one with any experience regarding this issue?

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think you can make a meal at the Rose and Crown last 2 1/2 hours. It is probably the last ADR available because everyone else has grabbed the later ones in order to view the fireworks.

Unless they are running severely behind seating you, you will be done by 9:30 at the latest. I would not plan on using that ADR to view the fireworks. Keep looking for something later to open up. During that busy time of year no way will they let you sit there for an hour after your meal is done.

 

[Gehrig1B]

The Disney website shows dinner being served 3:45-8:00 pm on that night. I does not seem later bookings are being accepted. I'll call Disney and ask. Thanks for your response.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Called Disney Dining and the CM was stumped. She agreed that reservations were not being taken after 8:00 but that Illuminations was scheduled for 10:30. Her only suggestion was to keep checking in hopes that the restaurant would have extended hours later to accommodate Illuminations viewing. I think I will wait a day or two and call again to get another CM's opinion.

 

[maxiesmom]

Could be they are being held for the Candlelight Processional packages.

 

[Hopefully]

The last seating for R & C is always at 8. They may extend it on NY Eve but I wouldn't count on it.
And I agree 2 1/2 hours is too long to expect to sit there

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If they don't extend it to later ADRs, I would assume it would be OK to sit there after you finish eating. And, I would expect they expect people with the last round of tables to sit there until Illuminations (and perhaps order drinks).

I would keep checking for later ADRs to open up, though, just in case they do extend it.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Thanks again for your responses.

 

[barbliny]

The last seating for R & C is always at 8. They may extend it on NY Eve but I wouldn't count on it.
And I agree 2 1/2 hours is too long to expect to sit there

I have an ADR for 8:15 on a September Saturday night during F&W when Illuminations is scheduled at 10:00 pm. The last ADR for the night is 9:00 pm.

 

[Hopefully]

Thank you for that information. That makes it seem even less acceptable to me for OP to think that they can linger at their table from a 7:55 PM dinner.

 

[Gehrig1B]

No plans to linger, was more than willing to get dessert, coffee, drinks, etc. and tip admirably.

 

[maxiesmom]

No plans to linger, was more than willing to get dessert, coffee, drinks, etc. and tip admirably.

Again, unless you are seated late, even ordering all of the above will not take 2 1/2 hours. I've not had a signature dinner take that long, and they really space everything out.

You will be done an hour ahead of the fireworks.

 

[Farro]

How many are in your group? We had 13 of us at California Grill and they had us there well over 2 hours. Appetizers, bottles of wine, main course, coffee, dessert. Nice evening.

Even at La Hacienda - we had dinner reservations at 7:00 and we were still seated when Illuminations started! That was actually annoying as it was just service issues.

Good luck OP! I love long dinners. Here at home it's common for a big night out dinner to take 2 hours. We always leave good tips!

 

[preemiemama]

I actually have experience with this on July 4th of this year- a busy night for firework viewing!

We had a 7:00 reservation, with Illuminations at 9:00. With appetizers, entrees, and dessert we did not finish our meal and get our check until 10:30. We typically eat here on our trips to WDW and get a patio seat, and even without an appetizer have no problem taking 1.5-2 hours for our meal. An 8:00 reservation is not unrealistic for a 10:30 fireworks show, especially since there are no reservations after yours. The staff will be there until Illuminations finishes so it is not prohibiting them from going home.

I will also add that on July 4th I was told (in spite of my having talked to a manager when making my reservation since I had a large group) that there had been groups seated on the patio since 4:00. For a 9:00 Illuminations.

I am telling you this for 2 reasons:

First, I would never advocate tying up a seat in a restaurant for a fireworks view for 5 hours. I just do not agree with that- it is inconsiderate to guests who have later reservations and should not be an accepted policy. However, if it is something they allowed on the 4th of July, you should not feel guilty making an 8:00 reservation for a dinner that will most certainly take 2 hours (at least based on personal experience). Staying an extra 30 minutes to drink an extra cup of coffee is not a outrageous, though I'm honestly not sure it will be necessary.

Second, be prepared for the fact that you may have to be seated inside and then walk out to the patio viewing area they reserve for guests. If there are a bunch of people with earlier reservations who stay on the patio from the earlier dinner seatings like they did on the 4th of July, you may not have another option.

Hope this helps a bit?

 

[Gehrig1B]

I actually have experience with this on July 4th of this year- a busy night for firework viewing!

We had a 7:00 reservation, with Illuminations at 9:00. With appetizers, entrees, and dessert we did not finish our meal and get our check until 10:30. We typically eat here on our trips to WDW and get a patio seat, and even without an appetizer have no problem taking 1.5-2 hours for our meal. An 8:00 reservation is not unrealistic for a 10:30 fireworks show, especially since there are no reservations after yours. The staff will be there until Illuminations finishes so it is not prohibiting them from going home.

I will also add that on July 4th I was told (in spite of my having talked to a manager when making my reservation since I had a large group) that there had been groups seated on the patio since 4:00. For a 9:00 Illuminations.

I am telling you this for 2 reasons:

First, I would never advocate tying up a seat in a restaurant for a fireworks view for 5 hours. I just do not agree with that- it is inconsiderate to guests who have later reservations and should not be an accepted policy. However, if it is something they allowed on the 4th of July, you should not feel guilty making an 8:00 reservation for a dinner that will most certainly take 2 hours (at least based on personal experience). Staying an extra 30 minutes to drink an extra cup of coffee is not a outrageous, though I'm honestly not sure it will be necessary.

Second, be prepared for the fact that you may have to be seated inside and then walk out to the patio viewing area they reserve for guests. If there are a bunch of people with earlier reservations who stay on the patio from the earlier dinner seatings like they did on the 4th of July, you may not have another option.

Hope this helps a bit?

Thanks for your reply. You have shed some light on my query.

Was unsure if staff would remain until 10:30 if 8:00 is truly the last reservation. I too, as stated in my original post, would never tie up a table that could be used for another party for 3 hours nor would I expect staff to stay if they are off the clock.

 

[preemiemama]

Thanks for your reply. You have shed some light on my query.

Was unsure if staff would remain until 10:30 if 8:00 is truly the last reservation. I too, as stated in my original post, would never tie up a table that could be used for another party for 3 hours nor would I expect staff to stay if they are off the clock.

Based on our experiences there in the past, and in particular this past July 4th, you should be just fine. Rose and Crown is typically a slower service, and I am certain that some of it is because of the fireworks viewing. Hope you enjoy your meal!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I have an ADR for 8:15 on a September Saturday night during F&W when Illuminations is scheduled at 10:00 pm. The last ADR for the night is 9:00 pm.

Do the listed hours for rose and crown on those nights reflect the later hours?