Rose and Crown Illuminations Strategies

[edcopp]

Well, I have a reservation for the Rose and Crown at 7:50 PM. Like everybody else, we would love to score an outside table for the show. So are there any strategies that have proven fruitful in the past?

Should I go there early and sweet-talk/grease the host/hostess? And by 'grease' I mean tip.

Should I just let the chips fall where they may? What exactly is the outdoor viewing area at the restaurant like? Will we be just as happy if we go out there for the show from our table inside?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

The outdoor viewing is right next to the patio seating and it is great. They always say that everyone wants the patio seating for Illuminations, so nothing is ever guaranteed. I don't know what would happen if you attempted to pay extra to get it. Personally, I think the private viewing area is outstanding, so I can't see paying extra just to get a patio seat. Just tell your server that you would like the VIP treatment for Illuminations and they'll take you to the private viewing area. FWIW, we had a completely different impression of Illuminations after watching it from Rose & Crown. I began to see why people raved about it so much.

 

[jezebella]

I thought it was funnny when we went last weekend and they had a sign posted at the hostess stand saying "Due to the amount of guests, please abide by the 2 hour limit for dining rule"... Guess they have people with 6:00 ADR's trying to S T R E T C H out their dinner to see Illuminiations.

 

[Terry S]

I am still confused as to what all the areas of Rose and Crown seating are called. I have heard the word terrace and heard the word patio? There seems to be 3 areas. (1) If you are standing at the podeum there are tables outside that are over to the left. These all have a solid wall in front of them, can you see over this wall? What are the names of those seats? (2) Then there is an outside covered deck of some sort attached to the left side of the restaurant that wraps around to the water side of the restaurant. What is this area called? (3) Then there seems to be a third area that is right below the deck area on the water side, this area seems to have just a few tables with umbrellas at the tables and they close the ubrellas right before the show. Do these 3 areas all have different names?

 

[DaveT1]

I am still confused as to what all the areas of Rose and Crown seating are called. I have heard the word terrace and heard the word patio? There seems to be 3 areas. (1) If you are standing at the podeum there are tables outside that are over to the left. These all have a solid wall in front of them, can you see over this wall? What are the names of those seats? ?

That area is for people to eat the take out fish and chips, not sit down R&C.

(2) Then there is an outside covered deck of some sort attached to the left side of the restaurant that wraps around to the water side of the restaurant. What is this area called??

Not sure

(3) Then there seems to be a third area that is right below the deck area on the water side, this area seems to have just a few tables with umbrellas at the tables and they close the ubrellas right before the show. Do these 3 areas all have different names?

That is considered the outside patio

 

[Terry S]

Oh wow Dave! I thought that area to the left of the podeum was part of the Rose and Crown Seating. I always wondered why people would want to sit in that area since that solid wall is there and has to be hard to see over.

 

[BCV23]

I think the whole area (other than the patio to the far left that Dave described) is just referred to as the patio or outside seating. I think the poor restaurant has trouble enough dealing with requests for outside seating without getting too specific whether it is on the upper or lower tier. Larger parties can't fit on the lower terrace anyway in our experience. We've had five down there but the space is fairly narrow.

I don't think tipping would work. I would just be as polite and undemanding as possible including not trying to cut in line.

You can't see Illuminations well from inside. But I would only make a reservation there if I would be happy with indoor or outside seating. You just never know and in fine weather everyone is requesting outside.

But I will also have to say we've been very lucky and have been seated outside many times!

 

[DaveT1]

I think the whole area ..... is just referred to as the patio or outside seating.

That was my first thought too, but wasn't positive. I agree with the rest of BCV23's post also.

Also, i forgot to mention that i have heard terrace used also because the patio area does have two levels.

I have heard that CM's won't take a "cash donation". Let us know if you find out otherwise. I just said "i know you can't guarantee an outside table, but we are willing to wait if it is possible."

One side note, check which way the wind is blowing. It was rather strong towards the R&C one night and the smoke and soot from Illuminations did get on us. Not bad enough to spoil it, but a factor.

 

[Terry S]

The reason I was asking about the difference is that my son has on several occasions got soot in his eyes from the fireworks and I thought since the upper deck area had a cover there would be less chance of the soot getting in his eyes. Maybe I can just request the upper patio since I imagine more people want the lower patio.

 

[elastigirl]

CMs will not take a "cash donation" to score you an outside table. Don't insult them by trying. Inform them you would like to sit outside if possible when you check in, but that's about all you can do. Timing, sweet talk, etc - there's nothing you can count on. They deal with this daily, and have to have set guidelines or it would be a stressful madhouse for every single host(ess) CM, every single night.

It really is only the luck of the draw. Don't go in expecting anything.

Personally, I've had much much better views of Illuminations from various areas than I have from the terrace at R&C.