rose and crown illuminations

[collegejunkie]

how well are you able to see? is there a viewing area? how big is it? should we stake out a spot once we get our table and let our server know that we'll be outside watching? how do people usually do it?

 

[donutday]

If you are seated out on the terrace you can see from your table. If you are seated inside or on the side, you are welcome to move to a viewing area at the side of the restaurant. (While you can request it, know that outside seating is not guaranteed--everyone wants those tables.) The servers know that people are there to watch Illuminations. I don't think you could just leave the restaurant to go to a spot outside, unless you paid your check first! And who in your party would miss dinner to "save" that spot for you? But if you are going to do that, there is no point in booking the restaurant at that time--go earlier.

It isn't the absolute best view in the park--the overhang and umbrellas can block a bit of the upper fireworks and lasers, and sometimes you may end up downwind with a smoke haze, but it sure beats having to just stand and lean on the fence for an hour. Afterwards, leisurely enjoy your dessert (sticky toffee pudding--yum!) and tea while the crowds rush out, and then enjoy walking out through an almost empty park. One of our favorite ADRs--if you can get it. Good luck.

 

[sharonabe]

Rose & Crown has a "private" viewing spot for its patrons, so if you are seated inside, they will direct you to that spot when it is time. If you haven't finished your meal, you can go back after Illuminations to finish.

As PP said, it's not the BEST spot, but it is a decent spot and you don't have to stake it out yourself and wait for it. Instead, you can enjoy a leisurely meal and still get to see the show.

 

[purple figment]

When you check in you can ask at the podium for a table on the patio and you'll be able to see IllumiNations from your seat. The CMs may or may not allow you to wait for a patio table. However, since it looks like you're going in December, it may be too cold to eat outside. We were there last Dec when temps dropped into the 30's - 40's in the evening and sitting waterside at the R&C wasn't appealing.

If you are seated inside, let your server know that you would like to go outside to see the IllumiNations. They will pace your meal accordingly and just before the start of the fireworks your server will take you to the viewing area.

We had a very clear view of the fireworks and fortunately the wind wasn't a problem.

 

[figment_jii]

The viewing area has an excellent view of the show. Below are some pictures from the viewing area taken last December:

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

We really enjoyed watching Illuminations from the Rose and Crown. We ate inside and our waiter escorted us to the terrace when it was time for the show. The view of the fireworks and the globe is very good, but you can't see many of the countries when they are lighted up.

 

[collegejunkie]

figment, those are awesome pictures and have confirmed my choice! thanks to everyone who gave their experiences. we go every december so we know it will be cold - last year, i ended up wearing my winter jacket some nights!

i have an ADR for 8:25. that should be enough time, right? also, i think we will only want dessert, but i can't imagine that would be a problem.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I, too, am curious about the timing if I want to dine inside and go to the viewing area, then relax afterwards while the park empties. What ADR time should I shoot for?

I've been fortunate enough to enjoy the show from a table on the patio along the railing. It was lovely, but this time it will be December and could be chilly to dine outside.

Thanks!

 

[mirage0306]

We had a 7 pm ADR at Rose and Crown on a Saturday night. They must have been pretty busy because we didn't actually get seated until close to 7:30. However, we had a patio table right on the water. We ate our dessert while watching Illuminations and it was spectacular. The view was great and there was absolutely no rush. I had hoped for this scenario when we picked that restaurant and was so happy that things actually worked out!

 

[donutday]

We eat at Rose and Crown on almost every trip and I still find it hard to estimate a good ADR time to catch Illuminations. It just depends on the crowds, the servers and how much you order. Generally I try to aim for an hour to ninety minutes before Illuminations, but sometimes this is too late; occasionally I have gotten seated right away and am finished eating well before it is time. I have heard some people show up a good three or more hours and just sit at the table. I don't think this is fair to the restaurant to tie up a table that long.

We have had some gorgeous evenings in December, but I do remember one year we had a CP package, and all they could give us was an "outside" table, even though it must have been in the low 40s. That night everyone wanted an inside table, and with the CP package you are prepaid so you can't make a last minute cancellation! The terrace was enclosed with canvas walls, and they had heat lamps, but we were in a corner with a cold draft (wind, actually) coming in. We ate with hats, mufflers, coats and gloves on. At the time I was irritated, but now I look back and it was one of our family's great "remember when. . ." times!

 

[elainesj]

we were there in January and it was fairly chilly (we were bundled in hats and gloves!)

We had a 7pm ADR and ended up sitting down about 7:30 (i was a bit late getting there). Pace of the meal worked out perfect. We were done and paid the bill about 8:45.

We were joined by friends who ate elsewhere and we all went out on the patio and ended up in a corner set of tables (no one around us) right on the railing by the water. Amazing view and so nice to be able to chill on the chairs. Being Jan, the restaurant wasn't even full and we had complete VIP seating

Couple of nights later we were back for another round of illuminations. We walked all over the place and felt the absolute best place was still UK (right in front of the globe unlike the bridge between UK and France which had an angled view).

We ended up on the railing right next to the Rose n Crown. Again, great view. We camped out though...bought CS and ate sitting down on the pavement. I preferred R & C myself...although hubby preferred the railing because he's not a big fan of R & C food (which I loved)

E

 

[DisneySarah80]

We have reservations there in October for 8:05. I plan on asking for an outdoor table of course, and we will see what happens.

We are a party of 8 - are there tables out there big enough for us?

 

[collegejunkie]

the website says illuminations is at 9:30 and for some reason i'd thought it was at 9, oye! but i think it will still work out because our ADR is for 8:25

 

[wcpamotm]

It usually is at 9 but during Candlelight Processional, it's 9:30 in order to accommodate all three performances.

 

[donutday]

We have reservations there in October for 8:05. I plan on asking for an outdoor table of course, and we will see what happens.

We are a party of 8 - are there tables out there big enough for us?

We had a party of 9 on the terrace a few weeks ago.

 

[collegejunkie]

It usually is at 9 but during Candlelight Processional, it's 9:30 in order to accommodate all three performances.

oh, i see. do you think our 8:35 ADR is still good if the show is at 9:30?

 

[nicki.momof3]

oh, i see. do you think our 8:35 ADR is still good if the show is at 9:30?

From my experience 8:35 is a pretty late ADR to get a patio seat. We usually make ours for 7:45 and it works out perfect. I think with a later time you have less chance of a patio still being open.

We have 7:45pm ADR on 12/20 - I can not wait. It is always such a great evening. Even in Dec. when the weather is cold the heater make it fine.

Good Luck.

 

[collegejunkie]

will it be terribly difficult to move to the viewing area when it's time? how early should we go wait there?

 

[nkereina]

We have a 7:30 ADR for a 9pm showing. If we are seated on time and finish eating early, would we be allowed to stay in the private viewing area to watch? I certainly don't want to linger at the table and tie it up, but the only reason we are eating there at that time is for Illuminations. Thanks!

 

[collegejunkie]

yay i was able to switch to a 7:45 ADR!