Rose and & Crown mess up

[woodymonkey]

As a long time board stalker ( I think there are a lot of us , I would set up a thread for us but no-one would post) I need some help with our trip this October so have come out the shadows for some help.

Tradition states that we must have fireworks food at the rose and crown and at the 180 day+10 mark I was all over it. I managed to get an 8PM slot on the last Friday of our 12 day holiday and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.

However this is our first Halloween/F&W trip and I failed to notice something I never knew was a thing. Sometimes Epcot closes at 10!. After confirming this would also be the illuminations time I am feeling a bit of a muppet.

So I have managed to get an 8:40 slot but I am worried this wont be the last sitting and it wont work out for us. Its really not the end of the world but I was wanted to take peoples opinions on whether we should look for alternatives and do F&W again that day.

We are on the Dining Plan so we would need to use the credits somewhere else in the holiday and we like rose and crown but its the whole setting and experience that kept us doing it.

What are your thoughts? and hello!

 

[Hopefully]

As a long time board stalker ( I think there are a lot of us , I would set up a thread for us but no-one would post) I need some help with our trip this October so have come out the shadows for some help.

Tradition states that we must have fireworks food at the rose and crown and at the 180 day+10 mark I was all over it. I managed to get an 8PM slot on the last Friday of our 12 day holiday and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.

However this is our first Halloween/F&W trip and I failed to notice something I never knew was a thing. Sometimes Epcot closes at 10!. After confirming this would also be the illuminations time I am feeling a bit of a muppet.

So I have managed to get an 8:40 slot but I am worried this wont be the last sitting and it wont work out for us. Its really not the end of the world but I was wanted to take peoples opinions on whether we should look for alternatives and do F&W again that day.

We are on the Dining Plan so we would need to use the credits somewhere else in the holiday and we like rose and crown but its the whole setting and experience that kept us doing it.

What are your thoughts? and hello!

I don't understand what you are worried about.
Epcot closes at 10 PM on Friday and Saturday nights during Food & Wine. You will be fine with an 8:40 ADR if your goal is to see the 10PM Illuminations.
Now if you are thinking that 8:40 is too late for your party, only you can decide that.

 

[steg]

@woodymonkey I'd keep the 8 and try to stay until 10, that way if you get a good table you can stay until illuminations and if you have a bad one you can get out with enough time to camp out a good spot for illuminations.

Alternatively, 8 also gives you flexibility to wait for a table that you want if the ones closest to crescent lake are already full.

I've been able to easily pace out a meal over two hours for fireworks viewing.

 

[woodymonkey]

Thanks steg. My worry was that they will want the table back before that point and we will have to view elsewhere. I will stick with the 8pm then . Thank you for the advice

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

R&C's last ADR time is 1 hour prior to Illuminations. With the 8:40, you will be one of the last people to get a table, and chance it would be a patio table would be slim to none.

I would keep the 8:00. Get there just before 8, and ask for a patio table, and that you would wait for it. Unlikely you'll be seated before 8:15 (even if they won't give you the patio table). If you order appetizers and then entrée, you'll be having dessert just before the 10:00 illuminations.

 

[steg]

Thanks steg. My worry was that they will want the table back before that point and we will have to view elsewhere. I will stick with the 8pm then . Thank you for the advice

I've never personally been "kicked out" but I've also mainly done this at signature TS where 2 hours for a meal is close to the norm.

As long as you keep ordering stuff you should be fine, pace out your courses accordingly, and take your time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Alternatively, 8 also gives you flexibility to wait for a table that you want if the ones closest to crescent lake are already full.

I would keep the 8:00. Get there just before 8, and ask for a patio table, and that you would wait for it.

When did the policy change from offers to wait for a patio table being declined, ignored, disapproved, whatever?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

When did the policy change from offers to wait for a patio table being declined, ignored, disapproved, whatever?

You can always ask for a patio table (or any sought of table at any restaurant). Policy is that they can say, "sorry, not possible" and you take what they have, or nothing at all. But, they, generally, will try and give you what you request, if they can, and call it pixie dust.

For us, they have said something like, "we'll see what we can do, but no promises," and I say, "thank you," and have gotten the request each time (though, I know it's never a guarantee).

 

[steg]

When did the policy change from offers to wait for a patio table being declined, ignored, disapproved, whatever?

He can certainly ask, but getting there earlier and asking gives him a better shot at actually getting it.

If he keeps the 8:40 he could be waiting for a table kept by people already camping out the fireworks viewing for 10:00PM, that's certainly what I'd be doing if I was seated there between 8:00 and 8:40. There's a higher likelihood that if he gets there at 8:00 with his original reservation and asks to wait for a table near the lake that he'll get one than trying to do that 80 minutes before fireworks start.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If he keeps the 8:40 he could be waiting for a table kept by people already camping out the fireworks viewing for 10:00PM

But he won't be waiting. His offer to wait for a table will be politely declined, and just as politely he will be advised he needs to take the available table or find elsewhere (and likely be charged the more recent $10 'll no-show fee.)

I'm not talking about which reservation to keep, just that the advice to wait for a (patio) table will probably not work.

And Rose & Crown does allow indoor guests on the back of the patio to view IllumiNations.

 

[steg]

But he won't be waiting. His offer to wait for a table will be politely declined, and just as politely he will be advised he needs to take the available table or find elsewhere (and likely be charged the more recent $10 'll no-show fee.)

I'm not talking about which reservation to keep, just that the advice to wait for a (patio) table will probably not work.

And Rose & Crown does allow indoor guests on the back of the patio to view IllumiNations.

I must have gotten lucky at other restaurants, getting there 90-120 minutes before fireworks and asking for a table on the railing/windows to open up always seems to be granted for me. Some I've had to wait a while, even up to an hour but they've always been accommodating given that time window before fireworks.

That's why I figured I'd reccomend the 8:00 being forced to take a table that has a higher probability not being what he wants at 8:40 and then trying to find a good spot after dinner to watch Illuminations that isn't at rose and crown might be tough given it'll probably be busy being a Friday night during F&W. I've never tried to get a reservation less that 90 minutes before fireworks for the exact scenario you mentioned.

I was more trying to refer to people with good fireworks views from their table on the patio intentionally staying there through as camping, I didn't mean to insinuate that I thought they let anyone on the patio in between or near people with seats near the wall on the Rose and Crown patio at fireworks time.

 

[woodymonkey]

Thanks everyone. I have to say the 8PM seems like the better bet on balance. I have always had patio seats and this will be our 5th time at Rose and Crown and its always just been a polite ask but i have kept in mind that my luck would run out at some point. This is only about maximising that chance.
I have noticed the inside is filled with large groups so with lots of spare small tables free late at night, I think the patio is now so popular they assume everyone wants to be there.
Thank you everyone for their advice