Rose and Crown or Ragalan Road?

[jakenzie32]

I am wondering what restaurant you feel would better fit my family. I don't want to do them both since the menus seem somewhat similar...or am I completely wrong to have that opinion.

It will be DH, DS (5yrs.) and DD (6yrs.) and myself.

RR would be a special trip to Downtown Disney, but I have read great reviews on it. However, I'm sure we would have earlier ADR's and miss the band.
I've read mixed reviews about R&C, but was hoping to get an ADR for 7:30 and watch Illuminations. Having the opportunity to have a spot for Illumination even if we are not guaranteed a patio seat is pretty much the main reason we would be eating there. We've seen Illuminations a couple of years ago, but the kids were so tired by then they did not care. If we don't do R&C we would eat a TS for lunch and try to CS at R&C and try to snag a CS table for Illuminations (if the kids were tired, we would just leave.)

Additionally, we will be going in August, my 180 day is fast approaching. Do you think it will be too uncomfortable temp wise to request a patio seat?

 

[SuzieN]

I don't think the Rose and Crown has very good choices on the kids menu. We ate there 2 years ago and weren't too impressed. We'll be eating at Raglan Road on Wednesday so I can give an opinion on that when we get back!

 

[gismo1554]

I prefer Ragland Road. The food in the Rose & Crown is nice but the choice in Ragland Road is a lot better. The foods are different for example the fish and chips in Ragland road has a tastier batter than the Rose & Crown fish but both are nice.

 

[El Nebuloso]

We have only been to RR for drinks, so can't comment on the menu. Having been to Ireland, I'm not too crazy about RR. It just doesn't seem to have that pub feel that I like, but then again, it is Florida, not Dingle so I guess I shouldn't complain.

As for the R&C and fireworks, we were there (3 adults) last November and had a great time. Our reservations were for 7:30 and we ended up inside. The food was great, and at fireworks time the staff will lead you outside to a special reserved lagoon side standing area to watch. It worked really well for us.

 

[two-foxes]

At night, you'd be fine with a patio seat, if you can get one. I think it cools down enough to make it enjoyable on the patio at R&C. I swear I will never eat at R&C again unless I really want to have that view for IllumiNations. The food is not so great, IMHO. Also, beware that depending on the wind, that location can be bad, too. We watched from there once and had tons of smoke and embers from the show, that it made it much less enjoyable.

Now, RR is sooooo good. We ate there for the first time in December and I was nervous because the reviews were mixed. It was WONDERFUL. The food was great, the service was pretty good and I enjoyed the atmosphere just as much as I would have at R&C. So, there's my pick!

 

[webray]

You could have a late lunch/early dinner at Raglan Road. It would be a much better meal than Rose and Crown and you would have plenty of time to get over to Epcot and get a spot for illuminations.

 

[jakenzie32]

I don't think the Rose and Crown has very good choices on the kids menu. We ate there 2 years ago and weren't too impressed. We'll be eating at Raglan Road on Wednesday so I can give an opinion on that when we get back!

I will be excited to hear your response.

I am not too concerned about the Kid's menu as my kids don't really care what they eat... if they are hungrey they will eat just about anything...if they're not hungry they will eat anything sweet.

I think my husband would order the Bangers and Mash or whatever it is called and I would order the fish, but being from WI, we have a lot of good fish frys and I hope theirs is just as good.

Beth

 

[SuzieN]

Well we just got back last night and I have to tell you I REALLY preferred Raglan Road to Rose and Crown! The fish still wasn't as good as the fish we have here but I liked it a lot better than R&C. My husband really enjoyed the serious sirloin but the big winner was.....Ger's Bread & Butter Pudding!!!!! I am sooo glad I took the advice of all our fellow DIS'ers and tried it! It was DEFINITELY the best dessert of the trip! Really liked the atmosphere inside too!

 

[LSchrow]

you need to see the entertainment at raglan road ~ it's incredible!! (both the band & lone singer) food is okay, but the entertainment is actually better than many of the places we visited in ireland
the illuminations view from R&C is indeed beautiful, but it is the only restaurant in all of WDW that i would definately never recommend.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm going to go against the flow and say I didn't like Raglan Road at all. When we went last October, it was really noisy (we couldn't hear each other talk!) and our food wasn't very good. I had fish and chips, and it was barely lukewarm and kind of soggy - the worst meal of the trip. We did go there a second time, and the food was a little better, but I just wasn't impressed.

Haven't been to R&C since 2002, but back then, I thought it was pretty good. We had patio seats during Illuminations, but there was a big awning over our heads, and we couldn't see the fireworks without standing up and going to the railing.

My favorite restaurant at Epcot is Le Cellier - my recommendation is to go there. It's consistently good, and you can go outside and watch Illuminations across the pathway from the restaurant. They'll even time your meal so that you can take a break for Illuminations.

 

[hildarumpole]

Raglan Road was one of the best meals of our trip, while R&C was probably the worst. The atmosphere and food are so much better at Raglan Road. My kids loved the place.

 

[oybolshoi]

My hubby and I really enjoy both locations, but they are totally different from each other in our opinion.

The variety of the menu at Raglan Road trumps that of Rose and Crown - there are far more food options at Raglan Road than there are at Rose and Crown. In addition, if you eat at Raglan Road later in the evening you'll have a chance to listen to an Irish folk band and see an Irish dancer perform.

As for the authenticity of either menu, I can't speak to that, but we've had consistently good experiences at both locations.

 

[sters]

Apart from the noise, though, is the entertainment kid friendly?

 

[TigMaya]

Raglan Road was the favorite meal of my entire family during our May trip. DD6 and DS4 loved the band and the Irish dancer, the food was great (especially the kids menu), and the bread pudding was the absolute best dessert I have ever had!! When talking about our next trip to WDW, we've all agreed that RR is a must-do!

 

[gismo1554]

Definately kid friendly if your kids like things like river dance. Even the songs the band sing are catered to the audience so should be fine

 

[MickeyNicki]

R&C....we had the most disgusting meal at RR and will not go back there

 

[LeahA]

I was disappointed in my meal at Rose and Crown, and wasn't too impressed with Raglan Road except the Forks of Scallops appetizer. I guess it depends on where your going to be.

The Raglan Road entertainment is definitely kid friendly, we were there for dinner with my 3 sons last year.

Although my kids like Epcot, they really enjoy Downtown Disney, they are ages 6/9/12.

 

[OsFan09]

Since I have never eaten at R & C I cannot give a view. We did eat at RR and I was not too impressed. However, entertainment was good.