Rose and Crown PS - Illuminations timing

[gailelle]

What time should I make a PS in order to see Illuminations? Do I want the pub or the main restaurant? thanks for any advice. gailelle

 

[kel3420]

I have done this before and had great seats, but I called just today to make PS for our upcoming trip.

I asked what time Illuminations was and what time was recommended for seating. This was 9 and 8, respectively. you are told to get there at least ten minutes in advance, we'll do probably half an hour to get a good table.

Last time we did this we got great seats on the patio, we'll see what we get this time.

Have fun.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We've done the Rose & Crown/Illuminations thing quite a few times and this is what we've learned; if Illuminations is scheduled for 9pm, which I think on most nights it is, I would get reservations for 6:30 and arrive at least 15 minutes before your ps. I think this increases your chances of getting a good patio seat. Then, take your time and order appetizers right through dessert. Of course, I'd also recommend tipping your server extra because you will be taking up his/her table for quite a while and let them know your not in a hurry. Don't order dinner until your appetizer has arrived. This should drag things out.

You cannot request a patio seat and whatever table is available when it's your turn, is the one that you get. We've always lucked out and been seated on the patio, except for our January trip. It was only my husband and myself and the concierge had made our ps and he did note a patio request. We arrived pretty close to 7pm and had about a 15 minute wait. The first table that came up was inside the restaurant. I wouldn't have minded, expect it was a table where one person sits on a bench and the other person gets the chair across from you, I hate those kinds of tables. We declined and were told that our name would go back into the queue for the next available. Well another 15 or 20 minutes later and we did get a patio table, but it was well under the awning. Unfortunately, we missed all of the aerial fireworks. My favorite part is the music, so I didn't mind too much, but even patio won't guarantee you an unobstructed view. You can always eat in the pub, which is a lot of fun and then step outside and to the right of the building to view Illuminations.

 

[BCV23]

We've had great luck with making our PS for 7:30. We've been seated on the patio a number of times for Illuminations which is always at 9:00 other than some nights holiday season. We always are very polite in requesting outdoor seating...some folks are really pushy about it at that queue!

With 7:30, we have time for an appetizer and entree before Illuminations. Sometimes even dessert has been served before it begins.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We were behind 3 walk up groups at the podium in January. They didn't even have ps's and they were giving the host a really hard time about getting a patio seat. By the time it was my turn to check-in, the host was understandably not in a good mood. I put on my best DIS smile and tried to lighten things up a bit with him. Guess his mood was set for the night though and one of the walk ups in front of us got a great patio table, while we were shown to the dreaded bench table inside. Must of just been an off night for them, because not only was the host in a bad mood, but some of the other staff was also. All our other experiences have been great though, so go figure.