Rose and Crown vs. Spoodles (time wise)

[timandlesley]

We will be at Epcot for one of our evenings using the hopper passes. What would the difference in time be between eating at Rose and Crown inside of the park vs. going to Spoodles out the International Gateway? Where is the Gateway located, I hadn't heard of it before this thread.
A little background - we will be traveling as a family of four, me, my DD 20 months, my DS 4, and my DH. I think Spoodles is the better choice due to the more family like atmosphere (Again never eaten there, basing it on this board and what I've read) but don't know about the time concern. We will be returning from napping at the resort in the afternoon so probably won't enter Epcot until 5;30 or 6:00 that evening, want to have dinner around 7 and then stay at Epcot to watch Illuminations. Any help would be GREAT.
Thanks.
Lesley

 

[finnie48]

Hi Lesley,

It might be a nice idea to take the bus to MGM, and from there take the friendship boat (which will be to the right of MGM's entrance) to the Boardwalk. Spoodles is just to your left as you leave the boat. It is about a 20 minute relaxing ride, stops at S/D and YC/BC on the way. Then after dinner you can either walk (5-10min.) or get back on the boat to the International Gateway. Have fun!!

Peg and Bob

 

[kyirish25]

If wanting to dine at Spoodles I would do so before heading into Epcot just to not have to get there and leave within a short time frame.

I have never eaten at either place so I don't have a recommendation.

 

[estnh]

The International Gateway is located between England and France in the World Showcase area. (All it really is is a back gate to Epcot for the Epcot Resorts.) There is a boat that runs from the Gateway to the Boardwalk (it then goes to the Swan/Dolphin, the BC/YC and then to MGM.) Depending on where the boat is when you get to the dock, it can take up to a half hour to get to the boardwalk.

As you go out the gateway--you can go to the Yacht Club/Beach Club on the right, or around to the Boardwalk area where Spoodles is located, on the left. If you choose to walk instead of taking the boat, I would say its about a 15 minute walk to Spoodles from the England pavilion. As you go out the Gateway you'll be able to visually see the Boardwalk area in the distance on your left.

It is really easy to get to Spoodles from Epcot's "back door", and it also is a very interesting area of WDW to explore if you've never been there before.

 

[timandlesley]

Thanks so much everyone, that is very helpful. Now I just need to decide if I want to take that much time away from the park. Since we leave during the afternoon for naps I want to be in the park at night as much as possible, so we may just do Rose and Crown (we're limited due to the dining plan) I know it has mixed reviews, but we'll give it a shot.

Thanks again just love these boards
Lesley

 

[connie254]

We ate at the Rose and Crown last year at 7:30-nice leisurely pace. Had appetizers, beer, dinner and dessert. Got done at 8:45. The waitress was very nice and talkative-so we talked to her for a while. We were on the patio-reqested it at check-in, couldn't when I made the PS. We watched the Illuminations there-no crowds, bumping nothing.

 

[vettechick99]

OK, you have two concerns...time and family-friendly environment.

As far as time goes, heading out of the park and onto the BW will eat up (pun intended ) about 30 minutes going back and forth. Not to mention the lollygagging will happen after dinner (no child can resist the BW happenings!).

So if you really wanted Spoodles, I would do it first thing before you head into the park.

Now is there a reason you don't feel R&C is family-friendly? Is it b/c there aren't many kids there or you feel it's a bar atmosphere? Now the bar area is definitely more adult, but the patio is fair game. I've eaten on the patio before and while I don't specificially remember kids, it wasn't stuffy or anti-kids.

Are those your only choices? I think your kids would probably like Teppanyaki, where they cook in front of you, or maybe even San Angel Inn. The Coral Reef I've always enjoyed and will keep the kids occupied with the fantastic fish tank.

OOOOOOOR, you can make a PS for R&C for around 7:30 and I bet you'll get to sit there for Illuminations. Dinner and a great view!

Have fun!

 

[vicb]

A couple of thoughts:

My kids liked R&C just fine but wasn't their fav. They both had chicken breasts and fries/mash pots there. Their fav was Teppanyaki but my kids are way older than yours and personally I wouldn't take a 20 month old there JMHO.

I've only eaten breakfast at Spoodles but loved it and dinner there is a must on our to do list next trip. I agree, if you eat there do it on your way into Epcot. With a 4 yr. old and 20 month old it would be a pain to leave WS and try to go back in.

My kids also liked the food at SAI and Le Cellier.

Good Luck.

 

[timandlesley]

Thanks so much for your input. I think I am going to make a reservation for Rose and Crown so we can enjoy the park more. Yes, it is one of the only choices at Epcot. Coral Reef is two dining options so I don't want to use two vouchers there, I want the most meals for the money. I am glad you are saying it isn't a kid "unfriendly" restaraunt. I went on the WDW site and they had it listed as appropriate for "older kids" "preschoolers" were not included at this restaraunt. Thanks for your help.

So far we are using our vouchers for:
Donald's Breakfastasaurus for our morning at AK
Cinderella's Table for dinner at MK
Rose and Crown for dinner at Epcot
Mama Melrose for dinner at MGM
Tony's for dinner at MK
Whispering Canyon for dinner (supposed to be fun for the kids)
We are also going to do OHana's Character breakfast our last day there and just pay for it on our own.
Thanks for the help.
Lesley

 

[vicb]

Lesley,

Maybe they say R&C for older kids because it just isn't that visually exciting for younger kids? Mine were 8 and 11 when we ate there last winter. I recall there being coloring for the kids. I always carry peanutbutter with me because DS won't eat butter on bread, they had good bread/rolls which both my kids ate. It was a cold night and we sat inside but if you were outside it might be more stimulating for the kids visually. The food was just fine for kids and our server was very nice. I'm sure you will have a nice meal there. Try the dinner pie sampler... it was good! I think it is a wise decision not to try and leave the park in that short amount of time.

Have fun!

 

[timandlesley]

Lesley,

Maybe they say R&C for older kids because it just isn't that visually exciting for younger kids? Mine were 8 and 11 when we ate there last winter. I recall there being coloring for the kids. I always carry peanutbutter with me because DS won't eat butter on bread, they had good bread/rolls which both my kids ate. It was a cold night and we sat inside but if you were outside it might be more stimulating for the kids visually. The food was just fine for kids and our server was very nice. I'm sure you will have a nice meal there. Try the dinner pie sampler... it was good! I think it is a wise decision not to try and leave the park in that short amount of time.

Have fun!

Thanks for the positive comments, it makes me feel better about the choice. My kids are usually pretty good at restaraunts, the coloring will help. We're going in June so the patio may be too hot for us depending on the weather. What is the dinner pie sampler - I have to ask??
Lesley

 

[connie254]

the weather is perfect shorts weather when we went last mid-June. Actually we were hottest in the morning, but we either adjusted to it or it just seemed less hot by 10:00. By the time we were at R&C, it was less hot (not cool), and the patio is covered. The sun was never in our eyes.

 

[timandlesley]

Thanks, that sounds good. It was just so hot when we were in Disney the first week of June last year. The evenings were cooler. And knowing it's covered is great, so if it is raining we could still sit there. It seemed to rain every night and that cools things off tremendously. I may even hope for rain that night : )

Lesley