Rose & Crown ADR/Illuminations

[tomzpc]

The latest dinner ADR I've been able to get at R&C is at 7:00. If we finish eating at 8-8:15 will be still be able to stay at the R&C patio for Illuminations, or will we have to leave the restaurant at that time.

I'm wondering if I'd be better off just having an earlier dinner and then staking out a good spot elsewhere in Epcot an hour before Illuminations.

Thoughts?

 

[sharona]

I hope so! We have a 6:55 ADR and plan on really taking our time with drinks, apps and dinner then lingering over coffee and dessert so that we are still there at 8:45/9pm. Of course, we will tip extra well for taking up the table.

If WS closes at 9pm, as it does on our ADR night, would they really be seating someone at 8:30/9? I'm curious about the 9pm close and what the latest seating is for most of these restaurants??? I'm sure someone with more trips to WDW than I can chime in with some experiences?

Also, from all the reviews I've been reading of R&C (and most other WDW restaurants), it doesn't seem that anyone ever gets seated right at their reservation time so I would add 15-20 minutes or so to your ADR start and end times.

 

[KJay]

I believe they stop seating at 8, so there shouldn't be any rush for your table...

 

[sharona]

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just be aware that approx 23-35 percent of the tables have a decent view and they will not let you wait until one opens up, you have to take the first available.

 

[sharona]

I read in someone's DIS review or TR that they will let the other diners out onto the terrace to a spot where they can view the show. Do you know if that is correct? So much conflicting info out there!

Normally I would not stress about it but this will be our only night at Epcot and didn't see Illuminations on our previous trip so want to make sure we either can see it from R&C or that we head out to find a viewing spot in time for the show.

I guess we can find that out when we get there but I like to have a plan!

TIA

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

I specifically made ADRs at R&C for 7:50 to see Illuminations for our 22nd anniversary. Now I'm wondering if we'll get a table with good viewing if they let guests hold onto tables for 2 hours. Yikes!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

If a good spot is what you are looking for than it would be best to eat earlier and stake your spot out early. My DH and I would take turns sitting on a blanket while the other walked the kids around. It is actually very pleasant to sit and enjoy a cold beverage on a warm (when it is freezing back home) night.

We've always been a fan of the R & C but they've cut back on the menu (goodbye pie sampler!!) so it is no longer in a "must-do" category. It does have very pleasant outdoor seating which as I mentioned above is lovely during those of us with cabin fever.

If I want to see a parade or Illuminations or fireworks, I am always happier getting the seat I want early and enjoy the surroundings.

 

[sharona]

I specifically made ADRs at R&C for 7:50 to see Illuminations for our 22nd anniversary. Now I'm wondering if we'll get a table with good viewing if they let guests hold onto tables for 2 hours. Yikes!

Don't worry, I'm not going in Feb!

But to your point about holding a table - I really don't find 2 hours for dinner to be all that long. Especially at a nice restaurant ordering drinks, apps, dinner and coffee/dessert (and assuming we do not get seated right away which seems to be the case based on some recent reviews).

If I was posting that I was worried about making it to a show or other event after my ADR, everyone would be saying to allow 2 hours for dinner!!!

 

[figment_jii]

If you do not have a table with a view of IllumiNations, there is a special area that they reserve for R&C patrons. Just tell your server that you'd like to watch IllumiNations and they'll tell you how to get there (it's on the left side of R&C). In December we were seated inside, so a little before the show we headed out to the viewing area, watch IllumiNations and then went back inside for our desserts. The view was great.

 

[purple figment]

The only tables with a view of Illuminations are on the patio...however, not all of those tables have a view. Also, during the busier times and/or the CMs at the podium, you may not be allowed to wait for a patio table.

As the PP wrote, you can tell your server you want to go outside for the fireworks and they willdirect you to the viewing area reserved for just the R&C diners. It has a very nice view.

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

Don't worry, I'm not going in Feb!

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like I was singling you out, sharona. It just didn't occur to me to make the reservations that early to get a 'good' table. I thought if we did, *we* would be expected to leave within a certain amount of time to clear up the table for more folks with later reservations, that's why I made our res. at the time that I did. If the restaurant doesn't mind, I can set our reservations for earlier because since we're going in Feb, and it's super slow, there are still earlier spots.

I'm off to grab an earlier time!

 

[sharona]

Since you are going a few months before me (May), please come back and post or PM me with how you made out with the table/viewing the show!

And congratulations on your anniversary.

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

Sharona!

I called Disney Dining and asked the CM which time had a better chance of Illuminations viewing 7:50 or 6:45. She said to drop the 7:50 and go with the 6:45, because that way if we request an outdoor table at the podium, there is a better chance of getting a table with a view! She said at 7:50, the tables wouldn't be moving at all and that no, we would NOT get booted from our table to make room for later guests once we are there!

I'm so excited!!! Yippee!

It all sounds good in theory right now. I'll let you know how it works in reality!! Thank you for the anniversary wish! We're just excited that the kids are finally old enough to stay awake for Illuminations!

 

[CatManDoo]

I just booked a 6:45 ADR for the R&C. There are 10 of us, so chances are we won't be sitting on the patio or with a decent view. Would it be "appropriate" for us to stretch our dinner out until Illuminations and then watch from the viewing area at R&C?

Along those same lines, can Illuminations be enjoyed from anywhere in the World Showcase?

 

[figment_jii]

I just booked a 6:45 ADR for the R&C. There are 10 of us, so chances are we won't be sitting on the patio or with a decent view. Would it be "appropriate" for us to stretch our dinner out until Illuminations and then watch from the viewing area at R&C?

Along those same lines, can Illuminations be enjoyed from anywhere in the World Showcase?

I think a lot of this depends on how fast you normally eat and how slow things are at R&C. Seatings are often later than the ADR time (15 minutes or so). If you're all very fast eaters then you might get done in two hours, but if not, there is still a pretty good chance you'll be eating when the show starts. For my family of 3, 90 minutes was pretty typical for a dinner. For a group of 10, I would guess it'll take longer.

As to would it be "appropriate" that largely depends on how you feel and how much time you're talking about. If you're done eating and just sitting at the table, then it's probably somewhat impolite to just sit there and take up the server's time (to keep checking on you) and prevent them from cleaning the table. If it's for only a few minutes, it's not a big deal, but if you're talking lots of time then you might think about heading out.

IllumiNations can be seen from around World Showcase, for the most part. There are some areas that are better than others. You need to be able to see the center of the lagoon. If you can see that, then you should have a good view for IllumiNations.