Rose & Crown and Illuminations??? ...and the answer is...

[lisareniff]

I have PS for the Rose and Crown at 7:20 on Thanksgiving. I got this after hearing how great it is during Illuminations on the patio. Now that it is a couple months later....

I'm wondering if we should scrap this idea?? What percentage of tables are on the patio?? I just saw a picture (suite disney) and if what I saw was the patio there were only a few tables outside the door. I have never been to Epcot so I'm not real sure of the set-up. I don't want to miss out on Illuminations and with the little one we can't have too many late nights.

What do you think? (I'm traveling with DH (who loves beer), DD 7 and DD 2)

Cheers,
Lisa


Below I posted a report on how our evening went...

 

[Scottwdw]

There are quite a few outside tables and your timing is excellent. However, there is no guarantee you'll get one of these outside tables. If you don't, just enjoy the meal and beer and leave before Illuminatins starts and watch it from another location around the lagoon.

If you do get an outside table, take your time. Get appetizers and by all means, get dessert! They are excellent at R&C. You might want to bring something for the kids to do like a coloring book or light up toy.

For more information, see my review--> Rose & Crown Pub

 

[FanofG00fy]

Howdy,

I too am doing the same thing but on December 1st. I too hope I can get a patio table. Glad to see that my timing is right

Have a great trip!!!

Chris

 

[lisareniff]

Thanks Scottwdw,
That sounds like a good plan. I didn't think about finishing up and leaving before Illuminations if we have indoor seating. I wouldn't be so concerned if I didn't have this scheduled for our last evening(we could come back another night otherwise). I thought it might be all or nothing.

Cheerio,
Lisa

 

[stacy6552]

the timing is good. arrive early and ask to wait for an outside table.

 

[faithinkarma]

Our PS was for exactly 7:20 and it worked for us

It was a very busy day and we had to wait until after 8:00 to actually be seated. But it was fun to sit on the bench outside with others and speculate about which of us would get the outside tables. And there are way more outside tables than you might think by the way.

When they finally paged us, we were led to our table by a gracious young host who repeated several times " you are getting a great table ". He was not lying, our table was right at water's edge. Oh happy day !

Now I have to admit I always thought the only reason to eat at the Rose and Crown was their location for Illuminations. After all, this is Britain, hardly a place known for fine cuisine.

But the food was excellent. I had the steak and prawns, and the shrimp were the best I have ever eaten. And the sticky toffee pudding for dessert gets a big thumbs up.

 

[lisareniff]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
Now I have to admit I always thought the only reason to eat at the Rose and Crown was their location for Illuminations. After all, this is Britain, hardly a place known for fine cuisine.

Ahh! But they do have guinness! (My husband would point out)

With your experience during a busy night, like we will have, the plan to eat and run if we didn't have outdoor seating wouldn't work. (seated at 8, Illuminations at 9) Hummmmm. What to do?

Lisa

 

[lisareniff]

Originally posted by faithinkarma
Now I have to admit I always thought the only reason to eat at the Rose and Crown was their location for Illuminations. After all, this is Britain, hardly a place known for fine cuisine.

Ahh! But they do have guinness! (My husband would point out)

You must have been so happy to get that table after the long wait.!

With your experience during a busy night, like we will have, the plan to eat and run if we didn't have outdoor seating wouldn't work. (seated at 8, Illuminations at 9) Hummmmm. What to do?

Lisa

 

[faithinkarma]

I would still go for it. This would be my game plan

I would study the menu before going in while drinking the cherished guinness ( you can order it at a stand outside ). Then if I did get seated inside at 8:00, I would skip appetizers, order my meal right away and tell the server I wanted to be outside before 9:00. This might work.

Do you really have to have this event scheduled for your last night? Can you switch things around to give you a second chance at Illuminations? Not to sound too pessimistic, but what if it rains that night?

 

[lookingforward]

We got a great water side table when we went. Some observations: the cm's are mobbed by people who demand outside tables. I stood right by their check in desk and noticed the rude and demanding did not get what they wanted. I saw some women rant and rave that she was "promised" a table outside.

We were seated right next to a roped off area that was reserved that night for Michael Eisner. The wait staff was very nervous and some guy in a suit explained to us that he would be dining there to watch the Illuminations. He did not show up though. Which was a good thing because the wind was blowing that night and the soot and particles from the firework/pyro technics blew into our faces and one little girl actually got some in her eye and they had to call the medics. It was quite the scene!

It was still a lovely place to sit but our food was covered in the stuff! I did not like the food too much but the beer was great! If you don't luck out with an outside table you can come out on the patio and stand to watch it. Many did that. But be really nice to the CM's who check you in. They truly get abused!

 

[faithinkarma]

lookingforward, you are so right. The night we were there people were trying to bully the CMs into giving them an outside table. I was shocked at some of the behavior I saw.

I asked for an outside table when we checked in, and when she said it might be difficult to get one, I simply smiled and said that I understood and walked away hoping for the best.

 

[Alice28]

Just thought I would share my experience; we had a 7:30 PS in late Feb; we (not officially--just to ask about an outside table) checked in at 6:30 and VERY politely requested, if at all possible, a patio table. we were told "no guarantees" and were brushed off. I was a little bummed, more by her attitude than her answer, so we wandered around the UK and Canada for 45 minutes and came back at 7:15 and I again, I asked super-duper nicely for outside seating...I got a blank look and the "no guarantees" answer again. We ended up being seated inside, right by the squeeky kitchen doors...I was so, so bummer- not only that, but our party was split in two- we were a party of 7 (me and DH two DS's, my parents and my MIL) and we were seated at two tables that were next to each other, but kind of staggered- like I was sitting about 5 inches diagonally behind my mother. I tried to be happy about it- I was the one who made all the PS's, thought it would be so great to see Illuminations our second night in the parks during dinner, etc., etc. I don't want to end this story on a bad note, so I will say that our server was A+++++++++++++++ she was a true delight- so friendly, warm and efficient. The food was a solid A as well. And, you know what, afterwards we stepped outside, walked a bit towards Canada, got a seat right at the railing of the lagoon, and watched the show without having to fight the crowds. So, my advice is go to the Rose and Crown, but definitely don't expect to be seated outside- enjoy the food and then see Illuminations from the Canadian area afterwards if you don't get a patio seat.

 

[Bardcom]

The viewing from the Rose & Crown is excellent, however you do not get the full feel for the show because you are seated and there is the building at your back.
But for my money - and my family has used the Rose & Crown location more than a dozen times for viewing - you can't beat it.
Plus, if you arrive about 30 minutes early and are chatty with the hostesses, you will get a patio seat 99% of the time.
Plus you get to view the show while you are seated and you eat and drink. It just doesn't get any better than that, and I've done the VIP viewing several times.

 

[tjmw2727]

We have had 7:20 ps 6 times and have been lucky enough to get patio seating twice - not even a 50/50 average. We like the restaurant and are willing to take the chance but, really don't get your heart set on the patio table.

I have seen so many upset and dissapointed people who just assumed they would be seated outside. Only about 1/3 or less of the seating is along the patio so have reasonable hopes and a back up plan.

If it were me I would try and see Illuminations earlier in the trip from the front of the WS - its the best view IMHO. Dress your young one comfy and get him/her settled in the stroller with snacks and toys. Enjoy your night at WS and end with Illuminationas. This is what dh and I used to do - kind of a night out without needing a babysitter !!

Then if you don't get your patio seat on your last evening you have more options.

TJ

 

[pewing]

One night when I was at WDW with DH and co-workers on a business trip we did end up on the patio (not to go into too many details....it was raining and and we were inside, but after dinner they were opening the patio and let us go down just to watch!) It was a great view...I do agree.

But IMHO...let's face it...as was stated already in this thread. Britain is not known for stellar cuisine The fish and chips are good...my husband enjoyed his prime rib, but there is better food in Epcot! Grab yourself a wonderful meal (so many to choose from!) and then a spot around WS and enjoy!

P.S. My DH would vote for the beer You can pick that up outside at the stand...or stop by for an appetizer and drinks before dinner...I reccomend eating inside for that anyways...the 'pub' atmosphere is great

 

[MaryKatesMom]

lookingforward is correct. The CM's get mobbed every single night for an outside view so I'm sure that is the reason Alice28 got the not so hot attitude. I got the same attitude so I'm not sure I would ever chance that again. In fact my whole experience was like Alice28. It seems the restaurant is full of people who are dissapointed about not being outside.

It would be better to grab some of the excellent take out around Epcot and pick a better spot.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

You can see it fairly good on the inside of the restraunt as well. Just tell your waiter when its get time & you can move to a window!!! Its the best fireworks show @ WDW, just my opinion!

Allison an associate

 

[andrabell]

I kept seeing throughout this thread that some folks are under the impression that England is not known for having good food. Where did that come from? I'm just curious about how many of you have actually eaten in England (not the Epcot England, but the real thing) and have had a bad meal?

My husband is a British national and I have travelled to the UK with him many many times and although there has been an occasional miss, just like any other town or country, proper pub food is absolutely fantastic and I've had a few meals that still stand out as being the among the best I've had the pleasure of eating.

---Andra
Lamb with real mint sauce from Jenny's Carvery, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire!

 

[pewing]

andrabell ~

I am sorry...I was one of those who slandered the cuisine of Britain Even as I was typing earlier...I thought...what would someone in England think when they read this!

I actually have eaten quite a few meals there. We lived abroad for a few years when I was a child. I loved the German food (we lived in Heidleberg) and the Italian (not like our Italian), but did not care for British fare. Perhaps I didn't have a good shot at it.

At any rate...NO offense intended

 

[profdsny]

My guess is that while all of us here know to ask for a patio table, most of the people who make reservations for R&C don't . The three times we asked for one when we arrived we given one. This was during busy seasons. So ask. Worst they can do is say 'no'.