Rose & Crown for Illuminations... any letdowns?

[WDW2000]

I have heard conflicting reports about securing patio seating for the Illuminations at Rose & Crown. I have read that if you have an ADR for 90 minutes prior to show time and politely ask the CM for outdoor seating they will bend-over-backwards to help you. (Unofficial Guide to WDW). Others have posted that they have shown up 2 hours early with ADR just to be told that tables are first-come, first served and that you can not make specific requests. In other words, if an indoor table becomes available when your name is called, you must take it or lose your ADR. I don't want to spend the $$$ on a restaurant I don't particuliarly like just for the "chance" at patio seating for Illuminations. It would be well worth $$$ though, if I was able to get on the patio. Anyone have a bad experience with getting on the patio for Illuminations.? BTW, my ADR is for 7:40pm the last week of Sept.

 

[Mickey1122]

No need for a patio. Ask your server to take you to the special R and C patio for an excellent view.

 

[Mickey1122]

You don't need a patio. Just ask your server to take you to the illuminations patio. You get an excellent view.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

We were told that since everyone wants the patio, they make no guarantees. However even if you don't get the patio, they will let see the fireworks from their special viewing location reserved only for restaurant guests. That's what we did and we all thought the view was outstanding.

 

[bicker]

That's basically it: Everyone wants a seat on the patio. Only 30% of the tables are on the patio. If you don't like the odds, then you may be better off having dinner early, and finding a nice place to watch Illuminations around the World Showcase lagoon somewhere.

Personally, we've asked, very nicely, every time. We've typically had ADRs of either 7:25, 7:30 or 7:35. We've been very lucky, getting a patio table three times out of the eight times we've eaten there during the show. Even when we didn't get a patio table, they did let us stand and watch from the back of the patio.

 

[teentoddlermom]

You should be fine! We had the same time reservation in 8/03 and it was perfect timing for the show, we asked for patio and it was no problem.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Am I silly not to even ask for a patio?

I'm going in early August -- we went at that time last year and the heat was pretty bad. So I'm thinking I'll say "Seat me inside where there's AC" and then scoot out to the viewing patio at the last possible moment. If I do that will my son still be able to see, or will we end up behind other people?

 

[Hopefully]

We have been 8 times with ADR's at either 7:35 or 7:40. We have always asked nicely for a patio table. I consider ourselves extremelly lucky in the fact that on 3 of the 8 visits we had a patio table.
If a patio table will make or break your meal, I suggest you cancel. There is no guarantee, and indeed almost everyone asks for patio seating. I think your chance is less than 50%.
As others have said there is a great place to stand and watch Illuminations, and then return to your indoor table to finish desert.
HTH

 

[bolgers love wdw]

uk is great for dinner and illuminations. if you can't get a seat on the balcony, they keep a section of the patio sectioned off for interior restaurant diners so that they can come out and enjoy the show. have fun