Rose & Crown/Illuminations ADR?

[kessieann]

We will be going to Epcot the last week of Oct. and would like to try for a patio table at R&C for Illuminations. Right now they have openings from
7:30 to 8:00. I just can't decide which time frame would give us a better chance of getting outside. (I know no guarantees we just want to increase our odds) Any advice?

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I asked a similar question recently and was told 7:30 is better. Apparantly, people really stretch out their meals there so they can still be at their table at 9:00 for Illuminations. If you wait until 8:00, you might not get seated for a long time.

Good luck!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At 7:30 you miught be able to get an outside table. Any later would be inside only.

I have done R&C three times. Two of them the reservation was at 6:50 and the service was very very slow! The other was at 9:50 on New Year's Eve and again managed to get slow service.

Sit down. First order drinks. After the drinks come decide what appetizers are wanted and order them. After starting on the appetizers discuss and finally order the main course. Think about dessert for a while, and by the time it gets to the table IllumiNations is about to start. The server will bring the check just about the ending of IllumiNations. Tip at least 25% since you tied up the table so much.

 

[LglBlonde]

At 7:30 you miught be able to get an outside table. Any later would be inside only.

I have done R&C three times. Two of them the reservation was at 6:50 and the service was very very slow! The other was at 9:50 on New Year's Eve and again managed to get slow service.

Sit down. First order drinks. After the drinks come decide what appetizers are wanted and order them. After starting on the appetizers discuss and finally order the main course. Think about dessert for a while, and by the time it gets to the table IllumiNations is about to start. The server will bring the check just about the ending of IllumiNations. Tip at least 25% since you tied up the table so much.

Very similar plan worked for us last year - I think our ADR was in the 7:20 to 7:40 range. And it started raining before Illuminations was over, but just sprinkling - fortunately we were on the covered part of the deck! GOOD LUCK

 

[kessieann]

So you can actually wait until they bring out the appetizers to order your meal? I figured they might be kind of pushy to get us to order sooner. Do I just keep telling them that I can't decide? I am such a total chicken but for Illuminations I will do my best.

 

[fauberfive]

I have done this twice and made them for 7:30pm. Walked up to the podium and asked them to make a note I wanted to set outside. The CM would remind me this was not a guarantee. I would politely say I know but would wait to get a table.

Both times we were seated at 8:00pm.

We also took our time and order a appetizer or just drinks and look over the menus. We usually ordered dessert by 9pm when the show started.

both times we had great views!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

As long as you realize that only 25-40 percent of the seating is outdoor. We had a really awful experience with trying to get a table and one trip I listened to a woman berate the hostess saying she was "guaranteed" an outdoor seat.

I love the food there so we go every trip but don't depend on them for seating for Illuminations.

 

[kessieann]

Thanks for the advice everyone.... I went ahead and changed my ADR from 8:00 to 7:30. I told the CM that I wanted to switch my ADR and he asked what that was. He said he had never heard of an "advance dining reservation." I told him he needed to visit the Dis to keep up on things