Rose & Crown + Illuminations?

[kytiam]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I'm not too familiar with the World Showcase area (my family won't spend any time with me there--they think it's boring). We tried to see Illuminations once, but there were several thousand people between us and the lake, so all we could see was the overhead fireworks. Is the view from Rose & Crown fairly unobstructed? I would be willing to eat inside and just go out for the actual show if I could really see it from there.

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure where you were, but generally, even on the worse day, there are places to watch Illuminations with no more than 6 or 7 people in front of you.

 

[Cyndy]

We've gotten patio seating almost every time we've been to R&C. We usually request it, if it is possible and it seems to happen (we have waited a few times)
The last time we were there it was just the 2 of us and we told the hostesses we would be happy to sit inside so others could see Illuminations, only to find ourselves seated in the upper level front, my fav location. What we did notice was that the whole process has gotten completely out of hand (MHO). We asked our server why the table of 6 next to us did not leave after eating and she told us they were seated at 6:30 and finished dining(I'm talking cleared of dessert dishes) lingering over 1 person drinking coffee for 2 hrs. Then ordering nothing and leaving with a very small (less than $10 for 4 adults and 2 kids) DH joked and said I hope the $10 is an extra bonus for tying up your table for so long and the server laughed and said "Are you kidding? That was the tipl. Those people are Brits and back there tipping is in addition to a higher payscale, so I'm guessing they didn't realize the difference in the US." True or not, my DH is a very generous tipper and she was well rewarded for the great service we had. (I think she read the same book my DD used to get $$ from Dad).

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I'm not sure where you were, but generally, even on the worse day, there are places to watch Illuminations with no more than 6 or 7 people in front of you.

I agree. I've almost never had a bad viewing of Illuminations anywhere around the lake even just stopping when it starts. After seeing it once from R&C (and we've eaten there twice and none of us cared for the food), I'd rather just spend my time walking around World Showcase, but to each their own.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Thanks to the free DP we ate at Rose and Crown for the first time in October. Here's what happened: When making the ADR's, I knew I couldn't ask for a patio table. I made our ressies for 7:20 and when we arrived I requested a patio table upon checking in(party of 5). The people behind me also requested one. Within about 20 minutes we were seated at an outside table, but it was right by the entrance to the terrace/patio, so we didn't have a direct view of Illuminations. The people who had checked in behind us were seated across from us within 5 minutes. We took our time, had a wonderful meal and a wonderful server. It was almost time for the show to start around the time we were going to order dessert. The waitress took us down to the viewing area(it was a fantastic view and everyone at R&C for dinner gets taken to the viewing area if they want) and informed us that when we got back to the table after the show, she would bring us our dessert(we went ahead and ordered it right before she took us down). When we got back to the table our dessert was brought out a few minutes later. It was one of my favorite meals of that trip and i can't wait to go back. The food and service was great, and even if you don't get a patio seat(or a good one) you will be taken to an area just for R&C guests. Don't sweat it. Ask for the seats you want when you get there. Tell them you will be willing to wait a while if possible(there was a table with a large party seated caddywompus behind us, along the restaurant wall, but their table was better than ours for viewing). You MIGHT want to take the advice of another poster and make your ADR a LITTLE earlier, but I really think you'll be fine. You'll have a great experience and regardless of where you are seated, you'll have a great view of Illuminations!

 

[checkwriter]

I'm very grateful for all of these thoughtful replies. There are so many helpful people who inhabit these boards!

 

[jackmac]

One more little note on this. Don't worry about being cold in April. I was there this past January and watched Illuminations from the patio. They have heaters outside and also clear plastic awnings to block the wind. It was very comfortable watching Illuminations (of course having the Tasting Flight of Scotch may have had something to do with this).

 

[tinkamom]

. The waitress took us down to the viewing area(it was a fantastic view and everyone at R&C for dinner gets taken to the viewing area if they want) QUOTE]

Was that area seperate from the outside area where you sit and wait to be called to your table?