Rose & Crown & Illuminations

[lucysdad]

I asked for an 8:00 ADR to have dinner and get a good seat for the fireworks. How do we get a good table? Do we just ask when we get to the restaurant podium? Any tips?
Lucy's Mom

 

[KatMark]

When you arrive at the podium (and arrive a little early), tell them you would like a table outside for Illuminations. Out of the five or six times we have done this, we've been successful three times. Unfortunately, they will not let you reserve it.

 

[lucysdad]

Do you think an 8:00 ADR will be too late for an outside table?
Lucy's Dad

 

[kaytieeldr]

Probably.

Try for between 7:15 and 7:40.

In addition to not being able to reserve an outside table, you will also not be allowed to pass up the table offered to you, to wait for one outdoors. You can request outdoor seating when you check in, but that's it. Guests who opt to refuse the first table offered will be politely invited to dine elsewhere.

Even if you're seated inside, you will be able to go out to a special viewing area for Illuminations, then return to your table to finish your meal.

 

[chessie2008]

I've been trying to bump up my ressie that I have for this (I currently have a 7:10 one -- may be a tad bit early?). I have been calling to see if a 7:30-7:45 opens up (if not we will show up at exactly 7:10 and hope for the best). The last CM I talked to said they no longer invite those inside to step outside? Does he know what he is talking about? Has anyone been recently and been able to do this?

 

[thomasclan85]

I had a question about sitting outside eating and watching Illuminations. Don't people stand up in front of you blocking your view (those not eating at a restaurant)? I wanted to make ressies here too but was worried about our view being blocked. Maybe it's a silly question but...........

 

[brown eyed girl]

Last time we had ressies for 7:30 at Rose and Crown and I thought I was in like flynn. We did get a table outside and I did ask the hostess for a table so we can watch Illuminations, but our table wasn't good at all. There were tables in front of us and to the side of us plus there was a spot to the left of us where people who were not from the restaurant could stay and they also blocked my view. Let's face it, people are armed with information and everyone wants those few outside tables. This year when I go I will not watch Illuminations from a restaurant. I will stand along outside just like most people and have better viewing. If you want to go to Rose and Crown go but don't just go because you think you will have the best seat in the house to watch Illuminations because the odds are you won't.

 

[hildarumpole]

When we went last year, there was a sign posted at the podium telling people not to ask for an outside table. I asked the hostess about it and she said they were all sick and tired of the question, because they seat as tables open up, whether inside or out. We had an inside table, which worked out fine, because it started pouring about 20 min. before Illuminations. The staff pulled down plastic around the patio, but it was leaky and felt damp and windy when we stepped outside to watch the show. I wouldn't have wanted to be eating out in that weather. We were seated on the patio once, several years ago, and didn't even request it.

 

[nytimez]

The views from Rose & Crown's outside tables aren't great in many cases. People stand in the viewing area, and that can block you. And the awning that goes around the restaurant does not get pulled in -- so if you see awning and not sky when you sit down, that's what you will see when the fireworks start.

 

[madalex]

Last time we had ressies for 7:30 at Rose and Crown and I thought I was in like flynn. We did get a table outside and I did ask the hostess for a table so we can watch Illuminations, but our table wasn't good at all. There were tables in front of us and to the side of us plus there was a spot to the left of us where people who were not from the restaurant could stay and they also blocked my view. Let's face it, people are armed with information and everyone wants those few outside tables. This year when I go I will not watch Illuminations from a restaurant. I will stand along outside just like most people and have better viewing. If you want to go to Rose and Crown go but don't just go because you think you will have the best seat in the house to watch Illuminations because the odds are you won't.

I second this viewpoint. There are many, many great places from which to watch Illuminations from all around the WS lagoon (basically, anyplace where the view is not actively blocked by a tree is as good as any other place). Thus, to go through all the machinations of trying to get an outside table at Rose & Crown solely for that purpose seems like a lot of wasted effort.

 

[brown eyed girl]

You know all the books (including the Unofficial books) tell you to go to places such as Rose and Crown to see Illuminations or to book one of those meals to "get a good seat" at Fantasmic. Having done both of those, I would not do it again. The seats I got for the dinner meal at Fantasmic were the worst and I still had to wait an hour even though I sat and the table I got at Rose and Crown was blocked and very disappointing. Had I read a post like this one, I never would have gone to RC and would have seen Illuminations from anywhere else on the lagoon.

 

[thomasclan85]

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm still planning on making ressies there but will pick a better place to view the fireworks.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

You get a far better dining view from window seats at
. . . Tokyo Dining
. . . Bistro de Paris

 

[ZoZo]

Be aware that, even if you get outside seating, you might not have a good view of the fireworks. We had a table that was right under a big awning, and we couldn't see much of anything. We were able to get up and stand at the railing, though, which was fine.