Rose & Crown Patio & Illuminations ??

[ChrisHartman]

If I want to watch Illuminations from the Rose & Crown patio area, what time should I make the reservations for at Rose & Crown? I don't want to be sitting there forever waiting for the fireworks, but it would be so nice to be out on the patio during Illuminations.

I'm leaning toward Rose & Crown because I've heard really good things about their Fish & Chips and my DH loves a good fish fry. Its our wedding anniversary that day, so I wanted something a little extra special.

The day I'm thinking of doing this, Epcot's crowd level is anticipated to be around a 3.

 

[Niki in NJ]

The only thing to keep in mind is that you might not get seated on the patio or get a table by the window (these are just requests, right?). A few years back this is what we had wanted to do, but wound up sitting in the middle of the restaurant, which was fine, and then just went outside on their patio during Illuminations. If you get lucky enough to get a great seat to see Illuminations from, I think a 8pm reservation is perfect. This way you won't be waiting around too much waiting for the show to start. Otherwise, make an earlier reservation, take a walk through the other countries, get a glass of wine, and watch from another great viewing point (maybe in France?).

 

[TDC Nala]

Remember you can't be guaranteed a patio seat. You can ask if it's possible to wait for one, but they may tell you to take whatever is first available. There is an outdoor area where guests seated inside can go to watch the show, but if you are sold on watching while seated at a table, be advised you may not get a table that works for that.

 

[beroh2253]

I'm only 1 of 4 getting the patio, but when timed right dinner ADR's about 7:45 when illuninations starts its dessert time so you can walk out to the patio then come back in after Illumination to finish dessert and pay.

 

[ChrisHartman]

Yeah, I totally understand that its just a request and that I may not get it. I was just wondering if people had strategies or thoughts on how to make that request more realizable...if that makes sense.

We'll have DS with us, so it won't be quite as romantic as we'd want it to be for our anniversary, but I just was hoping to do something special without completely breaking the bank.

 

[Niki in NJ]

Well it doesn't hurt to try! We love Rose and Crown and if you are lucky enough to get a patio seat, that would be wonderful indeed!

When you make your ADR put the request in saying it's your anniversary. Perhaps make it a bit earlier (7?), so if they say you'd have to wait for the patio, it might not be a big deal to wait? I don't know if people tend to wait around if they are lucky enough to get a patio seat .. so I don't know how often those tables turn over. It might be worth asking when making your reservation.

 

[SteveTrek]

I have an ADR for 6:50 on 6/2 - the latest I could get. Is that too early to try to get a patio table? By the time the show starts the three of us would have been sitting there for over two hours (assuming we're seated quickly, which I admit is a HUGE "if"), which could be thought of as "hogging" the space. Last visit, in '06, we had an interior table but Barry, our fantastic server, saved our table while guiding us out to their private SRO viewing spot. After the show we came back in and had dessert. That was plenty good enough for us. Should we expect that same kind of experience with this ADR time?

 

[figment_jii]

For those R&C patrons that are seated inside or on the patio without a view of Illuminations, there is a special viewing area set aside for R&C patrons. It's to the left of the restaurant. They send you there (opposed to encouraging you go out onto the patio where other guests are eating). The view from the reserved area is great. Just tell your server you'd like to watch Illuminations and they'll take you out there and then when the show is over you can return to your dinner (or dessert). Here is a picture I took from the viewing area:

For those with early ADRs, it's probably best to finish up eating and then find a space around WS. The view is great from the patio and viewing area, but there are great views of Illuminations from all around WS lagoon.

 

[nkereina]

I read on another thread that their latest reservation (on nights Epcot closes at 9) is 7pm. Anyone know if that's true? If it is, then no one would really be waiting for your table if you have an ADR around 7pm so you should be able to remain there for Illuminations.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I read on another thread that their latest reservation (on nights Epcot closes at 9) is 7pm. Anyone know if that's true? If it is, then no one would really be waiting for your table if you have an ADR around 7pm so you should be able to remain there for Illuminations.

I have reservations for the June 7th and they are at 6:50 and I requested 8 so I think you might be on to something there.

 

[figment_jii]

I have reservations for the June 7th and they are at 6:50 and I requested 8 so I think you might be on to something there.

I just did a quick check of a few random nights in September when Epcot closes at 9 pm and Illuminations is at 9 pm and got ADR times later than 7 pm to show up (saw one as late as 7:50 pm). So I do not think ADR times end at 7 pm.

For the June time frame it might be that the later times are already taken up because if you try for a June 7th ADR now, nothing shows up as available. (At least not a few minutes ago when I tried.)