Rose & Crown - What would you do?

[TiggerTrigger]

Back at 180 days - we were a party of 6. So, when 5am CST rolled around, I booked R&C for 6 in hopes of timing it with Illuminations. Sadly, the best time I could get was 7:40pm...and Illuminations starts at 9:30pm that night. I don't love the time, but it still puts us in the 2 hr window they often enforce in these situations. And if we're seated a little late - even better...so, I was fine.

Now fast forward two months...2 more people decided they were going to join us. Naturally, there were no spots for a party of 8, but I found a 7:25pm slot for a party of 2, so they booked it. This puts them just outside the 2 hr window, but if they run a few min late and are seated a little late, they should be fine.

I know - I know...our situation could be much worse, but what would you do?
Should I be content with what I have? Besides- with this kind of long meal- DDs might need the diversion of walking to another table to periodically visit their aunt and uncle? OR... Would you keep trying for a party of 8 at a better time?

 

[purple figment]

If you're seated on the patio I would be upfront with the waitperson and tell them that you want to see IllumiNations. They're used to people stretching out the meal because of this.

If you're seated inside, ask your server about the R&C viewing area. After you finish eating or if you haven't quite finished, your waitperson will direct you to the area which is just outside the restaurant which is only for people who are eating there.

As far as visiting the other table with your children, some of the tables inside the R&C are pretty close together. It might be easier to take them outside to walk around instead.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would try to get a later ADR if you can. Not sure exactly when in December you are going, but when I will be there Illuminations doesn't start until 9:30, instead of the more typical 9:00.

I think trying to keep your table for 2 hours is pushing it too much. And, if you are not ordering anything extra, you are causing the wait staff to loose money on the tips they would make if the table were turning over like normal.

I don't know how they would handle it. I just know that if I had an 8:30 ADR, and you sat there milking the table after you were done eating, I would be mad. Maybe some people do it, but it is just not good manners, imho.

I hope this isn't coming across mean, I truly don't intend it to. I just can't imagine a dinner at R&C taking 2 hours. One is more like it. If you are slow eaters and it takes you 1 hr 45 minutes to eat, then go ahead and sit for 15 more minutes. But if you are talking about stretching your meal out to take an additional hour, in which you are really not eating, then I think it is wrong.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We plan on ordering appetizers and doing at least one of the Imperial Beer Samplers among other things (in addition to dinner and desserts) to drag this out. So $ shouldn't really be an issue. I've read in numerous places that the servers expect this with any ressie 2 hrs out from Illuminations and will typically provide slower service intentionally to help pass the time.