Spice Road Illuminations

[tommychall6]

I will be at Epcot on December 21...I would like to have a waterside/window table for Illuminations, which is at 10:30. My options for ADR are 8:10, or 9:50. Which is my best bet?

 

[Hopefully]

I don't think either will work for a railing view table. 8:10 is WAY too early and by 9:50 folks at the railing aren't likely leaving. We had a 7:45 ADR with a 9:00 Illumunations. We were seated 3 rows back. I was initially disappointed, but although not perfect our view was nice. I would definitely go with th 9:50 ADR

 

[mchelle77]

I was going to say I would go with the 8:10, check in at that exact time and let them know you're willing to wait a while for a table with a view. Nothing is for sure, but I think the chances might be better if you're willing to wait a bit.

 

[OhThePain]

Don't book an ADR based on the chance to see IllumiNations from your table. Just about everyone else booking an ADR for those times has the same idea and plan as you. This means a few will be lucky and get their way and most will be disappointed. The only restaurant that is sort of worth booking around IllumiNations is R&C because they have their own little viewing area for those who want to see but didn't get one of the viewing tables.

The best advice is to book the 8:10 (or a little earlier) this way you have enough time to eat and go find a spot around the World Showcase Lagoon.

 

[minnie mum]

I was going to say I would go with the 8:10, check in at that exact time and let them know you're willing to wait a while for a table with a view. Nothing is for sure, but I think the chances might be better if you're willing to wait a bit.

With an ADR that early they will be done their meal well before Illuminations starts. And with the Christmas crowds many restaurants will not accommodate requests for waterside or window tables.

 

[mchelle77]

With an ADR that early they will be done their meal well before Illuminations starts.

IF they are seated punctually. If they check in and they are running behind, they have a better chance that way. I swear I saw a post/comment by TheRustyScupper who said to aim for an ADR around 7-730pm for seating around the time of Illuminations. I trust what he suggests, he's probably the most informed on ADRs on this site (as far as I've seen!)

 

[purple figment]

My guess is Rusty Scupper's recommendation for a reservation around 7-7:30 is for most of the year when IllumiNations is at 9 PM. However, when it's at 10:30 it would be pretty hard to occupy a table for 3-3.5 hours. Even with the 8:10 reservation it would be a long time, but if it turns out the table doesn't have a good view, there will be plenty of time to eat and then find a spot around the lagoon - just be sure there are no trees or islands blocking the view of the center of the lagoon and that the wind is not blowing into your face.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Spice Road Table: (*rev 10/07/2015*)
. . . food price value: D (vastly overpriced)
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: D
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: B
. . . eatery atmosphere: A
. . . eatery convenience: A
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: n/a
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Acapulco-Style Shrimp Cocktail
. . . entree:.. Grilled Chicken Breast
. . . dessert:. Creamy Bavarian Mousse
.
NOTE1: Spice Road Table is a lake-side eatery at Epcot Morocco. It's a "Table Service"
eatery, but has tapas and small-plate meals. Menu items include zesty harissa chicken
drumettes, Mussels Tagine cooked in traditional earthenware pots, garlic jumbo shrimp and
Mediterranean omelets with sausage, potatoes and caramelized onions. Spice Road Table is
open daily with World Showcase, 11:00am to Park close, serving lunch and dinner. Inspired
by the outdoor cafes along Mediterranean, Spice Road Table overlooks the Lagoon and offers
waterfront views. The eatery has great views of Illuminations,
.
NOTE2: If you wish an ADR to see Illuminations from the eatery, I recommend 1½-hours
prior to the Illuminations start-time. It is not hard to use up the time with food and drink.
Any closer, other people will be at those tables, and are unlikely to surrender their view.
The only caveat is there might be tree limbs in the way of a perfectly unobstructed view.

 

[mchelle77]

My guess is Rusty Scupper's recommendation for a reservation around 7-7:30 is for most of the year when IllumiNations is at 9 PM. However, when it's at 10:30 it would be pretty hard to occupy a table for 3-3.5 hours. Even with the 8:10 reservation it would be a long time, but if it turns out the table doesn't have a good view, there will be plenty of time to eat and then find a spot around the lagoon - just be sure there are no trees or islands blocking the view of the center of the lagoon and that the wind is not blowing into your face.

I completely get that. But it wouldn't be 3-3.5 hours, because the OP asked about an 810pm reservation. All I said was if they checked in at that time and the restaurant was running behind, that would be a better chance of scoring the table they wanted than the 950pm reservation. By then, no one would likely be leaving their table with a view.

 

[katt789]

9:50 would be the better out of the two of those, but guaranteed you can show up aroudn 9:30 and ask to be seated early. Spice road usually isn't booked to capacity..ever... Also many of the spots on the patio are great viewing spots, and some of the railing spots aren't so great, poles in the way and such