Tokyo Dining reservation timing question

[happy2go2wdwmom]

Hi!

Do you think making reservations at 8:20pm for Tokyo Dining is enough advanced time to get seated (hopefully near window) for 9pm IllumiNations? I currently have an 8pm reservation, but am thinking that's kinda early so am hoping you'll agree that 8:20pm reservation in the middle of June sounds good???

 

[minnie mum]

Waiting past your ADR time is not unusual and the later your ADR the greater the liklihood that you will have to wait to be seated.

If you don't order our entire meal at once, you will be able to enjoy a more relaxed, leisurely meal, so an 8:00 ADR could easily take 1.5 hrs. (I'm assuming Illuminations is at 9:00).

Just how disappointed will you be if you don't get a window table? How disappointed will you be if your view is obstructed? If seeing Illuminations while you dine is a side benefit, then that's fine. But if seeing the show is important to you, then you may want to dine earlier so that you can be outside at a good viewing spot before the show starts.

 

[java]

There is quite a bit blocking your view of illuminations at Tokyo Dining. Trees and that big pagoda shaped structure(the red one) blocks most of the show i would guess. I wouldn't count on being able to see it from the restaurant.

 

[tinka-belle]

You can get a decent partial view, and we've done that several times, BUT they don't dim the lights or pipe in the Illuminations music here. And the view is really partial, several trees and that pagoda in the way.

8:00pm is the latest I'd make an ADR for, people tend to linger at the few window tables to watch the show. You could get seated for an 8:20pm ADR, but most likely not at a window table. If you have an 8:00pm ADR you can ask to wait for a window table to open up. You'll wait a bit longer, and the hostess should know if some tables are nearly finished and if it's even possible to get a window table.

There is a balcony outside Tokyo Dining that gets pretty full. It's a step down from the restaurant so from inside you'd be looking over people's heads.
If you finish dinner you could watch out there, still an obstructed view, and non-diners will go up there by the outside stairs from the Epcot walkway so it can get crowded.