two questions

[lomillerin]

1. What is the early entry days schedule in early Aug.? Does this change? How do you know this?

2. Where is the best place to watch Illiminations? I do not want to spend money on the cruise and I do not think I will like Rose and Crowns food. So, where is a good place to see it without having to wait 2 hours? I would like to wait about a 1/2 hour.
Thanks.

 

[btuftee]

#1
Extra Magic Hour (aka early entry) has a standardized schedule. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday - Magic Kingdom
Monday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot®
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Disney-MGM Studios

http://www.wdwig.com/emhour.htm


#2
If you don't want a long wait for a good spot, try the countries in the back of World Showcase. Most viewers of the show will try to station themselves near the entrance to WS or at the International gateway by the UK, so they can make a quick exit. Japan and Italy would perhaps offer the best spots without much waiting.

 

[lomillerin]

Also, can you get a good view from any other restaurant besides Rose and Crown?

 

[Eljay]

Rose & Crown is really the only restaurant actually on the lagoon, but Mexico has a patio with tables on the water. The only catch is that it's staked out pretty early by people for Illuminations. I have never watched from Japan, but I hear the view from the 2nd floor restaurant is nice, but it's indoors.
You shouldn't be afraid of the food at the Rose & Crown, it's really fine. Maybe you can read their menu on one of the other Disney sites.

 

[btuftee]

You can find a scanned image of a Rose and Crown Pub menu at the following site:

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/dd.asp?step=2&first=park

[there's no direct link that I could post, you'll have to use the pulldown menus to select, but it's easy to do]

Most of the items on the menu are pretty close to standard american fare. I think you'd have no problem dining there. If you decide you want to use dinner at the Rose and Crown to get a good Illuminations seat, here's what you do. Make a Priority Seating for about 7:45-8:00pm - do this as far in advance as possible. Then, on the day of your PS, as early as possible, stop by and tell the host/hostess at the Rose and Crown that you'd like to sit outside for your dinner PS. Show up about 10 minutes or so before your scheduled PS time. If all goes well, you'll be wrapping up your meal just in time for the start of Illuminations!