Via Napoli - Late ADR + Illuminations?

[kbmartin]

I wanted to get the latest ADR possible at Via Napoli in order to be able to, after the meal, leisurely stroll through a generally empty World Showcase and take photos. We don't want to rush to the buses, as I'm sure it will be insanity right after the park closes. I figured, too, if we have a late meal, there might not even be a bus line by the time we leave the park.

The latest reservation I could get, though, was 9:10 (I was expecting the latest ADR to be 9:30). It seems as though that truly is the latest ADR on a Saturday when the park closes at 9:30. Then, I started thinking about Illuminations being at 9:30. I saw the show once and didn't think it was spectacular, but that was many years ago, and my DH hasn't seen it. Has anyone ever been at Via Napoli during Illuminations? I know at other restaurants, servers allow guests to view a show and come back to their tables. (For example, at Narcoossee's, we could go outside to view the fireworks and then come back inside to finish dinner.) Is that a possibility at Via Napoli or not really? I just want to hear from anyone who has made an attempt and how it was received/turned out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Via Napoli is all the way at the back of the Italy pavilion. I would not expect to be able to leave a table there for perhaps 25 minutes and return to it untouched.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There is no viewing spot from VN.

 

[hakepb]

No need to worry about busses.
Disney will make sure you get to your resort.
It's fun to walk around an empty World Showcase on the way out from a late ADR (but there will be several CM's along the way making sure you are moving and not loitering)
ADR's often run late, later in the evening, so a 9:10 may be seated closer to 9:30

 

[jwfla422]

As others mentioned you cannot see Illuminations from VN. If you want to stroll through an empty WS after eating there even an 8:30 ADR will work. We had one of those back in the fall during F&W and Illuminations was over when we finally finished. We waited to sit (probably sat about 8:40-8:45), we thought we'd be done by 9:30 or so but it was later and when we came out WS was empty. It was a pleasure walking around WS until we saw lightening and it started to get closer, we ended up running to the buses! But, made it back to our resort just before the downpours came!

 

[kbmartin]

Thanks, everyone. I figured I wouldn't be able to see it from Via Napoli and would have to walk closer to the waterfront to see anything. It's not worth it to leave the restaurant for that long. I guess I'll just put it to rest! If we want to see it, we'll come back another day. Thanks!

 

[jdisnut]

Thanks, everyone. I figured I wouldn't be able to see it from Via Napoli and would have to walk closer to the waterfront to see anything. It's not worth it to leave the restaurant for that long. I guess I'll just put it to rest! If we want to see it, we'll come back another day. Thanks!

Yep, that's the right call. But with the reservation you have, you should definitely have the opportunity to walk through a mostly empty World Showcase, so at least you'll accomplish that goal!