Viewing Fireworks From La Hacienda de San Angel

[wee-haggis]

We have a table booked timed for pre-Fireworks. Does anyone know if most tables have a good view ?.....or is there a viewing area where people move to view it (similar to The Rose and Crown) ?

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Most of the tables will have a "view" of Illuninations. For a good view you would need to be at a table at the windows or the ones right next to them.

 

[Moliphino]

There is no viewing area for those eating at La Hacienda. They pipe the music in and it's just luck if you get seated near the windows or not.

 

[wee-haggis]

Does the restaurant not have an outdoor part with tables ? Is it just your luck whether any of the outdoor tables are available ?

 

[Moliphino]

No outdoor tables. The outdoor portion of the building is the quick service restaurant.

 

[wee-haggis]

ahh...OK. Didn't know that. Is the quick service part open during Illuminations as well ? Are guests from the inside restaurant permitted to go to the viewing area around the perimeter of the quick service part....or is that just for the folk who are dining there ?

 

[tyandskyesmom]

It is a totally separate entity so I am not sure they would save your table . Plus that area fills up real fast!

 

[Tess]

There is also one area of the restaurant where there is no view at all. We have been fortunate enough to have a window table on a few occasions, tables in the back a few times and the misfortune of being in the room without a view once. I will say that I was pretty peeved when people left their seats, crowded behind our chairs to reach the window and view Illuminations. It made the end of our dinner very uncomfortable. This has also happened at 'Ohana as well. . . Not sure why that is allowed to happen.

 

[HopperFan]

If you really want a view of Illuminations your best bet is to be done eating and getting a spot outside.

 

[Hopefully]

There are very few tables with a great view, more with some view and some with no view. There is no where to stand to watch Illuminations. The patio at La Cantina is for that QS Restaurant and fills to capacity early.
I agree with @HooperFan. The best place to see Illumin Is outside around the lagoon after dinner.

 

[purple figment]

If viewing IllumiNations is important, do not depend on getting a good viewing table at La Hacienda. Some have an excellent view, others have an okay or partially obstructed view and there are some with no view at all. You can request a table by the window with a view of the lagoon, but almost everyone makes the same request so you cannot count on it. Sometimes you will get the ideal table, but at other times La Hacienda will not let you wait and you will have to take the next table for your party size or walk away from your reservation and be charged the $10 per person no show fee.

Unlike R&C, La Hacienda does not encourage guests to walk outside during the middle of their meal. The outdoor seating area is pretty crowded with those who have been there for quite a while.

It is better to make your reservation early enough that you can finish and find a spot around the lagoon if you want to see IllumiNations. If dining at La Hacienda is more important just consider getting a nice viewing table as an extra perk.

 

[LoopyDoopy]

So other than R&C, no other restaurants worth scheduling for Illuminations?

 

[purple figment]

So other than R&C, no other restaurants worth scheduling for Illuminations?

Not if seeing IllumiNations is your top priority. R&C is the only restaurant with a dedicated viewing area adjacent to their patio. The others have some tables with an excellent view, but you could just as easily be seated at a table with no view at all and no way to see the show. If IllumiNations is your top priority, make the reservation early enough to be finished eating and have time find a spot around the lagoon.

 

[Cynner]

We've done Tokyo Dining with window seats during the show multiple times. It's not perfect, but I've seen the show enough times that sitting, relaxing, out of the humidity and crowds was a much more enjoyable experience. We're doing La Hacienda de San Angel on our trip in Nov, I've not done it before, but we have reservations at 7:45, will show up at 7:30, ask for a window seat, and wait for it and hope for the best. But again - we'll have even another day in Epcot that trip, so if it doesn't work out, we can still just plan to find a place to watch.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

So other than R&C, no other restaurants worth scheduling for Illuminations?

R&C is the only one with "guaranteed" viewing via their patio. I also enjoy the view from the patio at Spice Road Table ... but like anywhere else there's some luck and timing involved in getting one of the tables against the railing. And while covered it is open air so can be hot/cold/windy (they do bring out space heaters as needed). Other tables on the patio have a view but obviously more obstructed. Music isn't "piped in" but the patio is open so you hear it as you would if you were standing anywhere around the lagoon.