What do I need to know about Illuminations from Tokyo Dining?

[COscrapper]

I am going to try to make an ADR for Tokyo Dining and then stay to watch Illuminations from there. From what I have read here and seen in videos, it seems we might have a better view from the balcony outside the restaurant, am I correct? Should we even bother trying to get a window table? If we are still finishing our food or waiting to pay when the show starts, will it be ok for us to step outside to watch it and then come back to our table? And how soon would we have to go out there to get a spot?

And of course the main question is what time should I try to get for the ADR? It will be a weekday during the first week of November - is Illuminations always at 9:00 that time of year?

And yes, I know R&C is the best restaurant for viewing Illuminations; I just couldn't get my husband and sons interested in the menu there. Thanks!

 

[brertoad]

It doesn't hurt to try to get a window seat, but there may not be one available. I think you would have a better view from outside on the balcony, but it's a bit of a hassle to go out and watch, you would be leaving the restaurant and your table, unless one person in the group would be willing to stay at the table with everything. The balcony usually has people gathered to watch the fireworks, perhaps 15 minutes before Illuminations starts?

If you are that concerned about making sure you see Illuminations, perhaps schedule your dinner early enough (7:15 - 7:30) that you are finished by the start of Illuminations (9 pm), and can move about without worrying about your table or food.

 

[Hopefully]

I would definitely plan on watching from the balcony. It is a better view. If you leave your table I think they will assume you are done and clear it. It is not common for folks to do what you suggest. I would aim for as ADR about 7 - 7:15 to be finished in time for getting a good spot on the balcony.
Illumunations is actually at 10 PM The first 2 Fridays' & Saturday's in Nov. due to F & W Festival

 

[Puffin]

We have the same plan. We made our reservation at Tokyo Dining for 7.30. Fingers crossed this works out.

 

[COscrapper]

If Illuminations is at 10, won't 7:30 be really early for an ADR then? Even if dinner lasts til 9 (honestly, I hope it doesn't - not sure how my boys will do for a 1 1/2 hour meal!), we would have another whole hour til it starts...

Is the 10:00 time only on weekends?

Thanks!

 

[Puffin]

Sorry, the day we're going Illuminations is at 9 pm. So maybe you should make your reservation at 8.30?

 

[Hopefully]

Yes adapt your ADR time if you are going on a Friday night, only during Food & Wine festival. If you are booking an ADR on those nights (only) I would book at 8 - 8:15 to be finished and finding your spot on the balcony 15 to 30 minutes early.

 

[COscrapper]

Ok, I THINK we will be going during the week (so a 9:00 show)... I was hoping November hours would be out so I could be a little more sure about EMH nights, but hopefully that will work.

Since my ADR date is May 2, does that mean I need to get online at midnight the night before if I want something like BOG?

Thanks so much!

 

[Hopefully]

Ok, I THINK we will be going during the week (so a 9:00 show)... I was hoping November hours would be out so I could be a little more sure about EMH nights, but hopefully that will work.

Since my ADR date is May 2, does that mean I need to get online at midnight the night before if I want something like BOG?

Thanks so much!

No.
ADR's open online at 6 AM EST and on the telephone at 7 AM EST
FP+ open online at 12 AM (Midnight)
Don't know why it can't be consistent, but it isn't
But if you want BOG you should look as early as possible and the later in your trip you want it the greater the chance it will be available.

 

[ahutton]

We have at least one date night a trip at Tokyo Dining, and try to have it coincide with Illuminations which is usually at 9:00. We book for 8:00 - 8:20; and there are several tables even if not right at the window, you can see the show pretty well.

We have seen many people let their server know they were stepping out for the show and the table was waiting when the returned after the show. I would not leave valuable items, as they won't be responsible for watching them, but you could certainly leave a jacket on the chair and it would be fine.

If your heart is set on seeing the show from the table you might book for a little earlier and when checking in see if they will allow you to wait for one close to the window - when we ate at La Hacienda in March we were told ask at check in for a "show view" as there are more tables that have a view of the show than the ones immediately at the window, so you are more likely to have a good view even if not at the windows. Otherwise, have dinner at 7:30ish so you know you will be done in time to head outside for the show.

 

[hskaggs11]

We watched illumations from our window table last year. We were just a little left of center on the big bank of windows. Unfortunately, the big Japanese arch that marks the boat dock there blocked our view of the center of the lake where all the Illumation action takes place. It wasn't as magical to watch as I hoped, and there was a lot of glare on the windows as they didn't turn down the house lights during the show. You might have better luck with a window seat at the Hacienda de San Angel, or even the quick-service place there, since it has outdoor seating right at the water's edge.

 

[COscrapper]

We watched illumations from our window table last year. We were just a little left of center on the big bank of windows. Unfortunately, the big Japanese arch that marks the boat dock there blocked our view of the center of the lake where all the Illumation action takes place. It wasn't as magical to watch as I hoped, and there was a lot of glare on the windows as they didn't turn down the house lights during the show. You might have better luck with a window seat at the Hacienda de San Angel, or even the quick-service place there, since it has outdoor seating right at the water's edge.

I did see in some pics/videos how that Japanese arch could be in the way - is it more avoidable if you are watching from the balcony? I saw a video taken from outside that seemed to be a pretty good view and the arch was more to the side. As long as that thing isn't completely blocking us, it looked ok to me...we're not bent on having to be at a table during the show. We'd rather go outside if the view will be better - it's our first family trip so we've never seen it!

 

[Hopefully]

We watched illumations from our window table last year. We were just a little left of center on the big bank of windows. Unfortunately, the big Japanese arch that marks the boat dock there blocked our view of the center of the lake where all the Illumation action takes place. It wasn't as magical to watch as I hoped, and there was a lot of glare on the windows as they didn't turn down the house lights during the show. You might have better luck with a window seat at the Hacienda de San Angel, or even the quick-service place there, since it has outdoor seating right at the water's edge.

I have watched Illuminations from a direct window table at Tokoyo Dining and it was also a somewhat obstructed view. It was No Where as nice as outside.

 

[Hopefully]

We were posting at the same time.
Illuminations is by far our favorite evening show at WDW.
It is way more than just a fireworks presentation. It is music, fire, laser lights, fireworks and more. It is awesome! I believe it is best experienced for the First time outside around the lake
Enjoy!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We'd rather go outside if the view will be better

Why not just watch from ground-level like most others?

 

[ariane37]

DH and I ate at Tokyo Dining in January, didn't have a window table and didn't ask for one. We just planned from the beginning to go on the balcony and watch Illuminations.
Illuminations was at 9 that night and our ADR was for 7:50. We were seated almost 30 minutes late so about 8:15. We did have our entrees by the time the show started but weren't finished with them. We'd told our server we were going out to watch the show as soon as we were seated.
We didn't go outside until 8:55. The restaurant was packed, it was MLK weekend but I don't think that compares to a weekend during F&W so you may need to go outside earlier. We had no trouble seeing and it wasn't crowded out there at all. It was beautiful watching from the balcony and, even though I have no experience doing so, I think I'd prefer being out there to benig inside at a window table.
Our meal didn't take long at all except for that long wait! They did tell us upon check-in that they were running 20 mins behind but no way to tell before you get there. If Illuminations is at 9 when you go and you want to go outside, I think 7:30 or even 7:45 is definitely fine.

 

[COscrapper]

Why not just watch from ground-level like most others?

Well, maybe we should! That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out.

I just did not want to stake out a spot an hour in advance and try to force my boys to sit/stand there until it started. I would need WAY too much alcohol for that.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I just did not want to stake out a spot an hour in advance

1) We have never staked out a space/spot prior to the show.
2) We just went-with-the-flow.
3) There really is not a bad view from nearly anywhere.

 

[mumumouse]

DH and I ate at Tokyo Dining in January, didn't have a window table and didn't ask for one. We just planned from the beginning to go on the balcony and watch Illuminations.
Illuminations was at 9 that night and our ADR was for 7:50. We were seated almost 30 minutes late so about 8:15. We did have our entrees by the time the show started but weren't finished with them. We'd told our server we were going out to watch the show as soon as we were seated.
We didn't go outside until 8:55. The restaurant was packed, it was MLK weekend but I don't think that compares to a weekend during F&W so you may need to go outside earlier. We had no trouble seeing and it wasn't crowded out there at all. It was beautiful watching from the balcony and, even though I have no experience doing so, I think I'd prefer being out there to benig inside at a window table.
Our meal didn't take long at all except for that long wait! They did tell us upon check-in that they were running 20 mins behind but no way to tell before you get there. If Illuminations is at 9 when you go and you want to go outside, I think 7:30 or even 7:45 is definitely fine.

I know this is an older post, but I have a question. We originally had an 8:20 ADR, hoping to watch Illuminations from Tokyo Dining (inside or out). Someone told me that 7:30 would be better. The line of thinking being that if we had 8:20, the earlier diners would have already staked claim to the tables with a view. So I let my 8:20 (which seem like the best time to me) go and switched it for a 7:50. That was the closest I could get to 7:30. So my question is this: should we show up a little earlier to check in for this 7:50 ADR? I’ve read of a lot of delays at this restaurant. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

should we show up a little earlier to check in for this 7:50 ADR? I’ve read of a lot of delays at this restaurant

1) Yes, show up early.
2) Tokyo Dining frequently runs 20-25 minutes late for the ADR.
3) I have heard of longer wait times, but have not seen them myself.