Where (and when) can I eat table-service AND watch IllumiNations???

[CleveRocks]

Even though we've taken the kids to WDW twice, we've never stepped foot into World Showcase with them (last time my wife and I were in World Showcase was 1990).

It would be great if we could eat at a table-service restaurant AND watch IllumiNations at/near the end of our meal.

I know all about how/why to make ADRs. But my questions are:

• Where can I eat a TS meal and have a chance of viewing IllumiNations from our table? I know there is no way to guarantee a table with a view (I know the best you can do is ask at the podium just before you're seated). But I imagine there are some or many TS restaurants in World Showcase that offer NO VIEW of IllumiNations ... I'm just looking to find out where it's even possible to view IllumiNations from, limiting this to table-service only.

• For WHEN should I try to time the ADR? I know IllumiNations starts nightly at 9:00 p.m. Do I want the latest possible ADR? Or do I want one around 7:15 or 7:30 or 7:40 or 7:50 and then linger? Or will all the "good" tables be taken by that late a time? I hope y'all understand what I'm asking with this second question ... what time should I make my ADR for to help give me the best possible chance of seeing IllumiNations while still at my table?

Thank you for your answers!!!

 

[World Bouncer]

The only real good seating for the Illuminations is on the Patio at Rose & Crown!

I think that 7:30 to 8:00 would be a good reservation time, but some might differ with me on that? any earlier than 7:30 and you may be lingering too long after dinner, and any later than 8pm and you may not get a chance at the seat you are looking for.

Hope you get the great view and enjoy your trip!

 

[JenSop]

The only really good one I can think of is Rose and Crown - just like the previous poster said. Most restaurants have no view.

Perhaps someone with more expertise could answer this - are there any seats from the restaurant in Japan that are near the window that looks out over the water? And maybe you might be able to see some of Illuminations from the restaurant(s) in France?

 

[wdwrich]

Just a heads-up on Rose & Crown. When we were there last summer, they were not giving guests a choice to dine out on the patio, even if you had an ADR and were willing to wait for a table out there.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I know you said table-service but I just wanted to throw out there that there are some good seats at the Cantina right up against the lagoon that have some awesome up views of Illuminations!

 

[CleveRocks]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I'm going in February, the week before Presidents Day. I got lucky in that just yesterday, they extended the window for making ADRs through February 21, 2009. So when I called up, very few people knew about this, and I had my choice of times. I originally made it for 7:40 p.m., but this morning changed it to 8:00 p.m.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Rose and Crown. I'd say make your ADR for around 7:30, request a patio table, and be prepared to wait.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Except Rose & Crown will no longer allow diners to wait for a patio table. Period. You can request one when you check in at the podium, but when your party is called you have two choices - take the table to which you are assigned, or dine elsewhere.

 

[tiger4me2]

Rose and Crown. I'd say make your ADR for around 7:30, request a patio table, and be prepared to wait.

When making your ADR they will not let you request seating only at the restaurant. And then no guarantee even then. They are on why people request this You can ask but don't count on it.

 

[leanan]

I hate trying to eat at the cantina and finding no seats because people have staked out the whole place for fireworks so I end up eating on a curbside somewhere. Yeah I know I should not eat so late if I want to sit at an actual table for the cantina. Stupid me but at the same time seeing people who are not eating or drinking and holding up tables there just so they can be semi comfy for the fireworks kind of ticks me off. You see a lot of that at the cantina after 8 PM

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

I hate trying to eat at the cantina and finding no seats because people have staked out the whole place for fireworks so I end up eating on a curbside somewhere. Yeah I know I should not eat so late if I want to sit at an actual table for the cantina. Stupid me but at the same time seeing people who are not eating or drinking and holding up tables there just so they can be semi comfy for the fireworks kind of ticks me off. You see a lot of that at the cantina after 8 PM

Everytime I want to watch Illuminations from the Cantina, we always eat there too. Most of the time we are done eating by the time the fireworks start but I still feel like I have a right to wait there for the show, just like those who have an outside seat and the Rose and Crown linger. I will say though that if we see another 2 or 3 people who are walking around with a tray, we offer for them to sit at our table if they want to join us.

 

[Pumbaa_]

8:00 is too late to try for an outside seat at R&C. I would recommend no later than 7:20 and plan on having a leisurely dinner

 

[Spoisal]

ok, so I was able to get a 7:30 ADR for R&C on Sunday, Nov. 23rd ....should I show up at 7:20 and request an outside table? And what is the worst case scenario?? That we have to eat inside & they allow us to walk out on the patio? That wouldn't be too bad. Has anyone heard of NOT being allowed to walk out on the patio for Illuminations?

 

[Tink888]

We made 8:00 ressies for Rose & Crown and though they will not allow you wait for a table outside - if you ask very nicely - what they will do is allow you to walk down to the patio and view Illuminations from there. We finished our entrees and the waitress came over to our table to let us know Illuminations would be starting and took us out to the patio. After the fireworks we went back to the table and had dessert. There were quite a few indoor tables that did this.

 

[Rebelmom67]

8:00 is too late to try for an outside seat at R&C. I would recommend no later than 7:20 and plan on having a leisurely dinner

I agree, all the tables outside will be occupied, no doubt.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I know you said table-service but I just wanted to throw out there that there are some good seats at the Cantina right up against the lagoon that have some awesome up views of Illuminations!

I second this! It isn't TS but we had a great meal and an amazing time, and could linger all we wanted. We sat against the back wall but it was still lovely, filling, and cheap! And who can pass on a churro with an amazing view? Not I.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The only real good seating for the Illuminations is on the Patio at Rose & Crown!

Actually, there are other place to view Illuminations while eating:
. . . Rose & Crown
. . . Tokyo Dining
. . . Bistro de Paris
. . . Cantina de San Angel

EDIT: Tokyo Dining has the window seats and not Teppan Edo. This means you eat at tables, and not at the hibachi cooking tables. Some people get confused about this. Plus, yuo cannot eat at Edo and walk to windows in Tokyo Dining.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Except Rose & Crown will no longer allow diners to wait for a patio table. Period. You can request one when you check in at the podium, but when your party is called you have two choices - take the table to which you are assigned, or dine elsewhere.

I'm sorry but that's not true. I work at the Rose and Crown and although it isn't guaranteed and can't always be done, we do try our best to seat guests where they'd like to be sat. However, if you are sat inside during the fireworks, your server will take you outside to the restaurant viewing area (a private area only for people dining at the current time) and you can view the fireworks from there.

 

[Rebelmom67]

I'm sorry but that's not true. I work at the Rose and Crown and although it isn't guaranteed and can't always be done, we do try our best to seat guests where they'd like to be sat. However, if you are sat inside during the fireworks, your server will take you outside to the restaurant viewing area (a private area only for people dining at the current time) and you can view the fireworks from there.

Thanks for sharing this! It is nice to know that you guys do try to accomodate seating requests.

 

[marsh0013]

just echoing another poster who mentioned Tokyo Dining...

I ate there around 8pm for a 9pm Illuminations, and it was great! they turned down the lights and piped in the music. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was really nice. when i checked in, i told them i'd like to wait for a window table, and i got it.

so that's another option.