Which Restaurants in Epcot can you see Illuminations from?

[Hannahh25]

Hi all,

We would like to book a table at a restaurant in Epcot that we could see IllumiNations from as we have never been to WDW before. Which restaurants can you see the fireworks from and what time would you advise to book the table for?

Thanks!

 

[MichVick]

On our last trip we dined at the Rose and Crown and asked for patio seating - although it's not guaranteed, we were lucky enough to get a table with an excellent view of Illuminations. Our ADR was for 7:30.

 

[fuzzlekins]

Agree with the previous post. The brand new Spice Road Table is supposed to be good too.

 

[Hopefully]

I really believe the best way to experience Illuminations the first time is outside around the Lagoon. I do not feel you get the full experience inside a restaurant. I hope you will decide to see it after your dinner outside around the lagoon.
It is wonderful this way.

 

[VrBchJ]

I really believe the best way to experience Illuminations the first time is outside around the Lagoon. I do not feel you get the full experience inside a restaurant. I hope you will decide to see it after your dinner outside around the lagoon.
It is wonderful this way.

I agree with this 100%. The music, fire, water spraying from the floats and the explosions of the fireworks can best be fully appreciated from watching outdoors around the lagoon.

 

[figment_jii]

Which restaurants can you see the fireworks from and what time would you advise to book the table for?

It depends on what you mean by "see IllumiNations". Several of the restaurants have a view from some tables, but no restaurant is going to guarantee you a view from your table. So if seeing IllumiNations is important to you, I'd have an early dinner and then find a spot somewhere around WS to watch the show.

Your best bet is Rose & Crown because they have a reserved viewing area for guests that do not have a table with a view. Your server will take you out to the reserved area to watch the show and then you can return to your table afterwards to finish your meal. The patio tables that do have a view have an excellent view, but they are very popular and R&C generally does not allow guests to request and wait for a patio table (you must take the next available table or forfeit your ADR). I would probaly aim for an ADR around 7:30 pm for a 9:00 pm showing of IllumiNations.

The next most popular venue for IllumiNations dining is La Hacienda. Some of the tables have an excellent view, but most do not. Again, they generally do not allow guests to request a window table, but if they do, make sure you specify a table with a view of IllumiNations because there window tables that do not have a view (they face the wrong way). There is no reserved viewing area, so if you are a table without a view, you will miss out on parts of the show.

I haven't been to Spice Road, but I've heard/read that several of the tables have an excellent view of IllumiNations.

Several other WS restaurants have some tables that have some type of view of IllumiNations. Monsieur Paul and Tokyo Dining come to mind for the TS locations. At Monsieur Paul, a few (and I mean, like four) tables by the window have a limited view of the show. Most of the restaurant does not.

View from the front of the R&C's Reserved Viewing Area:

View from the second row of tables at Monsieur Paul:

 

[TDC Nala]

You should note that Spice Road is not a "restaurant" - it's considered a lounge with food. You can't make reservations for it, or use the dining plan there. And it doesn't have a children's menu. It's first come first served so those tables will go quick, but if you're willing to get there early and hang around you might get the view you are looking for. Since it's a lounge they are not looking to turn tables so quickly.

I agree with others that if you want an optimum view for your first experience, you can't leave that up to a restaurant, as the view from the table cannot be guaranteed. The best selection is Rose & Crown, because they have a viewing area for diners who can't see from their tables - something none of the other restaurants have. It's good and you don't have to wait a long time for it, but there will be other people in the space.

Some posters who ask this question really want a view from the table and don't want to consider using the restaurant as a viewing spot if they can't get a table with a view.

 

[ElizabethB]

We've been at the Monsieur Paul tables by the window. The trees block the view of Illuminations. So, no need to book that one for the show.

 

[wiigirl]

I really believe the best way to experience Illuminations the first time is outside around the Lagoon. I do not feel you get the full experience inside a restaurant. I hope you will decide to see it after your dinner outside around the lagoon.
It is wonderful this way.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I really believe the best way to experience Illuminations the first time is outside around the Lagoon. I do not feel you get the full experience inside a restaurant. I hope you will decide to see it after your dinner outside around the lagoon.
It is wonderful this way.

If you are at an outside lagoon side table at Rose and Crown you are OUTSIDE. Nothing better then having a nice seat, drink, dessert, illuminations.

 

[disneyAndi14]

The rose and crown tavern on the patio by the lagoon has a good view you just have to reserve a spot because they go fast.

 

[purple figment]

The rose and crown tavern on the patio by the lagoon has a good view you just have to reserve a spot because they go fast.

You have to make a reservation for the restaurant, but as others have said, you can't reserve a table on the patio. You can request one when you check in and many people do, but there's no guarantee you'll get one. It will depend on how crowded the restaurant/park is that night, how many groups before you have requested one and whether they are actually allowing people to wait for one. Often you'll have to take the next table for your group size.

We've been seated at a patio table with an excellent view of IllumiNations and we've also gone out to the viewing area adjacent to the patio where the view was also great.

To the OP: No restaurant will guarantee a table with a view of IllumiNations. R&C will give you the best chance to see the fireworks while dining, but not necessarily from your table. If you are seated inside let your server know you want to see IllumiNations and they will pace your meal accordingly. Just before the start of the show ask your server to take you out to the viewing area. Afterwards you can come back in and finish your dinner. However, being from London, I don't know if R&C was in your plans.

If this is your only chance to see IllumiNations, I would eat early and then find a place around the lagoon. Choose a place where the center of the lagoon is not obstructed by trees or islands and is not downwind because of smoke and ashes during the show.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Technically you can see the show from the La Hacienda in Mexico. But the windows looked kind of small to me.

I have done the Rose and Crown and it was a great place, but if I only had one chance to watch the show I would not risk the restaurant method so I could be sure to see it well!

 

[disnut8]

I really believe the best way to experience Illuminations the first time is outside around the Lagoon. I do not feel you get the full experience inside a restaurant. I hope you will decide to see it after your dinner outside around the lagoon.
It is wonderful this way.

I agree. If it's your first time for the show, you might want flexibility instead of "I have to be at this restaurant at this time and hope to be seated by this time and have my meal done by the time the show starts and then have to possibly move to see the show and then exit with everyone else after the show out of this restaurant".

I love Illuminations and see it every chance I get. If you go to the back of the park, grab a space along the railing maybe a half hour before the show starts, you can get some good food from any one of the nations from the counter service (you can simply take the tray to your place), sit down, relax, maybe have an adult beverage as well, then simply finish, stand up and watch the show. Afterwards, walk slowly towards the exit and you are done.

In my opinion, much more relaxing and you get a lot more time at Epcot.