Which are the best restaurants for views of Illuminations at Epcot?

[jimbopip]

Just about to book our ADR's and was wondering which is the best TS restaurant for viewing Illuminations in Epcot? Thanks.

 

[crabbygal902]

I've been to La Hacienda, Tokyo Dining, and Rose and Crown--all of which have Illuminations views of some sort or another. All of them have good and not so good seating views. At Rose and Crown, if your seating doesn't have a view I've heard that you can walk out to their viewing area. Tokyo Dining's viewing area would be really depend upon whether there was a crowd outside in front of the window.

I think my choice would be La Hacienda if doing a sit down meal. However, we prefer to go to Les Halles for dessert and champagne and find a viewing spot around World Showcase.

 

[Dee McGee]

We booked a patio table at the Rose and Crown. The view could not be beat!

 

[HopperFan]

BUT you have to be lucky to be given one of the tables with a view, which overall is a small percentage. Only Rose & Crown offers a small area where you can stand to watch if your table has no view. I suggest to pick the one you want to eat at, with a time that would optimize a chance at a table, request at check-in. If you don't get be efficient with your time so you can get out and find a spot to watch from.

You can add Spice Road, a small number of tables inside and out with somewhat obstructed views (island) but no place to stand if you don't get one.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We booked a patio table at the Rose and Crown. The view could not be beat!

Just an FYI, there is no way to book a patio table. You got lucky! OP, there is no guarantee you will get a table with a view of the fireworks.

 

[Dee McGee]

Just an FYI, there is no way to book a patio table. You got lucky! OP, there is no guarantee you will get a table with a view of the fireworks.

We had absolutely no trouble getting the patio table with a view we requested for our dinner at Rose and Crown.

 

[crabbygal902]

We had absolutely no trouble getting the patio table with a view we requested for our dinner at Rose and Crown.

We also requested and we were politely denied. Most everyone who books that restaurant wants the fireworks view but that seating is limited.

 

[OhThePain]

R&C is the only restaurant you are pretty much guaranteed seeing IllumiNations, whether you get a table or stand in the viewing area. There are tons of places around WS to watch from. You might be better off getting an ADR sometime before 7 and then finding a spot to watch, especially if it is your only night in EC. If you plan on watching on a different night and are just looking for something a little special, you can book an ADR for any of the restaurants already mentioned and hope for the best (but know it isn't guaranteed or likely).

We had absolutely no trouble getting the patio table with a view we requested for our dinner at Rose and Crown.

As the PP said, you got lucky. Everyone who has an ADR from 7:30 until the time IllumiNations starts asks for a table with a view. Some get one, most don't. It all depends on the table that is ready when your next up on the list.

 

[HopperFan]

We booked a patio table at the Rose and Crown. The view could not be beat!

Just an FYI, there is no way to book a patio table. You got lucky! OP, there is no guarantee you will get a table with a view of the fireworks.

We had absolutely no trouble getting the patio table with a view we requested for our dinner at Rose and Crown.

I think she was trying to say, so the OP knew, is that you can not book a patio table.

You can request one and they may very well give you one, which sounds like it worked great for you. But quite a few others have also reported being told they could not request and would have to take the next available table there. Take it or leave it. All about timing, how busy they are and who is on duty.

We are trying to help the OP understand what might happen and that she should have a backup plan.

 

[RRB]

what about Monsieur Paul?

 

[bcrook]

I booked a table at La Hacienda for 9. We were given a spot in front of a window about 45 minutes before the show. I thought I had pulled off the perfect evening. Then everything fell apart. The servers were rude, the order was messed up, and when the show started people who didn’t have views sent their kids to stand up in the windows to block our view. It ended up being a disaster. In theory La Hacienda should be good, but we have had two miserable experiences, so I have checked it off my list. I’ve never got a good view at Rose and Crown from my table, but the servers are great for escorting people outside. I love Rose and Crown.
Did have a good view once from Tokyo Dining, but it is vulnerable to people standing in front of the windows.
Had a reasonable view from Nine Dragons. There are about 3 tables that allow for a limited view, but I enjoyed that experience too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We had absolutely no trouble getting the patio table with a view we requested for our dinner at Rose and Crown.

I'm glad it worked out for you, but I think the OP needs to know you cannot book a patio table at R&C and it is at the restaurant's discretion to seat you anywhere in the restaurant where they have availability for your party. You made a request and it was granted, but they cannot accommodate everyone who requests a table with a good view of the fireworks. There simply aren't enough tables to grant everyone's request. You were the lucky ones who got that table that evening.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm glad it worked out for you, but I think the OP needs to know you cannot book a patio table at R&C and it is at the restaurant's discretion to seat you anywhere in the restaurant where they have availability for your party. You made a request and it was granted, but they cannot accommodate everyone who requests a table with a good view of the fireworks. There simply aren't enough tables to grant everyone's request. You were the lucky ones who got that table that evening.

That is true but R&C does have a viewing area. NO other Epcot restaurant provides one for those who are not seated at a table with a view of Illuminations.
We've tried all but Tokyo Dining.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think she was trying to say so the OP knew is that you can not book a patio table.

You can request one and they may very well give you one, which sounds like it worked great for you. But quite a few others have also reported being told they could not request and would have to take the next available table there. Take it or leave it. All about timing, how busy they are and who is on duty.

We are trying to help the OP understand what might happen and that she should have a backup plan.

THIS! There is no way to BOOK a table with a view of the fireworks at any restaurant. You can request that view, but you may not get it.

 

[palavra]

How is the view from Spice Road table?

 

[AngiTN]

How is the view from Spice Road table?

Fairly poor, even if you are seated on the patio. It's pretty obstructed from their location.

 

[Moliphino]

If the goal is to see Illuminations I would recommend eating first then finding a spot around the lagoon yourself. None of the dining options has a better view than you can find around the WS and you aren't guaranteed a view at any of them. Rose and Crown at least has their own viewing area, but it's small.
Last time at La Hacienda we were seated in a back room with no view of the outside at all (we weren't there for Illuminations so it didn't matter).

 

[RRB]

Anybody know about the view from Monsieur Paul?

 

[crabbygal902]

About Monsieur Paul:
I haven't been there myself, so this info is from friends. There are only a few tables in the restaurant that have a decent view. The windows are small and if your table is not directly at a window, there is very little to no view. MP is like Rose and Crown in that you generally must take the table offered to you, meaning that they don't usually allow you to wait for one to come open with a view. They did not say if the Illuminations soundtrack was piped into the restaurant or not. They really enjoyed their meal but Illuminations played no part in their choice to dine there.

 

[RRB]

About Monsieur Paul:
I haven't been there myself, so this info is from friends. There are only a few tables in the restaurant that have a decent view. The windows are small and if your table is not directly at a window, there is very little to no view. MP is like Rose and Crown in that you generally must take the table offered to you, meaning that they don't usually allow you to wait for one to come open with a view. They did not say if the Illuminations soundtrack was piped into the restaurant or not. They really enjoyed their meal but Illuminations played no part in their choice to dine there.

Thanks for the feedback. We will find out more on February 12th.