World Showcase
Here’s the second in our series of Best Disney World Restaurants for Fireworks Viewing! Today, we’ll discuss the restaurants with the best views for Illuminations fireworks viewing. (The previous blog post, Part I, has information about Wishes fireworks viewing.)
Illuminations, Reflections of Earth, is shown at Epcot at 9:00PM every night, Saturday-Thursday. Friday nights vary between 9:00PM and 8:00PM depending on Epcot’s schedule.
Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room, patio table
Rose and Crown in Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion is the quintessential dining and viewing spot for Illuminations. If you’re lucky enough to get one of the coveted tables out on the covered patio, Rose and Crown’s view of Illuminations will offer you one of best experiences in Walt Disney World. There’s simply nothing like it.
That said, the fierce competition for these tables has made me forego even making a reservation for dinner at Rose and Crown over the past few visits to Disney World. While Rose and Crown cannot guarantee their ability to grant requests for patio tables, hopefuls begin crowding the podium before 7:00PM each night, willing to wait as long as it takes. The line of patrons waiting to check in can stretch all the way to Tudor Lane. As a result, Rose and Crown has instituted a policy (in my experience) that those checking in at the podium may wait only one hour for a table request; after an hour, they must take the table offered, or choose not to dine at Rose and Crown.
Patio View
How can you improve your chances? Visit Disney World during a slow season (e.g. Winter or early Fall), book your reservation for around 7:30-7:45pm (it’s simply not fair to the servers to book earlier; unless, of course, you’re willing to pay three times the tip!), and tell the cast members when you check in that you’re willing to wait the hour for a fireworks-view, patio table.
Back Patio
Note that the Rose and Crown patio stretches around the Rose and Crown, meaning you might be seated at the side of the restaurant. You can still see the fireworks here, but the view will not be as good as from the back patio, directly next to the lagoon. You can specify that you’re requesting a back-patio, fireworks-view table, but patio is patio… .
Side Patio
Rose and Crown is a casual restaurant; park-wear is acceptable. No reason to dress up. By the way, the potato and leek soup is to die for!
Bistro de Paris
This high-end restaurant located on the second floor of the building housing Les Chefs de France in Epcot’s France pavilion has excellent Illuminations viewing. Again, you’ll want to arrive early and request a window table, but a steep price and nearly hidden entrance (the stairs leading to Bistro de Paris are hidden in the back of the Les Chefs de France lobby) mean that competition for seating is limited compared to Rose and Crown.
Bistro de Paris Dining Room
The dining here is top-notch, but the view from the second story windows can’t be beat. Dress up for this one and make it a celebration.
Cantina de San Angel
The Mexico pavilion’s counter service dining option has been touted by some, panned by others, but everyone agrees that it’s a good option for watching Illuminations…assuming you can comandeer a table and stand your ground!
Cantina de San Angel
Because the tables are lined up along the World Showcase Lagoon railing, patrons have complained about kiddos squeezing themselves between tables and fence to get a better view. Also, folks who might not have as much need for personal space as you do may invite themselves to infringe upon yours by “sharing” your table.
Counter Service -- Cantina de San Angel
This spot might be more hassle than it’s worth, but it’s an inexpensive way to get one of the best views in the park. And the food’s tasty, too!
Tokyo Dining
Tokyo Dining, in Epcot’s Japan pavilion, was recently renovated and re-opened in 2007. Specializing in sushi and tempura, the restaurant shares the second floor of the Mitsukoshi Department Store building with Japan’s other table-service restaurant, Teppan Edo.
This might be your best bet for getting an advanced dining reservation less than 90 days out, as many folks don’t yet know about Tokyo Dining, aren’t sure where it is, or simply don’t want to try the food. Luckily, this means that the floor-to-ceiling window views are up for grabs!
Dining Room
As with the other restaurants, make a reservation for an hour or so before Illuminations and arrive early. Request a window table (tell them you’ll wait if necessary). Once seated, enjoy your meal leisurely until the show begins.
View of World Showcase Lagoon
Note that there is an outdoor, public walkway along the windows at Tokyo Dining. If people notice it’s there, they may crowd it before the show. You’ll still be able to see the fireworks, but this could possibly block the view a bit.
Outdoor Walkway
Tokyo Dining is a more casual restaurant; park-wear is acceptable.
Other Potential Viewing Spots With Dining
While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend either of these spots for Illuminations viewing, Tangerine Cafe in Morocco and Liberty Inn at the American Adventure might offer a decent place to sit to see the higher-up fireworks. At Tangerine Cafe, even if you’re sitting outside (the windows are too opaque to see from the inside), the crowds will likely mar your view of the action on the water. At Liberty Inn, the American Gardens Theater tends to block out the lagoon view. But both offer spots to sit, take a load off, and nosh a bit while you listen to the music and enjoy at least some of the show.
If you have other ideas and options, be sure to let me know in the comments section below!
Photo Credits:
Bistro de Paris Dining Room: ©Disney
Cantina de San Angel: ckramer
Counter Service — Cantina de San Angel: Joe Shablotnik
Check out the other “Best Disney World Restaurants” in our series!
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Something to note about Bistro de Paris: you cannot hear the music inside the restaurant. You also can only make reservations 30 days out.
Fantastic restaurant and highly recommend it, but it’s more like, oh look, out the window there’s some fireworks… Rather than making it a point to dine there based on the fireworks.
Hi Kelly! Wow–thanks for your comment! I’m so glad to know all of that. And I’d love to hear more about your experience at Bistro de Paris; have you been there several times?
You make a good point about the crowd demand for tables for viewing Illuminations. It’s one reason why I haven’t even tried for a table at a restaurant to view the show (the other being that it’s too late at night for dinner for me). Perhaps Disney should consider creating more options for dining or lounge views of Illuminations?
I do have to say, the more you talk about Tokyo Dining, the more I’m thinking it’s got to go on my list for my next trip.
Thanks for all the tips! The first night of our first trip it rained, but luckily, nothing stops Illuminations! We finished dinner at Teppan Edo & one of the managers invited us to grab a window seat in the nearly empty Tokyo Dining to watch the show. It was a little hard to see without making a “menu tent” to block the glare off the glass (is this true for other indoor restaurants?). People were lined up on the balcony, but still below our line of sight. I remember hearing music, but don’t know if it was just vibrating off the glass or if it was being broadcast over the restaurant speakers. FYI in the middle of our trip we transfered monorails at EPCOT & did the loop around the fireball. WOW! For our last night, we were determined to finally see the entire show after dinner at Rose & Crown! Having a good spot makes it even more magical.