TIP: Illuminations Viewing from Rose & Crown Pub
The Rose & Crown Restaurant in the United Kingdom pavillion in EPCOT's World Showcase has an outside patio where you can watch EPCOT's Illuminations nightly fireworks show without having to battle crowds of other people.

Illuminations is presented nightly at 9 PM or 9:30 PM depending on the time of the year. You should make the PS time for around 7:15 PM to 7:45 PM for a 9 PM showing or 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM for the 9:30 PM show to ensure a table during Illuminations. To try and get a patio table, ask the CM to note it when you make your PS. They can not guarantee you'll get it. If you are at EPCOT earlier in the day, you may want to stop by the Rose & Crown and ask the CM at the podium if you can have a patio table. Again, no guarantees, but it doesn't hurt either.

However, even if you have an indoor table, the CMs allow those people to come out and watch. Just be courteous to those that have patio tables.

Like most unoffical events at WDW, sometimes CMs will make up their own rules as to PS bookings at the Rose & Crown Pub when it comes to patio seating. Remember there is no offical "Illuminations Viewing" PS for the Rose & Crown Pub.

A young, newlywed couple in 1983 stepped off their first EPCOT attaction called SpaceShip Earth and walked up to a kiosk to make a dinner reservation (hey, I didn't know they called it Priority Seating back then! ;-)). The CM on the video screen suggested the Rose & Crown Pub at 8:15 PM. The newlyweds agreed and went on their merry way to enjoy the rest of EPCOT.

Later that night as the couple checked in, they were asked if they wanted to eat on at an outside table. Since it was a beautiful Florida fall evening, they did. After a wonderful meal of Fish & Chips for the groom and Cottage Pie for the bride, they ordered desserts and while enjoying them were treated to a front row seat to see Illuminataions. You see, in 1983, watching Illuminations from the Rose & Crown patio was still kind of a secret. Remember the Internet was still in our future and EPCOT was still young. Today it is very hard to get a patio table (see sidebar) but not impossible.

The Rose & Crown's motto is "Otium Cum Dignitate", meaning "leisure with dignity". And, boy, can one do that here! Okay, I know it's in the middle of Walt Disney World with all the people and going's on but, the next time you are looking for a place to rest at Epcot's World Showcase, stop in at the Rose & Crown Pub. Have one of the CM bar keeps draw you a pint of Bass Ale, Guinness Stout, Harp Lager or Caffrey's Irish Ale. Start up a conversation with one of your fellow tourist or the many CM servers which hail from all of the countries of the United Kingdom. Oh, if you like your beer the "British" way, they have a specially designed ale warmer to heat your Guinness to the perfect 55 degrees.

The menu is delightfully fitting featuring Fish & Chips (my favorite), English Pie Samplers, Bangers and Mash and slow roasted Prime Rib. The food is served hot and the vegetables fresh and crisp and with those wonderful accents of the CMs. There's no rushing this meal (especially if you are waiting for Illuminations) and don't forget dessert! Traditional Sherry Trifle, Lemon Posset, Stickey Toffee Pudding or Mouse Parfait, for all those chocolate lovers out there.

You can call for priority seating at the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room restaurant 90 days in advance for both lunch and dinner. And raise a pint to all of use left back at home when you are there!

-- Scottwdw