Lagoon Side Seating For Illuminations!

Illuminations is the night time spectacular of music and fireworks that takes place nightly around World Showcase Lagoon in EPCOT.  Guests start finding those coveted unobstructed viewing locations up to 90 minutes before the nightly celebration.

We had lagoon side seating at Rose & Crown in the United Kingdom Pavilion—click here to read more about dining at Rose & Crown.

Our Advanced Dining Reservation was for 7:45 pm.  We checked in at the podium about 7:20 pm and were given a beeper.  It wasn’t long before we were seated.  Our table wasn’t waterfront, but on the patio.  As soon as we met our server, I asked about the possibility of sitting near the water for Illuminations.  Our server told us that she would see what we could do. 

The meal went off without a hitch and we were definitely hungry.  Bonus, there was a woman playing songs on the piano inside the pub, which you had to walk through to get to the restroom.  Lovely Irish tunes! 

When it was time for dessert, our server told us that indeed a waterfront table was available and she asked us to follow her.  We were directed out the back of the restaurant, down some stairs and to a lovely table on the waterfront.  It was about 8:50 pm, with a 9:00 pm start for Illuminations. 

The torches around World Showcase Lagoon were lit and the announcements were being made every five minutes informing guests of the upcoming Illuminations showing. 

Our dessert was served lagoon side and just as we were finishing the last delicious spoonful, the lights dimmed throughout EPCOT and Illuminations began. 

What an incredible experience!  Some of the pyrotechnics were being shot from the small island just feet from where we were sitting. 

Would I rather stake out a spot 90 minutes before and stand waiting for Illuminations or would I rather enjoy a meal and watch from a lagoon side table?  What do you think?  Give me the meal and the waterfront table!

Our experience sitting near the water and experiencing Illuminations was just one of many highlights from our most recent trip to Walt Disney World.