Rose & Crown Illuminations Package

[YorkshireT]

Why bother, you can watch Illuminations from all around the lake, no need to pay, it’s really creating a package out of nothing?

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

Why bother, you can watch Illuminations from all around the lake, no need to pay, it’s really creating a package out of nothing?

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So for me the reason for booking it is actually for convenience. I'm registered blind and struggle with the low light levels around the park at night but by being at the restaurant it makes it easier as I know the lights are only off for the fireworks. There are definite advantages to having an area you know will have a good view and you wont have to sit and wait for hours. As said, price wise it isn't much different to having the meal price anyway so for us it works well. I agree it isn't cheap but then Disney isn't

[YorkshireT]

Originally Posted by gismo1554

So for me the reason for booking it is actually for convenience. I'm registered blind and struggle with the low light levels around the park at night but by being at the restaurant it makes it easier as I know the lights are only off for the fireworks. There are definite advantages to having an area you know will have a good view and you wont have to sit and wait for hours. As said, price wise it isn't much different to having the meal price anyway so for us it works well. I agree it isn't cheap but then Disney isn't

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I can see in your case it makes sense for sure.
However I was reading Josh's blog and for those without a special requirement I am struggling to justify. The views are not great. The dishes offered for mains are in the low $20's. For us we often only eat one course. I like a couple of pints but no more usually with my meal. My wife will have maybe a glass of wine. My kids (who would be charged an outrageous $170 for this) can't drink . So I'd be paying a small fortune of $340 (telephone numbers, to eat bangers and mash and fish and chips) (plus tip ?) which seems bonkers. The profit margins on such a 'package' are astronomical.
If I wanted to eat in Rose and Crown, I'd have a main course and max of 2 pints (say $45), my wife would have a glass of wine with a single course ($35) and the kids still have kids meals usually ($25 for 2). This would be over $200 cheaper. We can then just watch the fireworks from anywhere around the lake and that's $200 in my pocket.
Horses for courses and if people can see value in it, then that's great, but I think it's creating a package out of nothing. They've done exactly the same with the one at Top of the World Lounge, albeit that's a bit better value on the food at Wave. They also did this with the Xmas parade package, I read a real slating of that one by someone on it.
Someone must have been tasked with -' Create packages out of things that are already free'. I suppose if people are willing to pay, who can blame them?

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

I can see in your case it makes sense for sure.
However I was reading Josh's blog and for those without a special requirement I am struggling to justify. The views are not great. The dishes offered for mains are in the low $20's. For us we often only eat one course. I like a couple of pints but no more usually with my meal. My wife will have maybe a glass of wine. My kids (who would be charged an outrageous $170 for this) can't drink . So I'd be paying a small fortune of $340 (telephone numbers, to eat bangers and mash and fish and chips) (plus tip ?) which seems bonkers. The profit margins on such a 'package' are astronomical.
If I wanted to eat in Rose and Crown, I'd have a main course and max of 2 pints (say $45), my wife would have a glass of wine with a single course ($35) and the kids still have kids meals usually ($25 for 2). This would be over $200 cheaper. We can then just watch the fireworks from anywhere around the lake and that's $200 in my pocket.
Horses for courses and if people can see value in it, then that's great, but I think it's creating a package out of nothing. They've done exactly the same with the one at Top of the World Lounge, albeit that's a bit better value on the food at Wave. They also did this with the Xmas parade package, I read a real slating of that one by someone on it.
Someone must have been tasked with -' Create packages out of things that are already free'. I suppose if people are willing to pay, who can blame them?

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Very true! It definitely depends on what you are likely to order. We added up basically what we would have (3 drinks prob and three courses) and it was just about even plus then with my eyes it just makes it less stressful for everyone else. Usually we don't go for these packages but I want to experience Illuminations one more time before it ends and this seemed a better option. Its like the "extra" charge park hours option - I would never pay for this yet some people rave over it. Like you said Horses for Courses.

[KeithOP]

We do them all and love them including the christmas parade one which was totally brill. We dipped in and out grabbing whatever they had available, did some stuff, back to nibbles, great assortment of alcohol. They had an italian guy singing and we got some great photos especially with the "snow" during the parade. We had spot on seats for the parade with no crowding/pushing etc. Loved it and would do it again if offered.

Likewise illuminations, we never seem to get the outside area at rose and crown, this time we're guaranteed it. Unlimited alcohol, yeah we'll make use of that

[mpark90]

All valid points, and when i first heard about the package, i also thought it sounded preposterous as you could previously get the balcony by just requesting it.

But weighing out how much it is for the food we would pick, and drinks and then the tip is already thrown in, it really doesn't work out much more.

and for the added convenience and the fact its a sort of 'one off treat' as illuminations is ending, it sounds worth it to us.

As i say - each to their own, we are trying it in May! We aren't on the dining plan, so its not like we are 'wasting' anything either.