Six Spectacular Reasons to Dine at Rose & Crown
Photo: UndercoverTourist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvQ1e2hu4w4
When you dine at the World Showcase, you really can’t go wrong. All of the restaurants in this part of Epcot are delicious. However, some tower over the rest, and I want to discuss one of my absolute favorites today. Here are six reasons to eat at Rose & Crown Dining Room.
The Location
Out of all of the eateries at the World Showcase, Rose & Crown Dining Room is arguably the simplest to find. It’s an integral part of the United Kingdom Pavilion, comprising much of its side of this themed area.
When you enter the World Showcase from the Future World side, you’ll take the right path and quickly reach the United Kingdom Pavilion. Only the Canada Pavilion is before it, and that section is tucked in a corner, making it easy to miss. You can’t help but notice England’s space, as it’s right by the water.
Somehow, the path to the United Kingdom Pavilion is even more straightforward from the International Gateway. Once you walk past the admission area, you’ll come to a fork in the road. One path goes right across the bridge. Staying on the current path and veering left will take you to England…or at least Disney’s representation of it.
From the International Gateway, the restaurant is on the right. When you approach from Future World, it’s on the left. You really can’t miss it, as your eyes will naturally stare at the spot by the water. And your nose will notice the fragrant aromas of the foods being prepared.
The Theming
The Rose & Crown’s theme is that of a classic British pub. It’s the type of place where you sip a pint while watching footy on the telly. This is the place for fans of quaint dining in a place that feels like the corner bar in your neighborhood.
Photo: Mealtrip.com
Imagineers had a bit of cheeky fun with the design. The top exterior of the building is stately, screaming of British manors. The bottom portion is somehow also regal but inviting. It’s almost as if one of the local lords tried to build something decidedly not blue-blooded for his non-royal friends.
To make the place feel more inviting, a cast member will occasionally regale guests with a few tunes. A keyboard is almost hidden in one corner. When you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch an upbeat performance of classic pub songs.
The interior features the tastefully appointed details of a patrician dinner club. However, the lounge area outside comes with a much different vibe. It’s a more relaxed, open-air atmosphere and an ideal way to spend an hour on a sunny day. I would estimate that I eat outside five times more often than I do indoors here. Of course, there’s a reason for that…
The View
Some World Showcase restaurants come with a unique amenity. Their seating provides a terrific view of World Showcase Lagoon. That’s excellent news throughout the day, but it’s especially important at a specific time of the day.
As Epcot approaches closing, the park hosts a nighttime exhibition complete with fireworks. Depending on when you read this, the presentation in question is one of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot Forever, or an as-yet-unnamed nighttime spectacle that begins in 2020.
Historically, astute park visitors would book reservations at Rose & Crown at 7:15 p.m. or so. Then, they’d ask the server to stagger their meal so that dessert would arrive just after 9 p.m., the start of the fireworks display.
However, Disney has put the kibosh on this in 2019, at least partially. They now sell an IllumiNations dining package that scoops up most of the outdoor seating for the presentation. This tactic may continue for Epcot Forever. If it doesn’t, you’ll be wise to follow that same strategy of getting an Advanced Dining Reservation at 7:15 p.m.
In my opinion, no Epcot restaurant provides a better way to watch the World Showcase Lagoon fireworks than Rose & Crown. And as you’re about to learn, the cuisine is excellent, too.
Coming to you LIVE from Illuminations: Reflections of Earth!
Posted by MickeyBlog.com on Thursday, July 18, 2019
The Appetizers and Entrees
Certain Epcot pavilions serve the kind of food that’s synonymous with the country. You may say that you want Mexican or Chinese or Italian, and everyone will know what you mean. English food is more difficult to encapsulate, but it’s simultaneously more familiar than you realize.
Fish and Chips is a classic British meal that’s wildly popular at the United Kingdom pavilion. In fact, Disney’s slotted a Quick Service restaurant on the side of Rose & Crown. This place, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, sells Fish and Chips almost exclusively.
Of course, the same entrée is available at Rose & Crown, and it’s delectable. Before you order your main course, you should sample one of the entrees, though. My family always gets the United Kingdom Cheese Platter, which is a trio of delicious British cheeses. And the Scotch Egg is terrific, too.
Beyond the fish, you can order another pair of British staples here, Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s Pie. Authentic corned beef, Scottish salmon, and masala dishes are available as well. Personally, I prefer the steak, but it’s not on the menu at the moment, temporarily (?) replaced by a Welsh Pub Burger.
Whatever you order, you’ll have a smile on your face after the first two courses. Why, the only thing that could make the experience better is…
The Desserts
Oh, baby! Now we’re talking! When I close my eyes and think of Epcot, one of my favorite memories is watching IllumiNations while I scarf down one of the table-shared desserts at Rose & Crown.
My family has tried all of the ones on the current menu, and I say with complete sincerity that you can’t go wrong with any of them. The Rice Pudding has a creamy texture but a fruity kick. And the Chocolate Nougat Bar is decadent, even by Disney dessert standards.
For me and mine, however, the top two dessert choices are among the finest at Walt Disney World. The English Trifle is a glorious parfait-style dish that somehow combines elements of strawberries and cream with a lip-smacking graham cracker crunch.
While the trifle is tasty, the class of Rose & Crown is undeniably the Sticky Toffee Pudding or, as my wife calls it, the preeeeecious. If she ever had to pick between me and that dessert, I’d lose. It’s a pudding cake served with warm custard and hot Butter-Rum Sauce, and it will almost overwhelm your taste buds with its sublime flavor. This dessert alone is reason enough to consider Rose & Crown a destination dining location.
The Drinks
This one’s kind of obvious and doesn’t merit much discussion. Disney’s stocked the liquor cabinets at this place with your favorite lagers and ales. And yes, they serve Guinness here!
For those of you looking for a fine Scotch whiskey, you’ll have a plethora of options. Johnnie Walker Blue has the most name recognition, but connoisseurs may prefer Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, or Oban. The restaurant serves both 12-year and 18-year samplings of The Macallan, too.
Simply stated, Rose & Crown is one of the best places to drink at Epcot, one of the best places to dine at Epcot, and just maybe THE best place period. My family loves everything about it.
