So...tell me about La Hacienda de San Angel

draybook

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I just made ADRs for one night on the second half of our trip for LHdSA. I made them for 8:15pm in the hopes that we can snag a water side table to watch Illuminations while we eat. Any thoughts on the place? Also, have any of you watched Illuminations from here?
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
DW & I ate there last year but were done before Illuminations was to start. Nice decor & colorful Mexican themed. Our server was right on the ball, gave us his recommendations but we already had an idea of what we would order. The table we got was in a quieter area but the entire restaurant was relatively quiet so conversations anywhere would probably be easy to have. I didnt see the unruly kids crowds. I had the cream corn soup.. delicious, Tacos de Camarones ( Shrimp ) very good & filling...DW had Grilled Tilapia which she also loved. Dessert was Empanadas for me & Chocolate Mousse for DW. Great finishing touches to the meal... we left well filled and happy with our choice to dine there.
Its a definite step up from the San Angel restaurant. Bright, cheery and good portions.
 
BrianV

BrianV

Well-Known Member
We were hoping to see illuminations from there too. I've read some places that you can see from almost everywhere (and some seats are better) and other places that only a small number of tables are worth having. Trying to decide whether to keep or cancel.
 
lostpro9het

lostpro9het

Well-Known Member
We've had dinner there three times and, like most WDW places, its hit and miss. We've come to enjoy the Queso Fundido as an app and the DW and I always share the Parrillada La Hacienda. If you're into it, the Orange Mango Fire Margarita is AWESOME!! We had nice window seats two of the times we ate there and it made for a neat Illuminations experience.
 
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Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
I have been there a few times and have watched Illuminations on every visit.

The view of Illuminations can be a mixed bag since you are viewing it through large windows. You view can be compromised If you are too far back or have to deal with people that think it is perfectly acceptable to stand in front of the windows and block the view for the rest of the restaurant. Baring that, the view tends to be pretty good and the tables are set up in a way to keep the site lines clear.

The big surprise for me was the audio. Being inside muffles the sound of the fireworks and since the soundtrack it pumped into the restaurant, you get a very clean audio experience.

I personally enjoy the food at the restaurant, but a few managerial decisions have taken La Hacienda off my list. The food is overpriced even by Disney standards. Couple that with the fact that they no longer accept TiWL and it makes the sting come check time just too great for me.

They will also not even entertain the idea of an adult ordering a kids meal. A couple of the people I travel with are very picky eaters. This is normally no problem as nearly every Disney owned restaurant will allow them to order an adult portion of a kids menu item at an increased price. La Hacienda will not allow this. They did allow my travel companions to heavily alter one of the adult dishes which was an acceptable solution, but it was way too much of pain to deal with.
 
BrianV

BrianV

Well-Known Member
Thanks, Master Yoda! (Ha. That sounds funny to say!)

I've seen the show before but my kids have not. They are still youngish 11 and 8 and I figured that finding a place to sit would make it easier to watch. I'd rather try spice road, but they don't have ADRS yet.

As for the food, the Mexico inside restaurant was always a mixed bag the couple of times I tried it. To be honest, the food was always good, but the service was ALWAYS terrible. I haven't been in many years so maybe it's changed.

I guess we have to eat anyway, so worth a shot. Our reservation is at 8 so I suppose if we have a terrible seat we could eat light and then head outside to see the show.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
BrianV said:
Thanks, Master Yoda! (Ha. That sounds funny to say!)

I've seen the show before but my kids have not. They are still youngish 11 and 8 and I figured that finding a place to sit would make it easier to watch. I'd rather try spice road, but they don't have ADRS yet.

As for the food, the Mexico inside restaurant was always a mixed bag the couple of times I tried it. To be honest, the food was always good, but the service was ALWAYS terrible. I haven't been in many years so maybe it's changed.

I guess we have to eat anyway, so worth a shot. Our reservation is at 8 so I suppose if we have a terrible seat we could eat light and then head outside to see the show.
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The best place I have found for viewing Illuminations is Rose and Crown. They have a roped off section reserved for their guests so if your table dos not have a good view you can simply retreat to this area.

It is our go to place for Illuminations viewing.
 
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Tuvalu

Tuvalu

Premium Member
We had a window table the night of Epcot's 30th anniversary and the extra fireworks after Illuminations were spectacular! Agree with @Master Yoda about the audio. Coupled with the delicious Parrillada La Hacienda, it was a memorable evening.

However, our next experience was awful in comparison. Poor, rushed service and overpriced mediocre food. We are in no hurry to return.
 
MouseDreaming

MouseDreaming

Well-Known Member
June 2013 trip we did La Hacienda. I had the shrimp tacos. Delish. DH wasn't terribly hungry, so he had the taco trio. Large for an appetizer, I thought. The winner for the evening was my DS who ordered tilapia. I don't even like fish (shrimp is the only exception), and I had to try it.

I originally made the ressie with the same thought in mind. My DD doesn't like loud noises, and I figured this was the one shot we would have to watch Illuminations as a family. They sat us to the left of the window. I was a little upset, but here is the amazing thing. Once the fireworks started, the whole restaurant stopped. So, the whole restaurant, including wait staff, was standing behind the window tables--some with drink in hand-- watching the show. It was really a fabulous experience.

So, in conclusion, good food, make sure you get your adult beverage (if you are so inclined) before illuminations starts.
 
draybook

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Master Yoda said:
I have been there a few times and have watched Illuminations on every visit.

The view of Illuminations can be a mixed bag since you are viewing it through large windows. You view can be compromised If you are too far back or have to deal with people that think it is perfectly acceptable to stand in front of the windows and block the view for the rest of the restaurant. Baring that, the view tends to be pretty good and the tables are set up in a way to keep the site lines clear.

The big surprise for me was the audio. Being inside muffles the sound of the fireworks and since the soundtrack it pumped into the restaurant, you get a very clean audio experience.

I personally enjoy the food at the restaurant, but a few managerial decisions have taken La Hacienda off my list. The food is overpriced even by Disney standards. Couple that with the fact that they no longer accept TiWL and it makes the sting come check time just too great for me.

They will also not even entertain the idea of an adult ordering a kids meal. A couple of the people I travel with are very picky eaters. This is normally no problem as nearly every Disney owned restaurant will allow them to order an adult portion of a kids menu item at an increased price. La Hacienda will not allow this. They did allow my travel companions to heavily alter one of the adult dishes which was an acceptable solution, but it was way too much of pain to deal with.
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I'm glad that you posted this. I wasn't aware that they don't accept the TiW card so they will be getting scratched off of the list. Bummer, I was hoping to have a dinner experience with fireworks ala California Grill. I'm not sure I can get the family on board with the R&C menu.
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
draybook said:
I just made ADRs for one night on the second half of our trip for LHdSA. I made them for 8:15pm in the hopes that we can snag a water side table to watch Illuminations while we eat. Any thoughts on the place? Also, have any of you watched Illuminations from here?
Click to expand...
We ate here last year and really liked it. There were 5 of us and everyone enjoyed the meals. We had a few odd requests (the taquiza appetizer, son wanted only the meat, nothing else on it) We ordered two Parrillada La Hacienda's and asked for the steak to be cooked two different ways, which they did with no problems. The only thing we werent thrilled about was the Queso fundido. We asked for a table by the windows and had no problem getting one! This was on a Saturday night during Food and Wine too. I'd definately suggest you try it!
 
draybook

draybook

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yeah, the Mrs. said that we can probably still do it without the TiW being accepted. I'm keeping an eye open on R&C though, but I can't seem to find anything beyond 8pm.
 
coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
I agree. Its a bummer they don't take TIW, but we still go every trip. If you haven't been there yet, Id still give it a try. Its a favorite of ours. We've never stayed inside to watch illuminations from inside. We enjoy the view outside better.
 
m3owbox

m3owbox

Active Member
We went there on our last trip in March and it was amazing. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. The only thing was that we had a little bit of a wait to get in there, about 30 mins. But we were seated in the center part and we could see illuminations perfectly. They dim the lights and put on the music. Its really nice. Our reservation was for the same time as yours.
 

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