La Hacienda de San Angel: Disney World Fireworks Viewing Locations

Find out which restaurant in The World Showcase is a favorite fireworks viewing location amongst many guests who also want to view Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in our newest addition to our fireworks viewing location series, La Hacienda de San Angel: Disney World Fireworks Viewing Locations!

The first time I went with my family to Epcot at Walt Disney World, I was an adult with a shy two year old. My husband and I knew she would love Walt Disney World, but we were not sure how she would handle the loud fireworks. She had been frightened in the past by the “pow pows” as she called them, but we did not want to miss out on all the great night time shows. Epcot’s version of night time fireworks is knows as Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and many of my friends told me that it was not to be missed and could be very emotional.

After hearing those recommendations, I set out to find a way to see these fireworks without scaring my two year old.  My travel planner at the time recommended getting a dinner reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel-a table service restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion. La Hacienda de San Angel sits near the water of the World Showcase Lagoon next to where Illuminations takes place and she suggested an inside table that would be at the same time as Illuminations. The hope was that being inside would keep our daughter from getting scared of the loud noises, but allow us all to enjoy the beautiful display that is Illuminations.

Cocktails and Fireworks

We had made an advance dining reservation to La Hacienda for a little after 8:00, because Illuminations started at 9:00.  When we checked in at the reservations desk, we asked for a table that would give us a good view of the fireworks. We were seated with plenty of time before the show, so we spent a little time perusing the menu, which consists of Mexican cuisine and a pretty nice list of cocktails including several margaritas.  Our cocktails and even our food was delivered promptly and when it was time for the show, we were enjoying family time over our cocktails and our daughter was happily eating her dinner. Our table was located so that we were sitting by the window near the water and we had a very nice view and I was anxious to see how my daughter would respond. The restaurant dimmed the lights, piped in the music, and we enjoyed a front row seat with a spectacular view. My daughter was not scared of the noises and she and I were in awe of the show and the fireworks. My husband especially liked having his drink inside without all the crowds outside.

Get Away From the Crowds

That experience at La Hacienda went much better than I expected and really was a highlight of our trip.  Even though my daughter is older now and is not afraid of fireworks anymore, we still have dinner during Illuminations at La Hacienda de San Angel every time we go. There are always new things to do each time we visit Epcot and there are so many excellent dinner choices in The World Showcase, but we stay true to this tradition for Illuminations because it was such a fantastic experience for our whole family.

If you are looking for a way to get away from the crowds, have a bite to eat, and still get to see Illuminations, I highly recommend this reservation to any guests visiting Epcot that would like a front row inside view of this spectacular show.  Don’t forget to make your advance dining reservations way in advance, because the later times usually fill up with other guests who also want to view the fireworks from inside instead of outside with the masses.

Have you been to La Hacienda de San Angel during Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks? What did you think?

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photo credit: Would that i… (World Showcase Lagoon, EPCOT) via photopin (license)

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