DHS to International Gateway

[Mommy Poppins]

Trying to figure out timing and logistics.....

If Fantasmic is at 6:30 and Illuminations is at 9:00, can we make both?

Fantasmic is a 1/2 hour show, so if we are out of there by 7:30, and take the boat back to the Boardwalk area, could we make it for Illuminations at EPCOT?

[newholidayx2]

boat may be full right after Fantasmic
however its only a 20-30 min walk back to EpCot from MGM - so that way I dont see why you shouldnt be able to make Illuminations

[Robo]

Originally Posted by Mommy Poppins

Trying to figure out timing and logistics.....

If Fantasmic is at 6:30 and Illuminations is at 9:00,

1-can we make both?

Fantasmic is a 1/2 hour show,

2- so if we are out of there by 7:30, and

3-take the boat back to the Boardwalk area, could we make it for Illuminations at EPCOT?

1- Yes. We've done it more than once.
2- The show will be over at 7:30, but you won't be out of DHS for awhile after that, as it is a very long walk, and unless you are among the very first to exit (by sitting near an exit) you will be in a sea of guests slowly flowing out of the theater.
3- As was said, the boat(s) can be busy, and we have walked to Epcot in the past. But I will say that you should be able to ride the boat and still make
it just fine.

We then enter Epcot's International Gateway and watch IllumiNations either on the bridge between UK and France, or from a spot to the left (as you face the water) of UK's Rose & Crown Restaurant (near the handicapped area.)

[DougK]

Robo, I love your photo maps!

[WEDWDW]

Originally Posted by Mommy Poppins

Trying to figure out timing and logistics.....

If Fantasmic is at 6:30 and Illuminations is at 9:00, can we make both?

Fantasmic is a 1/2 hour show, so if we are out of there by 7:30, and take the boat back to the Boardwalk area, could we make it for Illuminations at EPCOT?

NO PROBLEM!Fantasmic! lasts 25 minutes so with Fantasmic! beginning at 6:30 that will leave you around TWO HOURS to exit the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater and either Boat or walk to Epcot's International Gateway.If there is a huge line at the Lake Hollywood dock,I would suggest just taking a leisurely walk along Lake Hollywood,across The Boardwalk and on to the International Gateway.

In fact,I have watched an 8:00 performance of Fantasmic! and the 9:00 performance of IllumiNations!When the Steamboat Willie "scene" began,I began to make my way to the exit and watched the last few seconds of the show from there.Immediately after the show ended,I began a "determined speed walk" out of the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater,down Sunset Boulevard,down Hollywood Boulevard,out the Gate,along the pathway to the "Boardwalk Inn Shortcut",along The Boardwalk,through the International Gateway entrance to Epcot,and on to the English Channel Bridge.I arrived about 8 minutes before IllumiNations began.

It was great fun!In your scenario,you will have no problem.

[mrzero]

This is what I refer to as the 'daily double'. On my last visit, I pulled off the 'reverse daily double' by watching Illuminations first and then walked to DHS for Fantasmic.

[WEDWDW]

Originally Posted by mrzero

This is what I refer to as the 'daily double'. On my last visit, I pulled off the 'reverse daily double' by watching Illuminations first and then walked to DHS for Fantasmic.

Isn't it fun!Have you ever completed the Triple Header(Fantasmic!,IllumiNations,Wishes!)?It is even more fun!

[bgreen82]

a little off subject but were going to be at dhs next monday i believe when there is a 7:30 fantasmic as well as a 9:00 show. we are planning for the 9:00 show. how early to get to that one and where are we going to be waiting if we start to wait when the first show is still going?

[Robo]

Originally Posted by bgreen82

a little off subject but were going to be at dhs next monday i believe when there is a 7:30 fantasmic as well as a 9:00 show. we are planning for the 9:00 show. how early to get to that one and where are we going to be waiting if we start to wait when the first show is still going?

We love Fantasmic!

Full of Disney characters, music, film clips, elaborate live "movie stunts," and amazing over-the-top special effects, performed right before your eyes.

The show runs nearly 30 minutes and there is somethong new to see the entire time.
-------------------------------------------

No one can predict exactly how large the crowds will be or how early you should go to find a seat for Fantasmic! on any given day.
It has totally to do with the whim of the crowd at DHS on that day, and the general crowd LEVELS.
How much time you wish to "invest" in waiting is a personal decision. We have never done the formal Dinner Package, and have always seen the show (dozens of times).

(Take all of these as "average" numbers, sometimes the crowd will be MUCH greater and the theater can fill up much sooner.)

VERY Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-120 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
45-60 minutes before: Outside seats likely still available.
30-40 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests.

Yes, the lines can start forming over 2 hours before the show-time.

At about 120 min. before show-time, they will open the gates and begin allowing guests in line to approach the theater seating.

(See my maps. It is a very long ramp.)

They will continue with the lines of guests walking in until the theater is completely filled or the show begins, whichever comes first.

They will "hold open" the Dining Pkg. seating area ONLY for guests who have the Dining Pkg. voucher.

BUT, if the theater is over-crowded (a very likely scenario in 2009)
then, at about 35 min. before show-time,
the CM's will cease holding the DP area open for DP voucher guests
and, at that time, begin to allow ANYONE
who still needs a seat to sit in (any seats left) the DP area.


Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-120 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
60 minutes before: Good seats
25-35 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests. (The crowd of "last-minute" arrivals can be slow to get seated before show-time.)

Off-Season (not busy days):
You should be OK to enter by 30-50 minutes before, but you'll likely be seated to the outer edges, and/or way at the back.

Dining Package:
New Dining Pkg. Entrance was added in mid-Sept. 2009.
If you do the Fantasmic! Dinner Pkg. you still SHOULD enter by AT LEAST 35-45 minutes ("safer" at 45 minutes) before show-time and still be guaranteed "pretty good" seats (not my "first choice" area, but fine), regardless of crowd-levels. Remember, the DP is only valid for the first show of the evening, if there are 2 or more. If you do have DP and you spy some seats outside the DP "reserved" area, you are free to choose to sit anywhere outside that area you like, no problem.

If there are TWO Fantasmic! shows in one evening, the second one will have lower crowd level than the first one. You can arrive a bit later (generally, 45-60 minutes) and still find a seat.
(Some say less advance time will be needed, but I'm cautious.)


Be aware that the second show waiting area will LOOK like the show is "too crowded".
That's because they HOLD the 2nd crowd outside the theater while the CMs CLEAN it after the first crowd has exited.

Then, they will let those waiting together in that big group IN... all at once, and there will be PLENTY of room.

(The theater seats over 7,000 guests.)

When you enter the theater, there will be CMs along the way directing the flow of traffic, but you may (if you are early enough to have a choice) simply choose any open seats in the theater to be your own.
If you want to exit more quickly, choose a seat farther back and to towards audience-right.
If you want to be immersed in the show (and sometimes, immersed in water-mist, if the wind is blowing "in") choose a seat towards the front.

We like to eat our evening meal while waiting for Fantasmic! to start.
You can bring in items from the counter-service places in DHS, or they DO have concession stands at the rear of the theater serving "baseball stadium-type" food and drinks. Yes, even beer, sold strictly ONE-at-a-time, one-only-to-a-person, so a single person can't go and buy beer for other members of a group... all guests wanting to buy a beer must be present in-person at the counter.
We have a hot dog, maybe a pretzel, later some popcorn or cotton candy (Disney Health Food).
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_fan.htm
Click above for the "menu."

But, nothing ALWAYS happens the same way at WDW.
I would be cautious about assuming anything, as WDW has been experiencing
unpredictable (sometimes record-breaking) crowds even over the past couple of years.

If its IMPORTANT to see a particular show, arriving a bit too early will be better than arriving a bit late.

If its not a really big deal to see a particular show, you may certainly arrive closer to show-time and just see if you get lucky.
Many folks do.

========================

[cruise pup]

Boy, am I ever grateful for this thread. When I visit DHS I want to leave around 7pm to make a 7:55pm resie at Biergarten. I think taking this boat is the better way to get into the World Showcase instead of a bus to the parking lot and have to walk through the entire park. Thanks, this is most helpful.

[katemonster2508]

Originally Posted by cruise pup

Boy, am I ever grateful for this thread. When I visit DHS I want to leave around 7pm to make a 7:55pm resie at Biergarten. I think taking this boat is the better way to get into the World Showcase instead of a bus to the parking lot and have to walk through the entire park. Thanks, this is most helpful.

If you take the boat, get off at the Yacht/Beach Club dock. it will save you at least 5 minutes in your commute to do the last bit by foot

[mrzero]

Originally Posted by WEDWDW

Isn't it fun!Have you ever completed the Triple Header(Fantasmic!,IllumiNations,Wishes!)?It is even more fun!

That's more like the Holy Grail and no, I've never even attempted it. While I would certainly watch Wishes if I'm at the MK, I don't have the 'need' to see it like the other two.

[cruise pup]

Originally Posted by katemonster2508

If you take the boat, get off at the Yacht/Beach Club dock. it will save you at least 5 minutes in your commute to do the last bit by foot

Thanks for your advice. Is that the closest dock to the park entrance? The satellite map above shows a red dot, indicating a dock, right by the International Entrance? I actually need the closest dock to the park because I'm experiencing some leg problems at the moment and the less walking I do, the better.

[Gary M]

Originally Posted by cruise pup

Thanks for your advice. Is that the closest dock to the park entrance? The satellite map above shows a red dot, indicating a dock, right by the International Entrance? I actually need the closest dock to the park because I'm experiencing some leg problems at the moment and the less walking I do, the better.

The final stop is a dock near the International Gateway.

[bsbrady]

After fantasmic, you will probably make it fastest to Epcot by walking. It is not that bad of a walk, I have done it in 20 minutes.