illuminations and Star Wars fireworks on same night?

[DisMommyTX]

DH and I are taking a quick trip without the kids in May. Even though we will miss all the new openings, we still can't figure out how to fit it all in!

We have planned for Sat evening at HS. We already have the Villains party booked along with all our FP, but I just realized that the Star Wars fireworks are not showing Saturday nights. (How did I not know this!?!) DH definitely wants to see this show again before June, so I'm trying to squeeze them in to another night.

We are planning on Sunday at EPCOT. Is it possible to see Illuminations at 9pm then walk (quickly) over to see the SW fireworks at 9:45? Seems mathematically possible, but has anyone actually done it? It's okay if the view isn't perfect, but I'd want to be close enough to hear the music.

 

[Robo]

I just realized that the Star Wars fireworks are not showing Saturday nights.
1. (How did I not know this!?!)
DH definitely wants to see this show again before June, so I'm trying to squeeze them in to another night. We are planning on Sunday at EPCOT.
2. Is it possible to see Illuminations at 9pm then walk (quickly) over to see the SW fireworks at 9:45?
Seems mathematically possible, but has anyone actually done it?
3. It's okay if the view isn't perfect,
4. but I'd want to be close enough to hear the music.

1. Because that schedule is brand new. They used to run nightly.
2. It's just barely possible, but not a sure thing, if anything should slow you down (like security at DHS.)
3. You can certainly give it a go.
4. And, THAT will be your biggest problem. Otherwise, you could easily just SEE the fireworks
from outside the park.

Good views along the plum-colored pathway inside the area that I shaded in green on the map below. (But, NO SOUND.)

 

[ajbtv2]

I've attempted multiple times to see two fireworks shows in the same day.

The only time I was successfully in park viewings was if the 2 shows were 2 hours apart. Even with that I was near the exit gates of the first show to beat the crowds to next park. So with a 45 minute window I doubt you'll be able to make 2 in park viewings just due to crowd issues.

Let's do some quick math. Illuminations is ~15 minutes (12.5 based on my last video). So that gives you 30 minutes to walk 1.2 miles, through crowds to exit, and security to enter between parks.

That said, I was always able to SEE the fireworks in transit, just not in-park for both viewings, which without the music becomes a personal preference.

 

[cel_disney]

What if you went to Illuminations after CV? We were at the early CV - it ends promptly at the 2 HR mark. I think you could easily walk with purpose (not ride!) to Illuminations via the walkway in Robos post.

 

[Robo]

I've attempted multiple times to see two fireworks shows in the same day.

The only time I was successfully in park viewings was if the 2 shows were 2 hours apart. Even with that I was near the exit gates of the first show to beat the crowds to next park. So with a 45 minute window I doubt you'll be able to make 2 in park viewings just due to crowd issues.

Let's do some quick math. Illuminations is ~15 minutes (12.5 based on my last video). So that gives you 30 minutes to walk 1.2 miles, through crowds to exit, and security to enter between parks.

That said, I was always able to SEE the fireworks in transit, just not in-park for both viewings, which without the music becomes a personal preference.

While I'm not in total disagreement with this,
I think you are being overly pessimistic.

I've seen two shows (DHS/Epcot) several times.
Choosing a spot to see IllumiNations very near the IG (in UK or on the bridge to France would work)
would allow a quick exit after IllumiNations.

There would be no "crowd" to deal with once outside the IG exit.

A FAST WALK to the DHS gates (it's not over a mile, it's about .8 miles, if the shortcut via the Boardwalk pool is taken)
could take about 20 minutes. That gives about 5-10 min. to get through security and the gates and just inside the DHS gates.

The Star Wars show looks and sounds great once inside the gates.

Would I, myself, try this with this tight timing?
Nah.

But, someone with true desire... and walking stamina...and a lot of LUCK with security... could give it a go.

 

[ajbtv2]

While I'm not in total disagreement with this,
I think you are being overly pessimistic.

I've seen two shows (DHS/Epcot) several times.
Choosing a spot to see IllumiNations very near the IG (in UK or on the bridge to France would work)
would allow a quick exit after IllumiNations.

There would be no "crowd" to deal with once outside the IG exit.

A FAST WALK to the DHS gates (it's not over a mile, it's about .8 miles, if the shortcut via the Boardwalk pool is taken)
could take about 20 minutes. That gives about 5-10 min. to get through security and the gates and just inside the DHS gates.

The Star Wars show looks and sounds great once inside the gates.

Would I, myself, try this with this tight timing?
Nah.

But, someone with true desire... and walking stamina...and a lot of LUCK with security... could give it a go.

Not being pessimistic, saying I've attempted it multiple times without "LUCK". Even with perfect timing, I wasn't able to accomplish seeing both full shows from within both parks. Both Google and my pedometer said 1.2 miles.

 

[WEDWDW]

We are planning on Sunday at EPCOT. Is it possible to see Illuminations at 9pm then walk (quickly) over to see the SW fireworks at 9:45? Seems mathematically possible, but has anyone actually done it? It's okay if the view isn't perfect, but I'd want to be close enough to hear the music.

You've got 33 minutes which is plenty of time IF you are willing to SPEED WALK the WHOLE way.

Watch ROE from the English Channel Bridge and immediately at the explosion of the last fireworks begin speed walking out the IG and then through the BWI Shortcut to the walkway along Lake Hollywood.

You should be able to do it in 20 minutes by SPEED WALKING.

 

[DavidNYC]

With a very brisk walk it takes us 20 minutes from walking out the international gateway exit to entrance to DHS. As long as you're watching Illuminations right by that exit and don't encounter any delays getting into DHS you can do it - but you have almost no leeway once you add in the few minutes on each side getting out and getting in. Make sure you know the right path through Boardwalk. (We've done this during Osborne lights to get from Illuminations to the lights. I think it was a 9:30 Illumnations without Holiday ending and 10 pm DHS closing and we made it - but panting when we walked in at 9:59!)

 

[geenerbell]

1. Because that schedule is brand new. They used to run nightly.
2. It's just barely possible, but not a sure thing, if anything should slow you down (like security at DHS.)
3. You can certainly give it a go.
4. And, THAT will be your biggest problem. Otherwise, you could easily just SEE the fireworks
from outside the park.

Good views along the plum-colored pathway inside the area that I shaded in green on the map below. (But, NO SOUND.)

It there a landmark to look for to find the shortcut at BWI?

 

[CAS239]

It there a landmark to look for to find the shortcut at BWI?

There's a small sign that says "Hollywood studios" with an arrow to the left. You'll see it when you're walking. You're pretty much just walking along the water the entire time almost

Edit: actually that sign I believe is further up where the orange line is. We've never cut through any of the buildings. We'll have to next time though

 

[WEDWDW]

It there a landmark to look for to find the shortcut at BWI?

You want to leave the walkway from Epcot at the "entrance" to the BWI and walk through the "breezeway" on the "right side" before you get to the steps leading up to the BWI Lobby and out to the BWI Pool.

Keep walking past the Pool and you will see the walkway to DHS.

Doing this "cuts the corner off",keeping you from going all the way past Atlantic Dance Hall to access the DHS walkway.

 

[tomatecerise]

You can see the star wars fireworks from Epcot over the big fountain. All people go out from illuminations And when You Go You can see them easily. Sister And i found A spot to sit And We looked them. The Time to wait a bus is little less long because of the big migration at 9h30pm

 

[freediverdude]

It's possible to make it, I've made it before when the two fireworks were 1 hour apart, but it will be very tight timing. If you can walk quickly and don't encounter any delays it might be possible. Even more possible if you were willing to watch Illuminations from the Boardwalk bridge instead of inside the park.

 

[geenerbell]

Thank you for your input. I fear the lines at DHS entrance may be long due to EMH so we will have to miss Illuminations this time. Excited to see the Star Wars Spectacular!!