7pm Fantasmic and 9pm Illuminations - Is it possible to do both on the same night?

[patster734]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone attempted seeing both Fantasmic and Illuminations on the same night? I've been thinking about it for the past few days. Fantasmic is at 7pm and Illuminations is at 9pm. My thinking was that after Fantasmic ends, leave the park, board the boats that travel between DHS and EPCOT, and enter EPCOT at the International Gateway. It will just be DW and me on Wednesday, March 4, and we have FP+ booked for Illuminations that night. I did a DIS search, and found only one instance of someone doing this, and that was with a 9:30pm Illuminations. We will spend the next day (Thursday) at EPCOT, and then most of Saturday at DHS. Friday will be a Animal Kingdom/Magic Kingdom split day.

I'm hopeful that some of you have attempted this and can share your experiences.

 

[subtchr]

I'd think it would be very easy to do, especially if you sit toward the top right (as you face the stage) for Fantasmic. Exit right when it ends, and you should be exiting the park by 7:45 - 7:50. Even if you don't get to the gates until 8:00, you'll be fine.

Then, especially if there isn't a boat sitting there, just walk to Epcot. It's about the same amount of time or faster, it's a pleasant walk along the water, and you have total control. I'd do it in a minute, since I love both those shows!

 

[patster734]

I'd think it would be very easy to do, especially if you sit toward the top right (as you face the stage) for Fantasmic. Exit right when it ends, and you should be exiting the park by 7:45 - 7:50. Even if you don't get to the gates until 8:00, you'll be fine.

Then, especially if there isn't a boat sitting there, just walk to Epcot. It's about the same amount of time or faster, it's a pleasant walk along the water, and you have total control. I'd do it in a minute, since I love both those shows!

Thank you, Sue.

 

[Itinkso]

I agree; you'll have plenty of time.

Walking and cutting through the Boardwalk pool area will get you to the International Gateway entrance very quickly.

 

[Disney st8 of mind]

I agree, you'll be fine. It's actually a nice walk from one park to the other. A few trips back we had the bright idea to see 9pm illuminations and 10pm wishes in the same night! The best part was we made it!!!!

 

[Canuck16]

I agree with the OP.....you should have plenty of time to do both.

Sounds like a great way to spend an evening at WDW!!

 

[Robo]

 

[DemoBri1]

I'd rather take the boat if it's there or even wait until one comes. If you've been in the parks all day why walk some more when you can take a nice and relaxing boat ride. If it comes down to the fact that you are running out of time you can get off the boat at the BW or YC and walk it to Epcot the rest of the way. Walking all the way from DHS to Epcot would be a last resort in my mind.

 

[wisblue]

I'd rather take the boat if it's there or even wait until one comes. If you've been in the parks all day why walk some more when you can take a nice and relaxing boat ride. If it comes down to the fact that you are running out of time you can get off the boat at the BW or YC and walk it to Epcot the rest of the way. Walking all the way from DHS to Epcot would be a last resort in my mind.

That boat ride after Fantasmic might not be that relaxing. The line at the dock can get long enough that not everyone there will fit into the first boat that comes. And that boat is likely to be packed. I would find the walk to be more relaxing and, if you walk at a good pace, you'll get to Epcot faster.

 

[BradChristian]

I enjoyed the boat ride after doing Fantasmic... However - it is a LONG ride because of all the stops.

 

[Crystal824]

I think you can do both, but you are going to have to move fast. I think the walk would be better than the boat ride as long as you are feeling up to it. You will likely have to wait for a boat and it makes a lot of stops.

 

[PanamaMike]

I think you can do both, but you are going to have to move fast.

The distance from the DHS gate to the International Gateway at Epcot is just over 1 mile.
I have done it in 17 minutes.
At an average walking pace it should take 25-30 minutes.
You will have 90 mins from the end of Fantasmic to when Illuminations begins.
Even accounting for the few minutes it will take to get from the Fantasmic theater to the DHS gate, you will not have to "move fast"

 

[patster734]

Thanks everyone! Fortunately, that will be our arrival day and won't enter DHS until the afternoon, so we won't be suffering from fatigue and could probably attempt the walk if there is a long line for the boat.

 

[staceyeileen]

I much prefer the walk, especially right after Fantasmic gets out. The line for the boat can get very long. The walk is nice and takes you right along the waterway.

 

[Quellman]

I enjoyed the boat ride after doing Fantasmic... However - it is a LONG ride because of all the stops.

This is why if there is a boat waiting at HS, get on it and get off at Swolphin. Then walk the rest of the way. You'll beat the boat for sure. You just can't beat the boat walking if it is just leaving the HS boat dock. The voyage to the Swolphin is the furthest distance the boat travels so it moves quite rapidly.

 

[skier_pete]

I would agree it should be doable, but I would be sure to sit towards the back in Fantasmic and try and spring up and get out of there quick as soon as the show ends. That theater takes a good 20 minutes to empty out, and if you are stuck in the back of the crowd then it could be a bit of a rush.

I concur with others that if you aren't too worn out the walk would probably be more pleasant.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Don't take the boat if you can help it. There will be a huge line for the boat and it takes a full half hour to go from one park to the other. If you don't want to walk all the way take the boat as far as Yacht/Beach and walk from there.

 

[WEDWDW]

Plenty of time-done it many times.

The 90 minutes gives you an hour(90 minutes minus the 30 minute boat ride) to exit F!,get to the Dock and board or wait for a boat.

If you walk,90 minutes gives you around an hour to "play with".

Another option is the Bus to Epcot's Front Gate-the pick up location is on the way to the walkway along Lake Hollywood,so if you decide to walk,you could wait at the Epcot bus stop for a few minutes and see if one comes-if not,continue on your walk.

 

[patster734]

Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions! Walk, boat, bus, or a combination of boat and walk. Leaning toward the boat and walk, but will let the size of the boat line determine that.