After Illuminations and Fantasmic...

[FlameBoyUK]

.. what's your strategy for leaving the parks? Does it turn into a mad melee to get to the parking lot? I'll be using Disney transportation to get back to my hotel in DTD and just wanted some advice on the best way to tackle this.

Is it possible to stay in the parks to allow the crowds to subside, or are you pretty much escorted through the turnstiles in an effort to clear the decks?

TIA!

 

[shafke]

For Illuminations we hung out and took our time leaving to let the crowds disperse...

For Fantasmic we did the dinner package... got a seat toward to top right of the stadium and was able to beat most of the crowd to the buses.

If you do not have good access to an exit after the show is over and no tired and or cranky kids/adults... take your time.

 

[disneysteve]

Take your good old time leaving the park. At MGM, the shops are usually open so you can browse around. At EPCOT, not much to do but the park is so pretty at nite when its quiet. No rush to get out. Let the crowds die down. The buses keep running so no worry about getting back to your hotel.

Steve

 

[GarrettJD]

It is a mad stampede to get to the parking lot, at Epcot after Illuinations anyway. As far as I know, they don't try to push you out or anything, so you could linger if you wanted to, and I think a few of the gift shops stay open for a little while after Illuminations. The only problem you may have with lingering is a long, long wait at the bus stop.

What we did last time at Epcot is found a nice Illuminations spot right along the lagoon on the north side (the side closest to Future World.) Once Illuminations was over, we powerwalked through Future World, beating most of the crowd out, and got on the very first bus back to our resort. This worked well for us, anyway! Although in retrospect, I sort of wished we would have gone slower.Maybe on the next trip we'll linger.

 

[Simba's Mom]

For me, it's a contest to see how long I can hang around in WS without feeling guilty, that the CMs really want me out. Sometimes I just sit on a bench, listening to the music, watching other people rush by. My ultimate goal is to be the last guest out of Epcot. So far I've only made it til 10:00. And there were still people there who left after me.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've booked an IllumiNations Cruise. Since it leaves from the Yacht Club Marina, we'll be able to amble on back through Epcot. Then catch the monorail back to the TTC. Last time we hustled our little behinds off to get out of the park and onto the bus. Not this time. I'm glad to hear so many of you like to take your time and just enjoy the emptyness.

 

[TammiMcMan]

For Illuminations, snag a viewing spot in the world showcase. When the show's over you can leisurely walk to the Boardwalk resort via Epcots international gateway or ride on the boat. The Boardwalk has some great spots to snack, get a drink or shop and once you're done, simply walk up the stairs, through the hotel and catch a ride back to DTD. Last time we were there, the bus stop was on the left hand side as you were walking out of the hotel.

I believe you can also walk from MGM to the Boardwalk (although I think it's a bit longer than the Epcot walk) or you can ride the boat. Someone else may have more info on that.

Tammi

 

[FlameBoyUK]

Thanks for all your tips. Heading over to the Boardwalk after Illuminations wasn't something I had considered before but I think I'll give that a try.

I think I'll also give the Fantasmic Dinner Package some consideration.

Thanks again!

 

[clkelley]

I agree, if you are going to DTD after Illuminations, then your best bet is to go out the IG to the Boardwalk.

Otherwise you would have to catch a bus to a resort from the front entrance of Epcot, then catch another bus to DTD.

Consequently, if I am going out the front entrance of Epcot, I find a spot near the fountain (I used to stop at Fountainview Cafe until they started closing early) and just watch the fountain dance until I am practically the last one out.

Carol

 

[Deb & Bill]

You will probably have to catch a resort bus first or leave from a resort since there aren't any buses from Epcot or Disney Studios to Downtown Disney. The DTD buses only go to the resorts.

 

[holcomb-mania]

I thought we would hit the Boardwalk after Illuminations as well. However, I'm wondering about transportation after that. Is there a bus from the Boardwalk area/Epcot resorts to CSR?

 

[TammiMcMan]

I thought we would hit the Boardwalk after Illuminations as well. However, I'm wondering about transportation after that. Is there a bus from the Boardwalk area/Epcot resorts to CSR?

I believe that you would need to board a downtown disney bus and then transfer to your resort bus from there.

Tammi