Avoiding crowds after Illuminations

[M2J3]

Trying to come up with a strategy to leave Epcot after Illuminations that will avoid the herding crowds and long lines for buses, while not getting us back too-too late to CBR.

Here's what I've been thinking: We're planning to watch the show @UK/France. What if we leave via IG exit and take boat (if we can get the first one there) or walk to HS (either option, I understand, will take about 25-30 minutes)? HS has Fantasmic at 8pm that night; I'm thinking by the time we get to the HS bus stops, (@10pm), all the HS crowds will be gone & we'll be able to hop on a last bus with minimal to no wait.

While walking out to Epcot's bus stops may be half the distance, with the crowds I figure it will take about the same amount of time as getting to HS; and at Epcot we'd be looking at long lines for buses, thus making it a later and more patience-consuming return to the CBR.

Am I crazy, or missing some important consideration here? We shouldn't be too fatigued by then, as we'll have had a rest at the resort, ADR at Cape May for dinner, then short stroll from there through IG to watch Illuminations. Mostly want to avoid the crowds, although crowd level that day is predicted to be a 1.

Any thoughts or insight are so appreciated! TIA!

 

[bbjunkie]

I personally think you are really worrying about this unnecessarily. If it is a CL1 day, the bus crowds will be negligible. Your other plan is fine, but I think it will take you much longer and you said you didn't want to be out, "Too,too late."

Spend a little time wandering through on your way out, and let the "rushers" filter out. I've found if we spend 30 minutes slowly making our way out, the bus area is clear when we get there. (Although, we watch from AA and this was on CL7-9 days)

 

[AshleeH]

There's only really two ways to do this that I know of - stand at the back of the crowd and not have a good angle for the majority of the show. Or hang around in Epcot while the masses rush out and hurry-up-to-wait. We drive (for this reason - we hate being at the mercy of Disney Transportation), but the second method has worked out well for us by perusing shops and sitting on benches to relax and enjoy some family time and people watch.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I am a really good "people dodger" and walk with determination, and the last few times I have watched illuminations from Canada.....staying at the All Stars or Pop Century.....I have never had to wait more than 2 minutes for a bus.....I would either watch from America or somewhere far and slowly stroll out, or watch from the front and quickly people dodge as soon as its over.....Disney's not stupid, they know after Illuminations everybody leaves, and they are ready for that.....

 

[clr055]

Another vote for taking your time in Epcot and meander toward the front. In the time it would take you to hoof it over to HS you could grab a snack or a drink, sit on a bench and marvel at the beauty of Disney and by the time you get up to the buses things should be okay. This is my plan for our show night in Epcot.

 

[amomma23]

Post fireworks is our favorite time at EPCOT and MK! We like to sit down, flip through pics of the day on the camera, talk about what we did, will do tomorrow, etc. We hang out until the vast majority of the crowd has left and take our time walking out. No crowds, little wait, it's nice.

 

[ambgoph]

What time do the Studios close? If the studios are closed, the boat will not take you there. They will take guests from the Studios, just not to.

I agree with others. Hang back in Epcot a bit and stroll out to the buses.

 

[Belleandtinker]

We sit near the gateway and as soon as it end - we dash out of there! Never had too much of a problem. We are ready to leave before the show even starts. When we use to have a stroller, we'd have that packed and facing the right way.

 

[fbb]

The boat to DHS is slower and longer than the Ellen ride.

 

[daisyduck123]

The boat to DHS is slower and longer than the Ellen ride.

Yep. Lol.
My kids and I have actually walked from HS to BCV and beaten the next boat that people were waiting for.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yeah just hang back a bit. The other way will take you longer, whether walking or boat.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

We often leave through IG and take a cab from BC, especially if we are tired. $10-20 pretty much anywhere on resort (except maybe AKL).

 

[Robo]

The boat to DHS is slower and longer than the Ellen ride.

While it might be fun to joke about, I think we are trying to provide accurate timing information to help the poster make a good decision.

The Friendship boat trip from Epcot to DHS, once boarded and underway, will take about 25-30 minutes, including the 3 interim resort dock stops.

 

[Robo]

What time do the Studios close? If the studios are closed, the boat will not take you there.

While that CAN be true.
It is not necessarily ALWAYS true.
We have taken the Friendship boat from Epcot back to DHS well after DHS has closed.
They can offer that run after IllumiNations to help guests get back to their cars which they left parked in the DHS lot.

 

[Robo]

We often leave through IG and take a cab from BC, especially if we are tired. $10-20 pretty much anywhere on resort (except maybe AKL).

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is closer to the Beach Club than some of the MK area resorts.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Forget the exit. Wander our to the Boardwalk and check out Jellyrolls.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We never tried to "beat" the crowd, no matter how large the crowd was or what time of year. We'd take our time leaving World Showcase -- usually watched from the area more toward Canada than Mexico. And we'd jus stroll along and stay out of the way of those in a hurry. We regularly stayed at CBR even when we lived down there and only stayed for one night so we didn't have to drive home with 10,000 other folks leaving the parks area. And there's ALWAYS a line for CBR buses. In recent years we just gave up getting on the bus in any rush. We'd wait in line and when we got to the front or near it, if it looked as if we'd have to stand, we'd move out of the way and let others board the bus. Then we could be sure of a seat on the next one. Lots of people comment that they don't mind standing. Now that they pack the buses like sardine cans, I DO mind standing. And by that time of night by 70 plus year old legs want to sit down. We never minded letting people go ahead of us, but then once on the bus and seated. We stayed seated.

 

[bantha09]

I always just hang back for 30 minutes and people watch it just take in the sights for a bit longer, gives the crowds time to pack the first bus or two and by the time I get up there it is much less stressfulm

 

[Robo]

Forget the exit. Wander our to the Boardwalk and check out Jellyrolls.

That might be fine unless there are any guests under 21 years in the party.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

The walkout music in world showcase is awesome (old Tapestry of Nations music). Good walking beat. We usually watch from a spot further back (we like Japan but don't tell anybody). Then we park on a bench for 5 min after the show before we start our walk. In just that 5 min most of the crowd is gone and already ahead pouring through UK and Canada. With nearly empty sidewalks we take a nice stroll to the front. For us it is often the best time of the day. By the time we get to the bus lot the crowd is very manageable.

As for the trip to HS on the boats, it would be relaxing with small crowds. But those boats are packed until at least the Dolphin. I don't recommend that option.