Chase Viewing Area for Illuminations for Food and Wine 2016

[MakiraMarlena]

They only offer the viewing area when it hasn't already been rented out. So it won't be available every day. It would be necessary to stop by the Chase lounge just to know if it's available.

Chase Lounge opens at 11 AM along with most of World Showcase.

 

[WEDWDW]

What time does the lounge open?

11:00 AM and it closes with the Park at 9:00 PM Sunday-Thursday and 10:00 PM on Friday, Saturday.

 

[Laura's Dad]

Would you be able to get a wristband early, park hop to DHS for the Star Wars fireworks, then walk back to the reserved area for Illuminations? The Star Wars fireworks will start at 8:15, so I would have 30 minutes to get to Epcot.

 

[absolutmey]

wow. I've never heard of this either and I'm now scheming about it! Thanks for the info.

 

[Laura's Dad]

wow. I've never heard of this either and I'm now scheming about it! Thanks for the info.

I love your picture!!

 

[HelenParr]

Would you be able to get a wristband early, park hop to DHS for the Star Wars fireworks, then walk back to the reserved area for Illuminations? The Star Wars fireworks will start at 8:15, so I would have 30 minutes to get to Epcot.

It would be a significant challenge if Illuminations is at 9pm (some nights it is at 10pm during F&W). Just getting out of DHS after fireworks can take some time. The walk to Epcot is at least 15 minutes at a very fast clip, cutting through the Boardwalk, probably more. Then you have to get back into Epcot (bag check, possible metal detector and MB/card touchpoint scan). THEN get to Italy (or wherever the viewing area is), another 5 minutes of you are really going fast (through a crowd).

Seems unlikely -- but I'm sure some have done it (perhaps at a walk-jog-run speed).

If you were watching SW fireworks from outside the park, on the path back toward Boardwalk (not sure what the view is from there, if any), better shot that you'd make it.

 

[WEDWDW]

It would be a significant challenge if Illuminations is at 9pm (some nights it is at 10pm during F&W). Just getting out of DHS after fireworks can take some time. The walk to Epcot is at least 15 minutes at a very fast clip, cutting through the Boardwalk, probably more. Then you have to get back into Epcot (bag check, possible metal detector and MB/card touchpoint scan). THEN get to Italy (or wherever the viewing area is), another 5 minutes of you are really going fast (through a crowd).

Seems unlikely -- but I'm sure some have done it (perhaps at a walk-jog-run speed).

If you were watching SW fireworks from outside the park, on the path back toward Boardwalk (not sure what the view is from there, if any), better shot that you'd make it.

Agree-I would give a decent chance of making it to the English Channel Bridge,but not much chance of making it all the way to Italy.

 

[Laura's Dad]

Thanks. I may try to just get in and see what I can see from the English channel bridge area. I've seen Illuminations before, but it has been a few trips ago. The Star Wars fireworks are a priority.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Would you be able to get a wristband early, park hop to DHS for the Star Wars fireworks, then walk back to the reserved area for Illuminations? The Star Wars fireworks will start at 8:15, so I would have 30 minutes to get to Epcot.

I have done it. but... I am not sure I recommend it.

you have to watch the DHS fireworks near the exit. So you are in front of the Chinese Theatre which I understand is not the best location for these.

You have to speed walk out of DHS and move fast! I can walk a 14 minute mile and I was pushing that the entire time. It helps to know the shortcuts (through the BW pool for example) It also won't work with kids, strollers etc...

 

[WEDWDW]

I have done it. but... I am not sure I recommend it.

To Italy?

 

[Laura's Dad]

I have done it. but... I am not sure I recommend it.

you have to watch the DHS fireworks near the exit. So you are in front of the Chinese Theatre which I understand is not the best location for these.

You have to speed walk out of DHS and move fast! I can walk a 14 minute mile and I was pushing that the entire time. It helps to know the shortcuts (through the BW pool for example) It also won't work with kids, strollers etc...

Where exactly is the shortcut through the Boardwalk pool? I know where the pool is and the path near Atlantic Dance Hall, but where would I cut through near the pool?

 

[WEDWDW]

It helps to know the shortcuts (through the BW pool for example)

Where are the other shortcuts?

The BWI Shortcut is the only one I know about.

Thanks!

 

[WEDWDW]

Where exactly is the shortcut through the Boardwalk pool? I know where the pool is and the path near Atlantic Dance Hall, but where would I cut through near the pool?

When coming from DHS,just turn off of the Lake Hollywood walkway at the BWI Pool and walk past the Pool to the other side and through the walkway that leads past the BWI "gym" and you will come out close to The Boardwalk.

This route is much closer than going all the way down past ADH and Jellyrolls.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

To Italy?

I did it to Germany and had time to grab a beer. But I was moving at a good clip the whole time and even jogged a little of the path between DHS and BW.

 

[HopperFan]

Any Chase Credit or Debit Card will gain admittance to the Lounge.

We don't know yet about this year,but historically IllumiNations wristbands are for any Chase Credit or Debit Card and Eat to the Beat wristbands(when offered) were for Disney Visa only.

This was our experience (and am sure always subject to change):
- We arrived at the Lounge fairly early and had to wait in line to get inside. The space is limited inside.
- Once inside there was a table set up to get the wristbands until they were gone.
- Wristbands were only being given to Disney Visa card holders.
- I do have one.
- They were putting the wristbands on you, said everyone must be present to get.
- We arrived at the viewing area a good time before Illuminations started.
- The area has a strange shape so not many will have front row.
- The area already had a good number of folks in it and there was no room by the rail.
- Folks were probably 5 deep already from end.
- Left angled side was not optimal unless you were far out to end.
- We felt we would have a much better view on our own.
- Kids could not see at all.
- We have never asked for wristbands since.
- We prefer to find our own spot, wait with a snack and have front row.

I circled the area they put us in, Italy. You can see the strange shape.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One year they had it at the other end of the park, in one of the areas between the two shops as you enter WS from FW. I like that area better.

 

[DisneyKeepsUsYoung]

This was our experience (and am sure always subject to change):
- We arrived at the Lounge fairly early and had to wait in line to get inside. The space is limited inside.
- Once inside there was a table set up to get the wristbands until they were gone.
- Wristbands were only being given to Disney Visa card holders.
- I do have one.
- They were putting the wristbands on you, said everyone must be present to get.
- We arrived at the viewing area a good time before Illuminations started.
- The area has a strange shape so not many will have front row.
- The area already had a good number of folks in it and there was no room by the rail.
- Folks were probably 5 deep already from end.
- Left angled side was not optimal unless you were far out to end.
- We felt we would have a much better view on our own.
- Kids could not see at all.
- We have never asked for wristbands since.
- We prefer to find our own spot, wait with a snack and have front row.

I circled the area they put us in, Italy. You can see the strange shape.

Thank you for this! I was thinking of rushing over there near 11 to try for this. I can save my feet now. So many good places to watch Illummations from, 5 deep is not a great spot.

 

[HopperFan]

One year they had it at the other end of the park, in one of the areas between the two shops as you enter WS from FW. I like that area better.

But that is FP+ now so that is a bookable option too ... but you give up something else good on FP+.

 

[Laura's Dad]

I did it to Germany and had time to grab a beer. But I was moving at a good clip the whole time and even jogged a little of the path between DHS and BW.

That gives me hope. I think I will try to do it.