Disney Virgin with quesion about Illuminations...

[vital]

We will be arriving at our resort (POFQ) around 5ish . We are arriving at airport at 230. I was thinking about making an ADR for Garden Grill character meal that evening and waiting around for Illuminations. How far apart are the two? I thought about making an early reservation so we could use the rest of the evening for soaring and looking around until Illuminations. Any and all input will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paula

 

[Robo]

We will be arriving at our resort (POFQ) around 5ish . We are arriving at airport at 230. I was thinking about making an ADR for Garden Grill character meal that evening and waiting around for Illuminations. How far apart are the two? I thought about making an early reservation so we could use the rest of the evening for soaring and looking around until Illuminations. Any and all input will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Paula

It will take about 10 minutes to walk from "The Land" to World Showcase and the WS lagoon (the giant lake that is in the center of WS.)

IllumiNations takes place ON the WS lagoon.
You can view IllumiNations from anywhere around the WS lagoon.
I'd go plenty early (by 8:15-8:30) to give yourself enough time to walk around the lagoon until you find a good viewing position.

Just find an unobstructed viewing spot that is not DOWN-WIND of the lagoon (fireworks smoke and fallout.)

 

[ricktib]

It's not a long walk at all (5-7 min.), but for the character dinner & Soarin' prior to Illuminations I wouldn't leave the hotel any later than 5 - earlier if you're using Disney transportation. That late in the day it's possible that all Soarin' fastpasses will have been issued for the day, so I'd plan 2 hours for that attraction just in case.

Have a great time!

 

[AJKMOM]

Don't count on riding Soarin'. When we were there, the line was 200 minutes and the Fast Passes were come before noon.

 

[TnTsParty]

I also agree about Soarin. You CAN NOT get on this ride in the PM you definately need to be there in the AM unless you want to wait at least 90 minutes or more and there most likely will NOT be fast passes left. I have only been able to ride this 1 time and that was early in the day.The rest of the times we have gotten there too late. But I don't know anything about the Garden Grill. Illuminations is always right at closing which most of the time is 9PM.