Do you have to stake out a spot well before Illuminations starts?

[vasoccermom]

The day we're at Epcot I've got a 6:10 PS at Garden Grill (our only character meal) and I figured after a leisurely dinner we'd wander back to World Showcase and meander around until it's time for Illuminations. My kids aren't going to want to stand around for an hour just waiting for it to begin...any suggestions how to just kind of slide in at the last minute and still be able to see? Is there a good spot?

Thanks,
karen

 

[bigbabyblues]

We were there two weeks ago, and we had a perfect spot...on the bridge between the UK and France, at the International Gatweay. But, we found our spot about 7:30 and had to stand/sit and wait until 9:00. It was well worth the wait, we could see absolutely everything, and when they brought the ball out into the middle for the show, it was directly n front of me! Or seemed like it anyway.

Steph

 

[cleo]

Much depends on the time of year you're traveling. If it's slow season you may be able to show up 20 minutes prior and get an up front view, if it's busy season an hour is more realistic. Bear in mind that many people will have staked out their spot an hour prior and get very grumpy if someone 'slides in at the last minute' for an up front view. Even sliding the children in doesn't go over well.

Maybe keep an eye on how things are going and if it looks like the up front viewing is filling up you could have the most tired person in your group save a spot while the others keep touring. Be prepared to defend your area, politely, of course.

 

[sunking]

As stated earlier, it all depends on the time of the year that you go. We have had to stake out our spot 2 hours in advance and we have also just walked up and found a good spot at showtime. Depends on the crowds. Also, as mentioned, be prepared to defend your turf because people will try to move in on you even if you leave things around to mark your space.

 

[dpic]

Is the viewing really poor if you don't have a front row seat? Isn't there somewhere you can stand back and see most of the show?

This is the main reason we have never seen Illuminations. We love Fantasmic because at least you have seats when you get there early. At Illuminations, you find a hunk of ground to stake out and guard. To do that for an hour or more just sounds unappealing.

 

[solotraveler]

Originally posted by dpic
Is the viewing really poor if you don't have a front row seat? Isn't there somewhere you can stand back and see most of the show?

This is the main reason we have never seen Illuminations. We love Fantasmic because at least you have seats when you get there early. At Illuminations, you find a hunk of ground to stake out and guard. To do that for an hour or more just sounds unappealing.

In my opinion, you can find fantastic viewing with little wait. My personal favorite spot is in Japan, back off the railing about 50 paces (close to actually being "in" the pavilion). Usually completely uncrowded and I can get "my spot" 5 minutes prior to showtime.

Hope this helps you out--- it's a fantastic show!

Solotraveler

 

[vasoccermom]

Solo traveler,
Thanks so much...that's exactly the type of response I was looking for. I think I originally used the wrong wording when I talked about sliding in at the last moment. I didn't mean squeezing in front of people, just simply showing up with 15 minutes to spare. I would never slide my kids in front of people who were parked for an hour...

But my family is height challenged so anywhere we could go to view this would be wonderful...

thanks again
karen

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by solotraveler
In my opinion, you can find fantastic viewing with little wait. My personal favorite spot is in Japan, back off the railing about 50 paces (close to actually being "in" the pavilion). Usually completely uncrowded and I can get "my spot" 5 minutes prior to showtime.

Hope this helps you out--- it's a fantastic show!

Solotraveler

This is where we sat. We actually sat on the Japanese building (Pagoda?). There was one tree that was a little in the way, but overall it was a great place. I think we sat down about 15 minutes before it started.

 

[solotraveler]

Originally posted by vasoccermom
Solo traveler,
Thanks so much...that's exactly the type of response I was looking for. I think I originally used the wrong wording when I talked about sliding in at the last moment. I didn't mean squeezing in front of people, just simply showing up with 15 minutes to spare. I would never slide my kids in front of people who were parked for an hour...

But my family is height challenged so anywhere we could go to view this would be wonderful...

thanks again
karen

Glad I could be of help! Enjoy the show!!

Solotraveler

 

[vasoccermom]

When I was here with only my DH a few years back we saw Illuminations and enjoyed it...when we were here with the kids 2 years ago we didn't make it (the kids were fried by the evening and we had a rental house so we came home and swam every night)...

Anyway, they'll be 10 & 8 this year. Do you think they're old enough to appreciate Illuminations?

Another totally unrelated question. When you're quoting someone else's post, how do you place that in your reply (with the bold writing and all)? I"m sure it's simple to do...I just can't figure it out!

karen

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by vasoccermom
When you're quoting someone else's post, how do you place that in your reply (with the bold writing and all)? I"m sure it's simple to do...I just can't figure it out!

karen

Hi Karen! It IS simple!
In the box of the post that you want to quote - Just above the "Post Reply" button - is a button that says "Quote." Click on that and the entire post will be entered in your "New Reply" box - all coded for "Quote" and "Bold."

If you only want to focus on a certain part of the post, (like I did) then just cut out the part that is irrelevant.

Good Luck!

 

[ErinInCT]

We were there at the end of Sept & easily found a spot about 15 min b4. I asked the CM who was the ticket taker where she recommended & she said go as far to the back as you can (like Italy) b/c most people try to stay close to the front for an easy exit. We went to France (ob the Morroco side) and found a perfectly fine spot. I have only seen it that one time, but it just seems like there would be a lot of good spots so people could spread out more. Everyone seemed to be in that spot btwn UK & France. From my vantage point it looked like the Italy, Germany side would be closer to the action.
But anyway, I think you could go with less then a half hour & find a spot. Illuminations did not really do it for me so I am not sure if I would go back. Good to see it once. I am more of a Wishes girl!!!

 

[vasoccermom]

Thanks for your perspective Erin...did you have kids with you and if so, what was their take on it?

Thanks to all of you I won't feel compelled to play "I spy..." with my kids for an hour while waiting for Illuminations to begin.

karen

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

IllumiNations is my favorite WDW show!
We go in off season (Sept-Nov & Jan). We usually grab a snack and try to find a spot about 15-20 min. before the start. We have never had a problem finding a place. We usually walk around between France and Mexico for an empty spot.

 

[solotraveler]

Originally posted by vasoccermom


Anyway, they'll be 10 & 8 this year. Do you think they're old enough to appreciate Illuminations?

If they like fireworks, then I'm sure they'll appreciate it. Like most everything else at Disney, it appeals to all ages. Besides, even if they don't take some deep message away from it, it's got a very high "cool" quotient that's sure to keep them entertained.

Solotraveler

 

[WDW LOVR]

It's quite a walk from the front of Epcot, but go to Japan and walk up the stairs to the balcony that surronds the restaurants. There are normally only a hand full of people and the balcony is quite large. We watch Illuminations from there at least once a trip and have only found it crowded one time, and that was during spring break.

Trips we've taken in the summer or fall there was plenty of room, right up to the start of the show.

 

[BCVBRUCE]

The 1st set of stairs to the Canadian pavillion is a pretty good spot. We were able to get the spot about 10-15mins before the show. Good ELEVATED view despite a whole bunch of people being in front of us on the walkway. We simply were just higher than them.

Hope This Helps,
Bruce