Eat at Cape May, go see Illuminations?

[Acorn Clubbers]

Has anyone out there had dinner at the Cape May Cafe or one of the other restaurants at the Beach Club or the Boardwalk, then gone on to see Illuminations? We've made ADRs at Cape May & we're thinking about seeing the show afterwards. Did you walk - how much of a hike is it? Or did you ride the boat? I'm guessing that's probably faster! Let me know your thoughts.

30 days to go!

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

It's an easy walk from any of the BC/YC/BW locations. Half a mile or less to the International Gateway.

Bob

 

[maggiew]

Its easier to walk to EPCOT from Cape May than to take the boat. I haven't measured the distance, but it seems like its almost as far to walk to the boat dock than to just walk to EPCOT.

Plus, which way does the boat travel?? Does it go to the Boardwalk after Y/B Club?? I don't know.

Maggie

 

[Buzz2001]

Has anyone out there had dinner at the Cape May Cafe or one of the other restaurants at the Beach Club or the Boardwalk, then gone on to see Illuminations? We've made ADRs at Cape May & we're thinking about seeing the show afterwards. Did you walk - how much of a hike is it? Or did you ride the boat? I'm guessing that's probably faster! Let me know your thoughts.

30 days to go!

Every year but the last two we have done the Illuminations cruise afterwards. Its a great combination!!

 

[disnut8]

It's maybe a five minute walk from the Beach Club to International Gateway. The boat is MUCH slower since it does go to the Boardwalk first before Epcot. Just go out of the lobby, make a left on the walkway and you'll be at Epcot in no time.

 

[Hopefully]

This is an easy thing to do and it will be a lot of fun.
As others have said, it is faster to walk to the International Gateway than to take the boat. It is a pleasant stroll to the International Gateway.
My advice would just be to make your ADR's for Cape May early enough to allow you time to get to a viewing spot in Epcot. I would plan on finishing dinner and starting to Epcot by 8, 8:15 at the latest. Once you arrive at Epcot you will need to walk and find a good viewing spot.
Have fun and enjoy!

 

[clonetothebone]

Has anyone out there had dinner at the Cape May Cafe or one of the other restaurants at the Beach Club or the Boardwalk, then gone on to see Illuminations? We've made ADRs at Cape May & we're thinking about seeing the show afterwards. Did you walk - how much of a hike is it? Or did you ride the boat? I'm guessing that's probably faster! Let me know your thoughts.

30 days to go!

We are going to try this 6/23. We have ADR for 0630 so we can be done by 0730, quick walk to the park, maybe go through one or two pavilions and then Illuminations.

 

[Lewisc]

You'll need park admission, not a problem if you've already used a hopper. Years ago Disney let guests in for free to watch Illuminations and some of the guide books might have old information.

 

[Acorn Clubbers]

We've got park hopper tickets, so not a problem. We're doing dinner at 5:30, so we can go over, see a few countries, have a chocolate crepe outside of France or a yummy pretzel in the Norwegian bakery and then get a spot to watch the show. I just wondered about the distance in walking vs. the boat. Sounds like walking will work out fine! And we'll work off some of that dinner to make room for some of Epcot's sweet treats!!



Thanks for your feedback!

 

[erikthewise]

If you are not planning to park at the Beach Club parking lot, this will work fine. If you are, be aware that you may be given a parking pass of limited duration; 3 hours is typical.

The issue of course is that those staying at Beach Club & Villas would like to have a place to park when they return. If parking is not a problem that evening, the gate attendant will probably just let you in.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

What time is Illuminations? Is it 9:00?? Can you view without actually entering the park?? We're not getting hoppers this time and we were planning on dinner ourselves possibly over at the BC, etc. Thanks all.

 

[erikthewise]

You can see most of the fireworks from various places. I suggest the bridge between the Swan and the Yacht Club. But Illuminations is much more than fireworks and I encourage you to try and see it in the park sometime. It is at 9:00 all year except it's 9:30 between Thanksgiving and New Years when the Candlelight Processional is performed.