Epcot fireworks (special seating)

[JAL2525]

On our last trip to the world we went to illuminations at EPCOT. It was in September so it was not terribly crowded. We positioned ourselves on the lagoon by the Italian pavilion. I noticed a group of people being directed by Disney Employees to a roped off seating area right on the lagoon. It appeared as though they had coffee and possibly some dessert items. Was this part of a dinner package?

 

[vicki_c]

Yes, that is a special viewing thing -- usually for Grand Gatherings activities or other private events, I believe -- not generally open to anyone to book (like the new Wishes dessert party).

(There is a special Illuminations viewing area this year for those who book the Candlelight Processional dinner package, but I don't believe it involves any food at all - just a reserved viewing spot).

 

[SarahD]

Vicki is right - it's the Int'l Dinner & Dessert Reception and it's for Grand Gatherings (those traveling in groups of 8 or more and staying on property). It's an after-hours buffet dinner with food from every country, followed by a dessert reception at VIP seating for Illuminations. It costs 2 TS credits or $64.99 for adults, $33.99 for children.

 

[vicki_c]

Wow that's steep! I had no idea that it was that expensive.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Any of the special viewing areas can be reserved by anyone. There is the one at Italy, one at UK, and two separate one (upper and lower) on the island at France. The minimum cost is $200 for the space rental plus tax. If you want tables and chairs there is a flat fee of $75 for rental. What can get expensive is that you must order food for a minimum of 20 people; a dessert buffet starts at $24.95 per person plus gratuity and tax. Actual total price charged is based on the higher of the number guaranteed or who actually show up. Contact Disney Group Sales and Catering.

 

[JAL2525]

Thanks guys...I knew somebody would know.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Here are some of the menus. Lots of weddings do this also as well as conference groups and large parties.

http://www.magicalkingdoms.com/ftw/wdw/menus/epcotdp.html

 

[JAL2525]

Thats a great link DisneyBrideToni Thank You for the info...

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Thats a great link DisneyBrideToni Thank You for the info...

Just noticed you are going to HRH - we loved HRH club level when we went a few years ago for HHN! We got free dining this year for all of Christmas and couldn't justify the move to HRH.

 

[JAL2525]

Just noticed you are going to HRH - we loved HRH club level when we went a few years ago for HHN! We got free dining this year for all of Christmas and couldn't justify the move to HRH.

We're staying club level when we go down in December. We like it and the kids enjoy the HRH. They find is interesting and one of the boys is a music nut.
I have a dumb question (excuse my ignorance) what is "free dining" and how does it work.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

We're staying club level when we go down in December. We like it and the kids enjoy the HRH. They find is interesting and one of the boys is a music nut.
I have a dumb question (excuse my ignorance) what is "free dining" and how does it work.

I hope I didn't confuse you into thinking I meant free dining at HRH. We have free dining while staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge at WDW. For us it is a saving of about $160 (plus tax) per night as the cost of the Dining Plan is about $40 each for the four of us. Let me know if you want further info.

 

[ccudmore]

I have a dumb question (excuse my ignorance) what is "free dining" and how does it work.

Free dining is/was a promotional package that Disney has offered this year where guests can get the Disney Dining Plan for free if they stay at an on-site resort. You have to stay at least 3 nights and the package had to be booked before Sept 26th.

 

[JAL2525]

I hope I didn't confuse you into thinking I meant free dining at HRH. We have free dining while staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge at WDW. For us it is a saving of about $160 (plus tax) per night as the cost of the Dining Plan is about $40 each for the four of us. Let me know if you want further info.

Thanks for the clarification...

 

[BenA81]

is this where the CP illuminations special viewing reserved seating section will be?

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes, that is a special viewing thing -- usually for Grand Gatherings activities or other private events, I believe -- not generally open to anyone to book (like the new Wishes dessert party).

There is also another kind of sectioned off viewing which certain Disney Direct bookings get for Illuminations. It does not include any food and drink, but the perk on this is not having to line up for an hour for a great spot. It is pre-bookable, but only available as part of certain, very llimited Disney packages and is subject to availability, i.e. if there is no availablity on the night you want to view, you get nothing.

 

[hvsteve1]

On earlier visits we saw the special viewing area in use. The reservations appeared to be for corporate outings. The cost of reserving the area, even adding chairs,tables and food,is not an outrageous expense for a big corporation. I've been in other parks where, as we left at the end of the day, the place was being set up to be reopened for some bank,insurance company,etc. I've been to a number of insurance company "meetings" and no expense is spared to impress the heavy hitters.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I've been involved three times with this. Twice were at small conventions of NFFC - The Disneyana Fan Club, where we had about 75 people and built it into the price.

Once was a large group of friends. I collected $40 per person, with 20 people as our break-even point. This covered the lowest price menu, the space rental, the chair and table rental, and all taxes and gratuities. We actually had 30 people sign up, so we used the excess income over the fixed costs to give higher quality desserts.

If you use $40-$45 dollars per person it is not unreasonable. It does compare much better than the Wishes! Dessert Party at MK which is not exclusive. Also, everyone has an uncrowded place to sit while watching IllumiNations with no interference.

 

[JAL2525]

There is also another kind of sectioned off viewing which certain Disney Direct bookings get for Illuminations. It does not include any food and drink, but the perk on this is not having to line up for an hour for a great spot. It is pre-bookable, but only available as part of certain, very llimited Disney packages and is subject to availability, i.e. if there is no availablity on the night you want to view, you get nothing.

Is this the roped off area at the edge of the Lagoon more toward the main entrance. Its like a big concrete area and as I recall people were sitting on the ground...no tables or chairs. If so (or if not where is the area you are talking about) how do you reserve it? and can you resreve it as individuls like a small group of 4 or 5?

 

[2Tiggies]

I was told that my reservation is for the boat landing at Morrocco, which will be roped off and Disney is supposed to send me a ticket/voucher which has to be presented to gain access. There are no refreshments, unless I purchase my own, but the advantage is purely not having to stake out a spot beforehand.

I have no idea if this is "for sale" or to book for the public. Mine was a promotion that came with a full package whereby I booked Dining, accommodation (minimum requirement for this benefit was a moderate - values don't count), tickets for the full length of my stay and flights direct through Disney. I don't know which components were necessary to qualify or whether it is still running. I booked through Disney UK. I have heard that this is available through the US as well, but there are different qualifying criteria. I know that either way, there was a requirement to purchase some Disney add-ons to the package. If you do an internet search and type in "preferred fireworks viewing" it will bring some stuff up and probably amongst the info, you will find much of it on this the DIS.

Oh, one other thing, these Preferred Viewings need to be reserved up to 180 days out and are subject to availability. No compensation or substitute should they be unable to grant my request

Hope this helps.

 

[brendrek]

We have a VIP viewing of Illuminations. It was offered to us because they messed something up with our reservation. I guess the biggest perk will be not having to stake out our spot an hour in advance. I think it's the roped off area near Morroco. They didn't mention any food or drink.