Epcot ?s...Character spot with VISA, Illuminations during extended hours, SE avail as 4th FP?

[ArielSRL]

For those of you that have the Disney VISA, how long did you wait and spend at the character spot?

When/If Epcot has extended hours for the summer, is Illuminations still at 9? How far in advance do we need to snag a spot?

Is Spaceship Earth usually available as a 4th FP selection?

 

[erionm]

When/If Epcot has extended hours for the summer, is Illuminations still at 9?

Typically, IllumiNations is performed at regular park closing.

 

[DisCatGirl]

I've never waited more than 10 minutes at the Visa Character spot.

 

[wilkeliza]

Illuminations will always be held at the standard regular park closing. So if the park closes at 9:30 then it is at 9:30, if it closes at 9 it is at 9 and so on. That is not EMH closing but regular park closing. Usually during Food and Wine is when you see anything other than 9pm. Epcot does not typically extend hours past what is posted and may just change EMH hours.

For IllumiNations you don't really need to get there super early. There are many amazing viewing areas and even if you are a row back from the fencing you should be able to see. When facing American Adventure coming from Future World, Mexico to the beginning of China, End of Germany to beginning of America, and Canada back to Mexico are your best non obstructed views. The space between UK, France, Morocco, and Japan are OK views with some being partially obstructed and others being clear. AA is the worst as the American Gardens theater is in your way and then China tends to have mostly obstructed views because of the island in front of it. However you can still find great views in every single country they are just harder to come by, i.e. the 2nd story of the Japan pavilion is one of the best view of Illuminations in my opinion as you are above the crowds and over the island that would be in your way if you were on the promenade.

 

[ArielSRL]

Thank you all!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Our wait for Visa character spot was 25 mins or so in December. It was worth it, though. Best pictures of the trip!

 

[ArielSRL]

I've never waited more than 10 minutes at the Visa Character spot.

Our wait for Visa character spot was 25 mins or so in December. It was worth it, though. Best pictures of the trip!

My touring plan is telling me 38 minutes for standby WITHOUT a Disney VISA, so I'm hoping for a much shorter wait.

 

[erionm]

For those of you that have the Disney VISA, how long did you wait and spend at the character spot?

Just an FYI, the Disney Visa Character Photo location is not at the Character Spot. It's a totally separate location inside Innoventions West (other side of breezeway from Character Spot). There is also a separate m&g for Baymax in Innoventions West.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

The characters for the Character Spot will not be the same as the VISA greet. When we were there early this month it was Minnie and Pluto and there was no one else there, we were taken straight in.

 

[PolyRob]

Just an FYI, the Disney Visa Character Photo location is not at the Character Spot. It's a totally separate location inside Innoventions West (other side of breezeway from Character Spot). There is also a separate m&g for Baymax in Innoventions West.

The characters for the Character Spot will not be the same as the VISA greet. When we were there early this month it was Minnie and Pluto and there was no one else there, we were taken straight in.

 

[ArielSRL]

Just an FYI, the Disney Visa Character Photo location is not at the Character Spot. It's a totally separate location inside Innoventions West (other side of breezeway from Character Spot). There is also a separate m&g for Baymax in Innoventions West.

Thank you for the info. I had no idea. So kind of by the Electric Umbrella or Guest Relations?

 

[ArielSRL]

The characters for the Character Spot will not be the same as the VISA greet. When we were there early this month it was Minnie and Pluto and there was no one else there, we were taken straight in.

Thank you for the info. We are ok with whoever it is. We have several character meals planned so we are just doing this one because it's the Disney Visa one.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thank you for the info. I had no idea. So kind of by the Electric Umbrella or Guest Relations?

No, all the M&Gs mentioned are in Innoventions West--just in different sections of it. EU and GR are closer to Innoventions East.

Thank you for the info. We are ok with whoever it is. We have several character meals planned so we are just doing this one because it's the Disney Visa one.

It should be some combination of Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. Likely two of those together, and possibly all three. CMs just outside will not confirm who is meeting at the time.

 

[njpyro]

Don't forget, there is another free visa meet and greet now in Hollywood Studios. I believe it is currently Kylo Ren in the Star Wars Launch Bay.
In January, we got to the Epcot visa meet and there were easily 10 families in line, so we skipped in. At HS, Darth Vader was standing waiting for us with no one else around.

 

[ArielSRL]

No, all the M&Gs mentioned are in Innoventions West--just in different sections of it. EU and GR are closer to Innoventions East

Got it! Thanks. I was totally confused!

 

[ArielSRL]

Don't forget, there is another free visa meet and greet now in Hollywood Studios. I believe it is currently Kylo Ren in the Star Wars Launch Bay.
In January, we got to the Epcot visa meet and there were easily 10 families in line, so we skipped in. At HS, Darth Vader was standing waiting for us with no one else around.

We have the one at Epcot in our plan right before a break, so if it's a huge line, we'll definitely skip it! And yes, I have the DHS one in our plans, as well! Thanks for the reply!

 

[ArielSRL]

One more quick question @mesaboy2. What are the odds of a 4th FP for Spaceship Earth say around noon, middle of the week, first week of June? My touring plan tells me Nemo is a 16 min wait and SE about a 20 min wait. We are doing Nemo first and I'm trying to decide on doing it as 3rd FP and trying for a 4th for SE or just scheduling the 3rd for SE. I read through your FP post a few times but probably missed that info (if it's there). TIA.

 

[mesaboy2]

Tough to predict the specifics of any particular day, but in general I recommend SSE over Nemo for FP. I would ballpark the odds of picking up either as a 4th at noon in early June as decent, better than 50-50.

 

[gap2368]

1 For those of you that have the Disney VISA, how long did you wait and spend at the character spot?

2 When/If Epcot has extended hours for the summer, is Illuminations still at 9? How far in advance do we need to snag a spot?

3 Is Spaceship Earth usually available as a 4th FP selection?

1 any where from 10 minutes to maybe 30

2 I normily find a spot in the world show case maybe 30 minutes before

3 I have never tried a FO for this ride but there really is not many rides beside TT and mission space that have long lines ( yes some have a 30 minute wait but compared to an hour to an hour and a half for TT)

 

[ArielSRL]

Tough to predict the specifics of any particular day, but in general I recommend SSE over Nemo for FP. I would ballpark the odds of picking up either as a 4th at noon in early June as decent, better than 50-50.

Thanks! I think I've decided to go with a 3rd for SSE and take our chances with Nemo.