Evening strategies for EPCOT, dining, Illuminations

[VA_mouseman]

We're heading to WDW for a week in late June. Hate to admit it, but I haven't been to EPCOT in over 20 years (went the year it opened -- 1982? -- and again in 84), so I don't have a lot of current experience to go on.

Looking for comments/suggestions regarding evening strategies for dining and the Illuminations show. What time is the show? How long does it last? How early do you have to 'claim your seat'? Where are the good/bad places to watch?

Also, I understand that some of the World Showcase restaurants have views of the show. Is this the ideal way to go (dinner and then the show)? Is it hard to arrange? Argh, so many questions!

For the record, it's me, DW DS 6 and DS 3.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Although the Rose and Crown is an excellent seat for Illuminations my family has yet to see one from there. They won't guarantee outdoor seating and I think only 25% of the seats are outdoors.

They are pretty firm about it but you can always try!

 

[jmkst58]

My last 2 trips (late April 02 & Early Feb 03)...I haven't had trouble AT ALL staking a spot to see Illuminations. April 02...we didn't 'stake' at all. Feb 03...we 'staked' for about 10 minutes...but there were probably still some decent spots around us even after the show began. I've watched it from Mexico & UK...both were fine. I've never had a problem. Have I just been lucky?

 

[princess lovers mom]

We love to watch on the bridge/walkway between France and England...great view, any smoke usually goes the other way, we ofter get caught up in the smoke if we are on the Mexico/Norway side...we usually get there 30 min ahead to get the railing for the girls...it was the favorite fireworks for my 4 yrs old in October.
ENJOY

I wouldn't watch from a dinner place, much better view out and about...

 

[dizneycc]

I can tell you where NOT to stand. We waited at Christmas time for over an hour. I thought we had a great spot, right along the fence, but oh no! The boat dock totally blocked everything that happened on the water! We were standing with our backs to FW to the left of the boat dock. I think maybe if we had been on the right side, it would have been fine, but that was wheelchair parking. This is the only place I have ever had a problem.

You are going to enjoy Illuminations! It is about 15 minutes long. We always try to stand around America and then take a very leisurely stroll back to the main entrance after the crowds have moved along. It is soooooo peaceful!

Don't wait until your last night to see Illuminations, because it is probably something you will want to see more than once. I could watch it every night.

As for the Rose and Crown, we have never eaten there either, but I have heard that no matter where you are sitting, when Illuminations start, they turn down the lights and anyone in the restaurant is invited onto the patio.

Enjoy!!!

 

[jiminyml]

About 4 years ago we managed to snag an outside seat at the R&C just before Illuminations.....we thought we had it made.
To our dismay, when the show started, everyone from inside the restaurant rushed outside standing all around, and in some cases in front of, the parties at the outside tables.
It was very disappointing to get the reservation, fight for an outside table, and get the timing just right, only to have it ruined because the patio is not "reserved viewing" for the people that are seated there......

M

 

[MelessaG]

Watch out for trees too. My Dad and I chose a spot we thought would be "perfect" only to find our view obstructed by trees once the fireworks started. We last saw them near Italy (but not in the special 'reserved' spot) That seemed to work well. It was during a food festival, so we got pasta and pizza off a cart and later found hot chocolate. It was in Oct. 2002, but I can't remember if it was the International Food & Wine festival or not. I think it was. It sure made it easier to claim a spot for the fireworks.