F! and Illuminations in one night. Is it possible?

[deedubb]

Fantasmic at 8, Illuminations at 9. I assume walking from HS to Epcot would be quickest. Anyone done it?

 

[bryanb]

It's possible, but there is some risk. Fantasmic is about 25 minutes long. You'd plan to watch from the back of the theater so that you can be one of the first people out immediately at the finale. Then, the walk from DHS to Epcot will take about 25 minutes (maybe under 20 at a brisk stroll). You'll definitely want to walk, because the water taxis make several stops before arriving at Epcot. Driving subjects you to unknown risks, such as traffic.

 

[deedubb]

Thanks. I think we'll attempt it. We have a FP+ for F!, will sit at the back, then try to high-tail it to Epcot. Would like to see Illuminations as many times as possible this trip as it will likely be the last time we'll see it. We've never done the walk from HS to Epcot before, so I didn't know if it would be possible.

 

[bryanb]

Thanks. I think we'll attempt it. We have a FP+ for F!, will sit at the back, then try to high-tail it to Epcot. Would like to see Illuminations as many times as possible this trip as it will likely be the last time we'll see it. We've never done the walk from HS to Epcot before, so I didn't know if it would be possible.

I'll be sad to see Illuminations go, even though it will be quite exciting to see what finally comes next to World Showcase. I might have to follow your lead and plan a few extra viewings of Illuminations on my next trip!

 

[WEDWDW]

Done it many times-even a few "Triple Headers"(F!/IllumiNations/Wishes)back in the day.

You have to be "focused" and SPEED WALK from DHS to the IG using the "BWI Shortcut",but it is fun to do and AMAZING to see BOTH shows in one night!

 

[gharter]

As others have said, it can be done. you would need to leave your seats before the finale and watch from the back of the theater and near the exit. Get out as soon as the show is over. Walking from the park to EPCOT is about a 20 minute walk. Then it all depends on what kind of line you have getting into EPCOt. You should at least be able to view from the bridge between the UK and France.

 

[deedubb]

I'll be sad to see Illuminations go, even though it will be quite exciting to see what finally comes next to World Showcase. I might have to follow your lead and plan a few extra viewings of Illuminations on my next trip!

Although I love Illuminations, there are some boring bits and I am definitely excited to see what's next. I have the Illuminations soundtrack to remind me of it for the rest of time, and I do listen to it frequently.

 

[shocker]

We did it in July, except in reverse order. We ate Rose and Crown to watch Illuminations. We told our waitress what we planned to do and she said we had plenty of time to make it over to DHS and suggested we could even stop for ice cream along the way. She helped us pay before Illuminations started so we could split. We walked out the back door IG and straight away on to the friendship boat that was loading. We stopped at Boardwalk, Yacht Club, and Dolphin and then on to DHS. Saved us the steps of walking to ride the boat and we were seated inside F! with 20 minutes to spare (yes, time for ice cream after all). But, this was summer with a 9pm Illuminations with a 10pm second showing of F! (i.e. not many people filing in for a second and much later show than what you are suggesting.) YMMV.

 

[WEDWDW]

We walked out the back door IG and straight away on to the friendship boat that was loading.

Just wanted to mention that in the OP's scenario it would be almost impossible to use the FriendShips even if one was waiting at the DHS Dock and left immediately once OP was on board since F! is 26 minutes long as opposed to 12 minutes for IllumiNations.

They would be looking at:

F! ending at 8:26
Walk from Hollywood Hills to DHS Dock arriving at approximately 8:30
Travel time for FriendShip IF ONE IS SITTING THERE WAITING to IG would be 25-30 minutes
Then after arriving at IG there is still security to go through and then the walk to the English Channel Bridge

So,even if EVERYHTING fell into place,still HIGHLY unlikely to make it in time.

Speed Walking using the BWI Shortcut guarantees arrival in time.

 

[MomOTwins]

As others have said, it can be done. you would need to leave your seats before the finale and watch from the back of the theater and near the exit. Get out as soon as the show is over. Walking from the park to EPCOT is about a 20 minute walk. Then it all depends on what kind of line you have getting into EPCOt. You should at least be able to view from the bridge between the UK and France.

If getting up early, make sure you are sitting at the end of a row. You wouldn't want to stand up and walk over people to get out, and end up blocking the view of the finale for everyone.

 

[cindyfan]

Going from Illuminations to F! is so much easier simply due to the fact that Illuminations is less than 20 minutes and you can watch from near the International Gateway.
We've done this many times when F! had 2 shows that evening.
F! to Illuminations is much more difficult! You definitely need to be able to speed walk if F! is at 8 and Illuminations is at 9.
The only way I'd do the boat (and we have done this) is if it is at the dock.... then get off at Swan/Dolphin.... walk quickly over the bridge to the Boardwalk side and around to the IG. This can save 5-8 minutes. At HS the walk up and around, past the bus stops to the sidewalk that goes to Boardwalk is a lot longer than you'd think.
Honestly though..... If you end up feeling that you won't make both.... definitely go for Illuminations... it's ending this year.

 

[deedubb]

Speed Walking using the BWI Shortcut guarantees arrival in time.

We've never done the walk before. I assume the walking path is well marked but assume this shortcut is not?

 

[Robo]

We've never done the walk before. I assume the walking path is well marked but assume this shortcut is not?

DHS to Epcot IG & Boardwalk Pool "shortcut" (CloseUp)

 

[deedubb]

That's awesome. Thanks Robo.

 

[mrsap]

We did the walk twice in June when staying at BC, it’s definitely a great way to get to HS. I think if you walk quickly enough, you’ll make it. The path is also lit. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[mrsap]

We did the walk twice in June when staying at BC, it’s definitely a great way to get to HS. I think if you walk quickly enough, you’ll make it. The path is also lit. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[WEDWDW]

We did it in July, except in reverse order. We ate Rose and Crown to watch Illuminations. We told our waitress what we planned to do and she said we had plenty of time to make it over to DHS and suggested we could even stop for ice cream along the way. She helped us pay before Illuminations started so we could split. We walked out the back door IG and straight away on to the friendship boat that was loading. We stopped at Boardwalk, Yacht Club, and Dolphin and then on to DHS. Saved us the steps of walking to ride the boat and we were seated inside F! with 20 minutes to spare (yes, time for ice cream after all). But, this was summer with a 9pm Illuminations with a 10pm second showing of F! (i.e. not many people filing in for a second and much later show than what you are suggesting.) YMMV.

Could the F! maybe have been at 10:30(that is a common time for the second F!)?

With IllumiNations ending at 9:12 and then the walk from R&C to the FriendShip----travel time on the FriendShip(25-30 minutes)----walk from DHS Dock through Security to Hollywood Hills----getting to Hollywood Hills at 9:40 would be INCREDIBLE!

 

[5DisneyNuts]

We have done this and it can be done if you walk quickly. We were able to make it over to the bridge to view Illuminations with no problem.

 

[DarthMommy05]

If I can reopen this thread, I was wondering how long the walk would take from HS to IG EP while walking at an average pace? I was trying to decide if it would be worth walking to EP for EMH (11pm) after watching Fantasmic at 8:30 (show ending around 9). Not sure if it’s worth it for a little bit of time. Also not exactly sure how the crowds will be at EP once we get there. Thank you in advance for any guidance or suggestions.

Edit - please note that I wasn’t interested in Illumiantions for this night, so the title of the original question doesn’t really apply. I was more interested in timing to walk there.

 

[Robo]

If I can reopen this thread, I was wondering how long the walk would take from HS to IG EP while walking at an average pace?

22-28 min.