First trip to Epcot, need help with Illuminations

[DisneyIsMyShrink]

Horray!!!!!!!!!! DH and I FINALLY get to go to WDW by ourselves!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going for a long weekend 10/14-10/17(18???) I'm hoping to talk DH into one more night This will be a veeeeerrrrrryyyyyyyy long overdue honeymoon for us before we have our 4th child in Jan. We started WDW family vacations last year, and we just took DS4, DS3, and DS17mo. a few weeks ago, we have always avoided Epcot because of its large size and not enough to keep the little ones happy. So now we are planning on spending a whole day there.
Anyway, what are some things that we absolutely MUST DO? I am going to make a PS for lunch at The Coral Reef, where is somewhere else we should eat?
Also, since neither of us have ever been to Epcot, we don't have a clue where we should watch Illuminations. Where is a GREAT veiw, where maybe we could sit(since I'm 6mo. preg. looking like 71/2???????????). Most important thing is that it's not too crowded!!! Since this is supposed to be a nice relaxing, romantic getaway, others aren't welcome. Being close to the exit isn't important, I'd rather wait for everyone else to leave anyway. Please everyone help me out!!!!! I want this to be a great time!
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just to two of us at the POP 10/14-10/17

 

[Tara8595]

Since you will be there for Food and Wine festival, you may want to graze the World Showcase.

Best view for sitting, in my opinion... The dock at Italy has benches. When we watch there, we (everybody) pull the benches out and turn them around. Perfect view. Get there a little before 8pm to do this or all the seats/benches will be taken.

Another great spot is right in front of the Futureworld entrance, right from the very front. About 5 minutes prior to the show (you can ask a cast member), they will open off the front roped off section, and you can watch from there, but you are required to sit down. That section dips down back from the lake and then rises as you move away from the lake. Watch from here and you have to stand (everybody will as soon as the earth comes out), but it is a great view as it can be packed, but becuase you are standing on a hill, you'll be able to see over the heads of those in front of you.

 

[flyinglizard]

hmmm... best place to eat....

My first round selection will have to be Le Cellier in Canada. Great atmosphere, superb beef selections, pretzel bread and... dare I mention... cheese soup.

Try Teppanyaki for lunch. Same food as dinner, just lower prices.

Mexico is always very nice and they change the menu often enough to keep it interesting.

Since it will be F & W while you are there, take one day to "Eat Around the World". We begin at the UK pavilion and just read menus until one of us says, "I have to try that!" We usually don't make it past the main walkway before we stop.

Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Originally posted by Tara8595
Another great spot is right in front of the Futureworld entrance, right from the very front. About 5 minutes prior to the show (you can ask a cast member), they will open off the front roped off section, and you can watch from there, but you are required to sit down.

I've seen Illuminations from almost everywhere and this is the best spot. If you don't do it this time, do it sometime. You have to get there quite early before "rope drop" to get a seat in the VERY FRONT, right by the iron railing. You will be essentially ON THE LAKE. It is crowded but if you're at the front on the water it feel less so. It's definitely worth getting in the front.

You feel like you're in the show!

If the wind is blowing from off the lake toward this side of the lake, this section will not be opened. The fire marshall must approve it every show before the ropes are dropped. So if the wind is blowing that way, forget it.

When we were there in late May, when the parks were quite crowded, we had to get there close to 2 hours ahead to get the very front seat - that's another drawback. (But we didn't care much about rides anyway.)

Rose and Crown has a good viewing area. I've not been there so can't say how good. Anyplace with a good view will have people lots of people.

****

Regarding restaurants, I like the Coral Reef a lot. Some reviews aren't so hot but we've always had great service and great food. Never disappointed there. My friends like the chocolate wave dessert. I haven't tried it.

OUr family's favorite is the Garden Grill in The Land. Awesome food served family style with characters. It is a revolving restaurant. I've heard they have a "rehitching" ceremony for couples. Don't know what that is, but you can arrange it if you call ahead.

Have fun!

 

[kandmwedding]

My favorite spot to watch Illuminations from is China. My hubby and I usually grab a bench about 45 minutes before the show. I wait there while he gets food from the take out place. We enjoy it on the bench, and then have a great view of the show!

 

[princessmurdough]

I thought that I read that the view from the balcony of teppanyaki was good. We have an 8:00 PS there after CP - anyone have input about this?

 

[dizneycc]

Be aware of which way the wind is blowing. It will blow smoke that way. Being pregnant, I would be sure to avoid the smoke. That being said, I have enjoyed the view from Italy the most. (Although I never knew about the Futureworld spot!)

 

[firsttimedisneymom]

Anyone know about VIP seating for Illuminations? We just got confirmation of getting this due to some payment issues with Disney. Is it worth anything? LOL

 

[gctong]

We made ressies for the Rose and Crown pub (england) and we had waterside views of Illuminations! There was no guarentee that we'd get a table on the deck by the water but it was wonderful. Good food, great friends and front row seats! And the smoke didn't go our way either!

And if you like to wait to after the crowds, you can do what we did if you don't mind the walk. After the fireworks, we took the LONG way around to the exit (from UK/Canada side counterclockwise towards Norway) and it was wonderful. It was quiet, 99% of everyone left and the CM even waited for us to finish taking pictures before closing up the area.