FP for Illuminations question

[MammaMoe48]

If I get a FP for Illuminations, how does it work and where would we be sitting? Would we be better off watching from one of the restaurants and not bother with FP?

We have 6:30 ressies at CDF but would it make more sense to either push it back to 7:30 and watch from there (if it's even visible from there) or should I cancel and make a late reservation somewhere else with a better view? (if so where would you suggest?) Or should I make an earlier dinner ressie at CDF for like 5:30 then reserve a table at another place with better views at like 8:30 for dessert to watch the fireworks?

I sometimes think I'm over thinking things but I know that you need to plan this stuff early and I've never done it before. I was in WDW over 25 years ago and we just winged it then.

 

[BrianL]

The FP+ area is in the front, near the Future World side. While it might technically be the "best" spot, in my opinion there is plenty of great viewing all around World Showcase, sot he FP is not worth it.

 

[gmboy95]

Dont waste a fastpass on this!!!!!........just go over to Norway IMO, is the best spot to watch, and easy to exit the park afterward

 

[MammaMoe48]

Dont waste a fastpass on this!!!!!........just go over to Norway IMO, is the best spot to watch, and easy to exit the park afterward

We're staying at the BWV so UK, Canada, France or even Morrocco would be most convenient for us to get back to our hotel. How's the view from those places? Like can we just sit on a bench and watch?

 

[kip0992]

I've watched Illuminations from all over the place, and IMHO the best is front & center - all the fireworks are basically centered around this viewpoint and the whole show seems more cohesive. If that is important to you, then the FP viewing area would be the best place for viewing. However, you can get pretty much the same view anywhere between the gift shops at the entrance to WS...even going back on the bridge between Future world & WS. Granted, you won't be right up on the rail and might not see all of the low stuff (fountains and the globe).

If Illuminations were a tier 2 FP then it would totally be worth it, but there are much better ways to spend a tier 1...

 

[heidijanesmith]

I liked the FP+ area for a good view available at the last minute. We arrived 5min prior to the start and had a great view. I do not like having to get a spot an hour or more ahead of time.

 

[MammaMoe48]

I liked the FP+ area for a good view available at the last minute. We arrived 5min prior to the start and had a great view. I do not like having to get a spot an hour or more ahead of time.

This is why I thought the FP would be worth using. I don't see it as wasting a FP since we are not using any the day we do the WS anyhow. I think I'm going to just use the FP and go straight from dinner to the FP viewing spot.

 

[kip0992]

If you have absolutely no intentions of using your FP's for anything else, then by all means use one on Illuminations. I might suggest to get FP's for an extra ride on TT or Soarin, or even early morning FP's for stuff at the MK then park hop, but that is all up to your preference.

 

[oceanscape]

I've reserved a FP+ for this and wondered how generously Disney give them out - will it be very crowded in the FP+ area or do they try to keep the numbers down so that everyone has room? Do we still need to arrive super early to get a decent spot?

 

[MammaMoe48]

I've reserved a FP+ for this and wondered how generously Disney give them out - will it be very crowded in the FP+ area or do they try to keep the numbers down so that everyone has room? Do we still need to arrive super early to get a decent spot?

I'd like to know this too if anyone can answer. Thanks for asking this question.