How early do you pick out a spot for Illuminations in last week of September?

[redwingsmickey]

Going on our third trip to DW and we have not seen Illuminations yet. For the last week of September on a Thursday night, how early do you have to be to stake out a decent spot?

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[DisMN]

Any time we go we don't pick a spot until about a half hour before or so...maybe less......


then again, we do tend to do most of our Disney trips by the seat-of-our-pants.

There are just so many good spots to watch Illuminations from that if one is full then further down another spot will be open.
We've watched from Germany, Japan, France, the bridge by the UK, Canada......all have been great spots.

 

[disneylovr1]

We have never picked a spot untill 10-15 minutes before Illuminations, if not less. However, just so you know, we aren't that picky and often stand behind people. But I've never had a problem seeing, usually if you are short (like I am) you can subtely "wiggle" forward a little. If not, we still didn't have a problem. We would much rather enjoy the park and rides for longer, and then run up to see the show. It's not like Fantasmic, where there are a limited number of viewers allowed in. If one spot was too crowded, we just meandered down the path and found a better place.

 

[Corryn]

That's when we normally take our trips to Disney, in September/October.

We pick a spot as soon as we see other people picking theirs. I bring little things for my kids to do, like crayons and paper, or one of those Epcot coloring books or cards because it's a long wait.

One thing that bothers me is when you've got your spot and there's about one foot between you and the fence and you're sitting down relaxing and so are the other people behind you....Well, then along comes some family and they see that one foot clearance and come and stand RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!!! I've been to Illuminations six times and this happened about 4....The other times I put my foot down.

The rudeness displayed is horrible.
I am sorry to say that those four times that it happened, they were Foreigners and they also pretend not to speak the language.

So if you get a spot, no matter where it is, make sure there's not One Inch between you and the fence or you'll make yourself miserable when that special someone feels they're more important and comes and stands right in front of you and the fifty people sitting behind you.

Have fun

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by Corryn
That's when we normally take our trips to Disney, in September/October.

We pick a spot as soon as we see other people picking theirs. I bring little things for my kids to do, like crayons and paper, or one of those Epcot coloring books or cards because it's a long wait.

One thing that bothers me is when you've got your spot and there's about one foot between you and the fence and you're sitting down relaxing and so are the other people behind you....Well, then along comes some family and they see that one foot clearance and come and stand RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!!! I've been to Illuminations six times and this happened about 4....The other times I put my foot down.

The rudeness displayed is horrible.
I am sorry to say that those four times that it happened, they were Foreigners and they also pretend not to speak the language.

So if you get a spot, no matter where it is, make sure there's not One Inch between you and the fence or you'll make yourself miserable when that special someone feels they're more important and comes and stands right in front of you and the fifty people sitting behind you.

Have fun

Something similar happened to me one September. I had my legs spread out, so there was about 3 feet between my feet. My fiancée isn't nearly as anal as I am, and didn't want to wait, so I was holding her a spot.

Someone came next to me, but he was really slick. I was on the bridge between Mexico and the walkway to Future World. He took his kid, and put his kid up on the top of the bridge. The kid would slide down ever so subtley, and began to cough on me, and kick me. (Not outright kicking me....dangling his legs and kicking...) Perhaps it was just a kid being a kid, but I KNOW it wasn't.

I was FUMING! But I didn't say anything, I just stood my ground. Eventually, he picked his kid up and went to the area right next to the bridge. There was an older couple there, who had left about that foot of space that you did Corryn.

I know that he was USING his kid, because he put his kid down, and pushed the KID into that foot of space! The daughter then went into that space. The older couple, very protective of their personal space - started grousing and backing up!!!! And then in went mom and dad.

I felt SO awful for that couple.

But now, to answer the OP's question, there were TONS of spots all around. I wanted that spot because the last time I'd seen the show, my view was obstructed by some trees on one of those little islands - and this one offered a perfect view. I also wanted to be as close to the main exit as possible. I hate the crowds! Everyone was crowding around Canada and Mexico so people could make a mad dash for the exit. If you're on the rear of the lagoon - near the American, Italian, or Morroccan pavilions - it was all open.

 

[Corryn]

Oh, Yes, Dan...There are plenty of people who USE their kids. We went to a fair this past weekend and some guy used his kid to cut a ride line, but the owner of the ride called him on it, it was great!

But isn't it funny how the kid just "casually" kicked you? Oh, ha ha ha, excuse my son, you know, he's just a kid....
I don't like when people say, well, it's not worth it to start trouble. Guess what, if you're there minding your own busines, You're not the one starting it, but you Should be the one to Finish it!
Right On, Dan.
Decency in our society is an unknown option. If more people stuck to their guns and called people on their rudeness, people would be less likely to offend others again!

So let that be a lesson to everyone...Get a spot, anywhere, by the fence and don't let anyone in front of you.

Another place that's awesome is in Mexico sitting down at that little fast food place located right on the lake.