How loud is Illuminations?

[jlcd]

My son is very sensitive to loud noises. We have therefore skipped Illuminations on our 2 trips with him because I have heard it is very loud. He does fine with Wishes but does cover his ears from time to time. Is Illuminations that much louder? Is there any good, less noisy spot to view from? I think he would enjoy the show but don't want to traumatize him in the process! Thanks for any help you can provide!!

 

[keishashadow]

Have you considered ear plugs/ear planes...it's loud.

We could hear most of the music from our balcony @ the BCV.

 

[Pugrpooh]

We watched Illuminations from the Rose and Crown with DD4. I had to take her away because she was covering her ears and screaming. I don't think she would do well with Wishes either, even though we saw the fireworks at DL the year before with her and she was fine. This year though, she's afraid of fireworks. She was also afraid of the fireballs in Illuminations, because from where we were we could feel the heat from them.

This was in April and when we go back in Dec. we're planning on watching Wishes from the Poly beach.

 

[jlcd]

Thanks for the idea. I had not thought of that. He might agree to try to soft foamy ear plugs.

I'm trying to avoid the whole run out because he is screaming scenario. I can totally picure that happening if its too loud.

 

[Lynne M]

Illuminations is VERY loud, and I've seen parents rushing out with howling, hysterical kids lots of times.

Unlike Wishes, you really can't watch it from a distance. Most of the effects are right on the water, and in order to see everything, you need to be standing up close to the lagoon. Which puts you very close to the fireworks.

I think earplugs would help a lot; I've even seen kids with what looked like headphones, but were probably the ear protectors people use at rifle ranges.

If you think ear protectors or earphones won't work for your little one, you can see most of the fireworks from the bridge between Epcot and the Boardwalk Resort, and it's a lot quieter back there. You can save the rest of Illuminations until he's a little older and less bothered by loud noises.

Hope you get to enjoy Illuminations!

 

[jimmytammy]

Our DS12 has been very sensitive to loud noises since day one. He has seen Illuminations at least 6 or 7 times and though he covers his ears he doesnt seem unusally bothered by the show. He has auditory processing disorder, which seems to cause noise to intesify(at least for him).
The start and end of the show seems the most intense. There are slowdown parts where soft music plays in the middle. We have found standing on the bridge between France and UK affords a very good spot to see the show. Also, this spot has nothing behind it(no buildings) which allows the noise to pass and not reflect. If it becomes unbearable you can duck into the store just below the bridge on the UK side that leads toward BC and BW.

Hope it works out for you. BTW, for the best view, make sure you are somewhere over the water where the canal leads into the WS lagoon. This is where they pull the pontoons and breathless boat tours under to get a great view.

 

[MicNut713]

Both our kids use ear plugs and they love them. I would try it.

 

[jlcd]

Thanks for all the ideas!!

 

[english rose 47]

Ditto hear with DGS 5 .He.s very sensiteve to loud fireworks. We have those rifle range ear muffs so I think we'll take them or we would also be exitting with screaming child!!

 

[starwood]

We were staying 5th floor Epcot view at the Beach Club and could see AND hear Illuminations from our room.

 

[Marie2794]

We had a late seating at Teppanyaki last time we were there and ended up watching IllumiNations from the balcony outside the restaurant... it was PERFECT... far away and not loud, but you could still see everything.


This is the view from the balcony....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Additionally, if visiting during the Christmas season, late Nov through early Jan, the Christmas holiday addon at the end of Illuminations is deafening. Here is a short video I took last year of that part. However, in no way can you get an idea of just how loud this segment really is. It literally makes the earth beneath you shudder.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1608910347371366267&q=dan+murphy

 

[BlindTyldak]

Additionally, if visiting during the Christmas season, late Nov through early Jan, the Christmas holiday addon at the end of Illuminations is deafening. Here is a short video I took last year of that part. However, in no way can you get an idea of just how loud this segment really is. It literally makes the earth beneath you shudder.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1608910347371366267&q=dan+murphy

*nods emphatically*

I thought one of the barges was damaged when I saw it, that's how loud that one is. Instant Boston flashback.

But yes, Illuminations is VERY loud, but one thing to keep in mind is that depending on your child, the MUSIC is at many times the loudest part. If they do well with loud music, like they wouldn't mind you blasting "Hakuna Matata" on the car stereo with the bass cranked, they may be okay with Illuminations and earplugs.