How to do Illuminations?

[Yusani]

Should we try to eat and watch at the same time?

Is it hard to find a place along the street somewhere or is there lots of space available?

Where should we sit?

Do you have to stand until the show starts or can you sit down and hold your spot until the show begins?

Is there other nighttime entertainment at Epcot?

 

[Hopefully]

Illuminations is visible from anywhere around the lagoon. It is usually easy to find a spot about 15 - 30 minutes before, and often right as it starts. There is no seating, unless you want to sit on the ground.
I feel strongly that for the first time it is best experienced outside and not from a restaurant. I would eat first and find my spot after dinner.
There is all kinds of live entertainment day and evening happening at Epcot. Get a Times Guide when you arrive.

 

[Aliceacc]

Illuminations is one of my favorite WDW experiences. I love it the way my 16 year old loves Wishes-- it's the ONE experience that I really NEED to see on a WDW vacation.

Sitting is tricky unless you stake out a spot early enough to get a front row seat on the ground. We've watched it from a number of places-- really anywhere around the lagoon is fine.

 

[monorailsilver]

Should we try to eat and watch at the same time?

Is it hard to find a place along the street somewhere or is there lots of space available?

Where should we sit?

Do you have to stand until the show starts or can you sit down and hold your spot until the show begins?

Is there other nighttime entertainment at Epcot?

I have never eaten and watched so I can't comment.

Yes it is hard to find a seat...at times. I have started waiting at 8 and we typically watch it 3 out of our 5 park days. We went on time and it was pouring at about 8:15-8:45 and everyone took cover. We ended up watching in Norway and had a rock wall to sit on (close to the the building...I think it was Norway).

We like to watch from Mexico because it's a shorter walk/run back to the monorail. But I have seen it from France, UK, American adventure, Norway...ok probably most places. It's basically where we end up and say: I think we should find a spot.

You can sit on the ground which can be hot or wet.

No other big time entertainment, but there may be some smaller shows and you have to check the times guide.

 

[Lynne M]

Moving to the Theme Parks board.

 

[Klayfish]

You will have absolutely no problem finding a spot for Illuminations. The only true seating is for the dessert party, but frankly I wouldn't bother with it. Viewing is easy from all around the World Showcase, which is huge. You can find a good spot minutes before the show starts. You may not be up against the railing if you show up last minute, but you really don't need to be. If you're not in people's way, you can sit on the ground and hold your spot. Grab a dessert from a shop nearby, sit, relax and enjoy the show.

 

[Robo]

You will have absolutely no problem finding a spot for Illuminations. The only true seating is for the dessert party, but frankly I wouldn't bother with it.

No seating at the IllumiNations Dessert Party.

 

[Geoff_M]

We get fish & chips from the UK about 45 minutes before Illuminations and walk to either the bridge between the UK and France or in front of Canada and have a seat on the ground along the railing or fence and eat our late supper.

 

[Parker Clan]

When are you going? We go in Mid - late August every year and we are able to find a seat on a bench around france/America and watch.. If someone tall gets in the way we just get up but we find this spot to be far less crowded than Mexico area. We love Illuminations, it's our fave fireworks at Disney!

 

[Mousetopia]

No guarantee of a view seat in any restaurant so you may just be hearing the show.

 

[Yusani]

When are you going? We go in Mid - late August every year and we are able to find a seat on a bench around france/America and watch.. If someone tall gets in the way we just get up but we find this spot to be far less crowded than Mexico area. We love Illuminations, it's our fave fireworks at Disney!

August 2.

 

[justme0729]

We regretted watching Illuminstions while eating at La Hacidenda through the window. We didn't have a good table and weren't able to see anything. Definitely watch from somewhere around the lagoon!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We were lucky enough to grab a table outside next to Rose and Crown. We grabbed some beer and fish and chips. It was a perfect night.

 

[NH-to-FL]

One further recommendation. Choose a spot that is upwind from the center of the lagoon to avoid the smoke from the fireworks.

We like to watch from the bridge between England and France. Right above where the Illuminations cruise boats dock. We try to arrive at least 30 minutes early to get this prime location.

 

[DisneyFive]

Just make sure to sit upwind or the smoke from the show can impinge on your view.

Dan

 

[Dan Murphy]

The only true seating is for the dessert party,

The dessert party does not have seating, standing only.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Is Illuminations a water show as well or just fireworks? TIA (Thinking World Of Color out west type of show)

 

[Dan Murphy]

It is not like World of Color, but is performed on the water and there are water effects. No water screens as in World of Color or Fantasmic.

This will help you some, but as with all videos, if you have not seen it, obviously is a spoiler.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

I'm glad to read such positive posts about Illuminations. Our one time to see it it was raining (had been raining ALL.DAY.LONG, actually), yet the show still went on. Unfortunately, the sky was so wet the smoke just sort of hung low over the whole water and really obscured the view. We walked around trying to get a better view, but it seemed to be the same all over. I hope we have a clear night for the show on our next visit.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Best view of Illuminations IMO is front of Germany. The view of the globe is the best there because it's where it is closest to land.

It is also not too crowded there since the bulk of crowd congregates closer to the countries nearest to the exits since the park closes after the show. Norway to Morocco is where you find the largest number of guests.