Illumination start time?

[Haygar2]

We are going to Disney in September. Am I correct in thinking that if Epcot closes at 9:00, then Illuminations will start at 8:00? I am making my ADR's on Monday and I am trying to plan accordingly. I don't want to be eating and miss Illuminations.

Thank you.

 

[Missyrose]

We are going to Disney in September. Am I correct in thinking that if Epcot closes at 9:00, then Illuminations will start at 8:00? I am making my ADR's on Monday and I am trying to plan accordingly. I don't want to be eating and miss Illuminations. Thank you.

No, if Epcot closes at 9 then Illluminations will almost always be at 9.

 

[smbowtie]

We are going to Disney in September. Am I correct in thinking that if Epcot closes at 9:00, then Illuminations will start at 8:00? I am making my ADR's on Monday and I am trying to plan accordingly. I don't want to be eating and miss Illuminations.

Thank you.

9:00 it is.

 

[ariel326]

And here is another reason why Epcot is more and more becoming my favorite park.

You can enjoy the park until the very end, and still see the Illuminations show. I feel like Illuminations is kind of like an extra "Bonus"

We stayed around after the show was over and let the big waves of crowds leave afterward. Then we slowly walked through the WS with the park near empty. It was so pretty and peaceful. It was our last night there, so it was a great way to end the trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

One thing to remember (I learned the hard way), is that the last Friendship boat leave International Gateway one hour after park closing. That is 10 PM (10:30 PM during the Christmas Season), not 10:15 (10:45) or so, when Illuminations ends.

One time, years back, I watched Illuminations from over Mexico/Norway area. And then took my extra long time meandering through World Showcase taking pictures. I arrived at the boat dock about 10:35, only to be informed and watch the last boat leaving the dock. It was a long walk back to the Swan.

 

[ariel326]

One thing to remember (I learned the hard way), is that the last Friendship boat leave International Gateway one hour after park closing. That is 10 PM (10:30 PM during the Christmas Season), not 10:15 (10:45) or so, when Illuminations ends.

One time, years back, I watched Illuminations from over Mexico/Norway area. And then took my extra long time meandering through World Showcase taking pictures. I arrived at the boat dock about 10:35, only to be informed and watch the last boat leaving the dock. It was a long walk back to the Swan.

Haha, good point

 

[wilma-bride]

I have never known Illuminations to be on at any time other than 9

 

[siskaren]

I have never known Illuminations to be on at any time other than 9

During the Christmas season it starts at 9:30 to accommodate the third showing of the Candlelight Processional, which ends at 9.

 

[wilma-bride]

During the Christmas season it starts at 9:30 to accommodate the third showing of the Candlelight Processional, which ends at 9.

I see, and does Epcot still close at 9 even though Illuminations doesn't start until 9.30?

 

[siskaren]

I see, and does Epcot still close at 9 even though Illuminations doesn't start until 9.30?

Nope, closing time also gets bumped out to 9:30.

 

[wilma-bride]

Nope, closing time also gets bumped out to 9:30.

That's why I was confused about Dan's comment about missing the boat when Illuminations finishes at 10.15 or 10.45.

I can't figure how it would be finishing at 10.15 or 10.45

 

[rteetz]

Illuminations starts at 9:00pm year round except during christmas time it starts at 9:30pm. Epcot closes at 9:00pm year round unless it has extra magic hours but during christmas time Epcot closes at 9:30pm.

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's why I was confused about Dan's comment about missing the boat when Illuminations finishes at 10.15 or 10.45.

I can't figure how it would be finishing at 10.15 or 10.45

I was referencing the last boat out of IG. It will be 10, or 10:30 during Christmas time. My mistake, which was at Christmas time, was that I was thinking that the boat's last departure would be one hour after end of Illuminations, rather than one hour after park closing. Those times, at Christmas time, are about 20 minutes different, rest of the year, about 15 minutes. I was expecting to be about 10 or so minutes early for the last boat, where in fact, I was about 5 minutes late.

 

[PCFriar80]

During the Christmas season it starts at 9:30 to accommodate the third showing of the Candlelight Processional, which ends at 9.

And 10:00 PM on Saturdays for F&W to accommodate Party of the Senses. At least that's the way it was in 2013.

 

[purple figment]

Illuminations starts at 9:00pm year round except during christmas time it starts at 9:30pm. Epcot closes at 9:00pm year round unless it has extra magic hours but during christmas time Epcot closes at 9:30pm.

Also, during F&W Epcot closes at 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights and IllumiNations will be at 10 PM.

To the OP: since you said you'll be going in September, if you are in Epcot on Sept 19, 20, 26 or 27, the park will close at 10 PM.

 

[Haygar2]

I am so glad that I asked this question. I just assumed that, like MK, the "show" starts an hour before closing. You all have been very helpful.

 

[ariel326]

If ever in doubt- check the schedule they hand out when you enter the park. It will have the accurate times on there for whatever event you are wanting to see (illuminations, wishes, parades, etc)