Illuminations and leaving Epcot

[jlaspoq]

We watched Illuminations from the American Adventure waterfront. We knew it would be packed leaving, so we decided to take our time and enjoy our last night at WDW. After the show, we strolled out, looking and enjoying the sights, stopping at the waterfront spots to look at the pavilions, etc. We finally walked out at 9:55 - having spent an extra 40 minutes in the park and not in line for the bus. When we got to our bus stop, we walked right on. Worked great for us!

 

[mad4themouse]

An excellent suggestion!

My father was always the last one out of church, plays or sporting events. He always wanted to linger to see the sites, listen to the choir or just take in the people watching. We never battled traffic or got separated from each other in the masses because we waited until they all departed. It is amazing what you miss when you try to leave with everyone else!

We usually view Illuminations from Italy. We then wait for a good deal of the crowd to leave before we make our way to the exit. EPCOT at night is so amazing and it is so worth it to just drink it in! Our next trip to WDW, we will be staying at the YC & BC, just a stone's throw from the International Gateway. I think we'll watch Illuminations from the entrance to the WS just so we can enjoy our stroll thru the countries at night.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always like to stay about where I was while watching Illuminations, coming down from the 'high', LOL. I enjoy listening to the, now gone, Tapestry music, which takes about 20 or so more minutes, and then take a leisurely walk out of the park, hoping to catch the last Friendship departing at 10 PM.

I am usually always the last one off the plane too. Hate getting caught up in the jammed aisle for 3 minutes ealier exit.

 

[Vlahakis2001]

We did that once and it seemed to work. You get more to to enjoy yourself in the park, instead of trying to cram onto a bus.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I love to be one of the last ones out of WS. That's how I found out a few years ago, after many trips to WDW that there's a gate in WS near a bridge by China, that CMs close when they're pretty sure WS has cleared out. I thought it was so neat to have the CMs watch us leave, then close that gate. Disney-challenged DH didn't know why I thought it was so neat!

 

[Brier Rose]

I really LOVE to do this too!
We usually either drive or get to Epcot by monerail, so we exit through Future World. I think it is so magical to wait until the crowd has rushed through, and then slowly stroll to the exit, by way of all the little fiber optic sparkles in the pavement that light up at night.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Yep, no point in hurrying out. We figure when we watch Illuminations we won't be arriving into our room until 10:30 - 11:00.
We like to wander around in Mouse Gears.

 

[jlaspoq]

Your mention of Mouse Gears made me remember that we also browsed in the Art of Disney (name?) store on the way out - very very cool stuff, and since it's all so pricey, the kids weren't clamoring to have it all!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Of course if you have to pick up a package at the front of the park, that kills a lot of time too!

 

[camper]

Yes, watching illuminations then enjoying a slow stroll out of the park. One of the best parts of the vacation!!

 

[GeorgeG]

Taking your time works well for the whole vacation and not just getting out of the parks at the end of the day or evening. Of course, if your first time and your time is limited...

I've seen so many people rush to see all they could and they ended up seeing less and going home exhausted. You should not need a vacation from a vacation.

Besides, the parks are so peaceful once most of the crowd has left.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

By all means, try this in MK! This isn't an Epcot phenomenon. I've never tried it in AK, but we've done Epcot and MK after close. MK is very magical as it clears out. Another neat thing is to skip Fantasmic (see it at least one night, though) and stroll MGM while the last show is in progress. You have the park to yourself. It's wild!

Pat