Illuminations: dessert party, FP+, or neither??

[twinspluscade]

We didn't bother with Illuminations our previous trips. Kids were younger; I didn't want to keep them up that late plus I don't like dealing with crowds/staking out a spot/guarding it.

We've decided to watch Illuminations this trip. The dessert party still has availability one of our Epcot nights, so I'm considering that even though it's spendy for five "adults". I'm mostly considering it for the uncrowded viewing space, and the desserts would be a bonus! Is the dessert party really uncrowded? Worth it?

If we don't do the dessert party, we'll probably use a FP+ for it. How is the viewing for that, and how crowded? Do you still have to get there really early in order to find a decent spot?

If we don't do the dessert party or use a FP+, how is the regular viewing? How far in advance would we have to stake out a spot? Is it shoulder to shoulder people? I did watch Wishes our last trip, and hated how crammed in everyone was (we do have the Wishes dessert party already booked for this trip).

 

[cakebaker]

We didn't like the Illuminations Dessert Party. We did it for the viewing area, not the desserts. The desserts were fine, but there are not seats, just bar height very small tables and only a handful that are in the prime viewing area. If you aren't among the very first to go in, you won't get one. We were probably within the first 10 to get in and still didn't get a fence line table because we didn't push and shove to get to them. We ended up sitting on the ground in between 2 tables. Not comfortable, not relaxing and not fun.

There are a lot of great areas to watch from, we just didn't want to have to claim a spot an hour or 2 in advance, but the dessert buffet did not solve the problem. I'm sure you'll get opinions opposite of ours, but for us, it was a waste of a couple hundred dollars.

 

[NewCrew42]

I have the same concerns as the OP, and would appreciate input from those who have attended the party or have used FP+. When your "child" is charged an adult price, $49 is pretty steep. It would be nice if there were 3 pricing tiers, 10 and under, 11-20 and 21+. Just a thought... But perhaps the pricing is to keep this as an adult only event.

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

We (2 adults and 2 19 year olds) used FP+ on our first night and did the dessert party on our last night. We liked the FP+ MUCH better than the dessert party, not only because it was free, but it seemed way less crowded. Back in December, the dessert party was off center behind the left gift shop and the FP+ area was right in the middle of the gift shops, which is a much better view. There were only 10 or so tables that had a relatively good view, and some families did not even have a table. It's definitely not as relaxing as the Wishes party.

 

[Robo]

There are a lot of great places to watch IllumiNations.

 

[PSUGuy]

There are a lot of great places to watch IllumiNations.

True, but we're giving the FP+ a try during F&W on a night not having the party. Our goal is to enjoy a stroll around WS in the semi dark until very close to Illum. time. Last Oct we got a place on the bridge between the UK and France and at the last minute a lady with a kid in a wheel chair guilted wifey into letting them squeeze in. Wouldn't have happened if I was alone and it won't happen, hopefully, with a FP+.

Bill From PA

 

[disnut8]

We find the best spots in the back of World Showcase, usually around Germany. We find we can get a spot about 30 minutes before showtime, there are bathrooms there and food/drinks places as well. Also, because it's at the back of the park, it doesn't get that crowded until the last minutes. The biggest plus is once the show is over, it's a nice walk to the front and if you make a bathroom stop (Norway is usually not crowded at all - the ladies stalls might have one or two occupied so not a problem) and then continue to the front at your own pace, the park will be mostly emptied out. If you drove, getting to your car and exiting is easy and things are very well set up for that. If you took Disney transportation, the longest we've had to wait for a bus back to Pop Century was ten minutes and that's because the bus at the station had filled up so we had to wait for the next one. The shortest time was less than a minute because once the bus at the station had filled up, there was one waiting right behind it.

I used to dread even thinking about Illuminations (my favorite nighttime show) unless we were staying offsite but then I did it with Disney transportation and was amazed.

 

[Robo]

Last Oct we got a place on the bridge between the UK and France and at the last minute a lady with a kid in a wheel chair guilted wifey into letting them squeeze in. Wouldn't have happened if I was alone and it won't happen, hopefully, with a FP+.

But, you won't be getting "front row" positions in the FP+ area unless you arrive there early and hold 'em.
(And, if someone "more deserving" comes along, your wife can decide to be magnanimous there, too.)

So regardless, either you arrive early for FP+ (or Dessert Party) or you arrive early elsewhere.

 

[amandals2007]

we dont do dessert party or FP+ for illuminations, i might be shooting myself in the foot by saying this and giving someone the idea, but we make a dinner reservation at rose and crown for around 730, ask to sit outside and then we can stay and have perfect view of illuminations while eating dinner and not be bothered or having to save a seat.

 

[Jedimike]

We did FP+ in early December (snagged it as a fifth FP+ so that was nice) and got there 30 minutes early. All of the up front fence viewing was gone. I was able to snag a spot further back and lean backwards on a fence, which I liked, but you get people in front of you. If your kids are older, I feel like you don't necessarily have to have an up front spot. They'll be able to see the majority of the show from anywhere.

All that being said, my favorite spot is from the patio at Rose and Crown. While drinking a cold beer. 8:00 PM dinner reservation has worked well multiple times.

 

[DisneyKidds]

On our last trip we did both. While we enjoyed both (we are go with the flow kinda people and can enjoy anything, it's WDW!), we enjoyed FP+ more I guess.

As for the dessert party, it is spendy. It does get you out of the crowds (we were there between Christmas and New Year's), you do get desssert (which was pretty good), and some booze for the adults (champagne, prosecco, rum punch). No, there isn't seating. However, we passed on trying to get a 'railing' table, and grabbed a table next to one of the planting areas that had a low wall around it.....et voila, seats! It was relaxing, fun to people watch, out of the crowds, and we had a very good view without having staked out a spot and fought off the crowds.

As for FP+, we went on NYE and arrived about 40 minutes before the 6:00 show. It wasn't crowded at all and we had plenty of elbow room and more. I have seen other reports of it being crowded, but it wasn't for us. The viewing area for FP+ is better than it is for the dessert party, but they are both very good. Only downside to FP+ is you have to give up Soarin' or Test Track.

Regular viewing....there are tons of good, free spots for that. Even during busy times you can find something good 45 minutes ahead, which is at least as much time as you'll invest in the dessert party or FP+. Illuminations is not wall to wall people like watching Wishes from Main St. in front of the Castle. Our favorite spots....by Norway, by the gondolas in Italy, the bridge near France, and the steps in Canada. Biggest annoyance in the general population is the people who will inevitably show up at the last minute and try to squeeze/muscle into a tiny sliver of space in front of you, leaving you with an annoying view of their chowdah head!

If you want an experience and aren't shy about dropping the coin, the dessert party is fun. It may not be "worth" what you are paying for the desserts (can be worth it if you knock back a few drinks), but we didn't regret doing it, and wouldn't rule out doing it again in the future.

If you want the best view for free, and you don't need that tier 1 for something else, FP+ is the way to go.

Want to keep the money and hit up Soarin', go with the general public, and you won't have to invest too much time and you'll have a decent or better view, and you'll enjoy yourself if some selfish last minute idiot doesn't force their way in in front of your kids.

 

[Dan Murphy]

we dont do dessert party or FP+ for illuminations, i might be shooting myself in the foot by saying this and giving someone the idea, but we make a dinner reservation at rose and crown for around 730, ask to sit outside and then we can stay and have perfect view of illuminations while eating dinner and not be bothered or having to save a seat.

Test assured. others have had the idea.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm going with neither.

I wouldn't "spend" a tier 1 FP+ on Illuminations or spend money on the dessert party sans seats.

I've done the FP+ Illuminations and while it is nice to see it straight on didn't wow me.

Someone will eventually throw up a map of the best spots.

You can try the R&C but we go there because we like the food and not many seats are outside.

 

[twinspluscade]

Thanks for all the replies!

I think we'll opt for the FP+. We have three Epcot days, so can do Soarin' and TT the other two days.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

we dont do dessert party or FP+ for illuminations, i might be shooting myself in the foot by saying this and giving someone the idea, but we make a dinner reservation at rose and crown for around 730, ask to sit outside and then we can stay and have perfect view of illuminations while eating dinner and not be bothered or having to save a seat.

I thought I read reviews where seating could NOT be requested. Has this changed or did you just happen to be at the right place at the right time when a table opened up for your party size?

 

[amandals2007]

I thought I read reviews where seating could NOT be requested. Has this changed or did you just happen to be at the right place at the right time when a table opened up for your party size?

i didnt know that it couldnt be requested. i never heard that. two trips ago rose and crown was my pick for a new place to eat, and when we were there we saw that you could eat outside, and the hostess asked if we wanted to wait to eat outside (she even said that she suggested it since we could see illuminations from out there) so we said okay. we waited an extra 30 min for it. then we did it again last year no problem. and we will be booking it again next weekend when our 180 day window opens up for september

 

[Landslide305]

We are going to be at Epcot for 3 days so I have Soarin' and Test Track planned for 2 of the days. Should I pick Living with the Land or Illuminations as my 3rd day tier 1 FP?

 

[Robo]

i didnt know that it couldnt be requested. i never heard that.

It's not that you can't REQUEST it, it's that with hundreds of potential guests hankering for those tables, its far from a sure thing that you can actually get one of them.

 

[Robo]

We are going to be at Epcot for 3 days so I have Soarin' and Test Track planned for 2 of the days. Should I pick Living with the Land or Illuminations as my 3rd day tier 1 FP?

Neither is a priority need for FP+.

Here's the whole thing:
Details, logistics, and FP+ priorities found HERE.