Illuminations Dining on July 4th

[LindsayHD]

Hi Everyone,
We were able to snag R & C Illuminations Dining somehow on the 4th of July. We are planning on using the deluxe dining plan and I know that this is not covered. That kills me since we are paying so much for that dining plan, but I digress.
We had already planned on seeing Illuminations earlier in the week, so my question is, is it worth it to see Illuminations on July 4th to pay this? We have never been to WDW for this holiday so are the fireworks THAT good? We are staying at the Poly and were just planning on watching the MK fireworks from the beach that night and not even thinking of going to the parks because of the crowds, but since we were able to get these reservations and this is the last year for Illuminations, I am considering it. Thoughts? Experiences? I don't mind paying and fighting those crowds if the fireworks are that spectacular.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hi Everyone,
We were able to snag R & C Illuminations Dining somehow on the 4th of July. We are planning on using the deluxe dining plan and I know that this is not covered. That kills me since we are paying so much for that dining plan, but I digress.
We had already planned on seeing Illuminations earlier in the week, so my question is, is it worth it to see Illuminations on July 4th to pay this? We have never been to WDW for this holiday so are the fireworks THAT good? We are staying at the Poly and were just planning on watching the MK fireworks from the beach that night and not even thinking of going to the parks because of the crowds, but since we were able to get these reservations and this is the last year for Illuminations, I am considering it. Thoughts? Experiences? I don't mind paying and fighting those crowds if the fireworks are that spectacular.

I'm surprised that it's not included on the DDxDP but the Illuminations dining package is not a something I've ever researched.

Suggestion.
Have dinner off the package at the Epcot restaurant of your choice using your dining plan. After enjoying your meal go to either the point over by Italy or the bridge between France and the UK and watch the fireworks. It's an unrestricted view from either of those points over the lake. We tend to stay over by the Boardwalk and walk over about 15-30 minutes ahead of time and see the whole show with no problems.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would keep the reservation, but only if you are planning on seeing the first showing of the MK July 4th fireworks that will be held on July 3. If not, I, personally, would prefer to see the MK fireworks on July 4 than the EP ones.

 

[LindsayHD]

I'm surprised that it's not included on the DDxDP but the Illuminations dining package is not a something I've ever researched.

Suggestion.
Have dinner off the package at the Epcot restaurant of your choice using your dining plan. After enjoying your meal go to either the point over by Italy or the bridge between France and the UK and watch the fireworks. It's an unrestricted view from either of those points over the lake. We tend to stay over by the Boardwalk and walk over about 15-30 minutes ahead of time and see the whole show with no problems.

Even on the 4th? It is not that crowded that you can walk in there that late?

 

[LindsayHD]

I would keep the reservation, but only if you are planning on seeing the first showing of the MK July 4th fireworks that will be held on July 3. If not, I, personally, would prefer to see the MK fireworks on July 4 than the EP ones.

Thank you. Yes we are planning on seeing the MK ones from the Poly beach on the 3rd. Thanks for your advice.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Hi Everyone,
We were able to snag R & C Illuminations Dining somehow on the 4th of July. We are planning on using the deluxe dining plan and I know that this is not covered. That kills me since we are paying so much for that dining plan, but I digress.
We had already planned on seeing Illuminations earlier in the week, so my question is, is it worth it to see Illuminations on July 4th to pay this? We have never been to WDW for this holiday so are the fireworks THAT good? We are staying at the Poly and were just planning on watching the MK fireworks from the beach that night and not even thinking of going to the parks because of the crowds, but since we were able to get these reservations and this is the last year for Illuminations, I am considering it. Thoughts? Experiences? I don't mind paying and fighting those crowds if the fireworks are that spectacular.

The crowds are MASSIVE at Epcot on 7/4 to. The fireworks are great, but even with the reservation it's going to be a mob scene to and from the restaurant and getting out of the park. If you are staying at an Epcot resort it's not bad but since you aren't understand that it's going to be a long trip back to the Poly. Illuminiations is at 10 so you probably won't be back to the Poly until around midnight. (15 minutes for illuminations, some additional time for the July 4 tag, then the trek out of the park and lines for transport etc.. figure 90 minutes if you are lucky to get out of there!)

Just a warning in case you have little ones or early entry plans on the 5th.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Even on the 4th? It is not that crowded that you can walk in there that late?

Set up a reservation search at touring plan for the time range and restaurant you want. When one comes in book it and cancel the Illuminations package.

 

[NYCgrrl]

The crowds are MASSIVE at Epcot on 7/4 to. The fireworks are great, but even with the reservation it's going to be a mob scene to and from the restaurant and getting out of the park. If you are staying at an Epcot resort it's not bad but since you aren't understand that it's going to be a long trip back to the Poly. Illuminiations is at 10 so you probably won't be back to the Poly until around midnight. (15 minutes for illuminations, some additional time for the July 4 tag, then the trek out of the park and lines for transport etc.. figure 90 minutes if you are lucky to get out of there!)

Just a warning in case you have little ones or early entry plans on the 5th.

To get around the crowds heading for the main gate and all the traffic associated, go out the IG (if you eat at R+C you'll be closest to it anyway), take the boat (or walk) to the closest Boardwalk area hotel, and take the bus to MK. Then you've the choice of a boat or monorail or bus to Poly. Does a good job of cutting the travel time and crowds.

 

[LindsayHD]

To get around the crowds heading for the main gate and all the traffic associated, go out the IG (if you eat at R+C you'll be closest to it anyway), take the boat (or walk) to the closest Boardwalk area hotel, and take the bus to MK. Then you've the choice of a boat or monorail or bus to Poly. Does a good job of cutting the travel time and crowds.

Great idea. Thanks!

 

[LindsayHD]

The crowds are MASSIVE at Epcot on 7/4 to. The fireworks are great, but even with the reservation it's going to be a mob scene to and from the restaurant and getting out of the park. If you are staying at an Epcot resort it's not bad but since you aren't understand that it's going to be a long trip back to the Poly. Illuminiations is at 10 so you probably won't be back to the Poly until around midnight. (15 minutes for illuminations, some additional time for the July 4 tag, then the trek out of the park and lines for transport etc.. figure 90 minutes if you are lucky to get out of there!)

Just a warning in case you have little ones or early entry plans on the 5th.

Thank you so much! This is so helpful. We will have a 16 month old with us, who is used to staying up late but not THAT late. So that will help us make our decision for sure. I appreciate your honesty and input. I don't even mind paying for a minnie van to leave like from the BC or something but even those will probably be hard to get. It may just be best to skip it and watch from the Poly. At least then, we can go right back to our room or he can sleep in his stroller easily.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thank you so much! This is so helpful. We will have a 16 month old with us, who is used to staying up late but not THAT late. So that will help us make our decision for sure. I appreciate your honesty and input. I don't even mind paying for a minnie van to leave like from the BC or something but even those will probably be hard to get. It may just be best to skip it and watch from the Poly. At least then, we can go right back to our room or he can sleep in his stroller easily.

My experience is that a Minnie Van right after Illuminations can be tough. I generally walk out of the park to the BC and call Uber or Lyft (but I know the carseat is an issue with them) and often see people waiting who appear to have long waits for the Minnie Van (one woman was actually pretty upset that I showed up after she did, called for a Lyft and left before she did I could hear her loudly complaining to bell services about Minnie Vans as I got in my car and this was just on a random day last fall)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you so much! This is so helpful. We will have a 16 month old with us, who is used to staying up late but not THAT late. So that will help us make our decision for sure. I appreciate your honesty and input. I don't even mind paying for a minnie van to leave like from the BC or something but even those will probably be hard to get. It may just be best to skip it and watch from the Poly. At least then, we can go right back to our room or he can sleep in his stroller easily.

Illuminations is at 9 pm. It's about 20 minutes long for the regular show plus the holiday finale that evening. If you are watching from R&C, you would probably be at the Beach Club hailing a Minnie Van around 9:35 pm. As PP's have mentioned, though, getting Minnie Van at that time can be problematic. Your other option is getting a bus to MK and then boat or monorail to Poly from there. It really could take up to 90 minutes to get back to Poly from Beach Club that night. If it's a total hassle with a 16-month old, I would skip it, personally.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Illuminations is at 9 pm. It's about 20 minutes long for the regular show plus the holiday finale that evening. If you are watching from R&C, you would probably be at the Beach Club hailing a Minnie Van around 9:35 pm. As PP's have mentioned, though, getting Minnie Van at that time can be problematic. Your other option is getting a bus to MK and then boat or monorail to Poly from there. It really could take up to 90 minutes to get back to Poly from Beach Club that night. If it's a total hassle with a 16-month old, I would skip it, personally.

On July 4th it's at 10 PM according to the Disney calendar I found on the DIS. I assume that's correct, but......

 

[DisneyWishes14]

On July 4th it's at 10 PM according to the Disney calendar I found on the DIS. I assume that's correct, but......

The WDW website has it listed as starting at 9:00 pm. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars/day/2019-07-04/