Illuminations DP Location Help!

[crystalllize]

So, during my planning session, my planner and I were trying to nail down a location for our dessert party. I had initially wanted a Fantasmic dessert party, but (of course!) the show isn't running that night. Our reception is at the CG, so we'll already be seeing Wishes, so Illuminations is our only option.

We were told that the only open locations for our group size (38 people) is either upper UK or the "French Arm." I *really* didn't want to use the upper UK location because my cousin had her DP there 3 years ago and I would prefer not having to use the same space, plus I remember it being really *really* dark in that location.

So, that leaves us with the French Arm. I've watched illuminations from that location and was disappointed with the view because the trees completely blocked the view of the ball in the center of the lagoon. Has anyone had their DP at this location? How was the view, in your opinion?

I'm really uneasy about the entire thing, because I feel like we have no options. HELP!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Are you planning the DP on your wedding day?
If so, are you going to manage to see both Wishes and Illuminations as are they not at roughly the same time?
Perhaps I am missing something here!!

 

[DisneyBride1207]

confused as well - clarify! hehe

 

[puente0629]

I think she means that she wanted Fantasmic but it's not available and during her reception she will be seeing the Wishes Fireworks, so she wants a good location at Epcot to see Illuminations (correct me if I'm wrong).

I've seen Illuminations from the France Pavilion and was able to watch everything, even the globe. We are having our DP at the Fran Pavilion, Rue De Paris.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

Yea, the part we are confused about is doing BOTH - it's not possible to do a DP for Illuminations at 9/9:30 and then Wishes is either at 9 or 10...we are confused as to WHEN she wants to do what. It sounds like she wants to do one after the other on the same date...That's what is the confusing part... But maybe she means for different dates...

If Wishes and Illuminations are showing at about the same time (between 9 and 10pm) on a given night, you can't do BOTH on the same day. Maybe the night before for a rehearsal dinner, then one the next night for the reception. We are doing Sago Cay to view Wishes for a Rehearsal dinner the night before - then on the wedding day for after the reception we are doing a DP in UK Lochside for Illuminations. Is this what you mean you want to do?

 

[puente0629]

Yea, the part we are confused about is doing BOTH - it's not possible to do a DP for Illuminations at 9/9:30 and then Wishes is either at 9 or 10...we are confused as to WHEN she wants to do what. It sounds like she wants to do one after the other on the same date...That's what is the confusing part... But maybe she means for different dates...

If Wishes and Illuminations are showing at about the same time (between 9 and 10pm) on a given night, you can't do BOTH on the same day. Maybe the night before for a rehearsal dinner, then one the next night for the reception. We are doing Sago Cay to view Wishes for a Rehearsal dinner the night before - then on the wedding day for after the reception we are doing a DP in UK Lochside for Illuminations. Is this what you mean you want to do?

Then most likely its a Welcome Party or Rehearsal...

 

[crystalllize]

Sorry, should have clarified!

The DP is supposed to be for our rehearsal the night before the wedding, December 14th. I had originally wanted a Fantasmic DP, but there is no Fantasmic showing on the 14th. I think we might end up scrapping the DP altogether since I'm really not fond of the location and I don't want to settle for something we don't love.

 

[lurkyloo]

We were told that the only open locations for our group size (38 people) is either upper UK or the "French Arm." I *really* didn't want to use the upper UK location because my cousin had her DP there 3 years ago and I would prefer not having to use the same space, plus I remember it being really *really* dark in that location.

So, that leaves us with the French Arm. I've watched illuminations from that location and was disappointed with the view because the trees completely blocked the view of the ball in the center of the lagoon. Has anyone had their DP at this location? How was the view, in your opinion?

I'm really uneasy about the entire thing, because I feel like we have no options. HELP!

Unfortunately, it looks like your event is during the busy holiday season, so it sounds like all the other suitable spaces have been booked by conventions/other weddings. If you've already watched the fireworks from French Island Arm and don't like them, nothing I can say will help.

One thing to do, though, is to keep checking with your planner about the location. Once you get to 30 days out, there's a chance that another event will have canceled and you can move into their space. This is what saved us from having to use UK Upper, and I was *so* glad I asked about it!

(BTW: French Arm and Rue de Paris are the same, so it sounds like you and Annie are using the same location!)

 

[DisneyBride1207]

AHA! hehehe

You do know there are many different Illuminations locations for a DP if you still want to, right? You don't have to just do UK or French Arm. There are other options

We are doing Sago Cay to view Wishes fireworks on the rehearsal dinner/DP, then Illuminations for a DP for the Reception the night of the wedding...

Good luck with your decision making!!

 

[SerpentQueenClaire]

Carrie, just wondering if UK Upper is not a very good spot as I sense you were not that keen from your post above? We only have a small group (less than 20) so are trying to find a suitable DP location and thought UK Upper may be an option? Can anyone suggest the best spot for us?!

 

[crystalllize]

Carrie, just wondering if UK Upper is not a very good spot as I sense you were not that keen from your post above? We only have a small group (less than 20) so are trying to find a suitable DP location and thought UK Upper may be an option? Can anyone suggest the best spot for us?!

Upper UK was the only other available option for us, other then the French Upper Arm. My cousin had her dessert party there 3 years ago and I wasn't overly impressed with the location. She had about 25 people and there was plenty of space, but it was *so* dark that you couldn't even see the desserts you were eating! She was trying to give out gifts to her bridesmaids, and we literally had to use cell phones as flashlights so people could see what they were getting! LOL

I don't know if this was a fluke thing, but it was a big deal for us. The view for Illuminations itself was fine, but I definitely would have preferred another location. JMHO!

 

[lurkyloo]

Carrie, just wondering if UK Upper is not a very good spot as I sense you were not that keen from your post above? We only have a small group (less than 20) so are trying to find a suitable DP location and thought UK Upper may be an option? Can anyone suggest the best spot for us?!

Don't worry—lots of people have had UK Upper and loved it! I just wasn't keen on the umbrellas, and I liked the idea of being right at the water's edge the way we were at UK Lower.

 

[SerpentQueenClaire]

If you had a group of between 10-15, which location would you pick for the DP? If there are only 10 of us then I think we will go for UK Pubside but if there are more of us I really don't know what to pick!!!

 

[icclemel]

Sorry, I'm new to all of this. Could someone tell me what is the difference between Wishes Fireworks and Epcot Illuminations is? And which one is better to see on your wedding day?

Thanks.

 

[Chilly]

Sorry, I'm new to all of this. Could someone tell me what is the difference between Wishes Fireworks and Epcot Illuminations is? And which one is better to see on your wedding day?

Thanks.

A Wishes DP would be at the GF. An Illuminations DP would be in the park.

Which is better is up to you. Its pretty 50/50 on here with who goes for what.

 

[icclemel]

A Wishes DP would be at the GF. An Illuminations DP would be in the park.

Which is better is up to you. Its pretty 50/50 on here with who goes for what.

Thanks Claire, is it the same thing just viewed from different locations?

 

[Chilly]

Thanks Claire, is it the same thing just viewed from different locations?

No they are different fireworks. Again different people prefer each one.

 

[geek+nerd]

Sorry, I'm new to all of this. Could someone tell me what is the difference between Wishes Fireworks and Epcot Illuminations is? And which one is better to see on your wedding day?

Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wishes+fireworks+magic+kingdom&aq=f
The above is the result of going to youtube and searching "wishes fireworks magic kingdom."

If you do the same for "illuminations fireworks epcot" you will get similar results.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

Illuminations you would have a close up view of, whereas, most locations for Wishes would have a view from outside of the park looking in. This is the biggest difference. They are both awesome fireworks shows! But, like one of the last posters said, google it/Youtube it to see videos of the different shows. Then, determine your options for DP locations to view the shows. Another difference is that if you have a DP as say, Sago Cay (which we are doing for our Rehearsal Dinner/DP), you won't hear the music and if you want it piped in is a hefty fee of about $600 (approximately). But, then again, there isn't currently a rental fee for Sago Cay and there are rental fees and per person viewing fees for a DP to view Illuminations in Epcot (which we are doing the following night for our Wedding Reception DP). So, it's all about balancing the costs, options, guest count, rental fees and then determining which show you really prefer for your DP. We chose Illuminations for the wedding night because we prefer the drama of being so up close to the show and having such a 'VIP' feel to our wedding - but that's just our opinion! We are regular Disney visitors and my fiance likes how 'cool' the Illuminations is with the torches around the world and the laser show aspect with the rotating LED globe. So, it boils down to opinion/cost, etc.! Regardless, it's DISNEY, and any choice you make will be amazing - it's all what you want!

Good luck in your decision! YOUTUBE!!!

 

[icclemel]

Fantastic, thanks for your help everyone!