Illuminations - FastPass vs. Dessert Party

[robndani]

Hi! Although we've been to Disney a bunch of times, we've never been too interested in Illuminations because my kids didn't like fireworks. Now they they are 5, they want to stay for the show.

I see that you can FastPass Illuminations, but I just booked the Sparkling Dessert Party for 8:00 pm on our late Epcot night.

Is there a different location for Dessert Party vs. FastPass?

Is one better than the other?

Is there seating at one or the other?

Any info would be great! I've searched around, but didn't find quite what I was looking for.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Both are in the same area, that I am aware of which is on the Future World side of the Lagoon between the two identical gift shops. Honestly, you are better off just saving your FP for something else and or saving your dessert party money and staking out a place on the lagoon in one of the countries about an hour or so before Illuminations. Get a snack and hang out. I hope your kids enjoy the show. It is one of my favorites and also, it helped me convert my DBF into a Disney fan lol!

 

[robndani]

Both are in the same area, that I am aware of which is on the Future World side of the Lagoon between the two identical gift shops. Honestly, you are better off just saving your FP for something else and or saving your dessert party money and staking out a place on the lagoon in one of the countries about an hour or so before Illuminations. Get a snack and hang out. I hope your kids enjoy the show. It is one of my favorites and also, it helped me convert my DBF into a Disney fan lol!

Thanks for the info. There's actually no other FastPass that we need (I feel like there's not too much because Soarin and TT are same tier). I was just going to FastPass, but then saw Dessert Party and thought that might be fun!

Is there a certain spot near a country that is great to watch from?

 

[Robo]

Is there a certain spot near a country that is great to watch from?

There are so many places to view IllumiNations at Epcot's World Showcase
that are wonderful in their own way that its futile to try to list them... so I will.

• Bridge between UK and France
• Near the twin gift shops at the entrance to WS from FW
• Norway area
• Upper level (outside front terrace) of the Matsu No Ma Lounge in Japan
• Italy, near the Gondolas
• Mexico, at the new Cantina
• Mexico, bridge to the right of the Cantina (as you face the lagoon.)
• UK, the Rose & Crown outdoor dining area (ressies required.)
• UK, just to the left of the Rose & Crown (as you face the lagoon.)

• Many, many more great spots.

Be sure to avoid any tree branches that block your overhead view,
and watch out for any "islands" in the water
that block your view of the "center" of the lagoon.

Most Important Tip:

Don't stand down-wind of the fireworks.
Their SMOKE will ruin the show.
So, If the wind is blowing into your face as you look towards the Lagoon, you are in the wrong spot.
-----------------------

 

[Stinky_Pete]

The PP mentioned "staking out a place...about an hour or so before IllumiNations." That's what I refuse to do. So I am one of the people who love the fireworks FP+.

Although, truthfully, if you're not too picky as to your spot, you won't have to stake a spot out an hour in advance.

But both the FP+ and the dessert party locations are in an area that is prime viewing for IllumiNations. Other locations you can end up with an island between you and the show if you're not careful.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Thanks for the info. There's actually no other FastPass that we need (I feel like there's not too much because Soarin and TT are same tier). I was just going to FastPass, but then saw Dessert Party and thought that might be fun!

Is there a certain spot near a country that is great to watch from?

Most the countries have fab viewing areas. We love Germany near the fence (we usually grab a pretzel and a drink and/or something from Karamell Kuche) and relax as we love the pre-Illuminations music etc. We have also watched from China, Norway, Italy, and Japan. You just have to be aware of the wind direction on the given night so that you can see the show w/o it being blocked by the smoke.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Thanks for the info. There's actually no other FastPass that we need (I feel like there's not too much because Soarin and TT are same tier). I was just going to FastPass, but then saw Dessert Party and thought that might be fun!

Is there a certain spot near a country that is great to watch from?

See, I'm in the same boat. I park hop. So I usually only get FP+ at my evening park. Since I'll already have done Soarin' during one of my many mornings at Epcot, and I have no interest in Test Track, for me it makes sense to use it for IllumiNations. For others, maybe not so much.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

The PP mentioned "staking out a place...about an hour or so before IllumiNations." That's what I refuse to do. So I am one of the people who love the fireworks FP+.

Although, truthfully, if you're not too picky as to your spot, you won't have to stake a spot out an hour in advance.

But both the FP+ and the dessert party locations are in an area that is prime viewing for IllumiNations. Other locations you can end up with an island between you and the show if you're not careful.

Yes, that is true. But honestly, the viewing spot on the Future World side isn't really "prime" Disney just wants you believe that and blindly hand over your $$ for something you can see anywhere. I'd rather be closer to the actual globe and the inferno barge on the other side of those said islands (which will block your view on the FW side) than stand on the FW side and pay extra. Also, I said stake out about an hour before because I wasn't sure when she was going and what crowds are like then. There are many times that you can just walk up not long before the show and still have an excellent place to see from. I have been doing this for over 15 years and I have a good idea what to do. If you want to fork out then fine, you probably aren't there to really take in the atmosphere of the WS like I am and that's fine. Different strokes for different folks, but I'm not going to tell the OP something that is going to steer them wrong and cost them $$ in the meantime.

 

[robndani]

Thanks for the many different POVs!

Here's another question -

My 5 year olds are deciding they now like fireworks, but who knows what will happen that night. Is the FP area "closer" to the fireworks or are they right in the middle of the lagoon?

*It's so funny that I even have to ask - we've been to WDW 8 times in the last 4 years, but we've always booked it out of there before the show.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Thanks for the many different POVs!

Here's another question -

My 5 year olds are deciding they now like fireworks, but who knows what will happen that night. Is the FP area "closer" to the fireworks or are they right in the middle of the lagoon?

*It's so funny that I even have to ask - we've been to WDW 8 times in the last 4 years, but we've always booked it out of there before the show.

They are more on the WS side of the lagoon, I mean you can see them from the FP/ Future World side, but there is an island in the way of the globe and the inferno barge. But no, the fireworks aren't "closer" to the FP area.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Dessert Party offers treats, donuts, chocolate and booze. It's a Disney event with a premium price. You also get a good view of Illuminations. We go every trip now. The event is worth the premium. Cheapskates hate it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We have done the Illuminations FP+ and, quite honestly, you need to get there as early as you would if you staked out your own spot. There are no seats at either the FP+ spot or the dessert party and you need to get close to the railing (especially with small children) to make the FP+ worthwhile.

All spots for the fireworks around the lagoon are pretty much equidistant to the fireworks. If you have no other FP+ you want to make, I would go ahead and make the Illuminations FP+, just get there on the early side. Or, as a PP mentioned, there are some great spots around the lagoon. Our favorites are Norway and Italy by the gondolas if there isn't a special event going on there. In fact, if you watch from Italy and the MK fireworks happen to be at the same time as Illuminations on the night you are viewing, you can see the MK and EP fireworks at the same time - it's pretty cool!

Another idea for watching - make a reservation for Spice Road Table and ask to sit outside.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Dessert Party offers treats, donuts, chocolate and booze. It's a Disney event with a premium price. You also get a good view of Illuminations. We go every trip now. The event is worth the premium. Cheapskates hate it.

Ahh yes, cheapskates hate it! Just because vets know that they don't have to fork out to eat crappy donuts and chocolates and low end booze to have a so called premium view of Illuminations and would rather invest in a nice premium dinner and watch from a "better" place they know of around the WS. Oh well, less people standing near us "cheapskates"!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Dessert Party offers treats, donuts, chocolate and booze. It's a Disney event with a premium price. You also get a good view of Illuminations. We go every trip now. The event is worth the premium. Cheapskates hate it.

And see my take on the Dessert Party is it's for people with more money than brains. But I guess that's coming from a cheapskate! $50 per person to stand around eating the same snacks you can get at Epcot anyway, cheap sparkly wine that's only considered good because they're pouring it unlimited, and the chance to stand all evening. That's right, $50 a head and you can't even sit down! Oh, yeah, you get "premium" viewing space, right next to the people with the free FPs. Yep, this cheapskate will keep her money, thank you very much!

 

[GaryDis]

Do they still light up the various World Showcase buildings during Illuminations?

For me, one of the downsides of the various recommended locations around the WS was not being able to see the buildings as well. I've always felt that near the base (where they have the FP+ areas now), or at most by the Mexico cantina was best.

 

[Robo]

1. Do they still light up the various World Showcase buildings during Illuminations?

2. For me, one of the downsides of the various recommended locations around the WS was not being able to see the buildings as well. I've always felt that near the base (where they have the FP+ areas now), or at most by the Mexico cantina was best.

1. Yes.
2. Each area offers different views of the buildings.
"Theater in the round" for an outdoor spectacular with lasers, sparkling mini-lights, water features, video effects and fireworks.

 

[robndani]

Wait, no seating?!? I'm out.

LOL

 

[nduckles]

And see my take on the Dessert Party is it's for people with more money than brains. But I guess that's coming from a cheapskate! $50 per person to stand around eating the same snacks you can get at Epcot anyway, cheap sparkly wine that's only considered good because they're pouring it unlimited, and the chance to stand all evening. That's right, $50 a head and you can't even sit down! Oh, yeah, you get "premium" viewing space, right next to the people with the free FPs. Yep, this cheapskate will keep her money, thank you very much!

Well, I don't have more money than brains, but several people said they really enjoyed this, so I booked it. To each his own, I guess.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Ahh yes, cheapskates hate it! Just because vets know that they don't have to fork out to eat crappy donuts and chocolates and low end booze to have a so called premium view of Illuminations and would rather invest in a nice premium dinner and watch from a "better" place they know of around the WS. Oh well, less people standing near us "cheapskates"!

That's my take on it as well. If it had reserved seating -- or even somewhere to sit -- I'd be eager to try it. But, from the reviews I've read, you have to get there just as early as you would to stake out a spot anywhere else, otherwise you won't have a place close enough to the railing to have a good view. Having done the dessert party at MK many times, I know these events are really more about the convenience than the desserts themselves, and the Epcot one, as it is today, doesn't seem to offer any real advantage over staking out your own place.

But, maybe I just expect more out of a "premium" event.

 

[mousehockey37]

Here is a view from Germany of Illuminations.