Illuminations - FastPass vs. Dessert Party

[Happy_Haunt999]

Here is a view from Germany of Illuminations.

There you go @robndani one of the views I was talking about earlier!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

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.

Germany is a great place to watch illuminations. Since I've seen the show enough I'll just sit in the benches and listen to the music and watch the fireworks. I will say that this location is great in the winter as the wind is usually blowing away from you. I will state that I have a few prime locations depending on the wind direction, but Germany is my favorite location. Allows for a nice walk back to the BW after the show.

 

[robndani]

There you go @robndani one of the views I was talking about earlier!

That's awesome!

Germany is a great place to watch illuminations. Since I've seen the show enough I'll just sit in the benches and listen to the music and watch the fireworks. I will say that this location is great in the winter as the wind is usually blowing away from you. I will state that I have a few prime locations depending on the wind direction, but Germany is my favorite location. Allows for a nice walk back to the BW after the show.

Okay, so depending on the wind that night, I'll message you!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

That's awesome!



Okay, so depending on the wind that night, I'll message you!

Usually either Germany or the bridge between France and the UK are great spots. Also, they are about opposite ends from each other, so no matter the wind direction, either spot will always be great.

 

[robndani]

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.

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.

I guess now I have a real decision to make since my 60 day window opened at midnight and there were no more Illuminations FastPasses left!!!!! I got A & E, 7DMT and lots of others, but no Illuminations. Now I just decide - to dessert or not to dessert.....

 

[PeasandCarrots]

This is one evening show that to me, unless you are going during peak times (crowd levels of 9 or 10) neither FP or Dessert party is necessary. I've never had an issue finding a spot 30 minutes prior to the show starting. Especially on the "back side" of the park because I think most people crowd towards the front to leave right after it's over.

 

[Live4theMagic]

I was thinking of booking the dessert party simply to have a little breathing room. From what I've read, it doesn't get too crowded there. As someone who doesn't handle tight/crowded spaces well, it might be worth the extra $ to me!

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

I was thinking of booking the dessert party simply to have a little breathing room. From what I've read, it doesn't get too crowded there. As someone who doesn't handle tight/crowded spaces well, it might be worth the extra $ to me!

But there are accounts of it getting more crowded there than other places in the WS. Perhaps it depends when one is there.

 

[GaryDis]

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.

The problem is that if you're standing at the lake in front of Germany, you don't get a good view of the Germany pavilion all lit up, and even the neighboring buildings are difficult to appreciate. Or at least that's my recollection.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

The problem is that if you're standing at the lake in front of Germany, you don't get a good view of the Germany pavilion all lit up, and even the neighboring buildings are difficult to appreciate. Or at least that's my recollection.

Then OP can go stand in Morocco or Norway because they're the two pavilions that don't light up.

 

[AngiTN]

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.

We did the Illuminations Desert Party last week. WE LOVE IT! Blows the Wishes Desert Party out of the water. I'll never do it again. We will do the Illuminations party every trip, provided it's offered during our trip. Desserts and booze were excellent. Watching Illuminations was just a bonus as far as we were concerned.

 

[AngiTN]

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!

I guess I have more money than brains. You probably aren't the first person to think that either. And all of you would be wrong. I just know what I like

 

[GaryDis]

We did the Illuminations Desert Party last week. WE LOVE IT! Blows the Wishes Desert Party out of the water. I'll never do it again. We will do the Illuminations party every trip, provided it's offered during our trip. Desserts and booze were excellent. Watching Illuminations was just a bonus as far as we were concerned.

What was better about it? The booze? Seating? More varied desserts?

 

[AngiTN]

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"!

This vet decided to book it for the desserts and drinks offered. The view of Illuminations just came along with the rest. DH and I both counted it as one of the best extras we've ever done (and we've done every one of them) Only Harambe Nights was better

 

[AngiTN]

What was better about it? The booze? Seating? More varied desserts?

Booze, desserts, and as for a view of what you are supposed to be seeing, The view.
Wishes has seating but you can't sit during Wishes. Desserts there were borderline awful. And no booze. And a horrendous view, in my opinion. Wishes isn't designed to be seen from that angle

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

This vet decided to book it for the desserts and drinks offered. The view of Illuminations just came along with the rest. DH and I both counted it as one of the best extras we've ever done (and we've done every one of them) Only Harambe Nights was better

If you want to fork out for something like that and desserts you can get anywhere then knock yourself out. That just assures me more room where I choose to stand for free. Have fun with your Entermanns donuts and cheap sparkling booze. Read other posts here that have spoken to that fact and said they will never do it again. Again, enjoy, I'm not here to fight with those who think these parties are the be all end all of everything.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

What was better about it? The booze? Seating? More varied desserts?

There's no seating.

 

[AngiTN]

If you want to fork out for something like that and desserts you can get anywhere then knock yourself out. That just assures me more room where I choose to stand for free. Have fun with your Entermanns donuts and cheap sparkling booze. Read other posts here that have spoken to that fact and said they will never do it again. Again, enjoy, I'm not here to fight with those who think these parties are the be all end all of everything.

You must have attended a different party than we did

 

[karmacats]

Apparently I have more appetite than i do money or brains, because i'm currently booked for both the illuminations party AND the hallowishes dessert party, two days in a row.

i don't understand the animosity toward people who are willing to pay extra for some snacks and a good view. if you don't want to participate, don't. but no need to tear down others who do. it makes it sound like you can't afford it and are jealous, even if that's not the case.

Fwiw, the reason we decided to do the illuminations party is because i've never really liked illuminations before (and i've seen it a dozen times, maybe more) until i saw it from the FP viewing spot last year. for some reason, that view made it gel for me. From what i understand, the dessert party is near the FP spot, so we figured, what the heck - good view, included desserts, and we know i'll enjoy it. we could have gone to the FP area again, but thought the desserts would be an added bonus. Will i eat $50 worth of desserts? no. will the entire experience be worth it to me anyway because of the fun and the good memories? yes (at least, i hope so - and if not, we just won't do the party again).

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

Apparently I have more appetite than i do money or brains, because i'm currently booked for both the illuminations party AND the hallowishes dessert party, two days in a row.

i don't understand the animosity toward people who are willing to pay extra for some snacks and a good view. if you don't want to participate, don't. but no need to tear down others who do. it makes it sound like you can't afford it and are jealous, even if that's not the case.

Fwiw, the reason we decided to do the illuminations party is because i've never really liked illuminations before (and i've seen it a dozen times, maybe more) until i saw it from the FP viewing spot last year. for some reason, that view made it gel for me. From what i understand, the dessert party is near the FP spot, so we figured, what the heck - good view, included desserts, and we know i'll enjoy it. we could have gone to the FP area again, but thought the desserts would be an added bonus. Will i eat $50 worth of desserts? no. will the entire experience be worth it to me anyway because of the fun and the good memories? yes (at least, i hope so - and if not, we just won't do the party again).

Yet there are people that will come and attack people who have opposing opinions than them for the same thing they just spoke about. There is no animosity, as said before we choose not to do it and that's that. We love illuminations and would rather spend our money on nice dinner and a spot within the WS, there was no mention of hating on anyone or animosity towards those that do the party. If you chose to do it, then you do and I'm happy for you, because that is your decision but there is no reason to turn around and pick at those who choose not to for whatever their personal reasons are after saying that they are the ones that hate on the Party goers.

The reason I ever posted in this thread in the first place was to try to help the OP and give an opinion that you don't have to fork out extra $$ to still have an excellent view of Illuminations. Whatever she chooses is her choice, it has no bearing on anyone but her. But I don't see the mind set of "you have to fork over $$ to get the best view of illuminations" because that is false.
Everyone have a nice day. I am out.