Illuminations fastpass?

[cranleys]

As anyone fast padres illuminations? Was it worth using a fast pass for?

Thanks

 

[mesaboy2]

As anyone fast padres illuminations? Was it worth using a fast pass for?

Thanks

I have not personally used it, but I know how it works and based on that do not recommend it. The simple truth is that getting a "good" spot for IllumiNations just 15-20 minutes before the show is not difficult. For that reason alone, I don't see it as a good use of FP+--particularly in a park with tiering.

See the green link in my signature for my FP+ suggestions.

 

[morethananyonex]

As anyone fast padres illuminations? Was it worth using a fast pass for?

Thanks

I think it's worth it if you don't plan on riding TT or Soarin'. I would rank it as my 3rd choice from tier one.

 

[Pixie Princess]

For me it was worth it. The location for the viewing is one of my favorite places to watch Illuminations. It was nice to know we had the spot secured. That said, when we did this it was prior to the attraction tiering. If it meant choosing between Soarin' and Illuminations, no way would I blow the FP on Illuminations.

 

[Robo]

-The location for the viewing is one of my favorite places to watch Illuminations...

The FP+ viewing spot is behind the west building (left #13 on the map) of the "Twin Gift Shops."

 

[Dreams0308]

Where exactly is the viewing location for IllumiNations if you have a FP+? I'm always trying to find a good spot to view it from because I LOVE IllumiNations!!! I am just curious where Disney determined the best location was....

 

[Dreams0308]

The FP+ viewing spot is behind the west building (left #13 on the map) of the "Twin Gift Shops."

Thanks! Just say your reply right before I could get my question out

 

[dawnmichele]

Illuminations is a first tier choice?

We went in December, before the tiering started at Epcot, and chose it as a FP+ for one day. I thought it was great - we did show up early but we were ready for a break. There weren't any spots right along the railing but we had a super clear view. I liked it a lot for taking pictures - it's a prime spot for that. But I agree it's not hard to get a good spot for Illuminations, anyway, and I doubt I'd ever use a first tier slot on it.

 

[morethananyonex]

Illuminations is a first tier choice?

We went in December, before the tiering started at Epcot, and chose it as a FP+ for one day. I thought it was great - we did show up early but we were ready for a break. There weren't any spots right along the railing but we had a super clear view. I liked it a lot for taking pictures - it's a prime spot for that. But I agree it's not hard to get a good spot for Illuminations, anyway, and I doubt I'd ever use a first tier slot on it.

Yes, first tier. So are TT/Soarin'/Character Spot/Maelstrom.

 

[ktlm]

As anyone fast padres illuminations? Was it worth using a fast pass for?

Thanks

We did it before tiering, and our night the area was not crowded (not that many people FP+ is that night) so it was great. It would not be great had the packed the area like sardines- or even half full. However, now that FP+ is tiered, there is absolutely no way, I would pick an Illuminations FP+ over Soarin or Test Track. You can easily find a spot somewhere to see Illuminations- you can not easily avoid a long line for either Soarin or Test Track.

 

[HopperFan]

Probably one of the worse FP+ I got. I tried it for all parades and fireworks shows and this was a total bust. Arrived almost an hour before and still could not see, we would have been better off finding our own spot on the rail.

 

[Robo]

Probably one of the worse FP+ I got. I tried it for all parades and fireworks shows and this was a total bust. Arrived almost an hour before and still could not see, we would have been better off finding our own spot on the rail.

AND...
As long as we're discussing possible drawbacks-

If the WIND happens to be blowing towards the north that night,
you do NOT want to be standing in the FP+ reserved IllumiNations area.

The smoke and cinder fallout from the fireworks can ruin the show.

It's easy to move to a spot not downwind if you're not locked to a single viewing location.

Yes, you could move to another viewing spot if you held a FP+ for IllumiNations,
but you will have wasted that FP+ in holding it until near IllumiNations start-time.

 

[KelleyK75]

Can someone explain what the tiering is or how it works? We haven't been in a few years and are going in March. I am hearing about all of FastPass changes and haven't seen the tiering part explained. Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

Can someone explain what the tiering is or how it works? We haven't been in a few years and are going in March. I am hearing about all of FastPass changes and haven't seen the tiering part explained. Thanks!

See the green link in my signature.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Can someone explain what the tiering is or how it works? We haven't been in a few years and are going in March. I am hearing about all of FastPass changes and haven't seen the tiering part explained. Thanks!

In EP and HS, rides are tiered. You allowed 1 FP+ in the tier 1 group and 2 in the other. Right now all 3 FP+ are to be used in the same park. So in EP, Soarin'/TT/Maelstrom/character meet n greet/Illuminations are all tier 1. That means you use the other 2 on Figment, Spaceship Earth, mission space, living the land, turtle talk and some others I am forgetting b/c they never needed a FP. In HS, TSMM, RnRC, Fantasmic and I believe Beauty and the Beast are all tier 1. Again, you only get to FP+ one of those rides.

When I went in Dec, I arrived at rope drop and did what I could when waits were short. Then hopped and used FP+ in the afternoon. Arriving at Rope Drop is still crucial in my opinion if you want to ride more than 3 rides with short waits or if you want 2 rides on a few of your favorite rides.

 

[KelleyK75]

In EP and HS, rides are tiered. You allowed 1 FP+ in the tier 1 group and 2 in the other. Right now all 3 FP+ are to be used in the same park. So in EP, Soarin'/TT/Maelstrom/character meet n greet/Illuminations are all tier 1. That means you use the other 2 on Figment, Spaceship Earth, mission space, living the land, turtle talk and some others I am forgetting b/c they never needed a FP. In HS, TSMM, RnRC, Fantasmic and I believe Beauty and the Beast are all tier 1. Again, you only get to FP+ one of those rides.

When I went in Dec, I arrived at rope drop and did what I could when waits were short. Then hopped and used FP+ in the afternoon. Arriving at Rope Drop is still crucial in my opinion if you want to ride more than 3 rides with short waits or if you want 2 rides on a few of your favorite rides.

Thanks so much! I get it now. I can do the picks soon & wanted to make sure I understood it.

 

[KelleyK75]

See the green link in my signature.

Thank you!

 

[Damien2213]

The FP+ viewing spot is behind the west building (left #13 on the map) of the "Twin Gift Shops."

Robo can you remind me where to find these great Disney Maps again?

 

[mesaboy2]

Robo can you remind me where to find these great Disney Maps again?

http://stitchkingdom.com/maps/

 

[Damien2213]

http://stitchkingdom.com/maps/

Thank You!