Illuminations Holiday Ending: Worth Seeing?

[Tam1067]

We will be at WDW for Xmas and have the Candlelight Processional package booked for December 23. I understand that with the package, we will get some reserved viewing of Illuminations.

We are not huge fans of Illuminations in general, and just saw it when we were there this August--and remembered that we do not really get a thrill out of it. However, we have never been at the holidays.

I am wondering--is the special holiday ending worth seeing? We try our best to be at the parks each morning for rope drop, too, so if we stick around for Illuminations, we will struggle the next morning.

 

[jekjones1558]

The Illuminations holiday tag is one of the highlights of my December trips. It brings tears to my eyes every time. I stay at Boardwalk and walk over for Illuminations every night that I can just to see and hear that ending. I actually have a YouTube version on my computer desktop right now and am watching it everyday. I hope this ending survives budget cuts, at least until I croak. Yes, I am obsessive, I realize. 16 days until I see it live.

 

[Robo]

Illuminations Holiday Ending: Worth Seeing?

Yes.

 

[Disney Spaz]

I have to agree it is worth it to see the holiday ending. IT makes the earth shake.

 

[Nancyg56]

I loved it!

 

[dfduck]

Hell Ya... 2700 shells fired off in just under 3 minutes.. Definately worth it.

 

[disneyfan6301]

YES!! Always brings a tear to my eye.

 

[ExecChef]

Only if you like fireworks loud bangs? it usually makes car alarms go off at BW and BC.

 

[stitch34]

OP, could have written the same question myself! Really not a fan of illuminations (though see Wishes almost every night each trip!) But kept thinking that the holiday ending will be something I will enjoy - so yep, will definitely be seeing it this trip, thanks to the comments by others!
Now the question is... is once enough to see it... or should I squeeze it in a second time, too!
Already have Wishes and Spectro 2 nights... MVMCP 2 nights... Osbourne Lights 2 nights and Fantasmic and 1 time for holiday illuminations...Has been a really tough trip to plan and being able to fit all the nighttime holiday stuff in along with regular stuff! We're all about the nights - and rope drop... never been!

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....IT makes the earth shake.

It really does. I have never seen nor heard/felt anything like it (short of an NHRA fuel dragster). It is stunning.

 

[wdwpirates]

Well, well, well worth it!!! Times 10!!!

 

[WEDWDW]

I "think" you will like it,but given that you are not an IlumiNations fan and it uses the same effects(Earth Globe,Fountains,Lasers,etc.)as IllumiNations,I suppose there is a chance you won't.It is hard for me to say for certain that someone who doesn't like IllumiNations would suddenly be "blown away" by the Holiday Tag.

I absolutely LOVE IllumiNations AND the Holiday Tag,but hopefully it is possible to not like one and like the other.I think it is definitely worth your time to find out.

 

[Princess.Neve]

While I don't dislike the regular Illuminations, it is certainly my least favorite of the three nighttime shows. I must admit however, that with the holiday ending, I can no longer make that statement. I make trips over just to see it.

 

[KristineN]

We love it!! We have an Illuminations cruise scheduled the 1st night that they are adding it on...I can't wait!!

 

[GrumpyGoofy]

Can someone tell me what date they add on the holiday ending? I am leaving in 7 days for Thanksgiving week. Will I be able to see it? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Can someone tell me what date they add on the holiday ending? I am leaving in 7 days for Thanksgiving week. Will I be able to see it? Thanks!

It starts running every year on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.
It will continue to run throughout the holidays.

(It's easy to tell... If IllumiNations is scheduled at 9:30PM, the holiday ending will be running.)

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We're passholders too, but since we only live about an hour north of Disney, we don't go overnight as often as I'd like to go. However, when we are at the parks and can stay for Illuminations, we'd do it every night. Once in a blue moon I like to stay for the late show at Magic Kingdom. But I prefer Illuminations.
Years ago we always tried to see the parade at World Showcase -- Tapestry of Nations, etc.
We just made reservations for an overnight stay in early December so that we can see the holiday ending to Illuminations. Love it.

 

[RMulieri]

Its nice, but if you didn't care for regular illuminations it uses the same effects essentially only 'let there be peace on earth' is the song

 

[Sooze]

Adding to the list of people who highly recommend the Holiday ending. I am a huge Illuminations fan but I was completely blown away by this ending. SO many fireworks with such a perfect song to go with the holiday/world showcase theme. Don't miss it!! Enjoy!

 

[Robo]

Its nice, but if you didn't care for regular illuminations it uses the same effects essentially only 'let there be peace on earth' is the song

What guests experience IS the "regular IllumiNations"... all the way through, with same music as the rest of the year.

Then, after that is concluded, they ADD the Holiday Finale which, yes, has the music track of Let There Be Peace On Earth,
with the added visual of a tremendous number of bright firework effects fired-off in such a dense manner, -during just the short added song, be about as many pyrotechnic shells as were used in the entire just seen "regular" IllumiNations presentation.

It is dazzling, breathtaking.


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