Illuminations...is it worth it?

[4boysrus]

we are taking our first ever trip to WDW in february. we have 4 boys ages 7, 5, 3, and 8 months.

i really don't want to miss Illuminations at Epcot, but I don't know if it is really worth the being out so late. It doesn't start until 9 which means that we won't get back to our room before 10. we are planning on being at the parks at opening each morning to make the most of the time we have, so being back to the room so late will really cut into the the little ones sleep the next a.m.

i'm thinking i may just roll with it and squeeze it in one evening if everyone is happy. since the other parks close earlier we wouldn't have to worry about it interfering with other plans.

anyway, i wanted to get some feedback on the issue, and i know that there is no better place for feedback than here!

we are staying at Pop Century, so if anyone who's stayed there could tell me how long Illuminations usually last and how long it took you to get back to Pop, that'd be great. We'll likely drive our car to the parks so we won't have to wait for bus service.

Thanks in advance!

 

[missmun52]

Personally I really liked illuminations and think that it is very much worth seeing. I would only suggest staying if you know everyone is going to be ok though. If you have a stroller for the two younger ones they may be able to go to sleep in the stroller while everyone stays and sees the show.

The last thing you want is crying kids who dont want to be there, If that happens you wont enjoy the show. Also, You can plan, if you have not already, a nap/rest time the day you expect to stay late for the show so everyone is not extra tired at the end of the night and you may plan a late start the next day so everyone gets rest and is not cranky the next morning.

Have fun!!

edited to say I am not sure how long illuminations lasts (it was not long though) I think we were back in the room around 10 and we took the bus back to POP. You will love POP by the way, at least I really did!

 

[tedhowe]

A couple of thoughts with that age range of children:

Do you plan to have an "off" day in the trip where you don't go to the parks? You didn't say how long you are going to be there for, but especially with young children, I recommend it.

If you are going to have an off day, you could do the late night to see Illuminations the night before that day... that way everyone can sleep in some the next day.

I definitely would not recommend trying to go to Illuminations with 4 children who have been going, going, going all day. You should try to be sure to get a mid-day, mid-afternoon nap/rest in before going back to the park for dinner/some more attractions/Illuminations.

Ted

 

[4boysrus]

we will be there from the 11-17.

i have a rest time planned for every afternoon. figured we'd get a few hours in in the a.m., then a break, then a few more hours in in the evening.

also through out the week i have some time scheduled to hang at the resort as well as Downtown Disney.

Thanks for the ideas so far. It'll probably end up being a spur of the moment decision while we're there.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

This doesn't answer your question, but just a thought on taking kids to Illuminations. Now, granted, my experience may be somewhat different than most others here, but Illuminations was not a big hit with our family. Loud noises really bother DS (then 7), and the ear plugs I had faithfully brought along didn't work for him at all. DD4 wasn't crazy about it either. If any of your children are sensitive to noise, practice using earplugs before you leave, make sure they work, and still be prepared for the possibility that someone might not like it.

 

[GEM]

Illuminations is one of my little guy's very favorite things in all of Disney World. He's been five times and he's loved it on every trip. One of my favorite memories of the trip he when he was 18 months old was watching his face during Illuminations. He just kept saying "Wow!" and dancing! I think more people were watching him than were watching the show. Now, at the very mature age of 3 1/2, it's still one his absolute favorites. We wouldn't think of missing it. We always make sure we have a good spot right along the edge of the lagoon. To us, it's definatley worth it. I will say, though, that our guy is very easy going and a great traveler. He's not, and never has been, one of those "needs to be on a strict routine/early to sleep" kind of kids.

 

[MEM]

Personally, I think IllumiNations is worth the price of admission to Epcot all by itself! But then, I love it so much that it brings tears to my eyes.

It will spoil you for any other similiar type of show. However, the noise and lights and all might frighten your 8 month old.

 

[hvivona]

Last year when we went my girls were ages 3,5,7 and they really enjoyed illuminations. But, you also have to play it by ear with how the kids are feeling. If they are in high spirits, stay and enjoy. But, if they are cranky then no one will enjoy it. Use your best judgement.

 

[drakethib]

Well worth it IMHO.

The Kids will love it.

 

[Stitchfans]

It is awesome!! Well worth it, a must see. Even the music is great!

 

[bartleby1]

My kids love illuminations and I definitely think it is worth seeing. You mentioned that you are planning to do early mornings, then take a break in the afternoon and head back to the parks later in the day. Maybe on the day after you stay for illuminations, plan to sleep late the next morning, get to the parks later in the day and skip the afternoon break? Just a suggestion... only you know whether it will work for your family.

We don't do afternoon breaks, but we also only do two park days in a row. We just make it a longer vacation so we can have some extra down time.

Have a great time on your trip! If you don't get to see illuminations this time, you'll just have to start planning another trip soon, lol!

 

[Perditamarie]

It wasn't worth it for our 3 kids -- One was too tired, one was too cold (in August??!!!),and it was too loud for the third and neither dh or me could enjoy it either for all the complaining! For now, we skip fireworks and stick to regular bed times (that is so worth it). We will save the fireworks for when they are older.

 

[DisneyGirl1991]

I would definitely say Illuminations is worth it. We were actually just talking about it over supper and we haven't seen it for 10 months! We all loved it very much, the things they do are spectacular! I would definitely try to go.

 

[GEM]

For now, we skip fireworks and stick to regular bed times (that is so worth it). We will save the fireworks for when they are older.

I think that's really the key to a lot of it. We happen to have a kid who does not need a strict routine. He's really flexible, and, on vacations, we pretty much through our regular schedule out the window. He does fine with that. No problems. A lot of kids his age (3) don't work that way, though. They need to stick pretty close to the bedtimes, etc. that they are used to at home. If you happen to have one that doesn't need that sort of routine, it makes it much easier to catch the night events.

 

[pennypooh]

Is there a place we can watch (and still see) that won't be so close to the noise and crowds? (We've never been before so I'm not entirely sure how it's set up.)

 

[GEM]

Illuminations isn't really as good for that as most fireworks shows. A lot of the show actually takes place on the lagoon. You can't really see those parts very well if you aren't right up close. If you're at the Boardwalk or in that area, you can see some of the higher fireworks and stuff - but that's about it.

 

[amykathleen2005]

I loved Illuminations and think that it is really worth it if you love lights shows. One good thing is that you can see it from anywhere on the lagoon so there is not such a buildup of people and if you have to leave you can easily. I would definetely suggest it. You could just stake out a bench, get a counter service meal to go and have a relaxing dinner while you wait for it to start.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

It's definately worth seeing but things you should be aware of and prepared for are that it's very loud--not much chance a little one will sleep through it if they're tired. Our five month old slept through parts of it only because he was nursing. Also it's a long walk to exit the park after the show and everyone will be leaving all at once. So it's very crowded--could be hard to keep your group together if you don't wait until a lot of people leave before you. No matter if you're the first to leave or the last there will be lines for the buses and could be quite a wait. Plan that it will take you quite a while to get back to your resort. I think you and the kids will really like the show, but just be prepared for it.

 

[izzyBandlivismom]

My kids liked it. My youngest was 11 months at the time. We took brakes in the day and had naps and such...We did not do Illuminations on the day that we went to Epcot however, we had spent the morning somehwere and at the moment it escapes me as to where, and then went to Epcot for Illuminations. If you decide to go I hope that you enjoy it!

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I'd go to Epcot JUST FOR Illuminations. A far as I'm concerned, if you miss Illuminations, you missed Epcot completely. Just my opinion.

Also it's a long walk to exit the park after the show and everyone will be leaving all at once. So it's very crowded--could be hard to keep your group together if you don't wait until a lot of people leave before you. No matter if you're the first to leave or the last there will be lines for the buses and could be quite a wait. Plan that it will take you quite a while to get back to your resort.

My advice: get an early spot and plan to eat a snack or supper while you wait. With children a early spot is helpful, as you can relax and snack while you wait.
Do NOT leave after illuminations. Give it 45 minutes or so. Wait till everyone's gone THEN leave. The children will probably be sleeping anyways; damage is already done. The buses will still be there. You just avoid the crowds. The lines at the buses will be shorter too.