Illuminations - is it worth looking for a good spot early?

[debkorb1]

I know with Fantasmic you have to arrive about a week early, but is it important to get to your spot early with Illuminations? The Unofficial Guide says since the action is all in the sky so as long as you are not under a tree it'll be great.

I have PS at the Rose and Crown dining room at 7pm where there is apparently a good view of the Illuminations. Is it worth pushing it back to 7.45?

I will be in Epcot July 3rd.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We had a dinner PS at Rose and Crown once and really couldn't see Illuminations at all. Only the people on the patio area had a good view.

Personally I don't think it's necessary at all to stake out a spot for Illuminations. You can see them from almost any point around the World Showcase. For our family, we usually watch near Future World because sometimes our kids get scared and we need to leave early.

 

[kandmwedding]

I'd leave your PS right where it is. That way if you're lucky enough to get a patio table you can stretch your meal out so that you can watch Illumintions from there (just get dessert and coffee after dinner), and if you don't get a patio table you can eat a little quicker and still get outside to see the fireworks.

A lot of Illuminations is actually on the water, so it is better to be up close. However, since you can see it from all the way around the World Showcase, it's nearly impossible not to get a good seat.

I've seen it once from the patio at the Rose & Crown (spectacular view!!!!) and once from the boat landing near Morocca (kinda crappy in comparison the R&C). But suffice it to say, no matter where you are, and no matter how long you staked out a spot for (15 minutes is probably good), you'll get a great show!!!

 

[lentesta]

Hey debkorb1,

7:45 might be difficult to get, and even then you won't be guaranteed a view of Illuminations. As TigrLvsPooh and kandmwedding note, lots of places have good views.

My favorite little-known spot is the steps at the Canada pavilion. Plus it's close to Future World. I'd avoid the Morocco through Germany areas, as I've never been able to see everything well from there.

Hope this helps!

Len

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

My DH and I have PS for Rose and Crown at 7:30 pm. When I called for the PS the CM advised me that they no longer take requests for patio tables!! This is why I made the PS for that time!! We are going to try anyway, after all, it will be my birthday, I deserve a patio table during Illiminations, right?!?

 

[bengalfreak]

Originally posted by disneyfreakjackie
My DH and I have PS for Rose and Crown at 7:30 pm. When I called for the PS the CM advised me that they no longer take requests for patio tables!!

This policy is a direct result of people staying at the tables for hours at a time to try and get a prime view of illuminations as another poster to this thread suggested.

 

[Simba's Mom]

When I ate there, I had an indoor table, but thought I got a great view of Illuminations. That's because just before Illuminations, anyone indoors who wanted to could step out on the porch and watch Illuminations. There were even chairs out there! You were up next to the building, but since it's a few steps down to the patio, my view was perfect. Considering the fact that the weather was rather cold that night, I liked this situation where I got to eat my meal inside, yet still get a great Illuminations view. Was I just lucky or does this frequently happen where people can go outside at Illuminations time?