Illuminations on Independence Day

[Sargeant Tibbs]

A question for all of you who have watched Illuminations on the fourth of July - How early do people start camping out for spots to view the fireworks?

 

[memakwed]

Honestly from what I remember maybe an hour/hour and a half. They are the best fireworks!. I remember we had dinner in France and then strolled out and found our spot rather close. It was getting filled but manageable to find a good spot at that point.

 

[WEDWDW]

'The Heartbeat of Freedom"(Special IllumiNations "Tag") is NOT to be missed!

Also,IllumiNations will start at 10:00 PM on the 4th.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

'The Heartbeat of Freedom"(Special IllumiNations "Tag") is NOT to be missed!

Also,IllumiNations will start at 10:00 PM on the 4th.

This is my first time being at Disney for the fourth of July holiday. I stretched our vacation out a day longer just to be able to see Epcot's fireworks. We're going to see the special fireworks at the MK on the 3rd. It'll be a tough couple of days to wind up the trip but I think it will be worth it!

 

[Phicinfan]

We got our seats 2hrs before, and let kids go ride while my wife and I sat and relaxed and waited.

 

[Cyrano]

Whilst it is clear folks camp out their spaces we have never entered the park during the day on the 4th July.
We tend to arrive around 8pm and have found reasonable spaces to watch Illuminations with the kids

 

[disnut8]

The areas to the front of World Showcase will start to be taped off hours before Illuminations. And by taped off, I mean tape on the walkways. You can sit in between the tape and the lagoon as early as you want. The walkway will still be open for others to, well, walk.

In the back of World Showcase, towards Germany through Italy, there won't be tape but people will start to stake out spots about an hour early. Personally, getting the family some food and drinks in the back of the Showcase, then all sitting on the ground and waiting is a good option. If you go around Germany, there are close bathrooms and drink options for later. After the show, you can make a slow exit to the front, stopping for bathroom breaks (Norway is excellent since their bathrooms are not in the front of the pavilion) and the again, slowly walking to the exit.

For a snack after Illuminations, you can take a zipper bag and get some egg rolls from China and munch on those on the way out. You need to purchase these before the show starts.

 

[kidd_freeper]

I was at Illuminations last 4th of July. It was CRAZY packed.
We were near Canada. There wasn't enough room for people to walk along the paths. CMs tried to push everyone into an impossibly small area, but it wasn't working. CM's were getting very harsh with their words. It was bad.

Get your spot at least 2 hours in advance. Three hours in advance would not be unreasonable, especially if there are short persons in your group. Nobody leaves your spot an hour in advance of show time. Pick a spot that is far from the main traffic part of the path...locations near Canada were a big unpleasant mistake...I recommend the (Norway side of) La Cantina Restaurant in Mexico, as the main line of traffic has to walk around La Cantina and is no where near the rail.

Expect a lot of shoving from those who didn't plan ahead. People who plan ahead are nicer. Planners go to the La Cantina spot.

 

[Kaarup]

On the 4th of July, they will do Illuminations first and then that is followed by the special 4th of July fireworks. They are so large and awesome, that it's not necessary to be right on the lagoon to see them. They can be enjoyed from any part of the walkway around the water, but you may not get all the details of Illuminations standing behind people. We chose a place 2 hours before last year and the couple that came with us thought we were nuts... and when it was over they said, "WOW, now I know why you did that". We parked on the section which sticks out in front of Italy, and it was like being immersed in the special fireworks. They are INTENSE!!! and.... we're going back again this year. Will go to Epcot in late afternoon on the 4th.