Illuminations & Spectomagic in ONE night?

[coolspot]

Hi all,

Is it possible to catch Illuminations AND SpectroMagic on one night?

My plan is to spend the evening at Epcot... watch Illuminations at 9:00pm - hitch a ride to MK ASAP to watch SpectroMagic at 10?

I read somewhere that monorail transportation is ~1 hour between the two parks... so how's a Taxi like? Is it easy to grab a cab (or some other form of transport) between the Epcot -> MK at closing time?

Thanks.

 

[Jamieb]

While it could be done, and probably has been done, it's not something we would want to try. Illuminations starts at 9pm and goes for about 20 minutes. Then there will be a 5-10 minute walk(minimum) to the front of the park. If you were able to catch a monorail as soon as you exited the park and went up into the monorail station it will take about another 10-15 minutes to get to the TTC at which point you will need to transfer to another monorail. Going from Epcot to MK you will need to exit the station and then enter it again at the TTC. If you were able to get a monorail at that very moment then you would end up taking a 5-7 minute ride to the MK if your on the express monorail. Which could get you to the gates by around 9:50-9:55pmpm. Once inside the end of main street will be packed most likely.

Now, it can be done but if you end up having to wait 10 minutes for the monorail to get you from Epcot to the TTC or from the TTC to MK then you will miss the beginning of the parade.

I am sure it has been attempted and done but not something we would want to put ourselves through just to see two shows in one evening. It would be very hectic to get it done.

As for a cab, it would still only be able to take you to the TTC and then you would need to take the monorail/boat to the MK. While we have never used cabs at Disney, I don't ever really recall seeing any at a standing station when leaving the parks except at Animal Kingdom one time and there was only one cab so it may have been called by someone.

 

[tkd lisa]

Also, Spectro Magic is usually one hour before the park closing. Not sure about the hours when you're there, but last week, Spectro was at 9, and Wishes was at 10, so this wouldn't have been possible.

 

[monorailsilver]

I think it is possible.

I have watched Illuminations & have been back to my room by 9:45-9:50 at the Poly & that was from walking back from the TTC.

When Illuminations is over we walk VERY quickly back to the monorail station & we are usually on the first monorail back.

But do do that you can't be watching Illuminations from the American Pavillion or up that high. You need to be towards the middle of either side or at the beginning of the countries.

Even with a stroller (or 2) we have been able to walk with out hitting anyone very quickly.

There is usually another monorail very close if not just hanging out in Epcot.

Then hop over to the MK monorail (don't board the resorts one or you will have to stop at the Poly & GF) & then hope that there is no line to get in.

Of course you will not have front row seats to see Spectromagic but I think it can be done.

 

[HonestMouse]

Is it possible to catch Illuminations AND SpectroMagic on one night?

My son and I did it in on a Saturday night in early June 2005, but with Illuminations at 9pm and Wishes at 10pm AND Spectro had an 11pm showing....

We watched Illuminations at the very entrance to World Showcase.

As soon as it was over, we walked very quickly to the monorail station, took the elevator up, and got on the monorail.

The Ferry at the TTC was waiting for us as we came down the monorail ramp.

We got off the Ferry, had nothing to show at the security checkpoint, and walked under the train station as the first sounds of Wishes were starting.

We had to fight our way to a viewing spot near the flag pole.

After Wishes, we stood there and waited for the crowds to leave, it was a very crowded night, but they had announced it would be an EMH night. By the time the crowds had cleared (about 10:40?), we were able to sit on the curb and wait for SpectroMagic.

Yes, it can be done, but it will be tough.

Possibly on our next father/son trip, we will try and see Fantasmic first, then Illuminations, then Wishes/Spectro!

Harry

 

[Bev J]

We are toying with the idea of doing this on September 30 since wishes is at 10 and a 2nd Spectro is at 11. This is our first night so we will still be pretty fresh and not all worn out 'yet' We will probably just go with the flow and if it works it works otherwise there are other nights planned to see this.

Bev

 

[Terk-1]

My nephew & I watched Spectro @ 6pm, then Wishes @ 7pm one night (got a seat early on the 2nd level of the train station), then as soon as Wishes was over, high-tailed it out of there and grabbed a bus to the Boardwalk. Met the rest of the family at the American Adventure, then watched Illuminations from Morocco @ 9pm.

However, you may cut it pretty close trying to do Illuminations @ 9pm, then getting to the Magic Kingdom in time for a 10pm show of Spectro. Also, when you get to the MK, you still need to find a place to view the parade, which can also get time consuming.

 

[LynnTarrant]

we've also done this for Spectro at 11 we were moving down main street just as the lights went down for the start of the fireworks we waited for everyone to leave and then had an excellent view of the parade from th hub. I agree it would be hard to do for a 10 o'clock parade

 

[outlander]

as others have already mentioned, it can be done but it will be a stretch. if you like running from point 'a' to point 'b' and cramming (i don't mean that in a bad way) stuff in, it is definitely doable.

whatever you decide, have fun! both are great to see.

hallowishes tops them all i think

 

[coolspot]

Thanks for all the tips - I only have 1 day at Disney World... so I thought I'll maximize my time.

But seeing it's going to stretch, I think I'm going to opt for 1 of the shows (looks like Illuminations since I'm at Epcot anyways).

I'll save spectromagic for another time

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I did it 20 years ago (when I was still a teenager, but I did have my 49 yo father along with us too) --Illuminations@9:00 then fantasy in the sky at 10:00!!! OMG !!

We watched illuminations right near the 2 stores when you 1st walk into WS. Right when it was done(I think is runs 15-18 minutes) we ran to the Monorail. We took the monorail over to the TTC and then hopped another monorail to the MK. We made it with about 5 minutes to spear.

If you miss the beginning you might want to take the train over(if its still running) to Frontierland and catch the parade from there since it starts later.

Good luck!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I did the opposite one night in February. Spectro at 7:00, Wishes at 8:00, llluminations at 9:00. I watched Wishes from the front of MK, as soon as it was over, ran to the monorail, was at Epcot in time for Illuminations.