IllumiNations Viewing

[hswillia07]

Hi all! It's been 10 years or more (!) since I've watched IlluminNations and my kiddos have never seen it, so we're hoping to catch it this year. I hope to have a late FP for Frozen Ever After, so we'll likely be in or around Norway when the show starts. What are the best spots to watch from? We have a 7 and 4 year old (who will likely be very tired after MNSSHP the night before!). Thanks so much!

 

[Disnsyncey]

the stretch of fence between mexico and China usually has great viewing.....Illuminations is the best because you can see it almost anywhere in the WS (as you probably remember)

 

[AngieInOH]

I liked watching towards the back. Hung out just a few minutes afterward then took a nice slow quiet walk towards the exit. Not many people around....it was magical!

 

[CAS239]

There's a ton of spots. Really all you need is a spot that has a clear view of the water and where the wind isn't blowing toward you

 

[disneydreamer1980]

The area between Norway and Mexico is good, since you’ll be in Norway already

 

[Tomh]

Pretty much anywhere along the lagoon, as long as you have a clear view of the water, and do make sure the wind isn't blowing off the water towards your face, or you will have the smoke, and debris from the fireworks in your face through the whole show. As a previous poster suggested, we enjoy taking our time wandering out of the World Showcase after Illuminations, which allows some of the crowds to disperse before we get to the transportation, or trams if we drove to the park.

 

[hswillia07]

Fantastic, thanks everyone

 

[Dug720]

There's a ton of spots. Really all you need is a spot that has a clear view of the water and where the wind isn't blowing toward you

This! I try to figure out which way the wind is blowing and stand so it is at my back...then hope it doesn’t change direction.

 

[fhtpdw20]

Sorry to be a wet blanket but you might want to lower your expectations. We booked an Illuminations cruise in June 2018 for DDIL who had never seen it. The globe did not open. The driver stated it had not worked for 2 weeks prior. There have been reports since that range from fine to it did not open. Between the bridge closure and then the let down of not being as good as it once was, I was really disappointed that I wasted my money on the cruise.

 

[RLGNC]

I know that technically it is visible from anywhere around the Lagoon, but I would like to add that if at all possible after you tap into your FEA FP, try to get a FP for the Illuminations viewing area. On our trip last week, we watched Illuminations twice. Once was from a random spot in World Showcase and the other was with a FP that we got sometime in the early evening same day. It was like 2 different shows. Even though there are a lot of people in the FP viewing area, it is literally a front and center spot and the show was so much more spectacular than when we saw it earlier in the week. I wouldn't get it as one of my first 3 FPs, but if there are still some available after your last ride FP, I would definitely go for it.

 

[OKW Lover]

There's a ton of spots. Really all you need is a spot that has a clear view of the water and where the wind isn't blowing toward you

That last part is very important!!!

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I know that technically it is visible from anywhere around the Lagoon, but I would like to add that if at all possible after you tap into your FEA FP, try to get a FP for the Illuminations viewing area. On our trip last week, we watched Illuminations twice. Once was from a random spot in World Showcase and the other was with a FP that we got sometime in the early evening same day. It was like 2 different shows. Even though there are a lot of people in the FP viewing area, it is literally a front and center spot and the show was so much more spectacular than when we saw it earlier in the week. I wouldn't get it as one of my first 3 FPs, but if there are still some available after your last ride FP, I would definitely go for it.

Personally, I don’t like the FP area. Also, keep in mind that is on the north side of the lagoon and the wind will most likely be blowing from the south in some manner.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Hi all! It's been 10 years or more (!) since I've watched IlluminNations and my kiddos have never seen it, so we're hoping to catch it this year. I hope to have a late FP for Frozen Ever After, so we'll likely be in or around Norway when the show starts. What are the best spots to watch from? We have a 7 and 4 year old (who will likely be very tired after MNSSHP the night before!). Thanks so much!

Since you are close in Norway, I would walk over to Germany in between the pavilion and the outpost. Also, in that area they will hand out free pretzels when they close up the stands outside.

 

[Doug M]

On the stairs in the Japan pavilion is good. I also recommend dinner reservations at Rose and Crown for about 90 min to 60 min before the fireworks. You can watch while you eat or just watch after you are done, they will not kick you out. Ask for seating on the deck for some great views as well as good food.

 

[RLGNC]

Also, in that area they will hand out free pretzels when they close up the stands outside.

Now that's a nice tidbit of information!

 

[PanamaMike]

Personally, I don’t like the FP area. Also, keep in mind that is on the north side of the lagoon and the wind will most likely be blowing from the south in some manner.

I hated being jammed into the FP viewing area and do not feel that the view is any better there then can be found at multiple locations around the lagoon.

 

[RLGNC]

I hated being jammed into the FP viewing area and do not feel that the view is any better there then can be found at multiple locations around the lagoon.

It is crowded, but we found that trying to find a spot less than 15-20 minutes before 9:00 that wasn't blocked by trees or people was close to impossible. Being able to duck into the FP viewing area at the last minute was worth it for us!

 

[Louie7080]

Personally, I don’t like the FP area. Also, keep in mind that is on the north side of the lagoon and the wind will most likely be blowing from the south in some manner.

I didn't think the FP area was that great either. It seemed like the action/globe was farther away than if deeper into WS. My favorite spots also include where you can see Spaceship Earth in the background because it's my favorite building in any park and seeing it lit up in the evening is a great backdrop to the show.

 

[hswillia07]

I know that technically it is visible from anywhere around the Lagoon, but I would like to add that if at all possible after you tap into your FEA FP, try to get a FP for the Illuminations viewing area. On our trip last week, we watched Illuminations twice. Once was from a random spot in World Showcase and the other was with a FP that we got sometime in the early evening same day. It was like 2 different shows. Even though there are a lot of people in the FP viewing area, it is literally a front and center spot and the show was so much more spectacular than when we saw it earlier in the week. I wouldn't get it as one of my first 3 FPs, but if there are still some available after your last ride FP, I would definitely go for it.

So smart - thank you - I will try to do this for sure!

 

[hswillia07]

Thanks so much everyone - great ideas!