Is a FP for illuminations Worth it?

[Upup4fun]

Hi All-

My Husband and I keep trying to see this show from a World Showcase restaurant and feel that we miss a lot of the show (table, crowds, etc...). This year in Aug we have a 7:00 reservation for Via Napoli and are willing to stake out a space, but we thought we'd ask the Dis folks to see if a FP is worth it. Is it a good view?

Thanks!

 

[cdnjason]

I wouldn't use it as my first tier one FP+. I have picked it up in the afternoon, after using my FP+s for the day. The view is front and center.

 

[Robo]

FP+ for IllumiNations is unnecessary and a waste of an Epcot FP.

 

[Alesia]

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.



If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.



There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.



As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.

Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.



On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.



There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------



Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Package Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

--------------------------------------

Wrong show, Robo.

 

[CAS239]

I wouldn't FP it. There's an endless supply of great views. You can camp out a spot or just walk around the showcase and find a spot a couple minutes before the show

 

[Alesia]

I think FP for IllumiNations is a complete waste.

There are plenty of good spots to watch it. If you get a FP, you still have to stake out a spot early if you want a decent view.

Just find a spot with a clear view of the center of the lake (preferably upwind) about 8:30.

 

[BlueFairy]

We were at the back of WS after a hot and LONG day at Epcot. The idea of walking to use our FP was just too overwhelming. France was jam packed but we had no trouble finding an unobstructed spot at 8:30 in March. I have not eaten at Via Napoli. But after any full TS meal starting at 7pm I think you will be happy staying in that area rather than rushing to walk the LONG way around to the reserved area.

 

[Upup4fun]

Wow, this is all so helpful! Thanks folks!

 

[Oswin]

The only time I ever use a FP+ for Illuminations is July 4. I have one for our upcoming trip and have no regrets. I'd get one on July 4 or Dec 31 but otherwise wouldn't bother. In August, you should be good to go wherever and view Illuminations.

 

[Sammie]

It depends. We are DVC and go often, so I can "waste" some of mine for special things. I did it once and felt it was worth it. It was the only time in no telling how many visits that I could actually see everything on the globe. I was glad I did it once.

 

[MimiDee905]

We were able to get it as our 6th FP on our trip last week. The spot was excellent! I wouldn't use it as one of my first three, but I believe I picked it around 5:00pm after we had finished pretty much every other experience and figured, why not? Keep in mind though a line begins forming around 8:15 to get into the Fastpass area. We weren't on the railing, but one row behind and it was still a perfect view.

 

[Upup4fun]

Sammie,
We are chill people and this sounds like good advice. So thank you!
I think I will snag one early after my initial FPs b/c we are going late Aug. and there should be some left...I think.

 

[choover2576]

We had a hard time finding a spot during a busy Food and Wine day, but we are newbies so maybe we just weren't looking in the right spots. I regretted not getting a FP+ and there weren't any more available after our 3rd FP was used around 1pm.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

I cannot emphasize this enough - if it is a windy day, pick the up-wind side, even if you have a FP on the other side. You are much better off a few rows off the rail than you are covered in a cloud of smoke. We splurged on an illuminations cruise one year, which was nice...until the smoke from the opening enveloped us. And the typical prevailing winds often point toward France/UK/Canada.

Another trick if you are late getting a spot at the rail: Stand back across the walkway. There are way fewer people, no heads directly in your way, and you can still see most of the show. Our favorite place is Japan because you go up a bit of a slope in that pavilion and it gives a nice view.

Either way (FP or not), I wouldn't stress over it. That's why we love illuminations the most. It is WAY easier to see than any of the other night shows. Much more relaxing than fighting Main Street or the Fantasmic queue or hoping you can see the Chinese Theater projections at DHS.

 

[GPC0321]

We did the FP+ because one happened to be available the night before and we weren't interested in TT or Soarin'. I've never watched the show from anywhere else, so I can't compare, but it was a fabulous view.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

we've done it before as one of our "bonus" FP+ and I thought it was nice - the view is very good, very close - and there was room to breath and stretch out, etc

I wouldn't use me tier 1 pre-selection FP+ for it but if you can get it after you use up your regular FP as a bonus FP+ I think it can be worth it

 

[nilla]

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

...or be told that, in spite of the fact that you have FPs, you still have to stand, because there are no more seats available.

But as was already pointed out, wrong show.