Is Illuminations ever earlier than 9pm?

[First Timer!]

We are going the week after Thanksgiving. Just wondering if 9pm is our only option for Illuminations? Also, is it worth it to do a dinner package to watch it? Does that mean you see it while you are eating? Or it just gets you into good seating?
Thank you!!

 

[Robo]

We are going the week after Thanksgiving.

1. Just wondering if 9pm is our only option for Illuminations?
2. Also, is it worth it to do a dinner package to watch it?
3. Does that mean you see it while you are eating?
4. Or it just gets you into good seating?
Thank you!!

1. It's generally never performed before 9PM (exceptions to everything, of course.)
2. In my experience, no.
3. Nope.
4. Well, there are many, many other good spots to see IllumiNations.

 

[jsrj21]

I've never seen it earlier than 9:00pm....later yes, but never before. I know in the summer they would have too much light from dusk to see them at their best - but like Robo says, there are exceptions to everything.

I have never done a dinner package for Illuminations. There are MANY good places to watch - you just have to grab a spot about an hour before [at least for the better ones], and even then you'll have some competition. Good luck!

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Illuminations was early on New Year's Eve - it scared the heck out of me while I was working because I'm usually never there when fireworks go off!

But normally, no.

 

[subtchr]

Is there an Illuminations dinner package?

 

[Robo]

Is there an Illuminations dinner package?

There's the Sparkling Dessert Party.
It costs as much as a dinner.

 

[Doug M]

I recommend trying to eat while seeing it if you can swing it. We grabbed a table at Rose and Crown at approx 830 and requested a table with Illuminations view and we were nearly done when they srated. They let you stay at your table to watch.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I recommend trying to eat while seeing it if you can swing it. We grabbed a table at Rose and Crown at approx 830 and requested a table with Illuminations view and we were nearly done when they srated. They let you stay at your table to watch.

We've have done that in the past, and also with La Hacienda. Two great locations.

 

[joelkfla]

The week after T'Giving Illuminations should be at 9:30pm.

 

[jsilvers]

1. It's generally never performed before 9PM (exceptions to everything, of course.)

As you noted back in 2009. See http://www.disboards.com/threads/illuminations-runs-nightly-right.2252005/#post-33074747.

 

[DebbieB]

There's the Sparkling Dessert Party.
It costs as much as a dinner.

And not worth it. A dinner package might be worth it, I'm surprised they haven't tried it. Hopefully you get to sit down ;-)

 

[WEDWDW]

Illuminations was early on New Year's Eve - it scared the heck out of me while I was working because I'm usually never there when fireworks go off!

But normally, no.

Yes,NYE is the only time IllumiNations is done twice-6:00 PM and again at 11:40 with the New Year's Countdown.

Years ago IllumiNations was done a second time during a few PM EMHs,but that didn't last long( I still can't believe they did it at all.)

 

[disnut8]

The week after T'Giving Illuminations should be at 9:30pm.

Yep. Once the Candlelight Processional starts (that day after Thanksgiving), Illuminations begins at 9:30 to give the folks at the late Processional time to find a place for the show and so things don't interfere with the show.

In my opinion, trying to get a table service meal to have a good spot for Illuminations isn't a good use of time or money. The restaurants who do overlook the lagoon won't seat you according to what you want to see - they will seat you as to which tables are available. There are spots for viewing Illuminations but more than likely, you will have to move to get those spots so if you are still enjoying your meal, you will have to leave it. Since there are tons of good viewing spots all over World Showcase, what I find works best for us is to have dinner around 7:30ish and then go out and get our spot. We are well fed and will enjoy the show without any further concerns. And, if our dinner is something like counter service, we can just take our tray with us to our viewing spot and enjoy there while we are waiting for the show. And yes, we return the tray when we are leaving.

And my hint - go to the back of World Showcase along America and the two sides to that pavilion to the other countries back there. Most people will go towards the front in order to get a quick exit but we've found it much easier to simply watch from the back, let the masses die down right after the show, then slowly walk to the front, You aren't rushed at all and by the time you make a bathroom stop and get out to the buses, most of the throngs have left.

 

[W.E.D.]

And my hint - go to the back of World Showcase along America and the two sides to that pavilion to the other countries back there. Most people will go towards the front in order to get a quick exit but we've found it much easier to simply watch from the back, let the masses die down right after the show, then slowly walk to the front, You aren't rushed at all and by the time you make a bathroom stop and get out to the buses, most of the throngs have left.

THIS!!
Especially at the time you're going. We visited at that time last trip. We had dinner in Germany and came out around 8:45 to watch the show. There was NO ONE back in that area. First time in my life, that close to show time, that I was able to walk up to the railing and watch.

 

[disnut8]

THIS!!
Especially at the time you're going. We visited at that time last trip. We had dinner in Germany and came out around 8:45 to watch the show. There was NO ONE back in that area. First time in my life, that close to show time, that I was able to walk up to the railing and watch.

Yep - *whistles* - there are lots of good spots back there. AND bathrooms are easily accessible before the show and so are drinks (of all kinds) and snacks. And, *cough* hint, hint, if you walk around towards Norway after the show, the bathrooms here are practical empty. I went into the ladies' room once and a person followed me in and she exclaimed, "are these still open?! we are the only two in here!!!!!"

 

[subtchr]

And not worth it. A dinner package might be worth it, I'm surprised they haven't tried it. Hopefully you get to sit down ;-)

They do this for groups and other private parties. I've been to several with my high school groups, and it's always a highlight. A couple pics:



[url=https://flic.kr/p/rPghB7]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/rwPkzN][/url][/url]

 

[Minnesota!]

We always watch from Morocco or Germany - few people, and we get to take a long, lazy walk out rather than with the masses. Nothing like a deserted WS...music playing, air sticky, just hanging with my family rehashing the day. I so love it!