Is it Worth Seeing Illuminations

[plutos1fan]

Hi,

My family is planning on going to EPCOT! We are contemplating on whether or not see Illuminations. We are only planning half a day at EPCOT. Is it worth seeing Illuminations?

Thanks,
Plutos1fan

 

[mrsap]

Hi, My family is planning on going to EPCOT! We are contemplating on whether or not see Illuminations. We are only planning half a day at EPCOT. Is it worth seeing Illuminations? Thanks, Plutos1fan

A DEFINITE YES in my opinion. One of the best finales I have ever seen in my life!! We have left other parks just to go see them again and again. Enjoy!

 

[JenLynn]

Hell yes!
I do not particularly like fireworks in general, but Illuminations is an amazing experience! It is a "must do" for me on every Disney trip!!!

 

[ditsypixie]

Absolutely!!! We never miss it!!!

 

[Pembo]

The first time I saw it, I could take it or leave it. But in recent years I like it more and more.

 

[jon18uk]

YES it is an awesome show and usually makes me cry!

 

[Sandy Fisher]

I can't imagine NOT staying for Illuminations. Over the years I can't count the number of times we've seen it and love it every time. When we lived down there we'd go to stay overnight just so we could stay for Illuminations and not have to drive home late on the turnpike.
The music is absolutely stunning. And even if you aren't a fan of "fireworks", you can't compare Illuminations to fireworks. The show and the background story are wonderful.
It doesn't last that long, but usually doesn't begin til 9 p.m. I know park closing times vary during different seasons, but it's just about always 9:00.
Don't miss it !

 

[The Great Oz]

Illuminations is definitely worth it. I was wondering, why only half a day at Epcot? It's usually 2 days for our family.

 

[prudence64]

Yes!!!!

 

[abner1776]

Over the past 30 years I have probably seen Illuminations 25 times including 3 times this year alone. Disney does a great job with the fireworks display and for someone who has not seen it before or in a long time, I would definitely recommend that you spend the time watching.

Find a comfortable spot to watch it but I would not recommend finding the "perfect" spot and then have to wait an hour for the performance...the longer you wait the more you expect from the display and the more you will be disappointed.

This past April we arrived about 5 minutes before it began and found a great spot behind England right on the water.

 

[illinidp]

This is a must do.

 

[plutos1fan]

Thank you everyone for their opinions. My family is only doing a half day in EPCOT because we are only going to be at WDW for three days.

Plutos1fan

 

[BrianL]

The first time I saw it, I could take it or leave it. But in recent years I like it more and more.

I kinda always feel this way about Illuminations. It's like I'm never that excited to see it, but when I do I remember that it's really very good...and that soundtrack! It doesn't stick with me...so it's always a nice surprise. Even though I know it will be, it still is.

To the OP, yes see it. It's pretty great!

 

[3CW]

Of the 3 night-time shows at WDW, Illuminations is far and away my favourite! Obviously everyone's tastes are different, but if you can only make two of the three, I'd skip Fantasmic before Illuminations unless you have young kids who would really dig seeing all the characters.

 

[disnut8]

One thing I recommend for Illuminations is to go out to wikipedia and read about the story behind the presentation. Share that with your family. Trust me, that makes the experience well worth it and you don't have to deal with "this is boring" because your kids will know what is being represented by that so-called slow part. And the fireworks will really mean something.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

We love it, I have to see it at least once on every trip

 

[ponyboy]

I try to make it back to Epcot most nights to catch illuminations. It's an awesome show.

I wouldn't camp out early in a spot either. I've watched it from different spots all over the world and it's great no matter where you're at. I prefer next to the pub in England or by the beer cart in Germany though

 

[Micca]

We don't do it every trip (because we're old & tired by that time) but you should definitely do it at least once. It's an excellent presentation.

 

[ifjf414]

This is tough because it's such a personal preference issue. I love Epcot but Illuminations is my least favorite show at the parks. I was really disappointed in it after seeing so many positive reviews online. I think everyone has their favorite and if you asked the same question about the other shows the fans of those shows would tell you it's awesome as well.

You might want to check out YouTube videos. The videos don't really do the fireworks justice, but you can compare it to the other shows. It may give you an idea about whether it's worth it to you or not.

Having said that, I think everything at Disney is worth doing at least once. After that you can make up your own mind.

 

[Networth]

Yes, very good firework show. I do feel it needs a bit of an update/tweak but still a great show.