Is it Worth Seeing Illuminations

[Kristina4109]

YES! The music alone makes it a worthwhile show.

 

[GatorChris]

This is THE best fireworks show Disney has ever done. Period. I love Epcot more than any other park, but if Illuminations wasn't there, I would walk back that ranking. Absolutely great and the Holiday version is even better.

After seeing it once on our last night of our fist trip to WDW, we couldn't wait to see it the next trip. So with 6 nights in the parks, we saw Illuminations 3 times. It would've been more, but this was in 2004 when the introduced Wishes and that was worth seeing twice, with Fantasmic! thrown in there for good measure.

 

[LoveSplashMountain]

If I only had three days, I would make sure I was at each park for their night time presentations. Wishes and Celebrate the Magic are - well - magical - and they make me cry every time - even watching them on You Tube. Fantasmic is - well - fantastic. Because of the live characters and water and fire and all, it is one we would not miss. But my hubby's favorite is Illuminations. Wouldn't miss it either! Animal Kingdom is primarily a daytime even anyway. I would make sure I was at each park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios) at night to catch their individual firework displays.

 

[nat8199]

I cannot wait for the day when my kids are big enough to stay awake for these night time shows!!! It is 6:49pm here and all three of my kids are sound asleep, and have been for a while.

We will probably take them in 2018 before they are all Disney adults and maybe by then they will be able to see some fireworks?

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

We go to Epcot probably at least once a week if not more (no exaggeration) and though we may not watch the whole show we always find ourselves stopping for portions. Its a definite must do!

 

[stamot]

Yes, We think it is amazing. We do it at least once every trip.

 

[V2000]

Have you been to Epcot before?
For me, I made the mistake of only going half day because the map didn't look like it had a lot of things to do. However, it is by far my favorite place! The World Show Case you can spend 6+ hours there. It really feels like a trip around the world. There are so many unique foods and shopping.

And yes, Illuminations is worth it.

 

[lam0037]

We did Illuminations our first trip, but weren't the biggest fans. After years of avoiding it (3 years worth of trips) my father really wanted to see it again so we did. It is now a must do. I think older children will like it better, as younger kids will like the fireworks but might be bored with the globe aspects.

 

[delgrec]

Hmmmm...if I was only doing half a day at Epcot I would not make illuminations a priority. It seems I am the only one though. I am curious how you are breaking up your three days? Do you have hoppers?

 

[DOOM1001]

Greatest nighttime show at WDW,the entire soundtrack that goes with the show is as good as it gets and truly makes the show.I've seen it possibly over 300 times(seriously) and I've yet to get tired of it.

 

[Stefecatzz]

Yes, you should plan to see it. It's my favorite show. Even if it doesn't become yours, at least you can say that you saw it once.

 

[DWillowBay]

YES! See it! It makes me cry (in a good way) every time! The music, the story, the pyrotechnics, the ….everything. Beautiful!!

 

[wen8jr]

I wouldn't miss - its amazing to me. I always get emotional.

 

[bkras320]

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

We will be seeing Illuminations for the first time in a few months. Where is the best place to watch it from?

 

[naarg]

Yes!!!

 

[minnie mum]

Going to Epcot and not seeing Illuminations (especially if you haven't seen it before) is like buying a delicious cupcake and not eating the frosting. So are you a frosting abuser? Huh? Are ya?

 

[kam1011]

Sure, if it's not going to kill other plans. It's very short and the least "spectacular" of all the nighttime fireworks events.

 

[agavegirl1]

I find Illuminations more compelling than the fireworks at MK. But, I'm a grownup and that is a personal opinion. That said, since I usually park hop and end my days at Epcot for dinner, I do skip it from time to time for rides. I do watch it each and every trip at least once. I did like it better way back when though. More laser effects.

 

[Luv2Run]

I'm another one who absolutely LOVES Illuminations! It's a must-do for me every trip. I was in the color guard in high school, and my sophomore year our marching band did a half-time show to the Illuminations music (this was around the time they premiered Illuminations at EPCOT), so the music holds a special place in my heart. Seeing it in real-time is just spectacular. More like an experience than just fireworks.

If I'm at EPCOT with other people, I'll camp out at our choice spot and the others will go grab treats (ice cream, pretzel, etc) or drinks (beer, wine, sake) to enjoy while we wait. If I'm solo, I make sure to grab stuff before I pick my spot. While I'm waiting, I usually peruse the souvenirs I bought that day, to pass the time before the show starts.

 

[JimmyV]

Hmmmm...if I was only doing half a day at Epcot I would not make illuminations a priority. It seems I am the only one though.

I guess that's because most people are taking into consideration that Illuminations takes place when the park is closing so one is not missing out on anything else by devoting time to see it. While there may be some attractions that continue to operate during Illuminations, given the relative length of time it takes to complete each attraction at Epcot, at best, one could visit one attraction in the time it takes to see the show. So even with half a day, it isn't as if the OP's family would be doing much else from 9:00-9:20.