Need your secret Illuminations spot

[terribm]

Hey friends,

Leaving in 6 days and I am looking for your best (secret) spot for Illuminations viewing. I don't want to fight for a spot up front and I don't want to have to stand somewhere for 1hr+. Have DS-5 and DD-4. We will be having dinner at Alfredo's at 7pm and we want to have a leisurely dinner and walk out to see the show. Any off the beaten path places you can suggest?

 

[Eljay]

Sorry, I don't think there are any places that are still secret. But you are in an awesome place to see it, near Italy. Also, being on the far side of the lagoon means that the crowd will quickly disperse from your area, heading either left or right to exit. If you relax and let a few minutes go by, you can get some excellent pics in the area without the crowds around. The Worldshowcase at night, after the Illuminations crowd has left, is one of my favorite places to be!

 

[civileng68]

This is not so much a secret as much as it is something that most people dont know.

In my opinion, the best spot is when you enter World Showcase. Looking straight forward you see the two stores (one on your left and one on your right (facing as you enter the WS, away from Future World).

Go to the right, of the store on the right, (closest to Canada), you will see an area with a viewing platform that extends out further than other areas.

They will have it roped off, until 8:45. This is the closest area to the show. This is the closest to the inferno barge than any other location.

In fact, it's so close, that is why they dont open it until 8:45. Because they have to make sure the wind conditions are ok to allow people to sit there for the show, due to fallout from the fireworks.

You are so close you can feel the intense heat from the inferno barge from this location.

Also, what makes this the best location is that the show was designed for viewing from this specific location.

If you notice when you are there, look directly to the middle of the lagoon and then look down at the ground in front of you. You will notice a "crack" in the concrete (it's simply the seperation between concrete slabs, no biggy). The show was designed from that line.

It also allows you to exit the park and beat the majority of the crowds.

 

[islandbeachnut]

I am looking for your best (secret) spot for Illuminations viewing.

I'll never tell.......

 

[cobbler]

This is not so much a secret as much as it is something that most people dont know.

In my opinion, the best spot is when you enter World Showcase. Looking straight forward you see the two stores (one on your left and one on your right (facing as you enter the WS, away from Future World).

Go to the right, of the store on the right, (closest to Canada), you will see an area with a viewing platform that extends out further than other areas.

They will have it roped off, until 8:45. This is the closest area to the show. This is the closest to the inferno barge than any other location.

In fact, it's so close, that is why they dont open it until 8:45. Because they have to make sure the wind conditions are ok to allow people to sit there for the show, due to fallout from the fireworks.

You are so close you can feel the intense heat from the inferno barge from this location.

Also, what makes this the best location is that the show was designed for viewing from this specific location.

If you notice when you are there, look directly to the middle of the lagoon and then look down at the ground in front of you. You will notice a "crack" in the concrete (it's simply the seperation between concrete slabs, no biggy). The show was designed from that line.

It also allows you to exit the park and beat the majority of the crowds.

If you want to view it from here, they do have it roped off and be prepare to wait AT LEAST an hour prior if not more. And once those ropes drop it is a mad dash to the front and if you have young ones they can get trampled. I have seen it happen quite a few times.

Also this area is seating room only, not that it is bad but if you are in the back, you may not stand.

It's not the best secret spot at all. Like Eljay said there aren't really any secret spots.

 

[Belle1111]

This is not so much a secret as much as it is something that most people dont know.

In my opinion, the best spot is when you enter World Showcase. Looking straight forward you see the two stores (one on your left and one on your right (facing as you enter the WS, away from Future World).

Go to the right, of the store on the right, (closest to Canada), you will see an area with a viewing platform that extends out further than other areas.

They will have it roped off, until 8:45. This is the closest area to the show. This is the closest to the inferno barge than any other location.

In fact, it's so close, that is why they dont open it until 8:45. Because they have to make sure the wind conditions are ok to allow people to sit there for the show, due to fallout from the fireworks.

You are so close you can feel the intense heat from the inferno barge from this location.

Also, what makes this the best location is that the show was designed for viewing from this specific location.

If you notice when you are there, look directly to the middle of the lagoon and then look down at the ground in front of you. You will notice a "crack" in the concrete (it's simply the seperation between concrete slabs, no biggy). The show was designed from that line.

It also allows you to exit the park and beat the majority of the crowds.

This is also our "secret spot". Who told you?!?!?!
If it's really windy, they will not open it and we just get there about 15 minutes before the show time. If they don't open the front, that hill is still a great place to see the show. I really like when we can feel the heat from the inferno.

 

[civileng68]

This is also our "secret spot". Who told you?!?!?!
If it's really windy, they will not open it and we just get there about 15 minutes before the show time. If they don't open the front, that hill is still a great place to see the show. I really like when we can feel the heat from the inferno.

Exactly. I've never experienced (except on July 4) having to show up 1 hour early to get here.

If you show up about 8:30, you will be in place to get on the viewing area at the 8:45 rope drop.

When I want to shoot photos, I will take my tripod and actually stand at the back of the sitting area, which is good as a front row seat.

If anyone wants to see what it looks like from this location. You can view photos of the show by Clicking Here

 

[goofy4tink]

Those photos are incredible!!! That's the one area I have never watched from...looks like I have a new spot to try in May!! Thanks for the photo link.

 

[my2boys1821]

Exactly. I've never experienced (except on July 4) having to show up 1 hour early to get here.

If you show up about 8:30, you will be in place to get on the viewing area at the 8:45 rope drop.

When I want to shoot photos, I will take my tripod and actually stand at the back of the sitting area, which is good as a front row seat.

If anyone wants to see what it looks like from this location. You can view photos of the show by Clicking Here

Fabulous photos!!!!! Thanks for sharing them. You have me so EXCITED to go now. Thank you!

 

[Belle1111]

If anyone wants to see what it looks like from this location. You can view photos of the show by Clicking Here

Awesome pics. Thanks for sharing them!

 

[madalex]

Leaving in 6 days and I am looking for your best (secret) spot for Illuminations viewing. I don't want to fight for a spot up front and I don't want to have to stand somewhere for 1hr+.

There may be a few people who start camping out an hour or more before Illuminations, but not too many. It is generally pretty easy to get a good spot to watch from as few as 10 - 15 minutes before the show starts. That has been our experience in the past and was our experience when we were there late last month. I would not worry too much about finding a spot, as you really can see the show from all around the World Showcase lagoon.

 

[Jenny]

can someone describe the sitting area? are there benches, individual seats, or are you sitting on the ground? i was just wondering how strollers would fit into this area? do you put them off to the side?

 

[civileng68]

can someone describe the sitting area? are there benches, individual seats, or are you sitting on the ground? i was just wondering how strollers would fit into this area? do you put them off to the side?

It is sitting on the ground. They will not allow strollers in (at least they didnt when we were there).

However, do you see where I am in my photos? See the location they are shot from? That is OUTSIDE the sitting area. You can stand there and watch the show from the front row of the standing areas. Great spot. In fact, because when you sit, everyone else is at your level, you will have heads in your way, yet when you stand on the front row, because everyone in front is sitting, nobody is in your way.

So if you have a stroller just stand in the front of the standing area. Great area!

 

[Ghost]

If anyone wants to see what it looks like from this location. You can view photos of the show by Clicking Here

My favorite show, from my favorite place!
and your pictures AMAZING!

 

[Mo-Yo]

I know I'm bringing up an old post...but I need help. The post says no strollers in this area, but does anyone know if someone in a wheelchair could sit here?

 

[civileng68]

I know I'm bringing up an old post...but I need help. The post says no strollers in this area, but does anyone know if someone in a wheelchair could sit here?

I'm not 100% sure but, I would unfortunately say the answer is probably "no". They dont want anything sticking up higher than a head or blocking someone's view so they likely won't.

HOWEVER, there's something you should know...........there is a special wheelchair area that is roped off to anyone not in a wheelchair (if you are family you can go in with them). It is basically THE SAME EXACT VIEW, but just on the other side of the stores. It's going to get the SAME effect of feeling the heat. My dad is handicap and we watched the July 4 show from here. It's one of the best spots in the "house".

when walking into World Showcase, you will see a store to your left and to your right. Turn left and go just to the "left" of the store to the "left" and on the other side of that is the wheelchair area. They will have a CM there to only allow in wheelchairs and the person's family.

 

[disneyfan61]

When we went in April I believe there was a certain area they let people with
wheelchairs sit. I did not pay too much attention but I thought there were some in wheelchairs.