NO?? Idea on this one...Illuminations ??

[shinez]

Hi All!
Is there any way to purchase or get reserved seating for illuminations over at Epcot?? We don't have enough ppl for a 'grand gathering' and we're only doing the Dining plan for 1 CS/ 1TS a day... thoughts, ideas??? HELP!
xoxoxo

 

[JennyDrake]

As far as I know there is not.

 

[zmanandshan]

Not really, but last year we went to Hacienda reservations for 8PM and asked to be seated in the back by the windows. We were nice about it and said we would wait for a table there if they were ok with it. We had a little longer wait, but we ended up having a nice view of illuminations. No guarrantee on this, though...

 

[shinez]

As far as I know there is not.

I wasn't sure- I've googled this all over the place, we're doing the fireworks dessert party at MK, and I'd love to get good seating over at Epcot...

 

[TxMickeyLover]

Not that I know of. I believe one particular section of reserved seating (actually standing, there are no seats there) available to corporate sponsors, and the other reserved sections are for GGs.

It's been a couple of years, though, since we viewed Illuminations from the reserved area for sponsors, so I do not know if it has changed.

 

[mjp12831]

There is some sort of reserved area that serves dessert or some type of food - it's on the lagoon after you leave WS on the Canada side, walking back toward the Mexican side, but I'm not sure if that's for coroporate and large group parties or if it's reservable for the general public.

Don't sweat it - plenty of good viewing areas around the lagoon.

The grand gathering meal is totally not worth it anyways - food is just ok and the "special" reserved area isn't very special.

 

[nancyjvanwyk]

Depending on your budget, you can take a fireworks cruise out of the Yacht Club. You will then get to sit in a comfortable pontoon boat near the International gateway and have snacks while you enjoy Illuminations. I think when I did it it was about $400.00 but you can take at least 8 people.

 

[nkereina]

If you're going during Christmas, you can do a lunch or dinner package for the Candlelight Processional which also comes with a reserved area for Illuminations. Other than that time frame, there's nothing like that. Except the cruise.

You could try to book one of the restaurants that has a view of it for 7:30pm or later, if Illuminations as at 9pm. For example, we ate at Rose & Crown and had an outdoor table but for those who didn't, there was a special viewing area for them to stand in that had a great view.

 

[labdogs42]

There are so many good spots for Illuminations. I don't think you need to worry about it.

 

[stan_the_man]

When you book with Disney UK you get preferred fireworks viewing at MK and Epcot which you book over the phone before you travel. We did the Epcot viewing 2 years ago, and they rope off the Morocco boat dock for about 15-20 people so it isn't too crowded. As far as I know from the UK boards this is still the same location they are using for UK guests.

I know it doesn't help your situation, but just thought I'd let you know there is a way to do it

 

[mb187143]

There is some sort of reserved area that serves dessert or some type of food - it's on the lagoon after you leave WS on the Canada side, walking back toward the Mexican side, but I'm not sure if that's for coroporate and large group parties or if it's reservable for the general public.

Don't sweat it - plenty of good viewing areas around the lagoon.

The grand gathering meal is totally not worth it anyways - food is just ok and the "special" reserved area isn't very special.

there are areas all around the lagoon that can be reserved for private dessert parties for corporate events, weddings, and celebrations (Norway, Italy, Morocco, France, the UK were all options for us). All of these sections have a minimum and maximum guest count as well as a site rental fee to book them and a minimum expenditure that you have to guarantee to spend for the event on top of the venue rental fee.

We've always had great success finding a space about an hour before illuminations if we wanted to, the one thing i would caution you about is the wind - if it's a particularly windy night, it can blow smoke in your face, so when you're scouting for a spot, pay attention to which way the wind is blowing.

 

[Happy Mom2]

I don't think there is a bad seat to see Illuminations. Just grab your place an hour ahead of time, and you'll have a great view. That said, you could make an ADR for Rose & Crown or the Mexican restaurant. Hope you find something that works for you.