Outside-the-park view of Illuminations?

[sherekhan]

I'm looking for suggestions for a restaurant near, but not inside, EPCOT where we could have a view of some fireworks.

We'll be arriving on a weekday evening when Wishes is not showing. I'd like to take the kids somewhere to eat where we can step outside and see some (even partial view) of fireworks just to give them a taste of magic.

I'm thinking maybe a restaurant on the Boardwalk? Does anyone know of which side of the Boardwalk you can see from and which restaurants are over there?

 

[RMulieri]

You can see the HIGH fireworks from the Boardwalk bridge area.Since most of Illuminations takes place on the lagoon in World Showcase, you will not see most of it.

 

[Lynne M]

The bridge is your best bet, I think. You'll only see the highest fireworks from there, and it'll be just at the beginning and end of the show.

I think the show is about 15 minutes long, so you'll probably see the most around 9:15. There's about a minute or two's worth at the end.

 

[figment_jii]

There are several restaurants on the Boardwalk, but I don't think any of them have any type of view of even the high fireworks from Illuminations. They aren't really geared for seeing Illuminations, so I don't know if they'd really like it if you left during your meal to go outside to see part of the show. That being said, the closest restaurant to the Boardwalk Bridge is the ESPN Club.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Maybe you can take out something from the Boardwalk Bakery and eat it at one of the tables along the Boardwalk, because none of their actual restaurants have views of Illuminations.

 

[ThreeKMom]

I think Big River Grille has tables outside on the boardwalk. You would probably be able to see some of the fireworks from there.

You could also grab something from the boardwalk kiosk and watch from the bridge. A better idea might be to have dinner around 7 at the Captains Grill or Cape May Cafe and then spend time walking around the boardwalk untill the fireworks started and then watch from the bridge.

 

[Polydweller]

Even the high fireworks aren't that high. We've caught glimpses of some from various spots but it really isn't a fireworks show at all. I wouldn't plan around it.

 

[GeorgeG]

You can get a gllimpse of them from anywhere along the paths that run from Epcot to the Yacht and Beach Clubs, Boardwalk, and Swan and Dolphin. You can also see them from the Caribbean Beach Resort along the side of the lake by Old Port Royal and the marina.

 

[smidgy]

gee, I thought there was a fairly good view from the bridge between beach club and boardwalk.. you can eve hear some of the music.

of course, it is no where near!! seeing it from inside the park.. but it is the best view from outside the park.

I second the idea of eating somewhere nearby earlier, like cape May, big river grille, beaches and cream (they have burgers, etc, not just ice cream) check and see which night they have movies on the beach!! stroll over to the bridge at 8:55. then back to the movie!

ps if you don't have a car you will have to either take a bus to DTD, then to your resort, or, depending how late Hollywood studios is open, take the boat to DHS and a bus back to your resort.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

On our last trip, we were pleasantly surprised by the fact that we could see some of the aerial fireworks from our table at the back of Todd English's bluezoo. We got really lucky getting that table, though. I think that our view of the fireworks was actually better on the trip before that, when we watched them from the walkway outside our room on the third floor of Building 2 at the Port Orleans French Quarter.

 

[Luv2Roam]

You might want to eat at the CBR resort, and sit on the beach during Illuminations. As others have said, your view will not be much. But it is a nice, easy enjoyable experience.

Wishes not a weekday evening? I did not know there was such a thing.

 

[AirGoofy]

You might want to eat at the CBR resort, and sit on the beach during Illuminations. As others have said, your view will not be much. But it is a nice, easy enjoyable experience.

If you go to CBR, go to the Food Court. Shutters is terrible. You do have a good view of the fireworks from their beach. I agree with others about Boardwalk or Beach Club restaurants. You won't see them from the restaurant. But, I thought the views from either bridge was ok. If you watch from the furthest bridge, then you see the fireworks reflect off the water. The problem with Illuminations is that some of the show is with the floating world, so there are breaks between the fireworks, and you can't see that from outside Epcot.

 

[ThreeKMom]

To the OP, just reread your post, what time of year are you going?

I only ask because if it's during one of the special partys (MNSSHP or MVMCP) you would be able to see and hear the music from the special party fireworks from the MK on the beach at the Poly!

Just another option for some extra magic!

 

[sherekhan]

To the OP, just reread your post, what time of year are you going?

I only ask because if it's during one of the special partys (MNSSHP or MVMCP) you would be able to see and hear the music from the special party fireworks from the MK on the beach at the Poly!

Just another option for some extra magic!

Thanks everyone!

We'll be there 10/27 and we'll be going to MNSSHP the following night. So, I don't want to see the MK fireworks from outside that night and spoil it since I haven't seen Hallowishes before. I want to see it for the first time from inside the park!

Still not sure what I want to do, but with the comments about the "high" Illuminations fireworks not being that high, maybe we'll go in a totally different direction and do Hoop De Doo that night instead...

 

[smidgy]

hoop de doo REVUE!!! (not review).. great choice!!!

I would say, if you were nto going to do anything anyway, viewing fireworks, illuminations from near by would be a good idea.

but we really enjoyed HDDR!!! you Do need to make reservations as soon as possible, and leave plenty transportation time to get there.
\
it is fun, the food is good it includes wine, beer and gratuity (although our server was so good we felt she deserved MORe than a paltry 18%, for all the times she had to bring more food and beer, etc.)

 

[RMulieri]

I would do Hoop de Doo, it is a great way to start off your trip