Please set me straight on Illuminations FP

[Mrs~Incredible]

I've read a lot of opinions on whether it's worth it, but my question is this....

We will be going on a high crowd day- my hubby, 3 yo DD, and myself. Planning on FP for soarin and maybe Nemo or SE, and we also thought we'd do Illum.

BUT I just read that you have to line up like 30 min before the viewing area opens (translation = 8:00 ish) to get a good spot in the FP area (??) That just sounds cray cray to me. I thought the point would be to be able to avoid "staking out a spot"

Is that accurate?

Or could we swing in about 8:45 or so and still have a good spot?

Not sure what to do....

Thanks!!

 

[Robo]

I've read a lot of opinions on whether it's worth it, but my question is this....

We will be going on a high crowd day- my hubby, 3 yo DD, and myself. Planning on FP for soarin and maybe Nemo or SE, and we also thought we'd do Illum.

BUT I just read that you have to line up like 30 min before the viewing area opens (translation = 8:00 ish) to get a good spot in the FP area (??) That just sounds cray cray to me. I thought the point would be to be able to avoid "staking out a spot"

Is that accurate?

Or could we swing in about 8:45 or so and still have a good spot?

Not sure what to do....

Thanks!!

Better yet, don't bother with a FP.
Just view from any of the multiplicity of other great spots.

Who knows what direction the wind will be blowing that night.
You'd be free to pick a spot where the wind (and fireworks smoke and cinders) are not in your face.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Great point.

And I just realized that Illum is tier 1, and Soarin is more important to us.

Thanks!

 

[Raimiette]

I got a Illuminations FP last year and in my opinion it is not worth it.

It is correct you would need to line up about a half hour before (and by line up, I mean just sort of loiter around the FP area as there are no specific lines to speak of, so once they start letting people in everyone just kind of converges in a big group). It's important to be one of the first ones in because there are only so many spots right up front (I'm thinking maybe 50ish up-front spots perhaps). Anything else is no better than the non-FP area. Once you're in you get the privilege of sitting on hard concrete in pretty close quarters until the show starts (once again, if you want a front spot).

Personally I wouldn't waste my time with it. I would have rather stood up against a railing somewhere else in the Showcase.

 

[nkereina]

I thought the point would be to be able to avoid "staking out a spot"

You either have to stake out a spot with the general public, or stake out a spot in the viewing area with the other FP+ people. As mentioned, not worth it IMO.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Thanks so much everyone!

Can always count on great advice here

 

[mydisneykids]

I got a Illuminations FP last year and in my opinion it is not worth it.

It is correct you would need to line up about a half hour before (and by line up, I mean just sort of loiter around the FP area as there are no specific lines to speak of, so once they start letting people in everyone just kind of converges in a big group). It's important to be one of the first ones in because there are only so many spots right up front (I'm thinking maybe 50ish up-front spots perhaps). Anything else is no better than the non-FP area. Once you're in you get the privilege of sitting on hard concrete in pretty close quarters until the show starts (once again, if you want a front spot).

I was there last week and was walking by the enterance area for the viewing fast pass at about 8:30. The line went from that enterance to the bridge by Mexico. How many do they give out I can't imagine all those people fitting. And it was a fast pass line, CMs were standing at points along the line.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

The one time we did use it... and it was worth it but only because it was New Year's Eve! Have fun!