Probably a Stupid Illumnations Question

[shoegirl1020]

We are trying to plan our upcoming trip and looking at the Disney website it appears that Illlumnations is EVERY NIGHT? Does that sound right? If not how do I find out which nights it is held? We will be there 1/19 thru 1/21. Also, what time and where should we plan on getting a good spot?

Thank you. You guys certainly know your stuff.

 

[Goofy4]

This time of year isn't real crowded (I don't think so, anyways). 30-60 minutes should do it. It depends on how much of a "prime" viewing location you're looking for.

If you have young kids, it can be difficult to find a spot where everyone can see. If so, you might want to post another question on that. And yes, it's every night -- even if it rains.

 

[Pinnochio]

Yes the show is on every night. I would agree to look for a spot to see them about 60-30 minutes before the show

 

[88Keys]

During crowded times and/or EMH it is sometimes twice in a night

 

[Goofy4]

During crowded times and/or EMH it is sometimes twice in a night

Just so shoegirl1020 doesn't get the wrong idea, the above would apply to Spectro and Fantasmic, but not Illuminations (I think it costs them a bunch of money to put on Illuminations). If I'm wrong, my appology to 88keys.

 

[sunny04]

I'm pretty sure that's right...Illuminations is only done once a night, but it IS every night at 9pm like clockwork. That's the nice thing about Epcot hours...they never change. WS always opens at 11am and "closes" at 9pm with Illimuninations. We have never found the times to be different.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We just returned and found many good places to watch at 8:30.

FYI - Illuminations does change .. it is at 9:30 at Christmas time because of CP..

 

[disneefamily]

Thirty minutes should be plenty of time in the middle of January. We lined up thirty minutes before with a good spot on the last trip, and that was the second week of June.

 

[AJKMOM]

All you need is a clear view of the lake, and it's a big lake! At the time you are going, there should be at least once that you will have a great view of the show without standing for an hour. When it's cold there, people tend to watch in the link area by Future World so they can run to the busses.

 

[disnut8]

It costs $30K per night for Illuminations. But it goes off every night at 9:00 without fail unless there's a hurricane (which I doubt for your visit). It's 9:30 during the holidays which won't happen with you.

My suggestion - the Germany overhang right across from the Hummel shop. We've gotten great spots there at 8:45. Mostly because it's at the back of World Showcase. In my opinion, the best part about Illuminations is after the show. The walking out. Take your time. The buses will still be there. Stroll, don't walk. Listen to the music.

Illuminations used to be on the husband's "whatever" list. Now it's a must see.

 

[spacemountain]

I just got back and got a seat in Mexico about 30 minutes before it started. Plus then, while I was watching Illuminations I got to eat some nachos!

 

[sunny04]

We just returned and found many good places to watch at 8:30.

FYI - Illuminations does change .. it is at 9:30 at Christmas time because of CP..

Weird....last year it didn't. We did the 5:30 CP and then watched the lights on the last one from our waiting spot for Illuminations. It makes sense to change the times, cause the people in CP missed Illuminations, at least with a good spot. But last year, it was still at the same time.

 

[GEM]

Nope. It was 9:30pm last year, just like it always is during the nights the Candlelight Processional is running. We watched it three different times on our trip last December (2004) and two times this year (2005) and it was always 9:30pm for both trips. (My little guy LOVES this show, so we always see it more than once!)


Added: I also just pulled out our guide maps from our Dec. 2004 and 2005 trips. On both maps, for all of December, Illuminations was listed as 9:30p.m.

 

[ACrider]

How long does the show last?

Would love more tips on good spots for viewing, or maybe spots to stear clear of would be just as helpful.

I'd like to settle into a spot where we can get some cool dessert - snack item also to enjoy while we watch.

appreciate the tips, keep them coming! thanks!!

 

[Robo]

How long does the show last?

About 13 minutes end-to-end.

 

[peter11435]

I'm pretty sure that's right...Illuminations is only done once a night, but it IS every night at 9pm like clockwork. That's the nice thing about Epcot hours...they never change. WS always opens at 11am and "closes" at 9pm with Illimuninations. We have never found the times to be different.

They do change at Christmas time. The entire month of December Illuminations is at 9:30 and the park closes at 9:30.

 

[BethC1952]

DisNut8 said:

My suggestion - the Germany overhang right across from the Hummel shop. We've gotten great spots there at 8:45. Mostly because it's at the back of World Showcase. In my opinion, the best part about Illuminations is after the show. The walking out. Take your time. The buses will still be there. Stroll, don't walk. Listen to the music

We had dinner at Chef de France in May, 2005, during Illuminations. It was awesome--it was my birthday, the food was great, and we had a window seat for Illuminations. By the time we finished our dinner and started heading to the front of the park for the bus, it was quite late. We were the next to the last group of people to leave the park. We know this because, while we were on the bus waiting to leave, the CM's were on the radio giving the location of the LAST group of people--and we heard them describe us and say that we had just boarded the bus! When that last group of people boarded the bus, we left. There were no other buses in the lot. That bus went to three different resorts to deliver its passengers.

It was wonderful walking all the way through the park and seeing no other guests! No one rushed us, but we were aware that we were being watched, although we didn't realize at the time that we were being "tracked"!