Show timing question

[abi113]

Could anyone tell me what time Illuminations at Epcot ends?
Thankyou

 

[RyMickey]

The show itself is approximately 13-15 minutes long.

 

[abi113]

We are planning on hiring the Grand 1 yatch for a couple of hours on our wedding night. Do you think it would be possible to go watch illuminations then go to watch wishes too? It will be in June next year and going by this years show times illuminations is at 9 and wishes at 10pm?
Thankyou for your reply

 

[Robo]

We are planning on hiring the Grand 1 yatch for a couple of hours on our wedding night. Do you think it would be possible to go watch illuminations then go to watch wishes too? It will be in June next year and going by this years show times illuminations is at 9 and wishes at 10pm?
Thankyou for your reply

Its POSSIBLE, but it would be chancy.

Virtually EVERYONE who is in Epcot at 8:30pm will be attempting to leave between 8:45pm and 9:30pm (on non Evening EMH nights).

If you leave WS and "sprint" thru FW to the front gate, I'm estimating you'll only have 30-35 minutes to get from THERE to MK.
Very tight.
The monorail can be PACKED with many guests backed-up waiting for more trains to arrive. (Same goes for buses and the parking lot exits).
Figure 20 minutes for the monorail trip.
Once you get to TTC (the Monorail from Epcot goes only to TTC) you'll need to exit that train, walk down a long ramp, walk up another long ramp to the express monorail to MK.

Then you'll need to go through security "bag-check" and the ticket-reader/finger scan to enter MK.

Then, since they DON'T turn OFF the lights of Main Street up near the Train Station, you'd want to try to walk down to (at least) past the "Main Street Cinema" (its really a Pal Mickey store) so you won't have lights in your eyes as you watch the show.
I just don't see how you'll make this trip on time.

SOOO...
An alternative to the above would be to try to take the monorail to at least the TTC, exit the train and, if its nearly SHOW-TIME for "Wishes", find a spot right there at TTC with a good view of the castle and watch the fireworks from THERE.
You'll likely not hear the AUDIO (which is a great part of the show), but the fireworks are SPECTACULAR when viewed across the lake.
Another great place to view the show is from the BEACH at the Poly (Poly is next door to TTC).

I know my way around all of these places, and can get to-and-from just about anywhere (making changes in transportation decisions as I go).
But if you are a bit shaky on just exactly where you're going and how long it will take to get there... you might find that you are disappointed.

There are lots of folks who DO "just make it" to Wishes that starts an hour later than IllumiNations.
Consider that if you miss the START of the show... it lasts for 12 more minutes and the BETTER effects (except TINKERBELL) come later in the show.

 

[abi113]

Oh I am sorry I don't think I made it very clear. I was hoping to hire the Grand 1 yatch and go and watch the illuminations cruise on that and as you hire the boat and not the cruise ie an hourly rate , then drive over to watch wishes....no leg power required, just horsepower!!

 

[Robo]

Oh I am sorry I don't think I made it very clear. I was hoping to hire the Grand 1 yatch and go and watch the illuminations cruise on that and as you hire the boat and not the cruise ie an hourly rate , then drive over to watch wishes....no leg power required, just horsepower!!

That doesn't really change the answer.

The only difference would be you wouldn't ride the monorail from Epcot, but you'd still be going to TTC in a car (that's at the MK parking lot.)

Depending on how long it takes to dock the boat and you to walk from the dock to your car (etc.) the timing would be about the same as the "sprint" thru FW and waiting for the monorail at the Epcot end.

After you exit your car and get to the TTC entrance, you'd need to ride to MK on the monorail (if you chose to go there to watch the show).
So consider everything I said about timing to be pretty accurate.

 

[abi113]

Sorry I thought I'd be able to not have to dock the boat at all and just use the boat to go and watch wishes. Effectively using the Grand 1 yatch as both a wishes and illuminations cruise.
It seemed like a good idea when I thought of it!!
Thanks again for your help

 

[Robo]

Sorry I thought I'd be able to not have to dock the boat at all and just use the boat to go and watch wishes.
It seemed like a good idea when I thought of it!!
Thanks again for your help

Yes.

Many folks new to WDW assume that there are 4 themeparks located in the same general area.

Except for Epcot and Dis/MGM Studios (which ARE within walking/boating distance of each other), the parks are MILES apart and share no common navigable waterway.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, it's not possible. While technically all the waterways are connected, mostly the connections aren't navigable. IllumiNations occurs in World Showcase Lagoon inside Epcot, which is connected to Crescent Lake. The Grand I is based at the Grand Floridian on Seven Seas Lagoon, adjacent to the Magic Kingdom which is where Wishes is. Even on the off-chance the boat could get from one park to the other, it most likely would take longer than the time you have between displays.

 

[abi113]

Hi
Thankyou both for your replies.
I haven't stayed or used disney resorts before so hadn't really thought about the distance- thankyou. This is the first time we are staying/visiting a disney resort though have been to WDW many times and obv the first time I am getting married! Wishes it is then - fantastic show , can't wait!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Um, did you mean to say "the first time I'm visiting Disney and the only time I'm getting married"? Congratulations (and IMO, two hours on the Grand I is a much better way to celebrate than rushing from park to park to 'see it all')

 

[abi113]

Well first and only time I am getting married ... excluding the disney vow renewal we will need in a few years time! Been to WDW several times but never visited any of the resorts/hotels , we have a timeshare but only just found out they can be used at any of the DVC resorts