VIP for Illuminations

[lavelle]

What options are there to have VIP viewing for Illuminations? I will be at Epcot the evenings of Fri 4/24/15 & Sat 4/25/15.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

None right now unless you want to book a private party.

Maybe book a reservation at Rose & Crown, if you aren't seated on the patio they have an area where the servers will bring you to watch.

Wait a bit to see if the dessert party is reinstated, I hear right now it is not booking in 2015. It has its issues (no seats being one of them)

 

[figment_jii]

Assuming there still doing it, there is also FP+. Not VIP, but the viewing location is pretty good.

You might also wait and see if they offer any special offerings/events for Flower & Garden. They've saying there will be food again next year, so maybe they'll add in a high-end dining event that includes IllumiNations viewing (like F&W does).

 

[Robo]

Assuming there still doing it, there is also FP+. Not VIP, but

the viewing location is pretty good.

Nearly identical, really.

FP+ is at #16 below, and the "VIP Party is/was at #14.

 

[schoen]

You can try to book an illuminations cruise. It is not really the very best view, but it is pretty darn good, and a very nice experience.

 

[figment_jii]

Nearly identical, really.

FP+ is at #16 below, and the "VIP Party is/was at #14.

True, but the crowd levels were markedly different when I was there. Access to the VIP viewing area was included with the 3D Dessert Party and there was plenty of room to sit and/or move around. The FP+ viewing area was much more crowded looking.

 

[lavelle]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm leaning towards the boat cruise. Definitely a splurge since I'll only be with three others, but if I do it on Saturday (my last day) I think it'll be the cherry on top of the vacation. Does anybody have photos or know where I can find photos of the view? thanks

 

[lynn46356]

We love the illuminations cruise. We've done it 3 times. Can't beat the views. If you want me to send you a few pics via email, send me your email address.

 

[theparsons]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm leaning towards the boat cruise. Definitely a splurge since I'll only be with three others, but if I do it on Saturday (my last day) I think it'll be the cherry on top of the vacation. Does anybody have photos or know where I can find photos of the view? thanks

A lot of people book this for their own small party and then invite other Disboarders to pay a small fee to join them. I've never done this, but have read many threads and trip reports about others who have done it.

I also have read that it is extremely difficult to book, so you'll want to do a bit research about how others have accomplished it so that you know exactly when/where/how to make the call.

My favorite place to watch Illuminations in upstairs in the Tokyo Dining room....they lower the lights, pump in the music and I can eat some sushi and watch the lights. Not recommended for your first time since obviously the view isn't quite as good, but for those of us who have seen it enough times to close our eyes and the music brings back the pictures, lol.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Here is the view from the "VIP viewing area", #14 on Robo's map. They won't let stand up against the railing. So you have to stand behind the planters.



This shot was from a private party, but similar view as the FP+. Where the FP+ is near the "A" dock, this photo is near the "C" dock on Robo's map. Here, you are allowed to stand right up to the railing.

 

[mom2rtk]

^^^^Beautiful shots Franklin!

 

[Pixel Dust]

^^^^Beautiful shots Franklin!

Thanks! I didn't realize they were the exact same part of the show until I went looking for them.

 

[ajfd]

Two of our boys are flying out at 6:30 on Sunday morning so they will have to be on the ME bus at 3:30. Sleep might win over Saturday night. Haha.

Unrelated to the topic, but...

An option we have done in the past when we have an early flight is to check-out from our resort the day before and make a one-night reservation at the Orlando Airport Hyatt. We set-up ME to take us to the airport after our park day, check-in, and get a little better sleep then having to deal with catching ME at 3:30a.