Watching Illuminations from Japan??

[Anal Annie]

Soooo I remember one time a few years ago we were just finishing up dinner at Teppan Edo and were able to go out on the steps on the Japan Pavilion to watch Illuminations. This summer we have a res next door at Tokyo Dining on July 4th. Do you think we would be able to do the same thing or do they tend to shoo people away and off the steps?? I know it wasn't a problem the time we did it but just wondered if anything has changed or if there's any policies I should be aware of??

 

[courtneybeth]

We've watched it on the ground in Japan - near the red structure. Never had a bad view and loved it. Try it from there if you're worried.

 

[Robo]

just wondered if anything has changed or if there's any policies I should be aware of??

Nothing has changed.

 

[Anal Annie]

We've watched it on the ground in Japan - near the red structure. Never had a bad view and loved it. Try it from there if you're worried.

Nothing has changed.

Great! Thanks! Not sure yet if we will try to get a FP or not for these fireworks on the 4th so I wanted to eat somewhere that would have good viewing nearby. I'm actually wondering if we should push our res back a little later. Right now it's at 8:00 and from what I've been able to piece together the fireworks there won't be until 10:00 that night. Thoughts? We'd like to time finishing up until right before Illuminations - but not TOO close to showtime. I was thinking with an 8:00 we should finish up by 9-9:30 or so.

 

[Robo]

Great! Thanks! Not sure yet if we will try to get a FP or not for these fireworks on the 4th so I wanted to eat somewhere that would have good viewing nearby. I'm actually wondering if we should push our res back a little later. Right now it's at 8:00 and from what I've been able to piece together the fireworks there won't be until 10:00 that night. Thoughts? We'd like to time finishing up until right before Illuminations - but not TOO close to showtime. I was thinking with an 8:00 we should finish up by 9-9:30 or so.

I'd not want to try to find a spot on July 4th after 8:30PM, or so, for a 10PM IllumiNations.

 

[Anal Annie]

I'd not want to try to find a spot on July 4th after 8:30PM, or so, for a 10PM IllumiNations.

So you think those steps will already be full when we finish dinner?

 

[Robo]

So you think those steps will already be full when we finish dinner?

I don't know what will be full, but, if ever ANYTHING is full, expect it to be so on July 4th, and earlier
than usual.

(I hesitate to say this it this late this thread, but I don't find the restaurant steps in Japan
to be premium viewing for IllumiNations.)

But, if you DO like them... get there early.
And, at WDW... getting to a desired location far too early beats getting there one minute too late.

 

[Anal Annie]

I don't know what will be full, but, if ever ANYTHING is full, expect it to be so on July 4th, and earlier
than usual.

(I hesitate to say this it this late this thread, but I don't find the restaurant steps in Japan
to be premium viewing for IllumiNations.)

But, if you DO like them... get there early.
And, at WDW... getting to a desired location far too early beats getting there one minute too late.

We just watched from there one time a few years ago and it was nice to be up higher than everyone else and not have heads & stuff in the way. Figured it might be a good vantage point for the special July 4th show.

 

[Robo]

We just watched from there one time a few years ago and it was nice to be up higher than everyone else and not have heads & stuff in the way. Figured it might be a good vantage point for the special July 4th show.

Forget that I said anything negative about the spot.
If you want it, get there early.

 

[msk]

We watched from there that very crowded election week last Nov. it was a good view and we were the only ones there.