What is your favorite viewing spot for Illuminations?

[horse11]

So for all you die hard Illumination fans where is you favorite spot to view them?

 

[DisneyBum303]

We always ended up on the bridge between France and UK. Now it's our tradition

 

[Bullseye]

Japan!

 

[PinkBudgie]

First timer here. It would be helpful to also know how early before the show do you arrive at these locations.

 

[horse11]

First timer here. It would be helpful to also know how early before the show do you arrive at these locations.

Yes I agree! Hopefully people will add that to their post.

 

[winthropf]

My favorite is upwind. I have watched from many locations around the lagoon, and since most of the fireworks are low level you definitely want the wind at your back. Downwind the smoke is bad and makes viewing can be like watching through fog.

If the wind is right, my favorite is the patio on the France side of the bridge between UK and France. The problem is that this area is often reserved for private parties. There are many good locations, look for where the islands with the trees are and compare those to the center of the lagoon. Find a spot away from sight line blocks.

How far in advance to get a spot depends greatly on how crowded the park is. On low crowd days I have gotten right up against the fence around the lagoon within 15 minutes of start. Just pay attention to when people start lining up. Once someone starts, others will follow quickly. Could be an hour before the show for higher crowd levels. Instead of a fastpass runner you may need a beer runner.

 

[Caseheidi]

We have two spots we like to watch from. The patio for the restaurant in Mexico can be nice, but we have had the best luck in Germany. There is a loading dock or something that sticks out a little, and we have never had a smoky viewing there.

 

[Swilleyfam]

We always stand right in front of the Mexico pavillion (after grabbing a snack from the Caramel store in Germany)! No obstructions and the Margarita stand is nearby!!!

With the summertime crowds, we usually try to be in place an hour ahead of time! (Hence, the snack). I also bring glow sticks, or another activity (bubbles?!) for the kids to play with while we wait!

 

[juliehoey]

We always ended up on the bridge between France and UK. Now it's our tradition

I have heard this spot as a fave for a lot of people. We are staying at YC so that area is ideal. Depending on time of year and crowd levels, how far in advance have you personally found is needed to claim a good spot? We are there last week in August.

 

[Meriweather]

Our favorite is where the Fast Pass+ is now.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Bridge between France and UK. Easy walk for my Black n Tans, Easy Walk for my wifes Grey Goose Slushies, above boats that people spend ALOT of money on for private cruise viewing and can pretty easily find a spot on the rail 20/30 minutes prior to the start of the show.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I have heard this spot as a fave for a lot of people. We are staying at YC so that area is ideal. Depending on time of year and crowd levels, how far in advance have you personally found is needed to claim a good spot? We are there last week in August.

I would feel it out. I would plan to be in the UK/France area for about 8:20 and see what it looks like. By the time you go grab a drink and get situated, you can be on the bridge by 8:30 (even though you might not have to be). Then, depending on how fast you drink, you might have to to grab another one before the show starts.

I wouldn't expect to just walk up at 6:40 and find a spot on the rail, but it is usually pretty possible for a couple people. The bigger the group, the earlier you need to arrive.

 

[huskies90]

Illuminations is my favorite and I have seen it at least 50 times over the last 10 years. I've seen it from just about every possible vantage point around the lagoon and in my opinion, the best spot is on the showcase plaza leading from Future World to the World Showcase Lagoon. This area usually is mostly blocked off for special viewing, parties, or for FP+ but there are always sections you can find open to the general public usually right in front of the port of entry or disney traders buildings. This spot has many advantages including a direct proportional view of the effects and it is the closest spot to the fireworks launch barges making for an incredible and LOUD experience. It also is the easiest exit spot if you are heading to the parking lot, buses or monorail after the show. The plaza area has a slight incline which makes it easy to walk up right before the show - no problem getting a great view.

The runner up spot for me, and the spot I prefer when planning to exit through the international gateway is Italy preferably the osola plaza assuming there is no event blocking it off. For many of the same reasons as the showcase plaza, the vantage point and proximity are superior. There is plenty of open space so lining up before hand is also not necessary (although getting the rail on the osola plaza is worth getting there early if possible).

All the above being said, these places are only marginally better and really, there are dozens of great spots to watch all around the lagoon. I rarely burn time staking out a 'great spot' early in the evening and would rather enjoy walking around the world showcase with a drink (or 2) until just before the show. All the places mentioned in this post are great and I agree, to be aware of the wind direction as that will make viewing (and breathing) much more difficult.

 

[DWillowBay]

Between Mexico and Norway!

 

[shyjade]

Our favorite is where the Fast Pass+ is now.

I know I'm in the minority here, but we really liked our Illuminations FP+ in October. We especially loved how quickly we were able to leave the park as soon as it ended - it was great to be "ahead" of the bus crowds. We had plenty of room around us and could spread out. I would not hesitate to "waste" a FP+ on it again IF Epcot hadn't added the tiered FP+ system. Now, there's no way I'm giving up Soarin' (which I love but refuse to ride SB)for a reserved Illuminations viewing area.

 

[Disneyhabs]

Out front of the Canada pavillion

 

[DisneyChristmas]

We really enjoyed the IllumiNations FP+ viewing. Before that, our favorites were between Noway-China along the fence or Italy out on the point.

 

[W.E.D.]

There is a small area with benches just past the fish and chips CS area in the UK pavillion. If you follow it all the way down, there are benchs right down by the lagoon. This was always our favorite, assuming there were no special events going on there--sometimes it is roped off.

Then on our last trip we discovered the area right between Germany and the Trading post area--there are some "boulders" there and a few benches and tables. It was a slow night, during slow season, so I assume this doesn't always occur, but there was NO ONE there at 8:55. Best seats we've ever had.

 

[JimmyV]

Sitting on the fountain by the water in the Italy pavilion.

 

[ArmyVet80]

If you are going to have a later dinner I would suggest the Rose & Crown Pub. You may get lucky enough to get the outdoor seating and see Illuminations while you eat. We try and get reservations around 7:30 pm which will almost guarantee you will be there for Illuminations. Last year we got to sit on the lower patio and the show was amazing. This is by far the best place we have seen Illuminations. Other than that pretty much everywhere everyone else has posted. We also like watching from the German Pavilion.