where to watch IllumiNations & Wishes?

[marlene1982]

Perhaps a... dare I say it... *dumb* question, but where do we go to watch IllumiNations & Wishes? I haven't been able to find this info anywhere.

TIA!

 

[Golliwobbler]

As to where - Illuminations is in the center of the lagoon which is surrounded by the World Showcase. You walk around the lagoon as you visit the countries. It usually goes off at 9pm. You can see Illuminations from almost anywhere around the lagoon, as well as down the main strip towards Spaceship Earth (the "giant golf ball")...see this link to Disney for info.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...umiNationsReflectionsofEarthEntertainmentPage

Wishes is "over" Cinderella's Castle in MK. The fireworks actually launch from a few locations, including the rooftops of Snow White and Peter Pan rides in the park and from behind the park in the service area. If you watch from behind the Castle by the Carousel, the fireworks go off all around you, which can be fun (an a bit terrifying), but is not nearly as good a show as watching from in front of the Castle. We did it once and don't need to do it again.

Now, if your question is where is the BEST place to watch these shows,well, that is a can of worms! Everyone's got their favorite. My favorites are:

Illuminations - right up front, directly across from America. If you stand around, just before 9pm the CMs open up the chain and let you go out on the platform which is right in front of the show. I've watched it from the bridge in France, by Canada and UK, by Mexico and China, even from America, and the front platform is by far my favorite.

For Wishes, I like to watch it from the front, right side of the Castle as you are facing it, b/c it is easy to get to from Tomorrowland, it is on front, and Tink flys right over your head....

 

[marlene1982]

thanks a bunch!!!

 

[cowtownmom]

Glad to know that about the platform in front of America! We will have to give that a try this time.

Yes, definately on the right of the castle for Wishes. On our first trip, we did not know about Tink flying overhead and we just happened to be on the bridge to Tomorrowland and she went right over us! It was great!!

 

[Golliwobbler]

Glad to know that about the platform in front of America! We will have to give that a try this time.

Ooops, sorry for the confusion...I meant ACROSS the LAGOON...not at the America Pavilion. That would be nice, but it is generally restricted to provate parties whenever I am around.

The platform I was talking about was between the two stores just as you enter World Showcase...all the way across the lagoon from America...on the Spaceship Earth side. Hope that clears it up.

 

[MeggP]

We watched Wishes right as you go into Main St. In fact we were standing right in front of the bronze statue of Disney on the bench. My little ones don't like the loudness of fireworks so we were far enough back we could enjoy them there. For illuminations we watched near the American pavillion. Both times we found our spot less than 30 minutes before the show.

MeggP

 

[Robo]

Wishes:

If all you want to see is FIREWORKS, you can stand at MOST areas in the MK.
(And a wide variety of places OUTSIDE the MK.)

But if you are NOT at CERTAIN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, you will MISS the "full impact" of the SHOW called "Wishes".

Wishes has two fireworks "STAGES":
One fires its missiles from a location FAR BEHIND any public area of MK.
The other fires its missiles from the ROOF-TOPS of Fantasyland/Liberty Square/the Castle.
The guests' VIEWING ANGLE will affect "if and how" these two stages can be viewed together (they are designed to be viewed "together".)

There is a full AUDIO TRACK that is synchronized with the fireworks.
It is the "motivation" for the unique fireworks effects that change with each MOOD and SECTION of the audio track.

The audio, and positioning of the two fireworks "stages" relative to the viewer will affect the impact of the show.

The front of the CASTLE ITSELF is part of the "show".
There is an elaborate lighting system that is used to change the color of the castle to suit each MOOD, and even "textures" and shapes are projected on the castle at key points in the show (Mickey's Sorcerer's HAT is a great one).

Tinkerbell's flight (which used to take place PRIOR to the old fireworks show at MK) is now WITHIN "Wishes". She doesn't fly EVERY night, but she OFTEN flies and you should be in a position to see her.

The SWEET-SPOT for Wishes is: starting from approx. the "bridge to Tomorrowland" ...on up Main Street to the "Main Street Cinema" (Pal Mickey Store).
That is simply the "optimum viewing" area.

There are MANY other places to watch, but they are all compromises that diminish the "full effect" of the show in one way or more:

Some have little or no SOUND.
Some have obstructed views of the fireworks.
Some only allow viewing of one of the two fireworks "stages".
Some places (like the Main Street train station) don't turn off the lights in the area, so there will likely be lights in your field-of-vision.
Some don't allow a view of the castle-front and/or Tinkerbell when she flies.

So, if you don't MIND this, you can choose from a multitude of "viewing spots" throughout the MK.

My point is that the show is designed for "FULL EFFECT" to be seen from the "Sweet spot" areas I described. (But, yes, those can be C-R-O-W-D-E-D!)

Wishes is the only fireworks show that can be (for the most part) seen from outside the presenting park.
Good viewing can be found at the beach of the Polynesian Resort (walk along the sidewalk there until you see a view of the castle unobstructed by trees.)
The Ohana restaurant at the Poly offers good views (and they pipe in the audio of the show). Same goes for the California Grill Restaurant (and outdoor terrace) at the Contemporary Resort.
At Grand Floridian, "Narcoossee's" is the restaurant with the MK and Wishes views (and sound).

The MK parking lot (TTC) offers views, as well as do other outdoor spots for several miles in any direction of MK. But without the sound, you miss a lot of the "show".
Best analogy:
Sitting across the highway from a Drive-In Theater and "watching the movie" with binoculars. You can do it, but it LACKS something.

-----------------------------------

IllumiNations:

Great viewing from:
Bridge between UK and France (under this bridge is where the so-called "IllumiNations Cruise" boats view the show.

The plaza area on the water (lagoon) at Italy.

Near Norway is prime.

Area to left of UK "Pub" (this is also near a roped-off Wheelchair viewing area.)

Front area of WS near the "twin gift shops" (very crowded here). Many times guests are asked to SIT on the pavement so others behind them can see.

Actually too many "good" spots to list.
Just remember that you don't want to stand under tree-limbs (obstructed sky-views) or DOWN-WIND of all that fireworks fall-out and SMOKE.

"Outside the park " viewing:
MOST of effects of IllumiNations take place ON (or just a few feet above) the surface of the water of the WS lagoon.
Except for the very first "Comet" firework effect, and several other major "sky-blasts" (some quite LOUD), IllumiNations can't really be enjoyed from outside Epcot's World Showcase.
One favorite outside spot to view the few "sky-blasts" is on the bridge coming toward Epcot's International Gateway from the Boardwalk Resort. You can't hear any of the music track, which is a very important part of the show.
You can't see very much either, and there will be very long periods of time where you see nothing at all.

 

[TinkerKim]

In front of the castle is a MUST for wishes. It is absolutely my favorite. Magic Kingdom is the "real" disney for my family.

We watched Illuminations by the margarita stand..... . Great spot!!!!

 

[liamandcaili]

With Wishes, you just have to be careful about the trees. You think you are standing in a good spot, but then the fireworks start and the trees block out part of the view. If it's crowded, once you are in your spot, you are kind of stuck there.

Last year, for Christmas Wishes, we saw the show from the end of Main Street (not as far back as the train station). It was a great spot for us because we have two young children, so in a big crowd, they can't see. It wasn't crowded back there, and we were able to walk right out of the park without fighting the crowds. Steering a stroller down a crowded Main Street at the end of the night is an enormous challenge, with people pushing from behind trying to move faster and people in front trying not to get whacked in the ankles.

As for Illuminations, another great spot is the terrace at Rose and Crown. If you make dinner reservations there (probably for around 7 for a 9 pm show) you can watch the show from there. It's ideal to get a table outside, but I believe that even if you aren't actually seated on the terrace, the restaurant allows you to stand out on the terrace behind the tables for the show.

Oh, and last trip we did the Illuminations Cruise, and that was the best view ever.