Why is fastpass an option for Illuminations?!

[OnceUponATime33]

I'm confused. As far as the parades and fireworks shows go, I thought it was basically stand in a certain area and see the parade/firework....how does having a fastpass help?

Can anyone explain this to me, please? First-timer here, planning a trip for late Feb.
TIA!

 

[ndfan]

We did a fast pass for illuminations in November because we had a couple people with us who had never been. It was well worth the FP. We didn't have to worry about finding a spot super early and fighting the crowds, and the view was great.. Typically we would not have wasted a FP for it but considering the fact that we had "first timers" with us and that was their first day so we didn't have morning FPs scheduled for them it was well worth it

 

[OnceUponATime33]

We did a fast pass for illuminations in November because we had a couple people with us who had never been. It was well worth the FP. We didn't have to worry about finding a spot super early and fighting the crowds, and the view was great.. Typically we would not have wasted a FP for it but considering the fact that we had "first timers" with us and that was their first day so we didn't have morning FPs scheduled for them it was well worth it

How do I go about redeeming the fast pass when it is time?

 

[ndfan]

There will be cast members that will scan your magic band as you walk in the designated area..

 

[ndfan]

The FP area when we were there was roped off in the "showcase plaza" between the 2 gift shops... There were cast members there directing the line and giving instructions for the FP

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'm confused. As far as the parades and fireworks shows go, I thought it was basically stand in a certain area and see the parade/firework....how does having a fastpass help?

Can anyone explain this to me, please? First-timer here, planning a trip for late Feb.
TIA!

Welcome to the dis, 33.

It helps fill out an attraction starved tier 1 fastpass selection at Epcot.

 

[DisneyKidds]

You ask a good question. I've always been of the same mind....why would I use a valuable tier 1 FP+ for something like Illuminations? There are tons of great places I can see Illuminations around the World Showcase, without burning my tier 1 FP+. Give up a ride on Soarin' or Test Track to see a show I can see just fine without FP+.....no thank you.

While I still think that may be generally true for most people most of the time, there are times when it might make sense to try it. The previous poster's example is a good one. For us it was New Year's Eve. Here is the general benefit to an Illumination FP+. You won't have to stake out a spot as early, you will have a better view, and you most likely won't have to worry about some selfish (bleep) and his annoying (bleeping) family muscling into a spot in which they can't fit right in front of your kids at the last minute, blocking the great view you HAD from the spot you staked out 30 minutes ago or more. I'd imagine same holds true for parades and fireworks in the MK. The view from the Illuminations FP+ viewing area is also fantastic, best I've ever seen. You feel like you are underneath some of the big shells, where I haven't experienced that out on the Promenade.
I have seen reports by people who have had very crowded experiences in the Illuminations FP+ viewing area, so results may vary I guess.

We loved it and had a great experience. As for our experience on NYE, having FP+ for Soarin' and Test Track earlier in the trip, and knowing how extremely crowded Epcot would be on NYE, I snagged the FP+ for the 6pm Illuminations. Probably the best FP+ I've ever made. We strolled into the FP+ area around 5:15, where the FP+ area was uncrowded and sane, a far cry from what was happening outside the ropes. Great view right up front, room to stretch out and breath, fun banter with CMs in the area and some other lovely guests. Outside of our little FP+ cocoon there were people who had been waiting in spots literally for hours, pack in like sardines, with marginal views of the show. I kid you not. We grabbed a spot right by the rope that separated the FP+ viewing area from some general viewing space in the area. The people on the other side of the rope had staked out their primo spots probably 3 hours ago, and they were packed in like cattle. Moooooo. Some of the crowd, packed in amongst the cranky kids, BO, all variety of unappealing looking half eaten food, barely room to shift their weight to the other butt cheek.....well, they started jumping the rope into our little oasis of FP+ sanity. I kid you not. I felt like a VIP as the lovely CMs kept the non-FP 'riff-raff' at bay, beating them back into Illuminations hell on their side of the rope! I'm not sure I will ever do Illuminations FP+ on a regular night, but it sure was great on NYE.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

For capacity. Because there isn't much else in Epcot to use them on. It's also pretty established that guests ARE interested in an "exclusive" place to watch the fireworks shows, so they do book the FPs.

It's probably not as popular as Wishes because of the tiering - if you choose Illuminations you can't choose Soarin' or Test Track, two attractions that generally get long lines. You don't really need one for Illuminations but it can be nice to have if you aren't interested in the rides.

 

[nkereina]

I would suspect Illuminations FP+ is most often chosen by folks within the 30 day window that can't obtain a TT or Soarin FP. And also by people who have children too young for Soarin or TT and don't wish to ride.

We did an Illuminations FP before tiering was in place, at the very beginning of the FP+ roll out. We also had FPs for Soarin and TT so it was a non-issue. We thought the FP+ area for Illuminations wasn't great - it was directly behind some large shrubs, which left very few spots against the railing in the front unobstructed. We had to stand with our backs against the windows of the store to see. It also took a while for the CMs to get through the line of people waiting to get into the FP+ area because they were using mobile scanners, which were slow and glitchy.

 

[WEDWDW]

Try not to make your FP+ on an IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party night(Wednesday-Friday-Saturday).

The Party "takes" the prime viewing spot away from FP+ on those nights.

 

[crazybetty00]

We always go in late January, when crowds are so low I've never had a problem walking right on to Soarin' and Test Track as soon as the park opens, so the FP+ for them is kind of useless for us unless we want to ride again later in the afternoon. Generally though, we hit the World Showcase when it opens at 11 and remain there for the rest of the day.

So I went with the Illuminations FP+ just because I hate staking out a spot an hour before and having to stand around and wait, doing nothing.

Now people are making me second guess my choice though, haha.
Soarin' and Test Track are still available to me, even though our trip is next week. Should I switch? I can't make up my mind! haha

 

[Laketravis]

"Why is fastpass an option for Illuminations?"

As others stated, for the same reason it's an option for Captain EO, Figment, Ellen, Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth and Nemo, other attractions people ask the same question of - to provide capacity.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Ellen's Energy Adventure is not a fastpass attraction. It would sure eat up some capacity but I guess they couldn't even concieve of a fastpass being necessary for it.

 

[Candleshoe]

You ask a good question. I've always been of the same mind....why would I use a valuable tier 1 FP+ for something like Illuminations? There are tons of great places I can see Illuminations around the World Showcase, without burning my tier 1 FP+. Give up a ride on Soarin' or Test Track to see a show I can see just fine without FP+.....no thank you.

While I still think that may be generally true for most people most of the time, there are times when it might make sense to try it. The previous poster's example is a good one. For us it was New Year's Eve. Here is the general benefit to an Illumination FP+. You won't have to stake out a spot as early, you will have a better view, and you most likely won't have to worry about some selfish (bleep) and his annoying (bleeping) family muscling into a spot in which they can't fit right in front of your kids at the last minute, blocking the great view you HAD from the spot you staked out 30 minutes ago or more. I'd imagine same holds true for parades and fireworks in the MK. The view from the Illuminations FP+ viewing area is also fantastic, best I've ever seen. You feel like you are underneath some of the big shells, where I haven't experienced that out on the Promenade.
I have seen reports by people who have had very crowded experiences in the Illuminations FP+ viewing area, so results may vary I guess.

We loved it and had a great experience. As for our experience on NYE, having FP+ for Soarin' and Test Track earlier in the trip, and knowing how extremely crowded Epcot would be on NYE, I snagged the FP+ for the 6pm Illuminations. Probably the best FP+ I've ever made. We strolled into the FP+ area around 5:15, where the FP+ area was uncrowded and sane, a far cry from what was happening outside the ropes. Great view right up front, room to stretch out and breath, fun banter with CMs in the area and some other lovely guests. Outside of our little FP+ cocoon there were people who had been waiting in spots literally for hours, pack in like sardines, with marginal views of the show. I kid you not. We grabbed a spot right by the rope that separated the FP+ viewing area from some general viewing space in the area. The people on the other side of the rope had staked out their primo spots probably 3 hours ago, and they were packed in like cattle. Moooooo. Some of the crowd, packed in amongst the cranky kids, BO, all variety of unappealing looking half eaten food, barely room to shift their weight to the other butt cheek.....well, they started jumping the rope into our little oasis of FP+ sanity. I kid you not. I felt like a VIP as the lovely CMs kept the non-FP 'riff-raff' at bay, beating them back into Illuminations hell on their side of the rope! I'm not sure I will ever do Illuminations FP+ on a regular night, but it sure was great on NYE.

So it's between the shops when you first enter WS?

Is it standing room only, or is there seating there?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

So it's between the shops when you first enter WS?

Is it standing room only, or is there seating there?

No seats.

 

[Laketravis]

As an alternative, I've always had great luck and even found seating just minutes before Illuminations started over by the old Odyssey building. No FP required and the view was pretty good.

 

[kmarie99]

The reason that we have a FP+ for Illuminations is becuase we are going to be there for 10 days and will be going to Epcot mulitple times. So some of the days we selected Test Track (don't like Soarin') and one day we are using it for Illuminations. Also, like other have stated we are able to go at rope drop and get on the Tier 1 rides that day.

 

[DisneyKidds]

So it's between the shops when you first enter WS? Is it standing room only, or is there seating there?

Yes, although I guess the Dessert Party (if they offer it) takes up part of that space on those nights. As with anything WDW, it's hard to speak in generalities. While I've seen some reports of it being crowded with the view not being great, on NYE we had plenty of room. We were right in front off to one side with nothing obstructing any of our view. The view was excellent. Even if more crowded, it's a sloped area, so even if behind someone the view isn't terrible. The entire time we were waiting only one other person came into the 10x30 taped off section we were in. My wife had a lovely conversation with him. Right when the show started another gentleman joined us, a retired band teacher who used to bring his students to WDW to perform once every four years. No seating, but given that there was nobody near us while we were waiting the kids (much to DW's chagrin) had plenty of room to sit on the ground.

 

[Southern Bell]

I went to Walt Disney last September and I felt I did not need a Fast Pass for shows or fireworks either! I used that as last check to my fast Pass. I used it for rides first except for one FP for fantasmic at HS. My husband and I arrived later than usual to fantasmic and for the last call for fast Pass. We were taken in front of a big line waiting late without FP. So.. I was glad I had it! The best seats were already taken by earlier arrivals.

I think even though you have a FP, not the best but.. a seat, you still may get a better seat in FP section to arrive earlier, for fireworks or a show. You get there last you get a worse seat, Just like when you don't have FP. We were being seated to the far left, but luck would have it I saw a better seat in the middle and I think because we were just 2 they allowed us to sit there

I didn't seem to need a FP at Epcot but found myself frantically running past lines of tape at MK for a place that I was allowed to stand or sit. LOL! So I may reconsider one for MK. LOL!


A fast Pass for a show like Indiana Jones was not needed at all and would be my absolute last choice and I only added when I didn't have a third choice! They even closed the line & covered up the machines to use the FP but... I realized they had to uncover them & let me scan my FP or I would not be able to get another FP at the next park I was going to. I had to use that 3 pass to be able to use it for a 4th Pass in another park I was going to.

A few times I beat my fast past times by arriving earlier and I rode and cancelled and got another FP when that happened. By the end of the week we didn't need the FP any more and just went! I'm sure if kids had been with us that would have been a different story.