Wishes or IllumiNations?!?

[DaDivatude]

Hi eveyone. I'm pretty new to this board but have been reading for a while. I have learned so much from the posts, about venues and menus and everything else. For that I thank you because, frankly, the website sucks. It leaves a lot of options unopen.

Believe it or not, I have never been to Disney World. I know...I know...I was wondering for anyone who has had a dessert party, which show was better overall. Is it the Wishes show or the IllumiNations show? Also, what are some tips for planning these events like timing and food and is it possible to have your wedding cake put there if you are having a separate reception. (It just seems to fit to have sweets all in one place) Thanks so much!

 

[Beautybelle43]

Hi there,

I"m still learning all this stuff as well, but I think you should go to Youtube and do a search for both Wishes & Illuminations and watch them both to get a better idea.

Wishes and Illuminations are both so different and amazing with their own special stories, but different people have different favorites.

IMHO, you won't be disappointed with either one!

 

[DaDivatude]

Hi there,

I"m still learning all this stuff as well, but I think you should go to Youtube and do a search for both Wishes & Illuminations and watch them both to get a better idea.

Wishes and Illuminations are both so different and amazing with their own special stories, but different people have different favorites.

IMHO, you won't be disappointed with either one!

I took your advice. You were right! They are both amazing shows. I think I might turn IlluminNations into a cruise for the bridal party. Wishes is just too beautiful for my guests not to see at the reception!

 

[Beautybelle43]

I took your advice. You were right! They are both amazing shows. I think I might turn IlluminNations into a cruise for the bridal party. Wishes is just too beautiful for my guests not to see at the reception!

Glad you checked out Youtube...aren't the shows amazing???

Ooh I wanted to take our guests on an Illuminations Cruise the night of our wedding day, but we'll have 18 people in total, so it would be like $500 to do it and we can just barely afford to do the basics that we are doing!!

Illuminations Cruises are supposed to be wonderful though They also have cruises for Wishes. For me, I actually love watching Wishes from the beach at the Polynesian. They broadcast the story and music through their speakers and it's such a pretty view and there's hardly any people there to compete with you for a view!

You can also eat dinner at the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort and get an amazing view of Wishes while you are eating! I think you can do this at Narcoosees at the GF as well.

If you are looking for other cool things, you should check on Youtube for the Electric Water Parade & also the Fantasmic show!

I"ve read on here that some people do a "Fantasmic Dinner Package" that gives you preferred seating for the show.

 

[Janet2k]

I was wondering for anyone who has had a dessert party, which show was better overall. Is it the Wishes show or the IllumiNations show?

DaDivatude, welcome to the Dis!

I have some photos of the Wishes fireworks that were taken from the marina of the Grand Floridian Resort, as well as from the Grand 1 yacht. I was going to post them right now but my daughter is suddenly demanding that I take her to this evening's Tae Kwon Do lessons -- arg! Anyhow, I promise that I'll post them this evening. They should at least give you an idea of what the fireworks look like from those two vastly (!!) different "venues."

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

Keep in mind that Illuminations dessert parties are up close and personal in the parks while Wishes dessert parties have to take place at the marina at Grand Floridian or on a cruise. I think I would love either

 

[Janet2k]

I was wondering for anyone who has had a dessert party, which show was better overall. Is it the Wishes show or the IllumiNations show?

DaDivatude, I have been a guest at a couple of Illuminations dessert parties, and I have been a host for a couple of Wishes dessert parties. Which one do I prefer? For an out-of-the-way feel, I prefer a Wishes party hands-down. For an in-your-face feel, I prefer an Illuminations party.

That wasn't much help, was it? I'm sorry about that. Perhaps some photos will help.

Here are a few photos from my first private event at the Grand Floridian's marina:

=======

Here are a few photos from my last Grand Floridian event:

======

And here are some photos from the Welcome Party that was held on the night before my Fairy Tale Weddings custom vow renewal:

That last photo shows a special set of fireworks that Disney doesn't use too often. I ~think~ they're called perimeter fireworks. If a special event is being held inside the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, those fireworks are sometimes used (not always -- it depends upon the event). I thought I should point that out.

I'll try to dig up some fireworks photos from a Grand 1 cruise that I attended. Stay tuned.

 

[Janet2k]

Here are a few photos that I took during a Grand 1 cruise:

 

[Janet2k]

I don't believe I've ever posted photos from the Illuminations parties that I've attended, so I'll have to leave that for others to share (hopefully they will).

Good luck with your decision. Both fireworks shows are wonderful.