Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I have planned a pretty full day for Epcot. It would ease things a bit if we weren't rushing to secure a good viewing place for Illuminations, espcially with room for 7 of us. But, if the FP+ viewing spot isn't that great, I don't want to bother trying to get a FP+ for it. Opinions? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I have planned a pretty full day for Epcot. It would ease things a bit if we weren't rushing to secure a good viewing place for Illuminations, espcially with room for 7 of us. But, if the FP+ viewing spot isn't that great, I don't want to bother trying to get a FP+ for it. Opinions? It's located right next to where they have the Sparkling Dessert Party and they pay big bucks for that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I didn't think the FP+ viewing spot was that great. I prefer to be on the other side of the lake, looking toward the big golf ball. How likely is it that you will be able to get Illuminations for your fourth FP+? Isn't that what everyone will be trying for? TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 There are still lots of good spots to view Illuminations all around World Showcase, even with a larger group. Best advice - look for trees/islands blocking your view of the middle of the lagoon, and check the wind direction to make sure it's not blowing towards you. If you can use the 4th FP for something else you're interested in, I'd probably do that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 One more thing- if you use your 4th FP+ for one of the closing shows like Illuminations or Fantasmic, you can't get any other extra FP+'s before that. I'm not sure how important that is in Epcot, as there probably aren't any good FP+'s available late in the day anyway, but I thought I'd mention it. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I booked FP+ for Illuminations one night for my girl's trip just because we're going to F&W and don't really care about riding anything. Plus, I figure it will be super busy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 One more thing- if you use your 4th FP+ for one of the closing shows like Illuminations or Fantasmic, you can't get any other extra FP+'s before that. I'm not sure how important that is in Epcot, as there probably aren't any good FP+'s available late in the day anyway, but I thought I'd mention it. TCDMy third FP+ is for Maelstrom and after that we will just be in the World Showcase, so unless we miss something major that we were planning on for the morning, Illuminations would the only thing left we would want a FP+ for. I know I should know the answer to this - am I able to book a 4th FP+ using the MDE mobile app, or do I need to go to a kiosk? It sounds like I will try to book Illuminations, if available. Then, if we have time and can find a better viewing area, we will just stick with that, rather than going to the FP+ area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 . I know I should know the answer to this - am I able to book a 4th FP+ using the MDE mobile app, or do I need to go to a kiosk? .MDE? In your dreams. You have to go to a kiosk in the park where you want the 4th FP+. They can't make it easy to check. That would expose the scam. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 MDE? In your dreams. You have to go to a kiosk in the park where you want the 4th FP+. They can't make it easy to check. That would expose the scam.TCDAnd of course, there is no kiosk convenient to where I will be in the WS when I exit Maelstrom. If I am reading the map correctly, the only kiosk in the World Showcase is at the International Gateway. I think I am over thinking again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 And of course, there is no kiosk convenient to where I will be in the WS when I exit Maelstrom. If I am reading the map correctly, the only kiosk in the World Showcase is at the International Gateway. I think I am over thinking again. I'm a planner but NO. Find a place. We've watched it over the heads of people, and it's just fine. Not worth walking to a kiosk just for a chance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 And of course, there is no kiosk convenient to where I will be in the WS when I exit Maelstrom. If I am reading the map correctly, the only kiosk in the World Showcase is at the International Gateway. I think I am over thinking again. You could hop a boat if you have some time to kill, but they're not super speedy. If it were me I wouldn't use up time just to get the Illuminations FP. I'd rather grab a snack or drink and stake out a spot along a railing somewhere about 20-30 minutes prior. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 You could hop a boat if you have some time to kill, but they're not super speedy. If it were me I wouldn't use up time just to get the Illuminations FP. I'd rather grab a snack or drink and stake out a spot along a railing somewhere about 20-30 minutes prior.Grab a snack? Got it covered! We will have bologna sandwiches!! :jumpforjoy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Grab a snack? Got it covered! We will have bologna sandwiches!! :jumpforjoy Perfect! If you stake out a spot along a railing, be sure to have at least a few kids stay right up against it while you're waiting. I'm always amazed that someone will see 4" in front of you as the show is starting and take that to mean "oh look - a spot for me!" If you don't feel like camping out along a railing, one place we like that doesn't require you getting up close and personal with dozens of strangers is in the Japan pavilion. The ground slopes up towards the buildings just enough that if you stand back near them, you can actually see over people's heads quite nicely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fladogfan aka Gretchen 259 Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Where ever you decide to watch Illuminations , as Mo said, be sure you are up wind. If the wind/breeze is blowing in your face so will the smoke from the fireworks.Don't know if they are still there, but the torches around the lake give a good indication of which way the wind is moving. Momof6....aka Marty 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Perfect! If you stake out a spot along a railing, be sure to have at least a few kids stay right up against it while you're waiting. I'm always amazed that someone will see 4" in front of you as the show is starting and take that to mean "oh look - a spot for me!" If you don't feel like camping out along a railing, one place we like that doesn't require you getting up close and personal with dozens of strangers is in the Japan pavilion. The ground slopes up towards the buildings just enough that if you stand back near them, you can actually see over people's heads quite nicely. Where ever you decide to watch Illuminations , as Mo said, be sure you are up wind. If the wind/breeze is blowing in your face so will the smoke from the fireworks.Don't know if they are still there, but the torches around the lake give a good indication of which way the wind is moving.Y'all are so helpful. Thank you!! :heartsmiley: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted September 23, 2014 Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 For what it's worth, I personally checked at an Epcot FP+ kiosk yesterday to see if there was any same-day availability for an Illuminations FP+. When I looked on MDE the night before, all tier one options were available for the next day, including Illuminations. At around 9:50 am, I checked at one of the kiosks, and found that there were no FP+'s available for Illuminations. This was a not very busy Monday. For that day, no one would have a chance to select Illuminations for their 4th FP+ choice. TCD BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2014 For what it's worth, I personally checked at an Epcot FP+ kiosk yesterday to see if there was any same-day availability for an Illuminations FP+. When I looked on MDE the night before, all tier one options were available for the next day, including Illuminations. At around 9:50 am, I checked at one of the kiosks, and found that there were no FP+'s available for Illuminations. This was a not very busy Monday. For that day, no one would have a chance to select Illuminations for their 4th FP+ choice. TCDThanks for checking! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 I'd go with Mo's suggestion to stand back a bit from the lake near the Japan pavilion and watch from there. We've done VIP viewing before (came with CP dinner package) and the view was no better than other places we've just stumbled upon, IMO. Another decent place we've gotten a good view from without staking out too early is behind the Rose and Crown (go to the right of the restaurant near the Yorkshire fish take out window and back through the garden). We've been able to sit on the ground there and see fine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 There are always places to get good viewing of Illuminations.Some locations on certain nights may not be available because of private dessert parties. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.