Subsonic Radio

What is the best place in EPCOT to watch Illuminations? How early would I need to get there (in June) to save a spot? Is it possible to video tape, or is there just too much in too many places to catch it all?

I like the area to the right of the French/British bridge. You can usually go down to the water at about 8:40pm. I avoid anything between Italy and Mexico.

I like the place right where Futureworld ends and the Showcase begins. Um specifically the area next to that one store. I forget what it's called. But the pavement there slopes down, so if everyone sits, then everyone get a view. And everyone is happy!

If you're with a big group, then you gotta get there early. I've waited over an hour, but that's just me. But if it's just a few of you, then not so early.

You can video tape it, but then you can't really enjoy the show.

My best spot is in Japan, to the right of the Torii (that big thing they have out in the lake. Google it if you don't realize the significance.) I have watched it twice now from that location, and be sure to get there at least an hour in advance (and listen to the Drum Show while you wait!) so you get it before anyone else does.

So if you see a fat lady hogging a bench in that area with light brown hair, green eyes (behind glasses), nibbling on Pocky and wearing a lanyard of light-up pins --it may be me.

Lion Sleeps Tonight wrote:I like the place right where Futureworld ends and the Showcase begins. Um specifically the area next to that one store. I forget what it's called. But the pavement there slopes down, so if everyone sits, then everyone get a view. And everyone is happy!

If you're with a big group, then you gotta get there early. I've waited over an hour, but that's just me. But if it's just a few of you, then not so early.

You can video tape it, but then you can't really enjoy the show.

This. Right at the front of the World Showcase. At about 5 minutes until the show starts they often let people go and sit right at the front. You have to sit down, no strollers, ECVs, wheelchairs etc. You have to get there early to get in, thoguh. But it is by far the best place to watch it from.

cantina in mexico....grerat view not as busy s the north promenade....got that spot 15 min prior to showtime at the end of june/beginning of july

Hmmm this depends on the wind direction... nothing like a face full of smoke....

We tend to watch the show by Mexico side of the two large gift shops at the entrance of the World Showcase

Rich

I'm not sure about THE best spot to view the show, but the best spot I've ever viewed the show was in front of Norway/Mexico. It was actually by accident, we were in line to ride Maelstrom while the fireworks were going to be on since we had already seen them that visit. But it turned out that the entire Norway pavillion decided to black-out that night, so we got out of line and found that spot 5 mins. before the show started against the railing in front of Norway/Mexico. Needless to say, Norway didn't light up that night, I found it kinda of humoursly amusing, I've never seen something like that happen.

When we watched the Show we also watched it by Mexico good views, and closer to the exit, lol

There's this one platform out on the water in Germany that always seems to be open, has a perfect view and is right under a torch.

Nearly every time I've watched Illuminations it's been from that spot.

Lion Sleeps Tonight wrote:You can video tape it, but then you can't really enjoy the show.

Unless you have a tripod. I've known of many happy guests recording it on tripod.

Get a nice collapsable one like I have (I've discovered a camera without a tripod is a wasted camera) and you can even lug it with you all day without a problem.

The second floor of the Japan pavillion is pretty good, too.

We like it right between Mexico and Norway, not too far from the margarita stand and near the bathrooms! PLus you are kinda closer to the exit than way in the back.

Cheshire Cat wrote:Norway didn't light up that night, I found it kinda of humoursly amusing, I've never seen something like that happen.

Norway is one of the two countries that doesn't light up.

I have to say, after all the hype surrounding Illuminations, I was disappointed. While the fireworks were decent, and I loved the effect of all the lands shooting fireworks into the center, I felt underwhelmed. The part I liked least was the 5 minute crawl waiting for the video globe to move from America to the center. I felt it took too long. I couldn't understand what most of the images were displaying on the globe and felt the effect was over used. I think I'm jaded after seeing Wishes at Disneyland. That's the best fireworks show I've ever seen.

subsonic wrote:I have to say, after all the hype surrounding Illuminations, I was disappointed. While the fireworks were decent, and I loved the effect of all the lands shooting fireworks into the center, I felt underwhelmed. The part I liked least was the 5 minute crawl waiting for the video globe to move from America to the center. I felt it took too long. I couldn't understand what most of the images were displaying on the globe and felt the effect was over used. I think I'm jaded after seeing Wishes at Disneyland. That's the best fireworks show I've ever seen.

Wishes at Disneyland?

Well I get ya on the underwhelming part of Illuminations. I remember mentioning the lack of fireworks to a co-worker and she replied that Illuminations is meant to be a laser show with special effects and some pyrotechnics. So maybe if you think about it that way...

And yeah, the images on the globe are hard to make out. I think I could make out grass and some animals running. Otherwise I'm just staring at bright lights.

I think the next time you see Illuminations, you'll enjoy it more.