Illuminations viewing & things to outside the parks?

[wdwnutz]

23 days to our next trip and we are trying to find some inexpensive or free things to do...we are going on the Dream, but arriving the day before the cruise and going home the night after the cruise. We are not going into the parks, just kind of planning on some pool time, Downtown Disney, maybe taking a nighttime stroll at the Boardwalk, visit AoA. We also are planning on seeing the boats at night from the Poly (what time do they go by?) & then Wishes. Another idea we had, is to see Illuminations....is it possible to it from the back gate of Epcot? Any other ideas would be much appreciated...traveling with 4 adults, DD19 & DS7. Thanks! :mickey:

[MickeysBestPal]

23 days to our next trip and we are trying to find some inexpensive or free things to do...we are going on the Dream, but arriving the day before the cruise and going home the night after the cruise. We are not going into the parks, just kind of planning on some pool time, Downtown Disney, maybe taking a nighttime stroll at the Boardwalk, visit AoA.


1- We also are planning on seeing the boats at night from the Poly (what time do they go by?) & then Wishes.

Another idea we had, is to see Illuminations....

2- is it possible to it from the back gate of Epcot?

1- You mean the "Electrical Water Pageant" (EWP.)
9PM at the Poly beach, most nights.
If Wishes begins at 9PM, they will sometimes wait until
after the fireworks to run the EWP. (But on some nights, they
will just run the EWP -without music- DURING the fireworks.)

2- 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", IllumiNations can't really be enjoyed from outside Epcot's World Showcase. A good 1/3rd of the show does not involve fireworks but a large "video-globe" towed across the water and tiny lights imbedded into the buildings of WS.
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.
There are a few villas at the Boardwalk that have (obstructed) views, and there are limited views from a beach at CBR, but as stated above... you will not see very much, and what you DO see can't legitimately be called "IllumiNations."
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[gerald72]

That was stated very well.
I "watched" illuminations from that bridge once. You can hear virtually no music, and all you can see is the occasional firework above the trees.

[Janmac]

We like watching the Electrical Boat Parade from the boat dock at the Poly. The current MK fireworks show is very visible from this dock as well. I like the reflections in the windows of the Contemporary. My sister and niece like to get umbrella drinks from the pool bar at the Poly to accompany their parade and fireworks viewing.

The Boat Parade is viewable from GF, Poly, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness (about 9:45 here). The MK fireworks are not viewable much at all from WL but somewhat from a beach at FW. Sometimes the speakers work and you can hear the music, too.

The viewing of the Epcot Illuminations from the bridge near Boardwalk is not much. We left before Illuminations was over. We did enjoy the Boardwalk immensely. My 8 yr old grandniece liked the performers.

We also like to eat at different resorts. Some of the resorts - Fort Wilderness, Port Orleans - have carriage rides. The bar at Port Orleans Riverside has a well-reviewed performer on some nights. At Fort Wilderness there is the campfire sing along and marsh mallow roast and movie - weather permitting. In the afternoon at FW there are archery lessons and horseback riding, altho I think the 7 year old may be too young for the latter.

There are also boat rentals - from both Fort Wilderness and Port Orleans, as well as other resorts.

If you were interested in spending an afternoon and evening at either FW or PO Riverside, the restaurants are doable.

FW's Trail's End Kitchen is a buffet which kids like particularly due to the familiar comfort food offerings. Crockett's Tavern has rockers on the porch to sit in while sipping a beverage. Beside the Tavern is a nice big playbround.

PO Riverside has Boatwrights, which is a table service order from a menu restaurant. We enjoyed our meal here - good variety on the menu, nice decor in the restaurant and nifty beverages for my sister and her daughter.

Jan