What's your favorite place to watch the fireworks in Epcot?

We love Rose & Crown. I have to say though, that the view at La Hacienda is wonderful. I can only imagine that it's great there. But the food at Rose & Crown is better!

Was expecting to be disapoited by the show at San Angel, but they actual dim the lights and the shows sound is played quite clearly. Maybe not the best veiw for illumations, but certainly something to try at least once.

Well . . .there are some obstructions, but near the wine kiosk at France, with a grey goose slushie is my personal favorite!

Not an Illuminations fan, I just keep walking

I'm with you Kristen. We never watch Illuminations, it just doesn't do anything for us. I think it's really hard to find a good place to watch w/o any obstructions and the crowds at the good places are crazy. Not our favorite, we keep walking also.

We had a good view from by the Mexico Pavillion.

I remember watching from one of the little grassy areas near the water by Norway. Grabbed a small quick service dinner from one of the pavilions and ate it there while relaxing. By the time we were done, the show was ready to start.

We are the same way....We watched it last year for the first time from somewhere in the world showcase and just weren't to impressed with it....There were trees in the way and it was very crowded

I don't catch Illuminations every time I'm in Epcot, but when I do, I like to find a wall/railing somewhere in the World Showcase without anything obstructing my view and just lean up against it while the show is on. I have also been known to catch glimpses of Illuminations while beating the crowds to the exit.

It's not that I don't like Illuminations so much as it is that I think it needs to be freshened up. I mean they change the show at the Magic Kingdom, they could change the show at Epcot too. I'm bored with Illuminations.

We've only seen it once, years ago. I wasn't all that impressed, and it sounds as if it hasn't changed at all since then. When we were there in May, we were doing the same as you Kristen - walking out of the park as it was beginning. The one time we did stay, it wasn't late hours for Epcot either, and we waited an eternity to get a bus! The only way I would do it now is if we can stay for an hour at least after it finishes before we leave, so the mad crush for the buses is over.

Last year NHshorty and I watched from the beer kiosk in Canada. Great unobstructed view, and cold Canadian brews.

This year we watched from the train garden near Germany.

Don't ever try to watch from the bridge to Future World. Like the Soul Survivors said in their one hit wonder song Expressway to Your Heart, "It's much too crowded."

I think a lot depends on whether you are trying to watch with children. Not hard to find unobstructed view in WS, if "adults only", as you really don't have to get all the way up to the railing, in a number of places. I enjoy Illuminations, and watch it nearly every night. Love the pre-show music as well. Blowing out the torches at the beginning is classic. That said, the main reason I see Illuminations so often, is the short 5-10 minute walk I have back to BWV after the show.

I would suggest viewing from the balcony outside Tokyo Dining(you may see Wishes, off to your left at the same time). Arrive 30-45 minutes early. Enjoy!

I kind of agree about Illuminations....I do like the music a lot, and I like the fireworks part, but the floating ball doesn't get it for me. It is hard to see it from most spots around the lake, and it lasts kinda long. I want more stuff up in the air, over the water, and I do love fireworks.

And I totally agree that they need to change it up more often - maybe even monthly?

I like watching it just to the right of the Showcase entrance where those two very square looking shops are! It doesn't go super dark there but it's a pretty good spot and makes for a slightly easier exit after the show!

I don't have one spot to watch from- I've watched from Mexico, Italy, over by the future section.....I agree that Illuminations needs a revival of some sort. I've always stopped and watched it but this last time it just seemed a bit long...and sleepy. Or maybe I was sleepy so it seemed long.

Are these places spots that would be crowded or not very crowded at all during the show? What's the best place to watch with a family with some small children? Thanks.

There are NO places in Epcot that are uncrowded for Illuminations.

Here's what this book I read said for places to watch in Epcot.

That's the tips in terms of spots to watch. It also says to have a snack in hand while waiting and a blanket to sit on. Let me know what you think of these spots. I also found a REALLY good spot to watch the parade in MK in this book. I'm very excited to try all of the spots out!! It may be a little harder than I think in late July..the only season that Blizzard Beach would hit capacity..lol.

I LOVE Illuminations. It is my favorite . We always go out about 45 minutes before to the front and find a place there thats not obstructed and throw down towels or a blanket. One of us does a drink and snack run. We just hang out with lights and food and wait like its the 4th of july. Illuminaitons is my favorite I love the story, music, and the fire.

Indeed! As soon as those announcements start, the area around the water fills up.

20-30 minutes prior to the show sounds a little late for peak season. In May we still had to stake out spots close to an hour prior. That was fine because we ate dinner there and had a game so we weren't bored.

During peak season we almost always stake our claim in Germany. There is a small area behind the beer cart that sticks out into the lagoon. We get there early and are usually right against the fence so the kids and now grandkids have a great view. We have also sat at the Rose and Crown pub. There are tables and chairs to the left of the pub that are seat yourself. Again you need to get there early to get a table at the wall. We did the boat cruise once, but I didn't think we got a good view at all. The best view we ever had was after asking a cast member when we were celebrating our 30th anniversary along with our kids and grandkids. We were just trying to find a new and different place to try. He hooked us up in a semi-private area to the right of the Rose and Crown pub behind the fish cart. The most private place we have seen them from was our balcony at the Boardwalk. No matter where we have watched from a good time is always had by all.

We are doing an IllumiNations cruise. someone on the Disboards had 2 extra spots so I am going to take my boyfriend on it.

Congrats! Those are wonderful.

As for Illuminations viewing spots and watching from restaurants, I usually plan an ADR around 7:45 for the restaurant of choice. That way, I can wait for the best table. Doesn't always work, though -- especially at Rose and Crown!

The normal one may not live up to the other parks, but I still like the Christmas one. I think it still works pretty well.

I watched from the France-Great Britain bridge this time. I got there 45 minutes early and waited, talked to some others around me. I was saving a spot for my family which did not work out very well, but I was able to help my littlest brother and sister watch the show from the bridge. I don't love Illuminations all that much, so I wouldn't have saved a spot 45 minutes early if I wouldn't have been done with Epcot for the day. I'll stop and watch no matter what, but it's tough to find a good "secret" spot these days. The view from the brige was tough because you could barely make out the images on the globe, which was disappointing.

I guess you'll just have to eat like a Princess (but not Merida ) then!