Need a Little Help

[sorcerergoofy]

I'm leaving for Disney in about 3 weeks. I have just a few questions I need to ask.

1. Where is the best place to watch Illuminations from? (I wont be dining at the Rose & Crown)
2. Donald's Safari Breakfast...My reservation time is before park opening...how do I get into the park? When we are done eating...how much could we get done before large crowds arrive at the park?
3. Summer Nightastic...how will these fireworks compare to Wishes! What's different?
4. For the F! Dining Package, is there a separate entrance/exit?

Any answers for these questions will be greatly appreciated! :wave:

 

[brkgnews]

Howdy, neighbor-three-counties-south. :wave:

I can help on 1 and 4...

1) I really like World Showcase (or sometimes called Showplace) Plaza. It's at the entrance to world showcase, between the two little square stores. Occasionally it will be totally roped off for special events, but often it is open. It is often pretty crowded, but gives a great head-on view of the show.

4) Unless things have changed since I did the Fantasmic dinner package a few years ago, you are able to enter the theatre from a special "backstage" pathway near Oscar's service station (near the park entrance turnstyles) while the "peasants" ( ) queue up back near Tower of Terror. After the show is over, it's all fair game, with everyone using every available exit.

 

[brkgnews]

And now that I look at it again, I can give partial help on 2 and 3. :lol:

2) To get into the park, you'll notice that there will be a specific turnstyle line for people who have pre-opening character breakfasts. They're usually decently marked with an overhead sign, but you can always ask any cast member for help locating the line. It's typically off to one side.

3) Don't know much about the show since it's brand new... however it is supposedly going to be a shot-for-shot redo (at least in terms of the pyro itself) of the Magic Music and Mayhem show from the pirates and princess parties. Technically speaking, that show is considered the most redonkulous pyro display Disney does short of New Year's Eve... so it promises to be good

 

[sorcerergoofy]

Thanks so much!

It's great to know that there are other Disney obsessed people in my neck of the woods! :lol:

 

[Monty]

For IllumiNations, best is upwind. The smoke can get pretty bad around Mexico when the wind is blowing that way [prevailing], but whichever way it's blowing, avoid downwind spots. There really isn't a bad angle other than having a tree blocking your view.

The breakfast entrance for before the park opens is always on the far right of all the turnstiles as you approach at each park. They'll have a list of folks with ADRs and let you in. You won't get to do much of anything before the crowds enter because you'll still have to wait for rope-drop, just in a different spot. You'll probably be close to first in line for KS at park open, or maybe get to EE fairly close to first, but after that first ride, you're like everybody else.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

1. Where is the best place to watch Illuminations from? (I wont be dining at the Rose & Crown)

Anywhere around the lagoon will afford a good view of Illuminations although some spots are better than others. Before the show, as you stroll around WS, check out potential viewpoints. Avoid overhanging trees and the small island over towards France

2. Donald's Safari Breakfast...My reservation time is before park opening...how do I get into the park? When we are done eating...how much could we get done before large crowds arrive at the park?

It all depends on how much before park opening your reservation is, how long you take over breakfast and whether you're dining on an EMH day. You will at least be able to do the safari with little or no wait. I'd run across to EE first to get FP then ride the safari before returning to EE

 

[NewfieFan]

4) Unless things have changed since I did the Fantasmic dinner package a few years ago, you are able to enter the theatre from a special "backstage" pathway near Oscar's service station (near the park entrance turnstyles) while the "peasants" ( ) queue up back near Tower of Terror. After the show is over, it's all fair game, with everyone using every available exit.

I thought they changed this!?! I think you go through the same entrance as everyone else now!

 

[93boomer]

Illuminations

Hey! Glad you are planning ahead! Really helps.
The only one I can help on is illuminations. Watch which way the wind is blowing and stay on the opposite side. Otherwise, the smoke from the fireworks blows ash all over you.
We had ash blown in our faces one year because we didn't pay attention to which way the wind was blowing. Got ash in my eyes. Did not feel good at all!
Have a great and magical time!!

 

[brkgnews]

I thought they changed this!?! I think you go through the same entrance as everyone else now!

It is quite possible. It's been a few years since I've done the dining package. Best bet is to ask your server at the restaurant.

 

[stlbobby]

For Illuminations you can try and get a spot on the second floor balcony of the main building in Japan. This area can fill-up pretty early, but it is a great spot.