The end of Illuminations. Are people freaking out and planning "last view" dates like they did with Wishes?

[joyjoy]

Illuminations has always been a fave and we are sad to see it go. We have a trip planned 8/6 - 8/15 2019 and definitely plan on watching Illuminations since it will be our last time. We were at WDW in April 2019 and I was SHOCKED at all the available viewing spaces open around World Showcase, even during the show. We did the FEA Dessert Party in 2018 and really liked it, but now I realize it wasn't necessary to get a good view of the fireworks (but all that wine was kinda nice). So. Just speculating.... do y'all think it's going to be nuts like it was the last weeks of Wishes at MK, these last few weeks of Illuminations? Do you think I should keep my FEA dessert party ressies? It's kinda spendy and we've done it before, but if we can't find a good viewing spot for our final viewing of our beloved Illuminations without it, we'll keep it. What say you? We've got a 6 y.o. with us so we're not camping out for 2+ hours or anything. Thanks!

 

[cakebaker]

We have a short trip planned for just to be there for the last show, already booked private party viewing and I do expect the last night to be insanely crowded and probably a few days leading up to it. I doubt as early as you're going will be much different crowd wise than it ever is. If it was me though, and I was seeing it for the last time, I'd definitely do FEA and pray it doesn't rain- have always wished the viewing area was covered like it is in the MK. It's not like you're going to get a do over if it doesn't go well. Btw- when did you get wine at a HEA party? Never heard of that and want to be sure I'm not missing out on something.

 

[evlaina]

I expect it to be busy and for people, especially bloggers and media, to be there the last night. We coincidentally are at WDW 9/28-10/4 and my Epcot day was planned for 9/30 before they announced it as the official last showing...we are now hopping over to MK to see HEA instead. I am hoping it'll be super packed at Epcot at night (and I think it will be, not a lot of evening ADRs available right now) so HEA won't be as bad. However since you're going in August I wouldn't worry about crowds at all.

Sidenote to @cakebaker - we did the HEA Dessert party in December and didn't get wine, either. Maybe OP means FEA party, which I've never done.

 

[Astryd]

Im heading down for the last Illuminations also, have private dessert party ticket for both the last night of Illuminations and first night of Epcot forever. I expect Epcot to be packed both days.

 

[Physics Guy]

We coincidentally booked dinner at Rose and Crown the evening of the last Illuminations, before I knew it was the last one. Hopefully we'll be able to sit outside and we'll have a great spot.

 

[cakebaker]

We coincidentally booked dinner at Rose and Crown the evening of the last Illuminations, before I knew it was the last one. Hopefully we'll be able to sit outside and we'll have a great spot.

They sell dining pkgs now for outdoor seating. Unless something has changed since I last read about it, not sure there is a way to be outdoors without the pkg.

 

[Moliphino]

I don't think Illuminations will have the same crowd problems as MK. There is a much greater area to view Illuminations from for people to spread out in.

 

[glocon]

I’m thinking pp meant wine at frozen... surely we’d have heard by now if there was alcohol at the HEA dessert party.
But our first HEA party is later this month and I wouldn’t mind some wine to be served there....

 

[DWillowBay]

Yes. Sad day for me. ....just like Wishes. So, my 'last view date' will be at the end of August. ...like saying goodbye to an old friend.

 

[igrsod]

No... we were so sad to see Wishes go. Not so much with Illuminations. Looking forward to a new show.

 

[elgerber]

Yep, we are planning a trip just for that. Booked it months in advance, gambling on the date, and it paid off.

 

[cakebaker]

Yep, we are planning a trip just for that. Booked it months in advance, gambling on the date, and it paid off.

We've been saying for the last few years that when they ended Iluminations, we'd be there for the last show and we are going to be. Months ago, I gambled on two dates, the second one being the one that ended up being right. I'm glad we did as we managed to get a discount for at least the first few days of our trip that was pulled once they announced SWGE opening. We're still at rack rate for our last night, but still crossing my fingers they do something. I thought it was either going to be the weekend SWGE opened or the anniversary of Iluminations. I'm both excited and sad about the trip. I obsessively love Illuminations. It's been a part of our vacations since it first started. It is time for something different, but I'll still miss it.

 

[FastPasser.]

I'll probably be able to watch it a couple of times before I move from just outside WDW to a nearby state. I've been at Epcot on 3 or 4 hundred nights while it was being performed and have watched it countless times as Guest so I'm good.

 

[heidijanesmith]

Illuminations is my favorite night time show, hands down.

Since it was my favorite we did the FEA dessert party. Yes it's expensive, but so worth it for us. I like savory over sweet and love the savory items. DH can drink our money's worth during the event.

I would keep the FEA reservations!

 

[monarchsfan16]

I'll be there about the same time as you for my final viewing(s?) of Illuminations. Unlike with Wishes (good riddance), I'm super sad to see Illuminations go, and given how long it has run, I have a feeling a lot of us feel that way. That being said, I'm not expecting it to be a crowded nightmare at that point. I think a month later, when it ends, Epcot will be a different story.

 

[Shir Kahn]

Illuminations is my favorite night time show, hands down.

Since it was my favorite we did the FEA dessert party. Yes it's expensive, but so worth it for us. I like savory over sweet and love the savory items. DH can drink our money's worth during the event.

I would keep the FEA reservations!

Me too! Extremely sad to see it go. We are going to WDW from Aug 5th-15th and I'm going to see Illuminations as much as I can!

 

[fla4fun]

I am not going for the final night but I will see it at least once more on my trip next month. I will probably do a video like I did when viewing the last holiday version last year. I have enjoyed all of the nighttime shows at Epcot from the very first one, but it will be especially hard to say goodbye to Illuminations.

 

[gillep]

We already had our trip planned for that time and the Rose and Crown Illuminations booked for that night when it was announced, so we are all set. We likely would have booked a trip just to see the final Illuminations, it is our favorite. Had no desire to see the last Wishes.

 

[Dug720]

Already scheduled to be there for the final night (not for the new temporary one, which given my lack of confidence in them after the IMHO mess that is HEA I am not sad about). And then the travel agency I use partnered with Attractions Magazine for a final Illuminations party and I scored a ticket! So relieved that I will not have to do the NYE in Times Square thing (wear depends) since I will be solo.

 

[cmarsh31]

Not final night for Illuminations, but final night for us. Booked the FEA dessert party for our Aug trip to get the full experience. HEA is amazing but Illuminations holds a special place in our hearts.