This is surely one of Disney’s most spectacular shows, thunderous fireworks and brilliant lasers fill the skies above the World Showcase Lagoon. Amazing video images from around the World are displayed across a giant sphere in the middle of the lagoon that tell the Earth's incredible tale. The sphere then opens like the petals of a flower, exposing a ball of fire, which leads to the shows finale.
There is always great debate in our family as to where is THE best spot to watch IllumiNations.
We have in the past made priority seating reservations for the Rose and Crown in the UK pavilion, where if you get your timing right, you can get an outside table overlooking the Lagoon and thereby ensure a great view. Even if you dine inside you can take a drink outside when the show starts.
We have also tried the IllumiNations cruise, which was absolutely fantastic, this is your own private pontoon boat (up to 12 guests) it departs from either the Boardwalk or the Yacht Club, and “parks up” under the bridge by France – book one of these and you’re guaranteed a great seat! You can read more about that by clicking on the following link: http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/illiminations_cruise.aspx.
Friends of ours swear that THE best spot is at the entrance to the World Showcase so they can beat 95% of the guests to the park exit!
Tip: If you park at Disney’s Boardwalk you can enter the World Showcase by the International Gateway (next to France), then when the fireworks have finished you don’t have to fight your way through to the front of the park, just leave by the same route! You could also use this as an opportunity to dine at Les Chefs de France, one of our all time favourites.
Fun Facts - There are 19 torches located around the World Showcase Lagoon. The inferno barge weighs 150,000 pounds with 37 nozzles that shoot propane flames upward, four fountain barges each pumping 4,000 gallons of water per minute, A full colour spectrum of lasers is used, including four custom colours just for Disney they are lagoon blue, mint green, pumpkin orange and lavender. The original score for the show includes 150,000 musical notes and 67 computers in 40 locations are required to produce the show. More than 26,000 feet of lights outline the World Showcase pavilions — a string long enough to stretch across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco more than six times.