Editor’s Note: Illuminations has ended. Epcot Forever is a placeholder show, while the permanent replacement, HarmoniUS is constructed. Click here to learn more about Epcot Forever.
Many guests love to spend plenty of time in Epcot on a Disney World vacation. Guests can explore both Future World and World Showcase for attractions, dining, shopping, and entertainment, which bring them to different places in time and location. With so many amazing experiences to enjoy in Epcot, no day there is complete without enjoying a nighttime show, which brings World Showcase Lagoon to life. Epcot Forever is a celebration of Epcot’s past, present, and future and occurs at the close of each day in Epcot. Guests can then enjoy a unique and immersive show which combines laser lights, special effects, pyrotechnics, fireworks, and beautiful music.
Despite World Showcase Lagoon being massive, guests often line up as early as an hour before showtime to guarantee the perfect view. While there are plenty of places to enjoy Epcot Forever, there are also some spots that are not so great and some that are just okay. Guests who are looking to have the perfect view of Epcot Forever on their next visit to Epcot should choose one of the spots listed below and get there at least an hour and a half before showtime! Here are the five best viewing spots for Epcot Forever.
1 – Japan’s Balcony
The Japan Pavilion in World Showcase features beautiful traditional architecture, including many tall buildings with blue slanted roofs. Guests who are looking to find a unique and amazing viewing spot for Epcot Forever should head into the pavilion and climb some stairs for the perfect location. The largest building in the Japan Pavilion is home to the Mitsukoshi Department Store on the first floor, which sells a variety of souvenirs, including kimonos and stuffed animals. The second floor of the building is home to the popular Tokyo Dining Restaurant, which is a full-service location open for lunch and dinner that serves up traditional Japanese cuisine. Guests who head up to the second level of the building near the entrance to Tokyo Dining can enjoy a beautiful balcony that offers sweeping views of Epcot Forever.
2 – Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
Located in the United Kingdom, Pavilion is a full-service restaurant that offers up both delicious cuisine and an amazing view of Epcot Forever. The Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room is open for lunch and dinner daily in Epcot and is situated right up against the shores of World Showcase Lagoon. In the warmer months and in good weather, there is a back patio attached to the restaurant where several tables are set up overlooking the water. Guests who are lucky enough to secure reservations for the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room that coincide with Epcot Forever can arrive early to request sitting on the back patio for a perfect view of the show.
3 – La Cantina de San Angel
The Mexico Pavilion in World Showcase is the first location that guests can enjoy when entering into the area from Future World on the Test Track Presented by Chevrolet side. Nestled along the shores of World Showcase Lagoon in the Mexico Pavilion is a quick-service dining location which serves up delicious Mexican cuisine along with beautiful views of the water. La Cantina de San Angel is open daily for lunch and dinner, and guests who are lucky enough to find a table against the railings are sure to have a wonderful viewing spot for Epcot Forever.
4 – Showcase Plaza
When guests head towards World Showcase from Future World, they approach Showcase Plaza, where they choose to either head left towards Mexico or right towards Canada. When show time arrives for Epcot Forever, Showcase Plaza becomes the dessert party viewing area offering centered and perfect views of the show. Even if guests have reservations for the dessert party, they should still plan on arriving to the Showcase Plaza at least an hour before the show it set to begin to secure spots in the front of the area.
5 – Italy’s Bridge
The Italy Pavilion in World Showcase is located almost directly across World Showcase Lagoon from Showcase Plaza and features an area which offers amazing views of Epcot Forever. Located along the water is a small area of the pavilion which features several bridges and a gently bobbing gondola in the water. Guests who arrive early enough to the location can score a spot right up against the railings there and enjoy a phenomenal view of Epcot Forever.
Check out some video of the finale of Epcot Forever by clicking here.
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