Hi Megen!
My favourite place from which to view IllumiNations is from an upper 'deck' in Japan! The Japan Pavilion's
Tokyo Dining table service dining location has windows overlooking World Showcase Lagoon. If you make a reservation and arrive early, waiting patiently for the first available table with a window view, you may be lucky enough to be able to remain seated while you watch the show & dine simultaneously!
My top choice for dining is
Teppan Edo, in the back half this upper dining area. The food choices include many toddler friendly items such as white steamed rice & simply prepared chicken. Immediately following, or during your dining experience, advise your waiter/waitress if you plan to scoot outside to catch IllumiNations from the large, outside deck that spans the side of the restaurant's upper level, or from the huge, outdoor staircase.
This is, in my opinion, one of the greatest places to catch a great view of the show without needing to be seated in advance with the crowds along the edge of World Showcase Lagoon. After watching, we pop back inside to have dessert and settle our bill if we hadn't already done so prior to the show beginning.
Since both of these locations are extremely popular, I'd recommend reserving a table as far in advance as possible, timing your reservation to begin about 45-60 minutes prior to the scheduled
IllumiNations performance for that evening.
I hope this additional location is one you hadn't thought of trying before! We sure do enjoy it!
Wishing you a simply Magical time on your Walt Disney World vacation Megen!
Kirsten