Anyone done a WISHES cruise?

[luvdiz]

Because we have young children going with us, I was thinking of trying for a WISHES cruise instead of Illuminations.

Anyone have any thoughts on the cruise? Good/Bad? Can you hear the music?

Also, is Illuminations at generally the same time? The August hours won't be out when my 90 day window opens (I don't think anyway) so how do I know what time to book the cruise?

Any hints on being able to get a ressie?

 

[NCombs]

I haven't done either but my TA recommended the Wishes cruise over Illuminations.

 

[Mister Disney]

I rented a boat for the Wishes fireworks.

You can not hear the music, which in my mind was a disappointment.

DIsney at this time only has 2 boats equipped to pipe in the music that goes with Wishes. They are The Grand One Yatch and "the party barge".

I have to say though, since we were with friends that night, we still had an enjoyable time viewing the fireworks from the lake.

They take you on a cruise of the lake prior to the fireworks, which is very cool.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

I wanted to book the Wishes cruise for 7/22 but I had read not to wait until later in your vacation to try to book one just in case you fail. So I looked at my schedule to choose other possible dates....just in case. My first attempt was for 7/18. I got it, no problem. My second attempt was for 7/20 and this was an after thought....I didn't call until 10a.m. and I got it, no problem. Finally I was trying for the day I really reallly wanted 7/22 I called 7a.m., at first she said "NOPE sorry all gone"....I sunk to China for a split second
then she says veeeeeery calmly "Oh wait, you said Wishes, Yes I have one from the Poly." I really wanted to depart WL but I screeched "YES!!! I'll take it!!" Then while she is doing her booking stuff I asked her, don't you have one leaving from WL and she says "oh yes would you prefer that?" YES PLEASE!! And then I wanted to ask for another CM that knew what she was doing but I held my tongue
anyway my point is...if you get up and start calling at 7 a.m. you should get what you want ......either that OR I'm just good

And I will add that each time I booked another I started to cancel the previous one and each time I was advised NOT to until the July schedule comes out...just in case there is no Wishes on those nights!!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

There are only 4 boats that run for Illuminations (FYI - Illuminations is almost always at 9pm everyday of the week) - this is what makes the Illuminations cruise so hard to get.

It seems that there are dozens of boats that run for Wishes.

Also, depending on the cloud cover and the wind direction, you should be able to hear the music for Wishes, but not the narration.

 

[llij]

We took a WISHES cruise last December to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was wonderful. So wonderful that my family wants to do it again this next December. We lucked out and were able to hear the music perfectly. That is because we were parked next to a party boat that had the music piped in. Music or no music, it was so relaxing and wonderful.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[aengus]

We also took a party barge wishes cruise this past December. It was a great experience. The music being piped in was a big treat, not sure if I would have enjoyed it so much if we couldnt hear the music. I am going to get us an Illuminations cruise this coming August if it kills me.

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

Yes I was told that if you happen to get a boat without music they will intentionally park near one that does.

What is a party barge? I booked a Wishes cruise for my son's birthday. He said it has cake, ice cream, drinks and decorations. Is this the same thing?

I have done the MK cruise ...it wasn't Wishes yet and I have done Illuminations cruise. I enjoyed the MK cruise much more. With illum I felt I could have seen just as well from land and there was too much smoke.

With the MK fireworks cruise, I enjoyed it so much more. The lake was so much bigger for cruising and the views of MK, CR, GF and Poly were awesome and there was the electric parade on the water too that we were up close for. I don't particularly recall the fireworks because we were with friends and the cruise itself and our company was more of the highlight of this night.

 

[llij]

The party barge that we were parked next to was a part of a "Magical Gatherings" group, not a birthday celebration.

I booked a pontoon boat and paid extra to have cake and decorations.

 

[iluvpiglet]

In August of 2004, my family did the "Magical Gatherings" fireworks cruise and it was great!

I have booked a pontoon boat for the "Wishes" cruise for my wedding party in May. I was also told the same thing about parking next to a boat that has the music piped in. I hope it will be as great as the other cruise.

Have a great time and enjoy yourself!