Epcot Illuminations cruise. WWYD?

[Nicnic]

Hi. We have an illuminations cruise booked for when the bridge is closed and we don't know if we should cancel.

I called disney and they spoke to the dock and they said the cruise will still go, just not up to HS. Its alot of money and to just cruise around the lake for an hour is not ideal. Last year when we did it, it was a struggle to fit an hour of cruising in and that was going up to HS and back.

To make matters worse, the cruise is for a 40th birthday celebration and the other families have never done this nor been to disney.

Would you still go? Look for something else? Be cheeky and ask for a discount!!!?

It's a bit last min to find something else but i feel im not getting what i expected if we still do it.

Thanks

 

[GBBTomorrow]

I would still go. If I know Disney, they will plus up the experience in some way to make up for the inconvenience. I can't think of a better 40th birthday than Illuminations from a boat!

 

[gwb]

did it and don't worry about the bridge you'll see the illuminations show and just not get the boat trip to HS which isn't much of a lose.

 

[fhtpdw20]

When is the bridge closing? I have a cruise booked in about a month. What should I expect? What is the usual cruise. Nothing was said at the time of booking and I have never done one of these cruises.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

When is the bridge closing? I have a cruise booked in about a month. What should I expect? What is the usual cruise. Nothing was said at the time of booking and I have never done one of these cruises.

Here’s some info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...-disneys-hollywood-studios-starting-on-may-7/

I later read somewhere else that this is expected to last approx 6 weeks.

Obviously with all things Disney, exact timing is subject to change.

 

[pollyanna30]

Hi. We have an illuminations cruise booked for when the bridge is closed and we don't know if we should cancel.

I called disney and they spoke to the dock and they said the cruise will still go, just not up to HS. Its alot of money and to just cruise around the lake for an hour is not ideal. Last year when we did it, it was a struggle to fit an hour of cruising in and that was going up to HS and back.

To make matters worse, the cruise is for a 40th birthday celebration and the other families have never done this nor been to disney.

Would you still go? Look for something else? Be cheeky and ask for a discount!!!?

It's a bit last min to find something else but i feel im not getting what i expected if we still do it.

Thanks

We are in the exact same boat (figuratively, that is)! We have an illuminations cruise booked on June 1st to also celebrate a 40th birthday too! We have never been on the cruise before but had read how the beginning of it was traveling down to Hollywood Studios and back and then potentially going back down to Hollywood Studios at the end of the night. That cruise prior to Illuminations is what lengthens the time in the boat, and we know the bridge closure will definitely take away from that. I am considering calling about a discount or may even cancel as the time gets closer if the bridge is not finished by then. My family is very frustrated as we have had it planned since November!

 

[Robo]

There is a considerable difference in the size of the I-Cruise pontoon boats and the large Friendships.

I wonder if the I-Cruise pontoons can traverse beneath the bridge refurb that the Friendships cannot. (???)

 

[Nicnic]

There is a considerable difference in the size of the I-Cruise pontoon boats and the large Friendships.

I wonder if the I-Cruise pontoons can traverse beneath the bridge refurb that the Friendships cannot. (???)[/QUOTE

Disney called the dock and they confirmed nothing goes under the bridge and we would only cruise round the lake, which for the money we paid is not ideal. I understand its the fireworks we are seeing but they can be seen from many free points in Epcot, were also paying for the cruise experience. We are still undecided.

 

[Nicnic]

Disney called the dock and they confirmed nothing goes under the bridge and we would only cruise round the lake, which for the money we paid is not ideal. I understand its the fireworks we are seeing but they can be seen from many free points in Epcot, were also paying for the cruise experience. We are still undecided.

 

[Nicnic]

Been on the phone a total of 45 mins totally forgot I was calling the US and its cost over £50!!! I hung up in the end. Spoke to a lovely lady in guest services after being cut off the first time. She was checking what extras they are doing to compensate the cruise element being halved, no refunds given but she was pretty sure they will do something else, I didn't get a chance to find out. I might try and call the UK number.

 

[pollyanna30]

Been on the phone a total of 45 mins totally forgot I was calling the US and its cost over £50!!! I hung up in the end. Spoke to a lovely lady in guest services after being cut off the first time. She was checking what extras they are doing to compensate the cruise element being halved, no refunds given but she was pretty sure they will do something else, I didn't get a chance to find out. I might try and call the UK number.

I called today and found out that there is Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise availability while I am there. I went ahead booked one of those too and am going to talk to my family tomorrow and decide which one to cancel. I was told that I had up until a couple of days before the date of the cruise to cancel with a full refund. Please post back here if you find out what modifications will be made for the Illuminations cruise as I am still curious what could be done.

 

[Robo]

Have a nice trip.

 

[Nicnic]

I called today and found out that there is Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise availability while I am there. I went ahead booked one of those too and am going to talk to my family tomorrow and decide which one to cancel. I was told that I had up until a couple of days before the date of the cruise to cancel with a full refund. Please post back here if you find out what modifications will be made for the Illuminations cruise as I am still curious what could be done.

I will thanks. Going to the UK number and if i have no luck then ill go to the dock when i get there on the 21st and ask. We couldn't find any alternatives only the pirates and pals cruise!! No thanks.

 

[cgattis]

I haven't done the Illuminations cruise. But, we've done bass fishing from the YC Marina and, after having caught a ton of huge fish right outside Atlantic Dance Hall, our captain cruised us over to HS. We've also ridden the Friendship boats between HS and Swan/Dolphin. It's neat to see Tower of Terrir lit up from outside but really, that ride isn't anything amazing. I would focus more on the fireworks portion and how much that is worth to you.

I also did a Wishes cruise for my 40th and thought it was amazing. We thought the sound was superb, there was nobody near me except my own family (no sweaty strangers LOL), there was practically zero sound from other boats, and it was magical to see the whole wide view at once. Now, with more emphasis on projections, it may not be the same. But having nothing else similar to compare it to, I thought it was fabulous. Similar to watching from Cali Grill--a different perspective than being surrounded by the show, but in an intimate and cozy kind of way.

Hope everyone who has it planned gets a resolution to your satisfaction. And Happy Birthdays!!

 

[pollyanna30]

I haven't done the Illuminations cruise. But, we've done bass fishing from the YC Marina and, after having caught a ton of huge fish right outside Atlantic Dance Hall, our captain cruised us over to HS. We've also ridden the Friendship boats between HS and Swan/Dolphin. It's neat to see Tower of Terrir lit up from outside but really, that ride isn't anything amazing. I would focus more on the fireworks portion and how much that is worth to you.

I also did a Wishes cruise for my 40th and thought it was amazing. We thought the sound was superb, there was nobody near me except my own family (no sweaty strangers LOL), there was practically zero sound from other boats, and it was magical to see the whole wide view at once. Now, with more emphasis on projections, it may not be the same. But having nothing else similar to compare it to, I thought it was fabulous. Similar to watching from Cali Grill--a different perspective than being surrounded by the show, but in an intimate and cozy kind of way.

Hope everyone who has it planned gets a resolution to your satisfaction. And Happy Birthdays!!

Thanks for the birthday wishes and your perspective on the Magic Kingom fireworks cruise! It actually seems as this will work out better for us anyway, as my brother-in-law has a work obligation that will delay his arrival and he was going to miss the Illluminations cruise. We also already had a reservation at Trails’ End at Ft. Wilderness on the day of the available cruise so the boat can pick us up from there, which is nice. I think all these factors plus the bridge issue helped make my decision, and I am planning on cancelling the Illuminations reservation today. I hope @Nicnic is able to get some positive resolution also.