Fireworks Cruise Planning

[Sweet Pea Reed]

DH and I are planning to do a Fireworks Cruise on a pontoon boat (just the 2 of us) in February. A special thing to celebrate our 20th anniversary and my birthday.

Any previous cruisers have tips or photos or stories to share? Can I select a marina to depart from, or does that get assigned to us? (We're not staying at one of them -- CBR instead) How long is the experience, from boarding to docking? What's the tip rate for the captain? Do I pay in full when I book, or can I add it to my full WDW payment?

Any info and advice is appreciated! It will be the highlight of our trip.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We did a birthday cruise for my DD's 16th birthday. We were staying at the Poly and wanted to do an Illuminations Fireworks cruise. I booked as early as possible, as I was told they book up fast.

I arranged for some big specialty cupcakes decorated with fondant from YC private dining to be delivered. You can have different savory, wine/beer or bakery items to be delivered for your cruise. Water, soft drinks and small bagged chips/popcorn are included.

We arrived 30min prior to our time and left from the YC marina. I paid when I arrived at the marina prior to departure.

Illuminations was at 10PM that night, so we left the dock about 9:00PM and toured around the lake. Over to the Studio's area and then back to EPCOT. We docked about 15min before the show.

We left pretty much right after the show, did a little more touring and then it was back to the dock.

It was a wonderful experience and a very special way to celebrate.

 

[cgattis]

We did a Wishes cruise for my birthday from the Poly (but we were staying at Dolphin). We had dinner and dessert at Kona right before, so we didn’t order any extra treats. It was amazing to just bob in the lake with seemingly nobody around you (all the other boats were quiet) and be able to enjoy the whole show. We even got an up-close view of the water pageant as we passed it on the way back. I’d love to do it again sometime with some drinks at Trader Sams first! Also, if just the two of you, I’d compare the cost of one of the yachts, just for grins.

 

[mrsswat]

I have the MK fireworks pontoon cruise booked for next week - out of WL where we will be staying. Just an FYI when I booked about a month ago I was told the entire amount of the cruise would be billed to my credit card at the time of booking - and it sure was. Will be refunded if cancelled by the world up till last minute, if you want to cancel must be done 2 days prior to scheduled cruise or fee forfeited.

 

[MamaJessie]

Adding another question to your questions - how early can I book?

 

[colagirl]

We've done the Fireworks cruise twice (our family + my sister's family). There are waters and light snacks provided. We brought alcoholic beverages onto the boat and imagine you could bring other food if you wanted. The first time we did it, we left out of the dock at Wilderness Lodge (we were staying there); the second time, the WL dock was under construction so we left out of Contemporary.

When we booked both times I chose the non-soundtrack option which was slightly cheaper. The first time the "captain" turned the music on anyhow, the second time, we could hear the music from the boats near us. Our first captain was a college kid who was nice but clearly had just memorized stuff about Disney, the second one was an older guy who knew a TON about Disney.

You sail around the lake, watch the light parade, and then fireworks. It is a really cool experience - one I would recommend to anyone and worth the expense. We tipped the drivers $25 per family.

Editing to add that we did choose the marina we wanted to leave from - both times we chose based on convenience. I booked the cruise at the same time I did our ADR's although I don't think it is necessary to book them quite that far in advance.

 

[mrsswat]

interesting....I wasn't offered any soundtrack options! Has that changed?