FYI on Illuminations cruise capacity

[PrinceGoofy]

This may be posted somewhere else but I didn't see it and it cost a family a chance to see Illuminations from one of the boats.

Boats for the Illuminations cruise will hold 12. Wishes boats will hold 10.

I wanted to share with another family on an Illuminations cruiise recently and this would have put us at 12 people. I called Disney, and they said capacity of boats was 10. I asked specifically about the Illuminations cruise out of the YC.

When we got to the Yacht Club Marina, I mentioned this to the captain and the person you pay. They both said that their cruise would seat 12. The Wishes boats were a little smaller and would only hold 10.

Money wasn't a big factor, it was just a chance to share the experience with another family that was lost.

Hope this helps someone else.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I want to make a slight clarification. WDW-PLAY has strict information that says 10 ppl Max, period, end of story.
The pontoon boats are rated at 12ppl maximum, including the driver.
The bottom line is, all guests and driver must be seated comfortably and properly. Nobody can be standing, or seated on anything but the seats, no sitting on the floor, or atop an armrest or on the cooler.
So, as tactfully as I can. let me say that sometimes 8 ppl will be difficult to fit. So keep in mind, the driver is flexible and they do not want to leave anybody waiting on the dock, but they also have to keep safety in mind.

 

[PrinceGoofy]

I agree that's what WDW PLAY says. All I was saying, was what the people that actually drive the boats and take the actual payment at the marina told me. They take 12 out all the time because their boats are bigger than the pontoons they use for Wishes.

True or not, that's what they said last week. There seemed to be plenty of room on the one we were on. We had six and it still seemed roomy. I think 10 would be more comfortable than 12.

 

[TammiMcMan]

True or not, that's what they said last week. There seemed to be plenty of room on the one we were on. We had six and it still seemed roomy. I think 10 would be more comfortable than 12.

I wonder if they've changed the boats. I know that they use an outside company for them. When we went in December of 2004, our family of 4 shared with another family of 4. We may have been able to fit another couple to make 10, but 12 would definitely have been overcrowded.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

True or not, that's what they said last week. There seemed to be plenty of room on the one we were on. We had six and it still seemed roomy. I think 10 would be more comfortable than 12.

Please don't misinterpret my remarks, all I am saying is that some people take up more room than others, in some cases 12 would fit comfortably, in some cases 9 might be a tight squeeze, all I am trying to get across is that its not so much the total number, its more that all guests must be seated properly. Its hard to set a fixed number without any regard to the guests size.
LOL, just thinking, supposed they stated a weight limit, LOL, Maximum 1,500 lbs. You would have to put a scale at Bayside Marina.....

Sorry, I got a little carried away......

 

[PrinceGoofy]

If I remember right, they used to offer seating to 12 people, but a certain amount had to be children. I think it used to be 4 kids if there were 12 people.

What I was trying to do was let as many people as possible enjoy the cruise. Sometimes they're pretty hard to get. Although, I think the price change from $150 to $250 is making them a lot more available.

At $150, it was a pretty good deal for most people. At $250, I think a lot of people are backing off. I called less than 90 days and got a boat is why I'm guessing at that.

The cruise we went on had three adults and three kids. I saw a post for two adults and four kids that wanted to go on the date I had. I called Disney and they were firm on the 10 people. Then, when I check in at the marina, they say they do 12 people all the time. I really felt bad that I couldn't have offered a spot to another family.

It's just a fun experience to share with people.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I agree with everything you say.
Yes, the $250 price has lessened the demand for the boats, but the supply (6 boats including Breathless) still makes it difficult to score a boat, especially in Peak periods.
I also think that it becomes a lot more "doable" when two or three groups split the cost. When you look at splitting it between even 10 ppl, it becomes a great experience.