Give me a little info about MK fireworks cruises? Please?

[cruisnfamily]

I just tried once again to see if there were any openings for an illuminations cruise during our trip in early June. Of course, there were no openings so I thought maybe I would try for a MK fireworks cruise...don't know much about them but thought it would be fun.

Anyway, the CM said they have openings for MK cruises but no way to know what time to schedule one to see the fireworks since the hours (and thus the fireworks) are not scheduled yet. The latest cruise that she had was at 8pm. I'm thinking that's way too early assuming the park is gonna be open until at least 9pm.

So, how does one plan for the MK fireworks cruise? Also, can you tell me something about them. Where do they leave from? How long do they last? How large are the boats? Can you book one and then share it with others like an illuminations cruise?

Sorry if these are dumb questions but I'd like to do this and can't figure out the logistics of the thing.

 

[stacy6552]

We just took one last week with some friends! They picked us up from the Contemp (though they run from other resorts as well) at 9:15 for the 10pm fireworks. The kids all wore life vests. Our capitan took us over towards FW and we saw the water pagent. then we circled the lagoon past GF and Poly and dropped anchor (so to speak) in the middle and had an awesome view of the fireworks!

It was the perfect thing to do if you want to meet up with friends down at the same time, but not travel together.

We had a great time! Book one and plan on being at the dock 45 minutes prior to the fireworks. you can always check in with disney about it later.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I'm guessing I shouldn't book the 8pm boat though and there aren't any later ones....would Disney add more boats once they announce the hours and fireworks.

 

[lisareneeo]

How far in advance do you need to book this? Does anyone know who to call to book this?
Thanks

 

[InstImpres]

It can be (and according to the CM I spoke to should be) booked 90 days. I just tried for July 13-17 and was told no luck but keep calling, "the rare cancellation does occur"

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by lisareneeo
How far in advance do you need to book this? Does anyone know who to call to book this?
Thanks

1-407-WDW-PLAY is the # to call. It is less than 90 days from my vacation and they still have openings because they don't know when the fireworks will be. I guess illuminations is always at the same time but MK fireworks will vary based on the hours. Anybody been successful booking this before hours are released?

 

[nativetxn]

The MK fireworks are served in the same way you would reserve an Illuminations Cruise. 90 days out. Same phone number too.

I have never reserved an MK fireworks cruise, I can't answer your question. Did you discuss it with the CM? Did you ask them for a suggestion as to how to deal with this issue? How frustrating this must be for you.

Cancellations happen all the time, they are not even all that rare. I know that a captain of one of the Illuminations Cruises has told me that his boat has sat idle during Illuminations because someone didn't show up and didn't cancel (a very expensive mistake on their part).

So, keep calling and trying to get the reservation you want even while you are at WDW.

Good luck with this! Let us know how it turns out.

Katholyn

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by nativetxn
Did you discuss it with the CM? Did you ask them for a suggestion as to how to deal with this issue? How frustrating this must be for you.

The most frustrating part of the whole thing was the CM's "snippy" attitude. She basically said that she could book the 8pm MK cruise for me with no idea whatsoever whether we would see fireworks (although that's a big probably not assuming the MK is open until at least 9pm). And she had no suggestions as to how we might get a fireworks cruise and no idea at all as to whether more cruises would be added later if the fireworks are later.

Anyway, I'm gonna call back again and hope for a more helpful CM.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Ok, I called back and got a much more helpful CM. She said that you book the 8pm MK boat if you want to see the fireworks. She said that you just ignore the time....The 8pm boat is the last boat and that is the one that will have it's departure adjusted in order to see the fireworks. It would leave at 8:15ish or 9:15ish or whatever depending on the time of the fireworks.

Apparently fireworks are not every night any more. She had no way to know which night the fireworks were or what time but said that if I booked the 8pm boat I would see them if they were offered that night.

I didn't book a cruise since I only had 2 nights available and I want to wait to see if there are fireworks or not on those days.

 

[InstImpres]

The CM (Jimela) I spoke with had me book all three nights that I would be there. She said it is best to book them all and than wait and see the schedule. They only need to be cancelled 24 hours in advance. Unlike Illuminations, they do cancel the fireworks for rain. She recommended not cancelling the additional days until I was on-site and knew what the weather would be.

I feel badly as this takes away from someone else, but I guess it is good to know to try from on-site to book last minute.

Good luck
Sandy