Help - Illumination Cruise pre-buyer's remorse

[dis43dqs]

I have an Illuminations cruise booked for a week from today. Please tell me if it's worth the money. It will be DH, DD12, DD6, DD4 and me. We've never seen Illuminations before.

I guess I'm freaking out because it's a surprise for DH & DD12 birthday and I haven't been able to talk to anyone about it.

Please tell me is it worth the cost? It's the same night at MNSSHP. Will Epcot be dead that night making it easier to get a good viewing spot without the cruise?

TIA!

Sandy

 

[ReggieB]

No I don't think Epcot will be dead that evening. Factor in the fact that if you want to see fireworks that night, you can't go to MK unless you have a special ticket. I would have thought it would add to the crowds at Epcot, rather than lessen them.

I think you will have an awesome cruise. I would love to try this sometime, don't think you will regret it.

 

[mmmcq]

If you're really worried about the cost, post on the November board and share it with another family. I've done that before and I didn't mind that there were "strangers" on board with us. It was a math equation. I didn't want to pay for the whole thing.

If you don't want to share........it's a very special way to celebrate a birthday. It's not like watching Illuminations from the walkways. You'd have to work a lot harder to find a viewing place as good as the boat.

Go for it.

 

[Buzz2001]

I have an Illuminations cruise booked for a week from today. Please tell me if it's worth the money. It will be DH, DD12, DD6, DD4 and me. We've never seen Illuminations before.

I guess I'm freaking out because it's a surprise for DH & DD12 birthday and I haven't been able to talk to anyone about it.

Please tell me is it worth the cost? It's the same night at MNSSHP. Will Epcot be dead that night making it easier to get a good viewing spot without the cruise?

TIA!

Sandy

We love it!! We did this for my DD on her birthday. Had the boat decorated and a cake. That's adds to the cost but this was when it was only $125.00. Drinks are thrown in now since the price increase.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The cruise was the highlight of our family trip back in '99, celebrating DW, Marie's remission from breast cancer.

We all look happy, no???

Enjoy!!!

 

[Lan]

I enjoyed it. I know u guys will have fun.

 

[Mimi Q]

We've done it several times. I love it. Have fun!

 

[vsimeone]

We had a fantastic time on our cruise last month for on our 20th anniversary trip! I hope you get Mike ( hi Mike!) He was wonderful. Very informative and fun. It was expensive. I did it as a surprise for DH and made it more expensive by ordering champagne. DH never even knew these cruises existed - neither did I til I found the Dis! He was so surprised and we both had a wonderful time.

If it's not too much of a burden to your budget, you will have an incredibly memorable experience!

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We had a birthday one last fall and all four of us enjoyed it so much we have another one booked this fall. For us, it is totally worth the cost.

Keep it and have a great time.

 

[paladin]

We did it on our last trip in December 2005 and just loved it! We actually tried to book another for an additional night since we enjoyed it so much (alas, none were available with such short notice).

 

[Densgirl]

I've been lucky enough to do this twice. It is a completely unique experience. In my opinion it was worth it both times. I hope you enjoy!

 

[mareed]

I'll provide an alternate opinion that I don't think it's worth it. We did it once (joined another DIS family) and only paid $10 each for my family of 4 and didn't even think it was worth that. The view was much WORSE than we usually have when watching Illuminations. The only way I think it would be worth it might be on someone's arrival night as a way to see Illuminations without using a day on a park ticket. Obviously, I'm in the minority with my opinion, but I did want to share it.

 

[cassi06403]

You will love the Illuminations cruise. I agree about sharing it with another family if you are concerned about cost.

The view was absolutely spectacular, IMO. I can't imagine having a better view anywhere else.

I'm curious as to where the previous poster normally watches Illuminations from?

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Wanted to add also that it is also nice that you do not have to stake out your spot an hour to two hours beforehand. Then not to have to deal with the departing crowds.

 

[dis43dqs]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I'm going to keep it.

We don't go to Disney very often and this might be the last time as a whole family so I want the girls to have extra special lasting memories from this trip.

It's probably to late to find someone to share it with. But that's ok I'll justify it as a once in a lifetime experience. Plus we won't have to stake out a spot 1-2 hrs before.

Thanks again. It really helps to hear from others how great it is.

 

[mareed]

You will love the Illuminations cruise. I agree about sharing it with another family if you are concerned about cost.

The view was absolutely spectacular, IMO. I can't imagine having a better view anywhere else.

I'm curious as to where the previous poster normally watches Illuminations from?

I'm the previous poster. I've watched it from right by the rail at various places around the WS. For example, near Canada, Mexico/Norway, Italy, and Showcase Plaza. I felt much closer to the action (actually had fireworks being shot off within feet of where we were sitting). We get a seat about 1 1/2 hours early and eat our dinner while we're waiting, and watch the CM's go around in the boats and load the fireworks (including the ones practically at our feet ). There's usually some ducks around that are eager to be fed while we're waiting too. I felt much further away in the boat. But obviously I'm in the minority with this. I will say that the boat we were in was the 2nd boat - at the back under the bridge. And since we were "add-ons" with another DIS family, we were at the back of the boat. If we sitting in the front of the boat that was at the front under the bridge, it may have been a different experience. YMMV obviously!

 

[disney rulz]

I have an Illuminations cruise booked for a week from today. Please tell me if it's worth the money. It will be DH, DD12, DD6, DD4 and me. We've never seen Illuminations before.

I guess I'm freaking out because it's a surprise for DH & DD12 birthday and I haven't been able to talk to anyone about it.

Please tell me is it worth the cost? It's the same night at MNSSHP. Will Epcot be dead that night making it easier to get a good viewing spot without the cruise?

TIA!

Sandy

If your looking to help pay for cost maybe look or make a post here. People are always looking.

 

[cranbiz]

The Illuminations cruise for September thread has several looking for cruises in your time frame. I'll bump it up for you.

If you post there, I'm sure you can get a nice DIS family to split your costs.

Good luck and enjoy!