Illuminations Cruise December Loading Times

[princess crazy]

Hi to All!

We are going on an Illuminations Cruise in December and sharing with someone else. The official park hours are on the site with Illuminations showing at 9:30pm. I also confirmed this with my TA. When the cruise was initially booked the December park hours and Illumination hours were not out so the person booking it was told to be at the dock at 8:15pm to board. Since the new hours are out I spoke to someone at Disney in the Specialty Cruises area and they told me that we would'nt be leaving until 9:00pm because of the later 9:30 showing of Illuminiations.

Anyone else here with a December cruise and what time have you been told? The cm did tell me that someone would have to call to get the ammended times. Makes sense since Illuminations is at 9:30pm. If we left at 8:15 we would'nt even be seeing Illluminations. We are going in early December and was just curious as to what you other December cruisers have been told so I can know what to plan on. Thanks!!

Also, does anyone here know if the pontoons are covered? I've heard conflicting reports on this.

 

[mousefansmom]

They told me to be there at 8:15 for a 9:00 departure. Hope that helps!

Mousefansmom

 

[BethC1952]

I was told to be there at 8:30 for a 9:30 departure, and AFAIK, the boats aren't covered, although there may be more than one type of boat.

Beth

 

[padisneylover]

Just got my updated schedule of events from the AKL planners and I have to be at the Yacht Club at 8:30

 

[Penny12]

Both times I've called about my cruise I've asked about this (when I booked it and when the park hours were announced), they were very specific and said <b>exactly</b> the same thing.

You are to meet 15 minutes before the scheduled 'leave' time.

Therefore, for a 9.30pm Illuminations, your cruise leaves a 9.00pm sharp which means you have to meet at the dock at 8.45pm. It really doesn't take very long for 10 people to step on to a boat, so arriving 30/45 minutes seems a little like overkill to me if you think about it