Illuminations Cruise Frustration

[Terk-1]

I have called every morning starting at 6:55am this week. I quickly go through all the steps, get put on hold, then when I finally get someone, the cast members have said "Those ships have sailed". I'm trying to surprise my family with a Illuminations cruise.

We're heading for WDW in November and after everything we have been through recently, it's going to be a special trip. We lost my mom 2 months ago and one told me how he wishes she could have gone with us to WDW and how much he misses her. I told him that we could do something special while we are there and told them that they could pick out any balloon they thought she would like and when they were ready, they could send it up to heaven to her, so she could enjoy it. They LOVED this idea.

Is there anything else I can do to make this happen? If we do a Grand Gatherings, does that include Illuminations or just Wishes? How much is the Wishes cruise?

 

[zurgswife]

Can you enlist other people to help you calll....last year it took 5 people in 2 states calling to get a ressie for the end of Dec..

Good luck.....

 

[Bete]

I hear you! I think the other post has a point about multiple people trying for it. You may have to explain thoroughly how it all works but it's worth a shot.

I'm lucky because when we go I usually take two weeks in Orlando and to date I've been sucessful but I've gone six days without getting one. I've asked about it to the CM and you need to know you can grab all the boats if you are the first reservation. There are special groups that go during the year and they can snatch them up. Also, remember, there are never more then six boats available; so, it's tough to be one of six that will be lucky, even if, everyone takes only one boat. Certain times of the year are very tough for boat ressies for Illuminations.

Although, I like Illuminations by boat better then MK's boat for fireworks I would do this as a backup plan while you keep trying for Illuminations. I've heard Wishes has been the best for MK's boat ride, to date. You can cancel the Wishes cruise if you snatch the other one. You may want to do both. I did that one year and it worked out for us.

There are times you can share with others; so, go that route, too.
If you can afford concierge at AKL and want to stay there then maybe you will be able to get in on their sunrise or sunset safari. To me, that's even more of a special experience. There are other options, as well, like afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian resort.

You are among many that have a hard time getting a ressie for an Illumination cruise. Good luck and keep trying; it sounds like you are doing all the right things to try for a ressie.

 

[Russell]

A good idea is to find someone with ressies and see if they will share the cruise with you. I got one two years ago Nov. 1st and let another family share with us. But I must say, I wasn't too impressed. I didn't get any closer to the fireworks and didn't really enjoy it any more than just seeing Illuminations from the ground. I think this year I'm going to rent Water Mice boats instead!

 

[4greatboys]

The one and only time I was ever able to get through right away the cm was confused about which day there were booking for 90 days out. I knew what day they were booking for but she kept insisting it was not that day. Anyway long story short we didnt get that day

 

[KathyTX]

If you're willing to share your Illuminations cruise, be sure to post on the "Illuminations Cruise" thread that's stuck at the top of this board.

Go to the link for November, then just post that you're looking for space, what dates work, and how many adults and children are in your part.

We did this last year, wound up with 3 DIS families sharing a boat (each seats 12). We had a wonderful time!

 

[shatzjsl]

We did a Wishes cruise in June and it was wonderful! Very peaceful out on the lake. We did a cruise of the lake for about 45 mins. before parking for Wishes. Great view of Wishes! If you don't have your heart set on Illuminations you should do Wishes. The price is the same. I believe it is $125.00. And there are more Wishes cruises than Illuminations so you have a better chance.

 

[K9pal]

Two suggestions:
1) Keep calling - people cancel every day. I'd call right up to the day you leave.
2) As others have suggested, share a cruise. We did that last year and really enjoyed it.

Good luck!!