Illuminations Cruise question

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I've searched and searched for these answers, but can't find them anywhere...

If we need to catch the boat at Yacht Club Marina for the cruise, can we park there at the resort for this? (we are staying OFFSITE)

My other question is related. Initially, I thought we would do this on our Epcot day, but if we have to drive over to Yacht Club anyway after being at Epcot all day, we may not have to do it on that day. Can we do a cruise on a non-park day? What I mean is, can we do an illuminations cruise without using a park ticket??? It would be something nice to do on our off day, but seems like there would be a problem with that b/c technically you are going into Epcot, right??

Also, if the cruises are for 1 hour and the latest is at 8pm, how does it work out that you see Illuminations when it starts at 9pm???

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Shoot, I posted this in the wrong place, it should be in the main attractions & strategies area.