Illumination's Cruise Question's

[tecboy]

I noticed that all the boats for the Illumination's Cruise leave from WDW resorts...I am staying offsite...If I am lucky enough to find a cruise open for my dates, do I ,as an offsite guest, have access to where the cruises are launched from?

Also, is park admission required for the night I take the cruise? I don't think it is since the cruise leaves from a resort marina..

 

[Chadsgirl44]

Illuminations cruises leave from the dock at the Yacht Club. Also there is one pontoon that leaves from Boardwalk. When you reserve the cruise they will tell you which dock to be at and at what time.

 

[tecboy]

I understand where they leave from, but my question is...as an offsite guest..can I get to where the cruises launch from?

 

[Chadsgirl44]

If you drive then I would assume you could park at the Yacht Club and just tell the guard you have an Illuminations Cruise - they usually give you a 3 hour parking pass when you visit a resort for dining. If you'll be walking from Epcot just use the International Gateway (between France and England). This will wind around to either boat docks.

 

[tecboy]

After reading a few more posts...I have made a conclusion...please tell me if I am right or wrong...

If I take an Illuminations cruise, I just drive to the appropriate resort/marina location like I am visiting the resort and park in their lot.(I am staying offsite)..then the boat leaves from there...no park admission is required for the Illuminations cruise. If this is the case then I can try for any night I have free from the other parks to try to book a cruise....It does not necessarily need to be the day I am at Epcot...

 

[LJC1861]

You are correct. You can park at the resort that your cruise leaves from. Just let them know that you have an Illuminations Cruise booked and you will have no trouble. You do not need park admission to do one of these cruises.

Keep in mind that these cruises are incredibly difficult to get as there are only 5 boats available. If you are unsuccessful, you might want to try one of the Wishes Cruises that sail from the MK resorts to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks show. There are more boats available and therefore easier to get.

To book an Illuminations Cruise you need to call 90 days out at precisely 7 a.m. est. These cruises book in minutes. I usually begin calling at 6:58 and have the sequence of numbers memorized so I don't have to wait for the prompts. It might help to do a practice run the day before you actually want to book.

Good Luck and enjoy your cruise1

Linda