Illuminations Cruise vs. Wishes Cruise - please help

[BuzzBoyMom]

Okay, so I was on cloud 900 yesterday in the office because I had gotten my long awaited cruise. Until - Mr. Grump in my office decided to tell me that the Illuminations cruise isn't very good and I needed to get the Wishes cruise.

Well, bah humbug! The man continued to put such a damper on my mood by telling me everything he DIDN'T like about Illuminations.

I still have a few days left to try for the Wishes cruise....please tell - which is better. I'd like any PROS/CONS on either ther Wishes or the Illuminations.

Also - should I change my schedule around to be at the park where I ultimately get my cruise? In other words, if I keep the Illluminations, make sure I'm at Epcot....if I get wishes...do MK that day.

TIA!

 

[WDSearcher]

I, personally, love the IllumiNations cruise and don't much care for the Wishes version. Wishes is a show that is meant to be seen head-on. Standing in the middle of Main Street so that you can see exactly how the fireworks break behind the castle and everything is symmetrical. IllumiNations is a more encompassing experience -- it happens all around the lagoon, and you get a fantastic view of it from the cruise.

Don't let the Grumpy guy get to you. The IllumiNations cruise will be terrific!

 

[Bete]

If possible, I like to do both. With that said and having done both Illuminations is my vote every time. We've taken over a dozen Illumination cruises and about three MK cruises to date. First, the Illuminations cruise puts you pretty close to the action and what I like is that you are at the exact same level as the show itself. Although Wishes is better to see then other shows there in the past from afar, it's still too far away on any boat to see it as it deserves to be seen. At Epcot the best land viewing areas are reserved for the dessert parties, etc.; so, you don't get such a great opportunity to get the best view on land. If you're willing to put in the time you can get a wonderful view at MK for Wishes without being on a boat.

Think about the fact that Illuminations sells out so fast and how difficult it is to get a boat. Does that not tell you that most would rather see Illuminations? I know there are more boats available for Wishes but still the popularity for the Illuminations cruise far exceeds that of Wishes. This has been true for many years. I've been able to get the Wishes cruise on same day notice. I think that tells you something right there.

I love being close to the castle when viewing the fireworks at MK and the Wishes boat cruise is not close enough for me. There are two pluses I will say for the Wishes cruise if you have children there are times the captains will let the kids steer the boat. Our grandchildren were able to do this and we have never had the opportunity to do it with Illuminations and they probably will never do it there. It's too busy in the water on the way to Epcot. The other plus with the Wishes cruise is being able to see the water pageant near the Polynesian after the fireworks.

My vote goes to Illuminations!

 

[Densgirl]

I'd definitely hold onto your Illuminations cruise. I've done both and prefer the Illuminations cruise for exactly the reasons stated above and also the times we've done both cruises the drivers for the Illuminations cruise were always so much more memorable. The time before the show was more enjoyable. They seemed to have more trivia, jokes and WDW behind the scenes stories. May have just been our luck with drivers but I liked them much better.

Last trip we had a Wishes cruise but I couldn't get the Illuminations cruise and that was all my family talked about. Wishes is better from the Hub of the MK.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Thank you!!! Appreciate your insight.

I'll just assume that he's "wishing" he was going!!!

 

[fan4life]

Are both cruises part of the Magical Gatherings.
Do you need 8 people in your party?

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

These cruises anyone can book. My dd's were able to drive on our Illuminations Cruise last month. We were near the dock at MGM Studios (MGM closed at 7pm that night). We have done both cruises many times, we love them both. We try to do both on our trips if we can.

 

[zurgswife]

We do the illuminations cruise at least one time each visit...I aboslutely love it..

 

[dizneeguy]

Try both. They are very different and both great experiences. If you go with Illuminations request Captain Ron (as I won't be driving there as of 6/11.) He is the best and you won't regret it.
If you go on Wishes, I'll be drivng them from now on out of the Contemporary.

 

[Goofy DS]

My wife and I did the Illuminations cruise for our 15th Anniv and we loved it. (Capt Ron was great). I booked it as a surprise for her. When I booked I thought they would put us on a boat and since it was just the 2 of us they would want to fill the boat. I didn't know that when we made our reservations and paid we got the whole boat to ourselves!

The viewing of Illuminations was great and Capt Ron dropped us off at the Boardwalk after the cruise so we could eat and hit some of the clubs since we were sans kids!

 

[leebee]

I ADORE the Illuminations Cruise! It's so wonderful to be cruising around the Boardwalk area after dark, looking at all the lights and resorts from the water, and riding down to MGM. Our last captain positioned the boat at MGM so that when he took our photo, MGM was the backdrop- very cool picture. ANd then there is Illuminations, happening practically over your head. I love this cruise; it's magical! Don't let Mr Grumpy put a damper on your cruise...just re-name him Mr. Green Eyed Monster!!

And yes, I also agree that Wishes is best seen from inside MK!!

 

[aubriee]

I ADORE the Illuminations Cruise! It's so wonderful to be cruising around the Boardwalk area after dark, looking at all the lights and resorts from the water, and riding down to MGM. Our last captain positioned the boat at MGM so that when he took our photo, MGM was the backdrop- very cool picture. ANd then there is Illuminations, happening practically over your head. I love this cruise; it's magical! Don't let Mr Grumpy put a damper on your cruise...just re-name him Mr. Green Eyed Monster!!

And yes, I also agree that Wishes is best seen from inside MK!!

What photo? I was lucky enough to get an Illuminations cruise this morning for 12/10. The CM said the cruises now included snacks of sodas, water, pretzels, and chips, but didn't say anything about a photo. Anyone know if a photo is still included? Thanks!

 

[Lizzybee]

From what I read on here, I figured the IllumiNations cruise was probably too much in the middle of the action for my kids, one is very sensitive to noise, the other to smells. We did the Wishes Cruise and it was relaxing and beautiful and just perfect for our family. Mr. Grump needs to take his lead from Disney and realize, different groups like different experiences. I haven't done the Illuminations Cruise but it seems being close to the action is more of a thrill where Wishes gives you a far off pixie dust over the MK castle type of a view. Some people like IASW more than ToT and vice versa AND some people love both. Do what you love, not what Mr. Grump THINKS you should love! Oh yeah..and have a BLAST (pun intended )