illuminations cruise w/ infant & toddler

[Jenny]

i've never tried an illuminations cruise. i'm thinking of one for 2/1 if still available. should i worry about cool temps, cranky overtired babies, etc? i have 2 DDs - 6 1/2 mo. & 2 yr. 10 mo. w/ 2 adults to help out. should i attempt this or wait until they're older? their normal bedtime is 8:30 but i'm thinking they may enjoy a boat ride & watching the show even if they're tired. OR i am better off letting them view it +/or sleep in their stroller. what do you think?

 

[Stimpy]

We've done the Illuminations cruise about 6 times. We did not do it the last trip because we had our DD who was 7 months. Honestly, I would wait until the kids are older. The show is extremely loud and if the wind blows the wrong way, the smoke blows right in your faces. We took our DS when he was 13 1/2 months and he really liked it but I couldn't enjoy it. I was really worried about the noise. We were lucky that night that the wind wasn't too bad, but we've done it at other times where the smoke makes the adults eyes tear. To give you an idea of how loud it can be: we stayed at the BCV a few weeks ago and our room shook everytime Illuminations was shown.

Your older DD will probably love it, but it would really depend on your baby's temperment.

I really hate to try to discourage you, the show is awesome, especially on the cruise. I just want to remind you of things you might not think about. If you do go, have a great time!

 

[minkydog]

I was thinking the same thing. That is a very loud show. My kids did not enjoy fireworks until they are at least 4 because of the loud sounds. I still cannot take the 9yo--he completely falls apart.

I think they would like a cruise around the lake during the daytime when they can see well. I would suggest taking the (free) boat ride from MK to Wilderness Lodge for lunch or dinner and see how they do. Then if they like it, go rent a pontoon boat for a couple hours and ride around the lake.

The kids are not going to remember anything about this cruise--this is for you, not for them. If you are really dying to do it, perhaps someone in your party would like to hold the kids at the hotel while you and your honey enjoy some alone time on the boat.

Cathy

 

[Jenny]

i agree w/ the above posts - i'm leaning away from the cruise - i would hate to have 2 really upset, overtired kids on a pontoon boat w/ strangers. re: going w/ DH - probably not yet..i'm bringing my mom but wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them at the hotel. re: the loud noise, is it too loud to view from around the lagoon or just from the boat assuming it's closer to the action? i'm asking now, should we skip illuminations all together? also, will illuminations be louder than fantasmic? (we have the dinner package set up).

 

[Stimpy]

I think if you attend Illuminations around World Showcase, it would be easier to make a quick getaway if you need to. If the kids get upset or scared you can leave easier. If you take the boat, you're kind of stuck. I guess you can always ask the boat captain to leave but you won't get any refunds. It is loud, especially the finale. It really depends on your kids though. My own kids were never bothered by loud noises while other kids are extremely sensitive to them.

I don't think Fantasmic is as loud. There aren't as many fireworks but more special effects. They're both great shows. Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[Jenny]

thanks stimpy & minkydog...stimpy, you're right about kids being different, etc so i'll give it illuminations from the ground & can always leave if they're scared. i don't think fantasmic is as loud either b/c there are less fireworks. we'll sit near the back. thanks again.

 

[ahutton]

When faced with the same choice as you, we decided not to do the cruise because once you are on you are stuck until the show is over with no way out. After talking with our extended family (there was a pretty large group of us) we decided to instead put the money into doing an Illuminations dessert party. It cost more, but we had the flexibility if DD needed to get away she could. My kids have done great with fireworks except when the are 3 years old. Younger they didn't care for the sound but would just put their heads down. At 4 (or a little above) they are more rational and enjoyed the show.

 

[BevS97]

We did this cruise in November with our 14 month old - I can't say she got anything out of it, she slept through the entire thing, but she was certainly happy enough. We were able to take her stroller onboard the boat, and she was already asleep when we got there, so we just wheeled her on and she slept like, well, a baby

I wouldn't do the cruise for teh child, but if you are wanting to do it anyway, then I don't see why you couldn't take the baby - you are moored up under the bridge during the fireworks, if you absolutely had to get off the boat then you could quite easily do it.
We were on the boat with people we knew though, I may have felt differently with strangers

 

[disneygirl04]

My 2 1/2 year old DS did NOT like the fireworks up close! He liked them from the safety of our car,when there was less noise. And he is not normally afraid of noise like that. Maybe it would be a safer bet to save it for when they are older? The baby would probably just sleep through it. I agree with the post that says take a daytime cruise, if you asked my DS what his favorite part of the trip was he would tell you the boat!!!! Good Luck!

 

[Jenny]

that's probably what we'll do...take a boat ride during the day...the 2 y.o. loves boats & i'm sure the baby will too. it'll be interesting to see how they handle the noise of fantasmic, wishes, illuminations...we'll see.