Illuminations Cruise

[hahmood]

Has anyone done this in thier whhelchair?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For IllumiNatrions cruises there are two possibilities.

One is the Breathless, which is aboslutely not accessible.

The other are the pontoon boats. I have done them once, but it was a few years ago. I do not know if you can ride in a wheelchair during the cruise; if not, I think that you can get the chair onto the boat but will still have to transfer to a refular seat.

 

[Inkmahm]

I've done the cruise and I'm not sure how you'd get a wheelchair onto the pontoon boat. I don't really think they are accessible from what I remember. I'd suggest calling WDW to ask them before trying to book the cruise.

 

[SueM in MN]

The Breathless, mentioned by Cheshire Figment, is a 1930's vintage style speedboat and is not wheelchair accessible. It would be difficult for anyone to get into if they have significant mobility concerns.
People have posted in the past that they took their wheelchair onto the pontoon boats for Illuminations Cruises. I have not been on one of those cruises, but we have taken DD's wheelchair onto other WDW pontoon boats. The doors are about 24 inches wide, so if the wheelchair is narrower than that, it should be able to be wheeled right on. In the past when we rented pontoon boats, we have sometimes been allowed to have DD stay in her wheelchair and sometimes have been told she must transfer to a boat seat.
I know scooters can't go on the pontoon boats for the cruises and people have posted in the past that they parked those and large wheelchairs on the boat dock during their cruise.

Here's a link to the DIS page about Specialty Fireworks cruises, along with contact information for the cruises. If they can't answer your question, you can contact WDW Special Reservations; the phone number is in the disABILITIES FAQs thread in the post about resort/hotel information. The number is not only for resort reservations though and can be used for other types of information and reservations.

 

[pugdog]

We have taken DW's powerchair on the pontoon boats for the last 6 years without any problems. They might have to move the boat so you can get loaded but other then that it will be no problem. She was able to stay in her chair and could sit any where on the boat that she wanted.
If your in a manual chair then all that much easier to get on.

 

[mechurchlady]

Here is an article on the Breathless and for me I would have to sit on the dock and maybe scoot in. It is a beautiful boat but is for the athletic types, lol.

http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/articleViewer.php?aid=396

 

[sofun3]

We took a pontoon boat for Wishes and a person in our party was in an ECV. She did park it and leave it on the dock, but I believe I remember the boat driver said that she could take it on the boat. By the way, the seats were really comfortable with good back support. It was a wonderful experience too.

 

[bearlyanne]

I have a question. Do any of you remember if there is a large step down into the boat from the gandway. My MIL rides a scooter, but is capable of doing transfers, if steps aren't involved.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have a question. Do any of you remember if there is a large step down into the boat from the gandway. My MIL rides a scooter, but is capable of doing transfers, if steps aren't involved.

No.
A wheelchair can be rolled right onto the pontoon boats. No step.

 

[mrsksomeday]

We have taken DW's powerchair on the pontoon boats for the last 6 years without any problems. They might have to move the boat so you can get loaded but other then that it will be no problem. She was able to stay in her chair and could sit any where on the boat that she wanted.
If your in a manual chair then all that much easier to get on.

How big is your DW's powerchair and which resort did you launch from?

 

[MattDisney]

We did this last April and my DD was able to take her wheelchair on the boat.

 

[bearlyanne]

Thanks Sue!

 

[SueM in MN]

Some place I have a picture of the boats used for Illuminations cruises. They are just regular pontoon type boats. I'll see if I can find it tonight and post it.

 

[pugdog]

How big is your DW's powerchair and which resort did you launch from?

We have taken 2 different powerchairs on. One was an Invacare and the other is a Permobil. Both are about 25ish inches wide. Both times we used the side door to get on.

We have gone out of the Beach club, Wilderness lodge and Fort wilderness.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is so weird. I know I took pictures of both the Breathless and the pontoon boat used for Illuminations cruises. I have looked for both, but have not been able to find them.
I guess I need another trip to WDW for research