Illuminations cruise

[kimmie]

If we are lucky enough to get a pontoon, where is a good place to pick up a few snacks and drinks before we board? Do the pontoons pick up from two different locations? I think one of them is the Boardwalk. Are there places to grab something to take with us?
TIA.

 

[Belle1962]

The Boardwalk has the bakery (which is our favorite snack and drink place). If you are picked up at the Yacht & Beach Club try Beaches and Cream for ice cream to go.

 

[SamR]

I had once heard that you were not allowed to bring food onboard an Illuminations Cruise. (That is, any onboard food had to be supplied by Disney.) However, I've also heard that you can bring food but that the boat driver may want to see a receipt verifying that the food was purchased from a Disney establishment. I read that in the Illuminations Cruise Information posting that you always see toward the top of this board:

Illuminations Cruise Info

(Go to about page 3 and there will be a couple of posts on bringing food on the cruise.)

It would be nice to have a definitive answer on this. I have an Illuminations Cruise booked for my March trip, and it would be nice to bring some snacks for the kids (and maybe for the parents, too ).

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Originally posted by Belle1962
If you are picked up at the Yacht & Beach Club try Beaches and Cream for ice cream to go.

Please do not bring Ice Cream. TOO Messy and the pilot will surely have to clean the boat after you depart.

Most of the boats depart from Bayside Marina at Yacht Club Resort. One boat departs from BoardWalk. You can request to be picked up at BoardWalk, but it is much easier to walk over to Bayside to meet the pontoon. I say easier because the pilot will be better prepaired to accept your payment, and provide lifejackets to those under the age of 12.

After the fireworks, the pilot can drop you off at BoardWalk or MGM Studios upon request.

 

[kimmie]

Hi Crazy Hakim,

Can you charge the cruise to your room or do you have to pay him with cash? I think the last time we went it was on our credit card. I realize the tip will be in cash, but I don't remember bringing any other $$. We did bring cans of pop and salty snacks too. But I am not sure where we will be coming from, maybe a park or something. Where is the best place to park if the pick up is at Yacht Club?

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Originally posted by kimmie
Can you charge the cruise to your room or do you have to pay him with cash? Where is the best place to park if the pick up is at Yacht Club?

1. Yes, you can charge to your Disney Resort room, with your room key/card. Or Credit Card, or cash.

2. Park at Yacht Club parking lot, walk thru the lobby, and straight towards lighthouse, but do not walk on the pier towards the lighthouse. The Bayside Marina is the small, light-trimmed building just to the right of the pier (you will notice the water mice and pontoon boats).