Illuminations cruise

[goofymom/pop]

Hey Gang.....I was thinking of booking a illuminations cruise for Mothers Day. My girlfriend and I will be there with our sons and hubbies. She has only been once to WDW and I have been loads of times. What do you think? Is it worth the cost? What dinner would you lump with it? Can you bring your own wine on the boat or snacks for the boys? Dish gang dish.....I would like to plan some awesome events for the two families to make the trip really special.


thanks ahead of time

Cindy

 

[jfulcer]

Yes it's worth it.

And it's really hit or miss as to whether you can bring your own food on. I would say yes because we have, others would say no. I am not sure I have heard any reports of being told you couldn't if you showed up with food. They do offer different food options where you can get snacks/drinks/cakes etc. You can ask about adding those AFTER you book.

As to where you should eat, I would say that depends on where you get the boat from. No suggestions here on that.

Be sure to follow the faq that is floating around here in a post somewhere as to how to book the cruise. It's VERY important to be calling first thing and keep calling.

Good luck, you'll love the cruise!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Yes, it is well worth the cost.
You will be surprised at how great IllumiNations is viewed from the boat, and when you have no distractions and you can really appreciate the show and it's story.

Most drivers will "look the other way" if you bring along some light snacks, just don't get carried away and bring a cooler filled with drinks, and bags of food. Keep it simple and discreet.

Where to eat? There are plenty of selections around Cresent Lake. Hmmm, let's see:
ESPN, Spoodles, Flying Fish, Big River, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Beaches and Cream, or Cape May Cafe are all in the immediate area. Figure the boat departs about 45 minutes before the fireworks begin, (although some drivers like to leave earlier).

 

[ivanova]

If you eat dinner first, there won't be much need for bringing anything on board. You might be able to sneak in some snacks in a purse or backpack, but don't expect to bring in sodas, wine, etc. Disney sells food packages, so of course they discourage the practice of letting you bring your own.

When we did the b-day package we got a WONDERFUL cake that I can't rave about enough, all the sodas & bottled water we wanted/needed, and bags of chips.

 

[torismom]

Susan,

Did you feel doing the birthday package was worth the extra 100.00 ?

I have a Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise booked for 5/10. I was hoping for an illumanations cruise for 5/10 or 5/12. however, I didnt get either one. Hopefully, someone has ont to share.

Thanks

 

[ivanova]

Did you feel doing the birthday package was worth the extra 100.00 ?

Absolutely. This was for our daughter's 12th birthday (she opted for this over a bday party at home before we left for WDW). Beforehand my husband thought it was a huge waste of money, and our friend that was traveling with us was dubious at best. After the cruise they thought the $$$ spent was worth every last dime ($220 total for the cruise + bday package).

They decorated the pontoon boat with a "happy birthday" banner and balloons ... so throughout the cruise we had people yelling happy birthday from the shore (which my daughter adored all the attention of course). The cake was to die for - we got to take the leftovers with us and snacked on it for days (and even being days-old it was STILL to die for). Our driver was FANTASTIC - letting the kids "take turns driving" the boat. And when he finally parked the boat under the bridge at Epcot he got all everyone in the other boats and on the bridge to sing happy birthday to my daughter.

Would I spend that kind of money every time we went to WDW? Probably not - but it was definitely worth doing at least once!!

 

[torismom]

Sharon,

Thanks for the reply!!

I am considering changing our cruise to the birthday party cruise. We will be doing it on Mother's Day and this is a surprise trip for my daughters for 5th birthday. Then my husband, mine and my sons birthdays fall the following week. It does sound like the 100.00 would be well spent for this occasion. This is one of those trips we are doing things that we normally do not do.

Thanks again.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Guess what I have a spot on a boat already.....yipppeeee!!!! I am so excited. I hope my girlfriend is happy about it.

Glad to know about the food availability ahead of time. WE can live without the snacks for an hour.

I will be looking for something fun for dinner that night and havent made up my mind yet. I would still like more input on the restaraunts at Boardwalk. I heard Spoodles was ok....ESPN isnt the atmosphere I was thinking of, but the boys would love it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks
Cindy