Illuminations Cruise

[monorailmom]

Hi everyone! I am looking for a little insight into this cruise. Our kids are planning to book this for us as our 25th anniversary gift in August. Is this a difficult reservation to get? Did you enjoy it? Did it include soft drinks and chip-type snacks? We are really looking forward to this as a family, but would love to know what others' experiences have been.

 

[jtopp]

Did this a few years ago for DW's 40th bday. Be sure to get your reservation as quickly as possible, as it is popular. We had soft drinks, chips, and paid extra for a small cake. We had a group of 8, and it was the perfect size, as we had the boat all to ourselves. As I recall, it was a little pricey, but worth every penny. The relative privacy alone is worth the cost. Good luck, and happy anniversary!!

 

[J and R's mom]

We LOVED it...but that was almost 16 years ago right after we were married at Sea Breeze Point on the Boardwalk.

I just booked last week for our April 2015 anniversary trip (kind of surprised they weren't booked up already since we are well past the 180days out thing).

Anyway, the boats park underneath the bridge near the International Gateway (IG). Several boats will be parked along side you. Some of the view will be blocked from under there, but overall it is an awesome viewing location.

A word of warning...On other visits we have noticed the boats and people standing on the IG bridge covered in the smoke/debris from the fireworks if the wind shifts just so. It'll clear off, and certainly won't ruin the experience. And since you cannot predict the wind on a given night this far out, I'd say book it. We thought it was worth every penny.

 

[CarolynFH]

It was a VERY long time ago for us (June 2000!) but we still remember it as one of the most enjoyable experiences we've ever had. We cruised the waterway to the Studios (got awesome photos of the entrance at dusk) before going into Epcot and parking under the bridge for a perfect unobstructed view of Illuminations. It was worth every penny for us as it was for PP.

 

[White Rose]

I would suggest booking it as soon as your window opens up!!

We did it as part of the platinum plan (shared boat) and we got to pick snacks from a basket of assorted chips, crackers, granola bars etc and sodas/water in a cooler.

If you let them know ahead of time what you are celebrating, they might decorate! We've done the cruise 3x - honeymoon, 5th anniversary and 10th anniversary and this last time (10th) was the only time they decorated the boat.

It was a lot of fun, and really worth it. You get a great view of Illuminations...front row! Before they used to make the boats stay under a bridge inside the park, which limited how many boats could be 'in front' side by side. (I think 3 could fit side by side) but last year the boats moved up much further, which meant more boats could stay side by side - the area was wider! I think maybe there was room for 5 boats, or 6. We were right next to a wedding reception that was on land, and people were asking us from the bridge and from the sides how we got there! We were chatting with people from the boat while waiting for the show to start. It was so wonderful to sit there and watch the show, no crowds, no pushing, no worries of tall people blocking my view - just my hubby and I, sitting back eating snacks, and watching the fireworks, as the boat gently rocked. HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(**FYI...We had another couple on the same boat, which is unique to the platinum plan. when you book the whole boat, it's just for your family...the Japanese couple who shared our boat did not speak English, and were busy enjoying the show and it felt like we were alone.)

We went closer to the fireworks this last time...then we ever did the last two trips, like - WOW we are close but still a safe distance away kinda close - and it was even better!!! We asked the captain why we were closer, and before apparently it was a safety concern, but they had been finally given permission to be in their new spots. I hope they are still doing that! Even the old spots were AWESOME - but the new spots are even MORE AWESOME!!

I know you are planning this for August.... but I'd suggest bringing something to cover your arms, like a very light jacket, even in august - because the temperature was a bit chilly on the water, and during the day it was in the high 80's.

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DaisyNY]

What happens in inclement weather? Do they cancel for rain or winds even if Illuminations is still a go?

 

[disneyholic family]

we also did it years ago.
I would guess this is a "your mileage may vary" sort of thing.

Our experience was less than perfect.

I booked this for just my family of 4 (DH, DD, DS and me).

We started from the Yacht club dock. Everything fine up to this point.

As we were heading over to Epcot, we passed that fancy race boat dead in the water with the family in it who had reserved it.

The captain of that boat asked us if we would be willing to take that family on our boat.

i should have said no, but stupidly i said yes.

So the family of 4 came onto our boat and grabbed the 4 front seats - with the view.

So on we went to epcot - now with 8 people on board instead of 4. And the 4 of them who didn't pay for the boat in the prime position. What kind of obnoxious people do that?

anyway, being the idiot i am, i didn't say anything but i was ANGRY (given how much i'd spent for this special event for the 4 of us).

So once we docked at epcot - they dock several boats together to watch - DH and i couldn't see anything as we were in the covered area of the boat - since that other family had take all the open space.

But in any case, DD and DS said there was so much downwind smoke from the fireworks, they couldn't see anything anyway.

Suffice to say, the view from Rose and Crown and La Hacienda is far superior.

Basically, we threw out several hundred dollars on that one.

Much better way to spend the same money? A fishing excursion on bay lake. Lots of fun and something we do as often as we can!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Our family did this back in 1999, then $85, and extremely difficult to get. Today, with the very high price in the mid $300's, it is a bit easier to get a reservation. Still, the advice to call first thing in the morning at your 180 day point is recommended.

It was a highlight of our trip that year, a wonderful evening. I have taken the cruise several more times over the years, at the invite of folks from the boards here. Always a nice evening. Soft drinks and chips are included, additional items likes cakes, etc (we did order a cake) can be secured through the dining office at the respective resort, generally the Yacht Club.

As for the cruise cancelling, I would say only if lightning and/or winds like a gale or more.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We've got one booked for NYE and the cost is just shy of $1000. I nearly had a heart attack when they quoted the price, I don't even remember giving them my CC #

 

[monorailmom]

Thank you everyone! Now we just need to wait for the Aug. park calendar to be released so we can finish deciding what day(s) to do things.

 

[lynnirene]

I did this with my family a few years ago - 5 adults, 2 children - and honestly I was not overly impressed with it, for the price. Perhaps this was because it was pouring that day, but I felt like I could barely see what was going on. Also I was wet and cold, so the experience was not as magical as I'd hoped! I think maybe we docked under the bridge to stay warm, but that meant we were farther away? I'm not sure. But just be aware, if it's raining but not thunder/lightning, the boat still goes and you don't get any money back for a subpar experience

The next year when I went back with just my husband, I took the Epcot Undiscovered Future World tour, which included a reserved spot in front of Italy for the Illuminations show that night--a much better viewing experience, in my opinion! And a better value for my portion, at least. (Of course, the price of the tour for 7 people would be more than the boat ride, but for the two of us, it was perfect.)

 

[daisyduck123]

We did this Aug. 2007 on my DD's 13th bday.

It was great. We paid for some sort of party package....the boat was decorated with balloons, streamers, banner, etc. and I also had a large bday cake delivered to the boat prior to our departure.

After we docked under the bridge, the crew of two brought out the cake & started singing "Happy Birthday" to my dd. Then everyone on the surrounding boats joined in. There was so much cake that we were passing plates around to the passengers on the other boats.

I would do it again if we happen to be there ON one of my kids' birthdays. (I'm one of those that only does the celebrating ON the actual day).

*** By the way...we'd heard about how hard the reservation would be to get, so DH got on one phone and I got on another & we both called at first light on the first morning we were eligible.

 

[White Rose]

What happens in inclement weather? Do they cancel for rain or winds even if Illuminations is still a go?

We have done it 3 times and never had an issue with smoke. I guess it depends on which way the wind blows.
Our cruise in 2008 was cancelled due to thunderstorms in the area. It had rained earlier but did not rain again till much later. We were able to reschedule to another night.
I believe there are blankets on board if you get chilly.

You can see without being right up front of the boat, unless the people up front are standing and you are sitting. You are at water level, looking up. There are seats on both sides.

The change to move further in the lagoon was recent, maybe last year?

Pictures:
Boats decorated:
http://loonbeam.smugmug.com/Travel/2013/Disney-Parks-and-Cruise-2013/i-M2H5R9D/A

Fireworks:
http://loonbeam.smugmug.com/Travel/2013/Disney-Parks-and-Cruise-2013/i-7GqqVD8/A
http://loonbeam.smugmug.com/Travel/2013/Disney-Parks-and-Cruise-2013/i-VgmVfN7/A

The globe reflected in the water:
http://loonbeam.smugmug.com/Travel/2013/Disney-Parks-and-Cruise-2013/i-XMzCdCN/A

As you can see, even on the shared boat we were on, there are no problems viewing anything. In 2013, we had 4 on the boat. In 2008, we have a family of 4 join us (making it 6 on the boat), and in 2003 we were a total of 8 on the boat - all honeymooners, and no viewing problems then either!

(On an unrelated note... sharing the boat like they do on the platinum plan can lead to some awkwardness - it's not a problem when you book the boat to yourselves. We had no problems on 2 of our three shared trips...The problem with the family of 4....their one child was very affectionate to strangers and kept climbing on my husband and I, and wanted to sit between us, she kept leaning her head on me, hold my hand, etc. I think she might have had a learning disability or behavior issues, she was about 8-10 years old. It was very awkward and finally the mother disciplined her, and we had no further problems.)

 

[KapBoy77]

Does the 180 +10 apply to this as well?

 

[monorailmom]

I just called:

-180 + 10 does apply
-total cost with tax is $371.69
-they do provide water, soda, chips, pretzels, popcorn
-$25 charge to decorate the boat

They have you arrive at the Yacht Club at 8, and you board the boat at 8:30 (if Illuminations is at 9). You are on the boat for about an hour.

 

[White Rose]

I just called:

-180 + 10 does apply
-total cost with tax is $371.69
-they do provide water, soda, chips, pretzels, popcorn
-$25 charge to decorate the boat

They have you arrive at the Yacht Club at 8, and you board the boat at 8:30 (if Illuminations is at 9). You are on the boat for about an hour.

wow - they charge to decorate - we were not charged and did not ask them to decorate - but on our reservation it stated we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. During the other two trips (celebrating our 5th and honeymoon) the boat was not decorated.

Thank you for the update!