Illuminations Cruise

[themuses]

I thought this Illumination Cruise sounded like a great idea but when i read the fine print it states that they do not guarantee that you will see the Illuminations. They say if for some reason the fireworks start late you will be returned to the dock anyway after your 45 minutes are up - has this happened to anybody?

i would hate to spend the money and then have it just turn out to be a boat ride :>(

any feedback would be appreciated so we can decide whether or not to try and book this

thanks in advance

 

[disneydiz]

I read a lot of comments about this, but no one has ever mentioned not being able to see Illuminations. We did this cruise last year. The boat is parked under the bridge that connects France/England. The only thing I didn't like about it was that you couldn't see the countries light up. You only see the globe. It is quite spectacular though. We had 12 on our boat -- everyone wants to go again this year.

It is usually difficult to get a reservation. YOu have to call right at 7:00 am on the 90-day mark.

 

[AZKathy]

I was concerned one year when we had a birthday cruise booked and it stormed and stormed that afternoon. I made a call and they told me they rarely put of Illuminations because of weather. I wouldn't worry too much. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_3_109.gif' border=0></a>

 

[Madi100]

We did the cruise, and we were picked up at 8:15. So, we started early. As we headed back towards the Boardwalk, I got to thinking that maybe we were done. I would have been so disapointed. We were just cruising the lake some more. We headed back to Epcot and got a great view of Illuminations. The previous poster is right about not seeing the countries light up, but boy was the experience awesome! I was worried about doing this in January. But, it is definitely something I'll try for again on our next trip. The perfect first night experience.

 

[MrShiny]

We were on a cruise in September. There were technical difficulties, so Illuminations was delayed for about 20 minutes, but we just sat and waited for it.

Here are some pictures:

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/je...://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jeffil/my_photos

 

[Minnie Mare]

We did the Illuminations Cruise in August. It was fantastic, awesome, wonderful I was concerned about the fine print too, but after reading ton's of stuff, I did not see one that mentioned they did not get to see it. IMO, it's a truly special thing to do. I guess it could happen, but I would not worry about it again.

 

[kevind65]

if the weather is bad enough to cancel illuminations, they will also cancel the illuminations cruise....this happened to us the last time we had it booked.....rats....oh well, we'll try to book it again this year....

 

[Simba0319]

Where exactly does the boat park to watch the show?? Also, where does it leave from??

Thanks...

 

[1HourAway]

Where exactly does the boat park to watch the show?? Also, where does it leave from??

There a 5 boats total. The Breathless and 4 pontoon boats.

The Breathless is a replica of a 1920's or 1930's wooden runabout Chriscraft. It only seats a few people - maybe 6 or so.

The pontoon boats seat up to 12 - depending on how many adults, children etc.

The boats leave from the Yacht club, Boardwalk and I don't know about Swan and Dolphin. (We did one Friday night and ours left from the Boardwalk)

They tie up under the bridge from the UK pavilon to the France pavilon. Two boats to each side of the bridge support with the Breathless right in front of the bridge support. (The Breathless is a smaller narrower boat, that sits low in the water, so it does not block your view.)

Hope this helps.

 

[Madi100]

We were picked up at the Boardwalk. However, I heard the captains talking and they were saying that they are probably going to change it so all reservations have to be picked up at the Yacht Club. I guess all of the life jackets and other stuff is at that resort.

When we made our reservation they told us they were picking us up at the Yacht Club. I called back and requested to be picked up at the Boardwalk and it was no problem to change.

 

[betterlatethannever]

We did the cruise in Dec of 2002. It was originally scheduled for 8:15.

But because of the Candlelight Processional performances, Illuminations was pushed back to 9:30. So the cruise was automatically rescheduled for 8:45. No problem.

Ed

 

[MrShiny]

The boats park under the bridge - Breathless anchors in front of the bridge support. The view is fantastic, but you might get some smoke & debris.

 

[cristen]

I just got a ressie for our trip in April. I was told to say the 8p cruise, but the lady told my husband that Illuminations is at 9p. And I am not sure if they told him where to go. (it was 5a afterall ) Do they send confirmations with all that info in the mail?

Also, I am not sure if this is the best thing. I have been reading where you can't see the nations light up, and you might be drowning in smoke, depending on which way the wind blows.

Is this the best spot, or are there better?

Thanks,

Cristen

 

[Crazy Hakim]

http://allearsnet.com/btp/illum.htm

Deb's site (above) has a photo of where the boats park.
You can see SOME of the countries light up, just about from America to Mexico and a side view of UK.
I have NEVER heard of a cruise that departed and did NOT see IllumiNations, like somebody else already mentioned, if IllumiNations was delayed they would just wait for it to begin, I can't see them saying "Well, your hour is up...."
Smoke on the Water..... well that's a crap shoot. If the wind is blowing directly towards the bridge, well then your going to get some smoke and maybe ash. But it don't happen that often and I would never not book a cruise on this slight possibility.
Picking up at BoardWalk is not a real problem, there is one pontoon that is dispatched from there (Captain Jeff), but it is just a little easier to depart from Bayside Marina since it is the central hub for most of the boats, there are more CM's there, they have life jackets at the ready.....
Dropping off, well you could be dropped off just about anywhere (Epcot International Gateway, Bayside Marina, BoardWalk, Swan & Dolphin, or MGM Dock) the drive will just have to yield to all Friendship Boats and may have to wait to scoot in and out of the dock area.
I think that's everything.......