ILLUMINATIONS CRUISES-What they are--How to book--FIND ONE TO SHARE

[SignalTechCB]

Maybe this has been asked and answered ( I admit that I skipped a few pages here and there in this thread), but can someone tell me what time you board the boats for the Illuminations cruises? We will be there in Dec, and will be landing in Orlando @ 6ish, but figure it would be around 8 by the time we could get checked into the hotel and get to Epcot area, didn't know if this would be too late for the boats..?

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Maybe this has been asked and answered ( I admit that I skipped a few pages here and there in this thread), but can someone tell me what time you board the boats for the Illuminations cruises? We will be there in Dec, and will be landing in Orlando @ 6ish, but figure it would be around 8 by the time we could get checked into the hotel and get to Epcot area, didn't know if this would be too late for the boats..?

Normally, arrive at 8pm, check-in, get life jackets, depart around 8:15-ish
BUT, from Thanksgiving thru NYE IllumiNations moves from 9pm to 9:30pm so push everything back 1/2 hour
Arrive at 8:30pm, depart around 8:45pm.

 

[alanburger88]

Also still looking
For Illuminations to share with our family (DW, DD10, DD14 and me DH) for December 7 to 15th?

 

[scottb8888]

I'm going to join in this thread, would like to do Illuminations cruise - dates between 13 - 27 th October 2007. We are 2 adults, 2 boys ages 11 and 14, if anyone wants to share PM me. Its obviously too early to have one booked but I'm either going to try or if someone elses manages to get one would like to share. We will be staying at the YC so getting there is no problem but how do people go about sharing the cost. I would be uncomfortable about paying up front to strangers before the event. I would rather pay our share on the night.

We will be there the same time. Last year we shared a cruise with a family and it worked out great.

 

[Flametamr]

Can a list for August be started yet ? I am looking to share a cruise around 8-29 to 9-1. And I have no problem with booking it myself and sharing with other DIS members. Thanks

 

[SusieStone]

I'm still looking for a party of 3 for the week of July 2 -5

 

[disneyjunkie]

Can a list for August be started yet ? I am looking to share a cruise around 8-29 to 9-1. And I have no problem with booking it myself and sharing with other DIS members. Thanks

I'm also waiting for the August thread to get started.

 

[cocowum]

Add me to the list of August cruisers


Come on May 23rd...

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm sure Katholyn will start the August thread soon.

 

[stalkingmickey]

I've read that disney no longer calls them illumination cruises. People have said that cm will not know what you're talking about. I was told to book a cruise from the boardwalk around the time of the fireworks. My question is what time is the right time to make sure you see them. If I book at 8pm my cruise will be over before the fireworks, if I book at 9pm then i will just be getting on the boat and miss the fireworks. What time is everyone booking thier cruises for? Thanks this will be for our 1st anniversary and am looking for something special and my DH loves fireworks as much as I do.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I've read that Disney no longer calls them illumination cruises. (snip) I was told to book a cruise from the boardwalk around the time of the fireworks. (snip) Thanks this will be for our 1st anniversary and am looking for something special and my DH loves fireworks as much as I do.

This is not true, they are known as Specialty Cruises. Also, do NOT book it from BoardWalk, for the past 2 years there is no longer a BoardWalk Cruise Pontoon Boat. All boats are dispatched from Bayside Marina at Disney's Yacht Club Resort.
From Jan 1, to the day after Thanksgiving, IllumiNations is at 9pm. From Friday after Thanksgiving until December 30th, IllumiNations is at 9:30pm. And on NYE IllumiNations is performed twice, usually 8pm and 11:30pm
I hope this clears everything up.

 

[jen_uk]

Hello

Does anyone have any spaces on an Illuminations cruise in August between the 7th - 19th? Its just myself and dh looking to share.

Jen

 

[dameodie]

What I read was you ask for a "specialty cruise" and then ask for one that runs during Illuminations/Wishes. I don't think you ask for a specific time, once you say that they know how to set it up.

 

[beary62]

My DH and I have found another family to share our Illumination cruise with on 9/13/07. Thanks for responding, I forgot to update. Have a great time in WDW

 

[stalkingmickey]

My DH and I have found another family to share our Illumination cruise with on 9/13/07. Thanks for responding, I forgot to update. Have a great time in WDW

Have you been able to book it yet? I was told it was to early to book mine on 9/3. What time are you booking it for?

 

[beary62]

No not until 6/15/07 and that is for 9/13/0. I am trying to be optimistic Best of luck to you too!

 

[Jme90]

Lucky for some

 

[beary62]

Jme90 Sorry you were unable to get a cruise. Were you able to maybe try another night?

 

[septimuswigley]

Poly Concierge have managed to pull one out the bag, and I've got an Illuminations Cruise booked for Thursday 26th July. Woo, and furthermore, hoo!

It'll be me and my brand new wife on our honeymoon, but we'll be more than happy if others want to join us to share the fun!

PM if you're interested - I'm thinking the easiest way is to split the cost per head.

Ben

 

[dameodie]

You know, I just realized something...

Since the cruise leaves from the Y&BC resort.... do you need to have used your park passes that day in order to go on it? We're not getting park hoppers, so I figured we could only try for this on our EPCOT days. But when I thought about it, I realized that they very well may not be the case. Can anyone confirm this for me?

I didn't see anything about this in the first post on the thread, but obviously I didn't read the all the following posts, so my apologies if this has been mentioned already.