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

[schaery]

I understand about the credit card/bank account thing. I've added up all the extras I want to do on our anniversary trip and YIKES! So now I'm trying to pick out a few of the most special things we can do and then add a few things if money allows. Also, I'm hoping for Disney and/or Disney Visa to offer a few discount specials during that time (12/9-12/15). BTW, if you have a Disney Visa, you get 20% off tours.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Dinner on the cruise would be wonderful but probably quite expensive.

I should be able to let you know more about this also - our cruise will be leaving the Grand Floridian, and we got their private dining menu e-mailed to us. There are regular dinner options available (which sound nice, but expensive), but they also have a number of platters that sound nice, cheese, fruit & cheese, deli, mini-subs, deserts. We will probably get a mini-sub tray and some beer, and will be ordering a special cake from the GF bakery to be delivered to the dock, as this will be our 26th anniversary. If you haven't already looked at the special cake thread, go on over there, there are some beauties. It is a permanent thread on I think the restaurant board. For us, this is a stretch, but this is our first vacation since our honeymoon 26 years ago, and may be the last, so since we are saving a lot with the free DDP (sorry), so that we can splurge on some others. like this cruise, and dinner at Vic & Al's. Disney will still get at least as much money from us, but we will get to enjoy a wider variety. Anything else I can help with, holler!

 

[MAGICX2]

I will be calling in the morning to make the ressie for a Wishes cruise on 9/19. Wish me luck!
Anyone interested in sharing with two adults for a Wishes Premium cruise on Wed. 9/19, please let me know. We would prefer other adults or older children in the party, because this is an adults only trip and I am not sure my mom will want to be trapped on a boat with younger kids who may or may not be in a good mood.
Also, can anyone tell me the payment policy? Do they charge your cc for the full amount when you reserve, is it a deposit, or is it just a "hold"? Thanks.

 

[Abby's Dad]

can anyone tell me the payment policy?

From what I've been told, they take the credit card to hold it, but do not charge it unless you don't show. They take the actual payment at the dock before you board.

And OT, but is Chillicothe near Vinton - I have a sister down there, lives in Vinton (I think), and mentions Chillicothe.

 

[knelson]

I understand about the credit card/bank account thing. I've added up all the extras I want to do on our anniversary trip and YIKES! So now I'm trying to pick out a few of the most special things we can do and then add a few things if money allows. Also, I'm hoping for Disney and/or Disney Visa to offer a few discount specials during that time (12/9-12/15). BTW, if you have a Disney Visa, you get 20% off tours.

We made a budget only to give me something to complain about breaking

 

[schaery]

Yeah, the platters sound like a really great idea. Didn't you say that you're taking the MK tour? Are you doing the pontoon or ChrisCraft? And getting decorations or no? I've thought about getting a cake but didn't think about having it on the boat. Your full of such great ideas. This is my 10th time to go to WDW, and DH's 2nd time, but we've never stayed on the grounds before. And I've never done any of the other activities except just the parks themselves - well, except for the candlelight processional which is really nice. Oh, if you're interested in doing anything off-grounds, Medieval Times is a really fun dinner show to go to.

 

[Abby's Dad]

Medieval Times is a really fun dinner show to go to

Did Medieval Times several years ago when we were in Toronto (for the Phantom), and it was a great time. Thought about doing it again when we are at WDW, but with this being the first trip for DW and DD23, and since I haven't been down there since before Epcot, thought that there would be plenty to do in the World itself for us on this trip - but I was tempted.

We are doing the pontoon boat for Wishes (MK), and we aren't doing the decorations, although I may reconsider that. The cake that I am going to order has a mickey and minnie bride and groom on it, and they had something like xx number of years and the magic still continues (or some such), and thought that would be great for us. And most of what I've learned has come from this group - this is such an incredible resource, it has become like an extended family, and there is just such a wealth of knowledge and experience here. Just happy to contribute where I can - after all, we all want to have the most magical time possible! Have you ever done Vic & Al's?

Will stay tuned, and enjoy your planning.

 

[schaery]

Would you believe that after all the times I've been to WDW that the only full service restaurant I've eaten in is the San Angel Inn at Epcot World Showcase? This restaurant has a pretty romantic atmosphere, by the way, if you're planning on eating in epcot and like Mexican food. I've been reading the reviews for Vic and Al's and it sounds wonderful but I'm afraid I'll have to choose between that and the MK Cruise and I'm thinking the MK cruise is pretty much a definite. I just tried to click on the link to look at the dining menu (is that where you found the GF menu?) but the link isn't working for some reason. I'll have to try later.

You'll enjoy Epcot - that's where my very favorite ride in the whole place is - Test Track. I'd be happy just to go ride that ride if I couldn't do anything else.

Have you always lived in Michigan? I was surprised to see that when you said "holler". I didn't know anybody but us Southerners used that expression.

 

[schaery]

We made a budget only to give me something to complain about breaking

That's okay - I've made a budget too but it just keeps getting bigger. I'm afraid something's gonna have to go or I've gotta work some OT.

 

[Abby's Dad]

"holler

Basically life-long Michigander ('cept for 4 years in high school in Wisconsin), but have sister living in southeast Ohio near W. Virginia, and I have sort of a strange working situation - I work from home as a medical transcriptionist. I work for a large national company that is headquartered in, TA-DA, Florida, which is where my boss lives, and then my shift supervisor lives in Louisiana (and is a real sweetheart). The majority of my accounts are in Florida, but I also have accounts in Arizona and California - so I have accents and local dialect like crazy.

And we really are looking forward to Epcot - there are just so many fascinating things over there, and really looking forward to hearing Off Kilter. As far as Test Track will give it a go, but I am also planning on getting DW a ride-along at the Petty Driving Experience - she is a huge Nascar fan (well, she really isn't huge, a pound or two here or there, but definitely not huge).

I got the private dining menu directly from the GF - they give you the phone number when you get the ressie. I can get you the phone number, just don't have it at this desk (I'm at my work computer - but I'm not cheating on them - I get paid by the line, not by the hour). I could also e-mail it to you as an attachment, I think it is either a .pdf or a Word file - they e-mailed it to me. Will get it to you one way or the other.

Now, back to work (picture lion tamer with whip and chair, forcing me back into my cage).

 

[schaery]

Off-kilter is great!!!! Oh, and there's another band - can't remember the name - but they're in a little alcove on the left just as you walk into the part of Epcot where the rides are. Is that called Futureworld? I can't remember. Anyway, they play instruments that make them sound like robots and they dance. Really cool.

Another streak of jealousy for the PDE. I'm afraid that's definitely out of the budget as I (and DH) wouldn't possibly settle for anything less than actually driving. I guess TEst Track is as close as I'll get to that. We're pretty big Nascar fans too but it doesn't seem to be as fun as it used to be. It seems to be too regimented and technical in the last year or so. I think they should just go back to plain old stock cars and "may the best man win".

I just called WDW about the cruise and they said from our resort, POR, the best (easiest to get to) place to launch from will be Polynesian or Contemporary, and that we can get a menu from them. I can make my ressie on 9/15 so my calendar is marked.

Now, back to work with you, and I'm off to a photography clase....

 

[Mom21]

I got the Wishes cruise WITH audio for Sept 19th. I would be willing to share but with no more than 4 people. Please no flames, but no one under the age of 10. It will just be me and my 10yo dd. We will be leaving from the Polynesian at 7 pm. I will also be ordering some alcoholic beverages, so if this offends you, please don't reply. The cost is $275 plus I will be giving a $50 tip=$325 divided by number of people. Just want to lay it out so no one asks to share and then gets upset about the cost.

 

[Abby's Dad]

I got the Wishes cruise WITH audio for Sept 19th. I would be willing to share but with no more than 4 people. Please no flames, but no one under the age of 10. It will just be me and my 10yo dd. We will be leaving from the Polynesian at 7 pm. I will also be ordering some alcoholic beverages, so if this offends you, please don't reply. The cost is $275 plus I will be giving a $50 tip=$325 divided by number of people. Just want to lay it out so no one asks to share and then gets upset about the cost.

I would certainly hope that you wouldn't need to worry about flames - you are just being very honest upfront about everything - well done, and have a really great time. We'll be there the week before, will be taking the same cruise (only from the GF - because the cake we want is only available there). We still haven't decided yet whether we will open our cruise up - there will be 3 of us, but if we do, we will not be accepting children - not that we don't like children (I believe W.C. Fields had a line that would go here, but we won't go there), and I am sure that some people have perfect angels, but it is just not our choice, and since it is our cruise, we do get to make that choice.

 

[dreamn_Disney]

Anyone doing a Wishes cruise sometime between Aug 27 and Sept 1. Wed Aug 29 would be my preferred date. It is me, dd(16), and ds(3). I would be interested in splitting the cost. Please PM me if you are interested.

 

[Hodder]

I got the Wishes cruise WITH audio for Sept 19th. I would be willing to share but with no more than 4 people. Please no flames, but no one under the age of 10. It will just be me and my 10yo dd. We will be leaving from the Polynesian at 7 pm. I will also be ordering some alcoholic beverages, so if this offends you, please don't reply. The cost is $275 plus I will be giving a $50 tip=$325 divided by number of people. Just want to lay it out so no one asks to share and then gets upset about the cost.

Don't worry about flames, it is your cruise and you decide who/what you what on it.

 

[natalielongstaff]

i will be cancelling an illuminations cruise booked for sept 9th, if anyone wants it please PM me and arrange a time for me too cancel

thanks x x

 

[Lizboo]

My DH and I are looking to join an Illumination cruise on September 24 if someone has room for 2.

I didn't see a list for September, so I am just posting it here (hope that is OK).

 

[kappyfinn]

I have a boat for Illuminations on 9/15 with room for 5-6 more. PM me if you are interested.

 

[snowdrift7]

Hi,

I have room for folks on 2 cruises this September. Illuminations cruise on 9/9 (have room for 7); Wishes deluxe cruise on 9/11 (have room for 8). Price is $30/pp. PM me if you're interested.

cynthia

 

[MAGICX2]

From what I've been told, they take the credit card to hold it, but do not charge it unless you don't show. They take the actual payment at the dock before you board.

And OT, but is Chillicothe near Vinton - I have a sister down there, lives in Vinton (I think), and mentions Chillicothe.

Yes, Vinton County is about 30 min. from me.