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

[Disney711]

Hey y'all! I'm actually one of the cruise drivers so it's been fun to read this thread. I do Wishes cruises. I personally think they're the best because you can get just as good a view being inside Epcot of Illuminations, but nothing beats the Wishes view from out on a boat. That show was designed to watch from out there. Plus, you get to see a lot more on the Wishes cruises. We drive you around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon.

A bit of advice on the cruise-sharing. I know y'all are wanting to cut down on cost and all, but the filling up of a boat makes for a very crowded boat. Yes, they hold ten passengers (twelve if you book the premium boat) but that's max capacity. This means no room for moving around, stretching out, you're all crammed in there. Some of the best cruises I've done have been six or less people. My two favorite cruises so far have been one where I just had a family of four, and another where it was just one couple (who ended up getting engaged on the boat).

If you want to make it the party boat, then by all means, go for it, and have a blast. But just be warned that you'll be in tight quarters, especially once you consider having to put the cooler of sodas, the basket of snacks, and any other private dining food you may order.

If anyone has any Wishes cruise questions, please don't be afraid to ask, I know pretty much everything (except for the details on the actual booking of them)

 

[mjtm610]

We have a cruise scheduled for april 25, 2006. You mentioned coolers and snacks. I've read other posts about food being provided. Can we bring our own snack and drinks? Are there any restrictions? like alcohol? We have a party of 5 adults going.
Thanks for your insights
MJ

 

[Lauralee131]

Hey Disney711 - thanks so much for the info! It's great to hear from a CM who can provide such great insight! Maybe we'll get lucky and be able to get you with the Wishes cruise we're trying to book! Happy New Year and maybe we'll see you at the end of January!

 

[Disney711]

A cooler of soda and bottled water is provided, as well as some chips/pretzels. I don't think you'd be allowed to bring your own alcohol and other stuff on board. I've never run into the situation, so I can't say for sure, and I personally don't mind if people show up with a soda or something. But you can order stuff from private dining, I've had people order champagne, wine, beer, Coronas, just about anything.

 

[mjtm610]

Thanks 711 We can't wait for our cruise. I wish you were going to be doing the illuminations cruise.
Actually one of the people we "hope" to join us is a friend we made during one of our trips to WDW. He is a cast member and works in fantasyland. We must have met his 4-5 times on our trip last oct-----then I ran into him again over a quick week end trip in dec. We ended up being from the same area and he knew friends of my children. He knows more disney trivia than ANYONE we've ever met. Everytime we ran into him (sometimes on purpose) my husband or one of the people were were traveling with we tried to "stump Bill" He made our trip so much fun. We told him were were all coming down in March---and we were going to study up so we could catch him on something........we can only hope
Thanks again
MJ

 

[PixiePop]

Hi~

I am interested in scheduling a birthday cruise for my son in October. Can anyone tell me if I can order a cake through private dining? Also, how do I contact private dining to place an order?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Disney711]

Disney information should be able to get you the private dining number. You just have to call private dining at whatever hotel you will be departing from on your cruise. I think you can just do this about a day or so in advance. Just tell them you're doing a fireworks cruise that night, they'll deliver it to the marina.

If you're doing a Wishes cruise, here's a hint. The Grand Floridian has the best cakes. However, I see you're staying at the WL, and they have good cakes, too. I recommend the dark chocolate ganache.

 

[PixiePop]

Thank you for the information.

 

[HARRYC]

hi all , ive posted before so this is just a reminder ,
if theres anyone interested in booking and sharing a illumunations cruise with a family of 4 from scotland this incoming july then bare me in mind....

where we come from in scotland our local analogue telephone exchange still struggles with international calls ..yes it maybe the 21st century but in the glens of scotland things are a little slow in changing...so really relying on someone statestide making a booking and then sharing the trip with us .....

and no to worry im no a mean fisted scot ..and will gladly pay my share ..lol.. you never know i may even wear my kilt on the night ....

there you go what an offer .......

we last visited disney in 2000 and back then we shared the cruise with marla hellwig a mod on these boards and her daughter ..it was a wonderful experience and one we would like to relive ....

cheers the noo
and greetings from bonnie scotland

harry

 

[UrsulasShadow]

A bit of advice on the cruise-sharing. I know y'all are wanting to cut down on cost and all, but the filling up of a boat makes for a very crowded boat. Yes, they hold ten passengers (twelve if you book the premium boat) but that's max capacity. This means no room for moving around, stretching out, you're all crammed in there. Some of the best cruises I've done have been six or less people. My two favorite cruises so far have been one where I just had a family of four, and another where it was just one couple (who ended up getting engaged on the boat).

If you want to make it the party boat, then by all means, go for it, and have a blast. But just be warned that you'll be in tight quarters, especially once you consider having to put the cooler of sodas, the basket of snacks, and any other private dining food you may order.

I have to say, for the IllumiNations cruise, I was really glad for the full boat (we had 9 in our boat). It was REALLY COLD that night, and we sat practically on top of each other...not because we were crowded (we weren't at all crowded), but to try to keep warm! Thank goodness our driver stole some extra blankets for us! Oh, and what a great show IllumiNations is! And what a great group of CMs running the boats!

Remember, if you have trouble booking one of these cruises, please show up at the docks and ask if there's openings. The CMs say that there's many times people don't show up for their cruises, and I know that I was ready at one point to start looking for folks on the dock to share our ride (thank goodness our DISers finally showed up!). And don't be afraid to ask the marina CMs if they'll go over the official limit of 10 if you have small children with you...I have it on good authority that the final decision of how many goes out on a pontoon boat is left up to the captain!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

and no to worry im no a mean fisted scot ..and will gladly pay my share ..lol.. you never know i may even wear my kilt on the night ....

there you go what an offer .......



harry

Well, durn, I wish I was back in WDW just for that

 

[katallo]

I noticed there are sites for sharing cruises through March. Will they post a link for April soon? We would be interested in sharing a cruise on April 4, 5 or 6th (3 adults and one child).

 

[HARRYC]

Well, durn, I wish I was back in WDW just for that

well so that you dont miss out , i want to to picture a young sean connery ....

have you got that picture in your head......

well trust me when i say , me in a kilt looks nothing like that ..lol

best wishes and a guid new year to everyone

from harryc

in bonnie scotland

 

[Twinprincesses]

So is the pontoon boat $150??? I did not se eit on the link.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I called this morning for our trip and unfortunatly they said the boat only holds 10 ppl and our boat would have 12 so the cruise is out of the picture for us.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I called this morning for our trip and unfortunatly they said the boat only holds 10 ppl and our boat would have 12 so the cruise is out of the picture for us.

It's true, they SAY on the phone that they only allow 10, but I have it on GOOD AUTHORITY that it is completely up to the captain of the boat, and they regularly allow on 12, esp. if the 2 extra are small children. There is NO risk in booking for 10, and showing up with the twins to see if they'll let you on. They will fit them for life jackets right there on the dock. I know you will be told by EVERYONE on the phone that they only allow 10, but they REGULARLY ALLOW 12 if you ask at the dock!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

We have a party of seven already, so that would push us over the official limit of 10. However, I remember there being some disagreement earlier in this thread about them stretching this limit to get an extra little one onboard. Has anyone had a recent experience with this or some new information to share?

They allow up to 10 adults and 2 children...I saw them do it! I only had 9 in my party, but could have had more. Talked to the captain, and he said he always allows the little ones, up to 12 total.
On the phone, they will always say 10. Book for that many, then add on at the marina.

 

[Twinprincesses]

So is the crusie definatly worth it??? We are just doing so much more tha is pretty pricey that I want to make sure the cruise is worth it!!

 

[Twinprincesses]

I just realized that my 90 days started today!!! So I called and got a boat for 10. If they will not let the extra person on I guess someone can sit it out, which will be dissappointing.

It is $234 which is alot more than the $150 I thought it was, but they said the prices increased and this includes soda and snacks like popcorn.

 

[Bronte]

Is it still 90 days out to get the boat ... I would love to get one for our trip this May (May 26-June 5 ... May 29 would be my best hope.) We will have 5 going and my sister, who will be going to Iraq shortly after our vacation so I want to make this vacation one to remember.
I would hate to find out too late that they changed the rules from 90 days out to 180 days (I got burned when they changed ADR's from 60 to 90 days out one year and who would have dreamed that it is 180 days out now for ADR's ... WOW!!!)
Anyone with the phone number and number sequence to get through to reserve the boat the quickest can PM me ... Thanks