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

[Goofy4]

I have a question. I booked the Wishes cruise for DH and I, they charged me $200.00 She (Emily) questioned frequently that it was just DH and I. If I wanted to add addtional people can I? I have to confirm two weeks prior could I add people then?

Yes, you can add people. You can call the marina the night before just to be sure.

As for knowing ahead of time, they'll want to know how many snacks to bring aboard -- which probably takes some coordination between the "food people" and "cruise people".

 

[kpk89]

We just had our Illuminations cruise last week, and here are my thoughts:
-- Birthday decorations cost a bit extra and were worth it -- nice banner on the side of the boat, as well as bunches of balloons tied to the sides of the canopy (a little bummed we didn't think to ask to take the balloons along after, but the banner looks too nice for them to give away)
-- We had a party of 11 (6 adults and 5 kids) and had absolutely no trouble fitting all of us. Even though when I made the reservation they told me the max was 10 people, period.
-- Wally was our captain, he only works on Monday nights and he was great!
-- We tipped $40, and I think my brotherinlaw also tipped something too.
-- My FIL was thrilled with his birthday surprise, and ...
-- We had a WONDERFUL view of Illuminations!!

While I don't think we'd spend the money on this cruise every trip to the exclusion of trying other fun things at WDW, I'd definitely do it again in the future -- especially if it were just my dh & kids and we could split the boat with another family.

Have a magical day!

 

[Amyrlin]

A daft question here, but where is it that poeple are finding people to share etc, it has been refered to onhere a few times, but I don't know where it is.

 

[Goofy4]

PM me.

To answer poster above: I made a ressie for a pontoon cruise for my folks. Just the 2 of them, so we're looking to split the cost. They hold up to 8.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I'm thinking of booking a cruise for our anniversary, August 31. I'm thinking more Wishes than Illuminations, I called this morning and got these prices:
Wishes:
Basic, 8 people, no audio: $187.79 + tax
W/ Audio: $234.74 + tax
Celebration: $258.21 + tax

Illuminations, up to 10 people:
$234.74 + tax
Celebration: $252.21

I just can't book it until June 2nd...Do you know if I book it, does it get charged immediately to my card?? Thanks!

 

[Scottish-Helen]

They do not charge your card straight away you can pay on the night. The card is just a guarantee.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

They do not charge your card straight away you can pay on the night. The card is just a guarantee.

Thanks!

 

[abeyst]

Hello Illuminations Cruisers!

We have never been on a cruise of any kind, and I was interested in taking my son for his birthday on Feb 11th. I know it's last minute, but we just planned the trip to meet my dad down there, and we're trying to do a birthday 'day' and night for him as a surprise. (We arrive at midnight on the 11th, so his first full day in Disney will be his birthday). His favorite fireworks show is Illuminations, and I'd love to take him on the cruise if anyone is still looking to share a boat. Maybe someone had a last minute cancellation? There is 5 of us, 3 adults and 2 children. Thanks so much!!

 

[Fourfigg]

Just called and have booked the wishes cruise. 2 families - 4 adults 5 kids ages range from 13 to 8. This cruise only holds 8 people. How strict is Disney on an extra person in the boat?

 

[unixadm]

A daft question here, but where is it that poeple are finding people to share etc, it has been refered to onhere a few times, but I don't know where it is.

If you go to the FIRST POST of this thread, you will see links for Feb, March and April thread reservations where people can find others to share.


For those of you who haven't seen Wishes from a boat, it's well worth it. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip last year. I just booked another one for April.

Here are some pics:

 

[maria & rossi]

We like both sets of fireworks but we are taking other family members who haven't seen any of them. Which cruise do your think would be the best to take them on as a surprise.

many thanks, maria

 

[challada]

I'm thinking of booking a cruise for our anniversary, August 31. I'm thinking more Wishes than Illuminations, I called this morning and got these prices:
Wishes:
Basic, 8 people, no audio: $187.79 + tax
W/ Audio: $234.74 + tax
Celebration: $258.21 + tax

Illuminations, up to 10 people:
$234.74 + tax
Celebration: $252.21

I just can't book it until June 2nd...Do you know if I book it, does it get charged immediately to my card?? Thanks!

I appreciate the breakdown of the prices...does anyone know if any of these levels also include food (snacks) or is that an additional per person cost on these? Is the "celebration" level just a banner and balloons on your particular boat?

TIA
C

 

[unixadm]

I just got off the phone with Disney Recreation.

The Basic is limited to 8 people does not have any audio for the fireworks and is $200 plus tip.

The Premium package can have up to 10 (same type of boat) but has audio equipment and pipes in the Wishes audio and music that goes with the fireworks display and is $250.

Both include snacks: Popcorn, Chip, Pretzels, soda and water.

There is a Birthday Celebration add on for $20 and has balloons and a Birthday Banner on the boat.

You cannot bring on your own food or a cake....but you can order one from the resort that your boat leaves from.

6" cake servers 4-6 people for $12.50
8" cake serves 8 people for $25.00

They will have it on board the boat when you get there.

 

[mepperson]

I'm posting here since there is no link for May on the first page yet.

I have booked Illuminations cruise for Friday May 5. I would LOVE to get Sat, May 6 instead.

Here's the deal: If anyone already has May 6 booked and needs some filler for the boat - we are 3 (myself, DH and DD7 - very well behaved and lots of fun). I'd loved to share May 6 with you, and give up my ressie for May 5.

If I cannot find any takers for May 6, then I will be looking for May 5 people to fill the spots on the one I have booked.

Anyone?

~Mary

 

[dfhesh]

HI mepperson!
Are you still looking to share this cruise with another family? We would be very, very interested in talking to you about this if you are!!!! Sent you an email!
Thanks!
dfhesh

 

[Rneighh]

We just returned from our trip and did an Illuminations Cruise. I'm sorry to say but I did not feel like it was worth the $250.00 dollars. The boats do not go out into the lake but are parked under the bridge on the waterway from the Y&B club marina. The music is not piped onto the boat so you only heard it from a distance. I would rather make a ressie at Rose and Crown and hope for a good seat. We did see Wishes from California Grill and it was wonderful. We will definately do it again.

Renee

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

help!!!! ok this is EXACTLY what i want to do for our trip (eeek in november) but i have to budget for everything (including this) now. there will be 2 kids, (age 5.5 and barely 3) and 5 adults. 7 in total. Our trip to disney is being paid for by my mum as her birthday gift to herself. my brother and i already fought over who pays for hoop de doo revue for her, he won. haha. so i win on this! she will LOVE It. what i need to know: can you pick the time u are picked up at?
which yields a better view....boat for wishes at MK or Illuminations at Epcot? (which is the better fireworks display to begin with?)
does anyone have a picture of the pontoon? of the replica boat?
how long is the ride?

TIA!!! OH and do u feel its worth the extra $$$ for the "celebration" boat? (ie birthday decorations and what not? ironically my mums birthday is in may. LOL but as this is her birthday gift to herself, (the trip for all of us) i want to have a 'birthday something' while we are away!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

>The boats do not go out into the lake but are parked under the bridge on the waterway from the Y&B club marina.
The boats are parked under the bridge between France and the United Kingdom. Can't really park any closer without danger of falling ash and paper from the sky.

>The music is not piped onto the boat so you only heard it from a distance.
Distance? The speakers are in the nearest Torch (#14) which is less than 20 feet from most of the parked boats. They are SO loud that the boat vibrates especially during the opening sequence.

>I would rather make a ressie at Rose and Crown and hope for a good seat.
"to each his own" as my mother used to say.

 

[Rneighh]

WOW Crazy Hakim you seem a little testy about this. Yes, to each his own.

But to respond and clarify your statements -- People in UK and France are closer to the lake than the boats. We could have pulled up next to these areas and had a better view.

Our boat was not rocking with music. If there is a speaker on "torch (14)", it was not working.

I would much rather have a great meal and see Wishes for the same price as the boat.

Renee

 

[Crazy Hakim]

>WOW Crazy Hakim you seem a little testy about this.
Not testy at all, just want to clarify the facts.

>But to respond and clarify your statements -- People in UK and France are closer to the lake than the boats. We could have pulled up next to these areas and had a better view.
You are talking about two "private" function areas that are not always open to the general public, the one on the left near the Fish & Chips stand holds about 30 ppl, the one on the right is much larger and used a lot of times for weddings, private parties and convention groups. Are they closer than the boats?, yes but not comfortably seated on a cushioned seat like the pontoon boats. And if these areas were open to the public they fill up quite early.

>Our boat was not rocking with music. If there is a speaker on "torch (14)", it was not working.
It was working last night (2/6/06).

>I would much rather have a great meal and see Wishes for the same price as the boat.
I have seen Wishes from the California Grille and the view is lacking the stunning effect of having the Castle in the center frame of the firework affects. After seeing it numerous times from Main Street, I was quite disappointed with the view from the observation deck.

But, like I said, not testy at all, I just want to make sure that everybody knows exactly what to expect from a Specialty Cruise, the 1-hour boat ride, the tour around the lakes, the interaction with the driver, and the great view and comfort of arriving 5 minutes before the show starts and the leisurely ride after the presentation. A great view, and usually a great, relaxing night.