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

[4Jays]

Looking for someone that has an Illuminations boat booked for Sept 30, Oct 1 or Oct 2. There are six of us: DH, Me, MIL, FIL, DS19, and DD16. Would love to share if anyone has room. Send me a PM.
Janet

 

[mariettadisney71]

To All,

I have room for 4 (maybe 5, waiting for confirmation) on an Illuminations Cruise for Sunday 8/13/06. Please contact me at mariettadisney71@sbcglobal.net if you are interested or have questions. $25 each plus a tip for the driver.

Best wishes,
Michael

 

[gydell]

Illuminations cruise needed for 2 adults and 1 child - Oct.3, 4, 5. Thanks!

 

[Enna]

I'm cancelling a reservation for one of the larger Wishes pontoons (the one with the sound) for Monday August 14.

If anyone is interested in this, please send me a PM. I can coordinate my cancellation time with a time you can call in to request availability.

 

[MissKris721]

I want to take a cruise while on my disneymoon. Which one do you guys recommend as being the best? I like the idea of eating on the cruise and then seeing fireworks...sounds romantic...Please offer your suggestions...my disneymoon isn't until June so I can't book anything yet!

 

[subtchr]

If anyone is interested in the details about the Breathless, I talk about our cruise in my trip report, Day 2:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1160683&page=1&pp=15

If you read it, you'll see we absolutely loved it!

 

[ohana808]

about "eating on the cruise" does anyone know the menu for the food available? and how to order?

 

[Crazy Hakim]

about "eating on the cruise" does anyone know the menu for the food available? and how to order?

All of the food ordered for the cruise is through Private Dining (Room Service), so in addition to just about anything on the Room Service Menu (and prices plus 18%) you can Special Order just about anything you desire. But, be advised, the boat is not the ideal place to eat a plated entrée. The table on the boat is a temporary set up, and a little wobbly to say the least. What works best is sandwiches or finger foods. I don't suggest pizza because it is usually cold by time you are ready for it, but Chicken Wings, fruit, cheese and crackers, and the sort work the best.
FYI, you handle this directly with Private Dining, WDW-PLAY does not assist, nor does the marina, but it is strongly suggested that if you do have a food or beverage order, call the marina during the day so that your driver can make sure that your food is delivered in time for your arrival. In most cases the drivers DO NOT know when food has been preordered.

 

[grgich]

On the Illuminations Cruise, are you allowed to bring a cocktail/glass of wine purchased at the Yacht Club onto the cruise? I'm assuming that its ok to bring something that was purchased at a Disney resort, as opposed to bringing your own bottle of wine?? It seems like you wouldn't have time to drink a whole bottle of wine on the hour long cruise, so bringing just a glass seems like a reasonable thing to do.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

On the Illuminations Cruise, are you allowed to bring a cocktail/glass of wine purchased at the Yacht Club onto the cruise? I'm assuming that its ok to bring something that was purchased at a Disney resort, as opposed to bringing your own bottle of wine?? It seems like you wouldn't have time to drink a whole bottle of wine on the hour long cruise, so bringing just a glass seems like a reasonable thing to do.

Yes, you can get a drink in a Take-out cup (avoid glass) from Crews Cup Lounge or Ale & Compass Lounge. Or you can get a carry out beverage from either gift shop at Y&B Club.

 

[ohana808]

Thanks, Crazy Hakim, for the advice. We're looking forward to the cruise!

 

[Disney8704]

What is the view like of Illuminations from a patoon boat? Can you see the globe and firworks both down on the water and in the sky really well or is some of your view blocked? If anyone has pics I would love to see them.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

What is the view like of Illuminations from a patoon boat? Can you see the globe and fireworks both down on the water and in the sky really well or is some of your view blocked? If anyone has pics I would love to see them.

You get get many opinions on the view, I feel it is one of the best available, the globe is visible, and will eventually be centered in your frame of view.
The boats are not under the bridge, they are pulled forward and the bridge will not block your view of the higher fireworks, unless you are seated all the way in the rear of the boat (and there is no reason to stay in the back when the boat is parked).
There are very few public viewing areas around World Showcase that do not have some sort of tree, lamp post or foliage at least partially blocking your view. Yes, there are some semi-private areas that have a great view, but they are not always available to the public, there may be a private function that would keep you from entering said areas.
One more thing about the view from the pontoon (and Breathless) boats..... you are on the water level, you have a ground eye view of the fireworks, and you get an added enhancement of the reflection from the water, it is truly spectacular.

This photo looks like it was taken from one of the boats:
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10004690.asp

 

[Tiffer]

The DEcember Illuminations is 9:30 pm correct? Then an 8:00 cruise won;t work. Do they have a later one for DEcemember?

 

[Crazy Hakim]

The December Illuminations is 9:30 pm correct? Then an 8:00 cruise won't work. Do they have a later one for December?

Tiffer,

Don't worry! Technically there is NO 8:00pm cruise, even if that is what you book. The IllumiNations Drivers are only at Bayside Marina for one reason, and that is for an IllumiNations Cruise. IF you booked an 8pm Cruise and arrived, they would just tell you that the Fireworks are at 9:30pm, and you need not be back to Bayside Marina until 8:30pm. They would NOT take you out at 8pm, and make you miss IllumiNations.

Like I said, the drivers are ONLY there for the IllumiNations Cruise, that;s their entire responsibility at Bayside Marina, so if you book a cruise, you will definitely be scheduled to see IllumiNations.

 

[yaksack]

November 7. We leave from the Yacht Club at 8:30pm.


COOL!!!!!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

November 7. We leave from the Yacht Club at 8:30pm.
COOL!!!!!

PLEASE arrive at 8pm at Bayside Marina, regardless of what you were told.... OK?

 

[Nickymouse]

I also booked an Illuminations Cruise for Nov. 7th today! We were told 8:00 as well. I know it doesn't leave until 8:30, but we are going with another family and I want to make sure we all meet with time to spare.

 

[yaksack]

I was told 8pm to be at the YC as well.

We are also going with another group. Are you from Northeastern NJ Nicky?

 

[parrotheadlois]

I was told 8pm to be at the YC as well.

We are also going with another group. Are you from Northeastern NJ Nicky?

Hi Yaksak, Hi Nicky - we're booked for November 2nd, where in NJ are y'all from (we're in Warren County, s of 80, n of 78)