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

[Mickey23]

Illuminations cruises are a fun and special way to view the Illuminations fireworks at Epcot. These cruises are very popular and require some advance planning in order to get a reservation.

You will tour seven seas lagoon prior to the beginning of Illuminations and be entertained, by your boat's pilot, with Disney trivia and views of the Boardwalk and other resorts, then you anchor beneath a bridge for an unobstructed view of the fireworks. One of the things we enjoyed the most about our Illuminations cruise was being able to just get off the boat and go to our car without fighting the huge crowd that was leaving Epcot afterwards.

Illuminations cruises are technically called "Specialty Cruises". There are 3 levels and prices for these cruises and you can read about them HEREhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm.

There are only 5 boats available for this activity and they depart either from Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach Club Marina:

Pontoon Boats: Only 4 pontoon boats are available for this cruise. The cost is $150 plus 6% tax for the boat (this includes the pilot). Each pontoon boat will accommodate up to 10 adults or 12 passengers if some of them are children. The cost is not determined by the number of passengers, so sharing a cruise is good idea if you want to reduce cost.

The Breathless: This is a reproduction of a 1930's ChrisCraft Runabout. It will accommodate a maximum of 7 passengers. The cost is $175 plus 6% tax. This boat departs only from the Yacht &Beach Club Marina. This vessel has more speed than the pontoons.

In addition to the basic cost of the cruise, you should allow a gratuity for the Captain. We had 4 passengers on our cruise and tipped our Captain $25. He did a great job and paid special attention to my 6 year old nephew, my dh says now, that he wishes he had tipped him more, because he just made the whole experience wonderful.

How to book an Illuminations Cruise:



You need to call 407-939-7529 exactly 90 days before the date you want to reserve. You can determine when to call by using the DIS's priority seating calculator if you CLICK HEREhttp://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html

Since these cruises are so much in demand, start calling about 6:55 am est. If you get a recording that they are not open yet, disconnect and immediately hit redial. If you get the recording thanking you for calling hit #3 right away, as soon as the second recording begins press #2, when the third recording begins press either your reservation number or phone number and finish with the pound sign. Then press #1, then #2. This will take you to a reservationist, if you have to hold do not disconnect or you go to the bottom of the queue.

When the reservationist answers do not make small talk, immediately tell him/her that you want to reserve the 8PM specialty cruise for such and such date.Do not ask to reserve an Illuminations cruise or you will waste time hearing that there is no such thing. After you get your reservation you can talk all you want, but these cruises are very difficult to reserve and seconds count when thousands of people are competing for only 5 boats.

When the reservationist indicates that you have obtained the reservation, tell him/her that you want to see Illuminations. He/she will then make arrangements for your cruise to depart the marina about 1/2 hour before Illuminations begins.

You will be told that they cannot guarantee that you will see Illuminations. They tell you this because, if Illuminations is delayed for any reason, your boat will still return to the marina at the end of your hour. So far, there have been no known instances where Illuminations was not seen.

If you have flexibility in your WDW itinerary, it is best to try to reserve a cruise for the first night you have available. That way, if you don't get the reservation, you can try the next day and the next, if necessary.

If you are unable to secure a reservation for an Illuminations cruise, do not give up. Cancellations happen every day. Keep calling and trying for that reservation, even when you are in WDW. I was told by a captain of one of these cruises that his boat has often sat idle because someone cancelled. You can snag a cancellation. I know, because I was lucky enough to get a cancelled cruise only 6 weeks before our trip last year.

You can also sometimes find someone who has a reservation already and is willing to share the space and cost of his cruise with you. The Illuminations Cruise Central posts on the Theme Parks board are there to help people match up for these cruises. There is an Illuminations Cruise Central for each month, beginning 3 months ahead of time.

If you want to try to find a cruise to share, or if you have a reservation for a cruise already and are willing to share with others please post to the appropriate Illuminations Cruise Central. Here are links to the current posts:


ILLUMINATIONS CRUISE CENTRAL FOR DECEMBERhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=20853212#post20853212

ILLUMINATIONS CRUISE CENTRAL FOR JANUARYhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=20853237#post20853237

ILLUMINATIONS CRUISE CENTRAL FOR FEBRUARYhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21221634#post21221634

ILLUMINATIONS CRUISE CENTRAL FOR MARCHhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21634598#post21634598

ILLUMINATIONS CRUISE CENTRAL FOR APRILhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1666499

Good luck getting a reservation for an Illuminations Cruise, I hope this information is helpful to you.

Katholyn

will this be updated? The cost is now $250.00 and the phone procedure is different.

 

[roozlilone]

will this be updated? The cost is now $250.00 and the phone procedure is different.

What is the new phone procedure? I knew the price was different but how you book? Not sure. Thanks

 

[carolmb]

How many people will the allow on the boat for the Illuminations Cruise? I read on the disboards that "Each pontoon boat will accommodate up to 10 adults or 12 passengers if some of them are children". We have 11 in our party - 9 adults and 2 children. When I called Disney the CM I spoke with said 10 people max.
Thanks

 

[East Coaster]

Hi!

Looking to join an Illuminations Cruise any evening during these dates. If anyone has room available it would be for 2, just me and my DH. Please PM me with details if anyone is interested in company!

Thanks

Bette

 

[Pegasus928]

Hi all

I have just phoned and reserved a boat for Illuminations at Epcot for Mothers Day, 11th May and thought I would share how it went for me.

I started calling 407-939-7529 just before 7am est. I got a recorded message saying the office was closed and kept trying. As soon as I got the recordiing saying "Thank You for calling WDW Recreation" I hit #1 - which is the option for boat rental.

I was immediately on with an operator and I asked if I could book the 8pm Speciality cruise for my date. She then asked me whether I wanted it for Illuminations or Wishes. Once I had made my choice she asked how many people where in my party and how old any kids where. The whole process only took a couple of minutes. The operator gave me my booking reference number, timings and instructions to call back 14 days before the cruise to make sure these timings are the same.

She told me the total cost - $275+tax and took a credit card number but did say that this wouldn't be charged until the day providing we cancel within 24 hours if necessary. Drinks and snacks are included.

I hope this info helps as I have been reading many requests for the OP info to be updated.

~Good luck to anyone wanting to book - I personally cannot wait~



Mrs Pegasus

 

[septdwn]

DH and I will be going to Epcot on June 30th and if anyone is interested we would love to share a cruise.

 

[Tink06170]

looking for illumunations cruise with room for 2 april 1,2 or 4...

 

[ecpool]

Hi, We are Looking for 5 people to join us FEB 21st for Illuminations cruise. The cost will only be $29 including tax. You can email us at epooler1@maine.rr.com

 

[candcsquared]

This is still early, but I just wanted to see if anyone who is going in May (6th-14 for us) will be looking into getting an Illuminations cruise during this same time? Our anniversary is the 12th, but any night would be fun. Again this is early, but just wanted to see if anyone had thought about it.

Wondering if you're still looking for company?? I'll PM you...

 

[candcsquared]

This is still early, but I just wanted to see if anyone who is going in May (6th-14 for us) will be looking into getting an Illuminations cruise during this same time? Our anniversary is the 12th, but any night would be fun. Again this is early, but just wanted to see if anyone had thought about it.

I'm new to these boards and apparently I'm doing something wrong!! I can't get a PM to work! If you see this post, can you PM me as to whether or not you're still looking for company? Thanks!!

 

[waltdisneymama]

Hello,
I just pm'ed you, but thought I'd also post here, in case you don't receive the pm. We'll be at WDW May 1-13 and would like to have 10 people (or close to) in a pontoon boat to share expenses. We have four in our group. How many people are in yours? Have you heard from anyone else yet?

Does anyone else have a boat booked during this time who is looking for more people to join and share expenses?

THanks!

 

[shendley]

Looking to share an illuminations cruise this July. Favorite dates are July 26 and 29, but we'll be at the World from July 22 through the 29th and could possibly see our way clear to any night during that time period.

Hope there are some other disers out there with complimentary plans!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

Hi all

I have just phoned and reserved a boat for Illuminations at Epcot for Mothers Day, 11th May and thought I would share how it went for me.

I started calling 407-930-7529 just before 7am est. I got a recorded message saying the office was closed and kept trying. As soon as I got the recordiing saying "Thank You for calling WDW Recreation" I hit #1 - which is the option for boat rental.

I was immediately on with an operator and I asked if I could book the 8pm Speciality cruise for my date. She then asked me whether I wanted it for Illuminations or Wishes. Once I had made my choice she asked how many people where in my party and how old any kids where. The whole process only took a couple of minutes. The operator gave me my booking reference number, timings and instructions to call back 14 days before the cruise to make sure these timings are the same.

She told me the total cost - $275+tax and took a credit card number but did say that this wouldn't be charged until the day providing we cancel within 24 hours if necessary. Drinks and snacks are included.

I hope this info helps as I have been reading many requests for the OP info to be updated.

~Good luck to anyone wanting to book - I personally cannot wait~



Mrs Pegasus

Thanks for the information....but the number you gave comes up as "can not be completed as dialed" I tried 407-939-7529 and it worked.

Hate to see anyone miss out by not having the right number!

Let's hope I am able to get through this morning and snag a Cruise!

 

[candcsquared]

Hi - I did receive your PM but I'm still having trouble SENDING a PM!! I've contacted them to see if they can figure out why I cannot send one... There are 4 of us in our group and we're going to be there from 5/6-5/11... We haven't tried to get a reservation yet though... I'll still try to PM you if I can figure out what I'm doing wrong!! Hopefully we can contact each other somehow!

 

[candcsquared]

Hello,
I just pm'ed you, but thought I'd also post here, in case you don't receive the pm. We'll be at WDW May 1-13 and would like to have 10 people (or close to) in a pontoon boat to share expenses. We have four in our group. How many people are in yours? Have you heard from anyone else yet?

Does anyone else have a boat booked during this time who is looking for more people to join and share expenses?

THanks!

OK - I give up on PM!! I just called and couldn't get Illuminations reservations for any of the nights that we're there - 5/6-5/10. However, I did book a Wishes cruise for 5/8/08. There are 4 of us (2 adults - 2 children, 12 & 6) so we have room for 4-5 more. If anyone is interested in sharing, please email me directly at ******* since I can't get PM to work!! :>)

 

[desertbloom]

I am looking for space for 3 on a cruise on April 23rd, 2008. It's DD's b-day and I think this would be really special. Anyone have room for us?

 

[waynesgirl]

APR 20th, 21st, or 22nd? Prefer 21st cause that is the anniversary, but the 20th and 22nd are DH and my bday, so let me know....only need 2 seats!!!

Thanks!

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

Ok went to cancel and mom said not to that it was my Birthday Present so We still have it booked.

When: May 18th, 2008
What: Illuminations Cruise
How Many Spots Available: 7

For more Details Please PM me!

 

[BillyM]

just wondering if anyone has room fot 4 feb 17 or 18 for illumations we took a last min trip left in 12 hour i would be willing to pay for more than half email me at billymcculler@gmail.com

 

[vitobsnodgrass]

Good information.