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

[kungaloosh22]

I doubt that you would have enough time to see Fantasmic after Illuminations. Fantasmic is usually filled to capacity an hour before it shows.

So Fantasmic is usually filled an hour before, even for the late showing? I was reading a thread yesterday with people saying you can get good seats for the 10:30 show at 10:00, or even 10:15 or so. It's all so confusing.

Can we get the Breathless to drop us off at DHS in any case? That's where our car will be, unless we decide to move it to the Yacht Club for the Illuminations cruise.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

The cruise boats can drop you off at DHS, but only while it's open. I think the dock closes 1/2 hour after (?) the park closes...Mike? Is it before or after? I forget.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Can we get the Breathless to drop us off at DHS in any case? That's where our car will be, unless we decide to move it to the Yacht Club for the Illuminations cruise.

Nope, Breathless is only allowed to dock at the Bayside Marina and at the bridge for IllumiNations. These are the only two places that have adequate protection (bumpers) to prevent any damage to the wooden boat.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Where do pontoon boats and the Breathless II stop for Illuminations? I've read that they stop near the bridge but are they in front of the bridge and does that obstruct the view of the fireworks? Also wondering if the boats stop close together? Can they block the view of the fireworks?

TIA

All 6 boats park under the bridge between UK and France. Three pontoons on the left side, Breathless and two pontoon on the right. In fair weather the boat front will protrude from under the bridge and most of the front half will be out from under the bridge. If it's raining, they can tie the boats so the front of the boat is covered. It does not obstruct the view. And yes, the boats are side by side.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

The cruise boats can drop you off at DHS, but only while it's open. I think the dock closes 1/2 hour after (?) the park closes...Mike? Is it before or after? I forget.

I guess your asking me.....
The pontoon boats can drop off at any open dock (Epcot, Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin, Hollywood Studios). HS is the only dock that may be closed after IllumiNations and it would be unsafe to drop off if the dock was closed and the lights out. The Friendship Boats should run to this dock until 1-hour after Hollywood Studios closes for the night.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Nope, Breathless is only allowed to dock at the Bayside Marina and at the bridge for IllumiNations. These are the only two places that have adequate protection (bumpers) to prevent any damage to the wooden boat.

Thanks so much for the info!

I guess we'll be moving our car to the Yacht Club for the evening, then.

 

[VWB]

We are booked for the Sept. 2nd Illumination Cruise. I was told that it leaves from the Bayside Marina Yacht Club. What is the best place for the boat to take us back to? We are staying at All Star Movies Resort and I am not sure the best/fastest way to get back to the resort. I realize we will need to take one of the buses but I am trying to find the best way with the least crowd. We have never done the cruise and I can only imagine how crowded the park will be after the fireworks and everyone trying to exit at the same time. Any help would be appreciated!!! THANKS!!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We are booked for the Sept. 2nd Illumination Cruise. I was told that it leaves from the Bayside Marina Yacht Club. What is the best place for the boat to take us back to? We are staying at All Star Movies Resort and I am not sure the best/fastest way to get back to the resort. I realize we will need to take one of the buses but I am trying to find the best way with the least crowd. We have never done the cruise and I can only imagine how crowded the park will be after the fireworks and everyone trying to exit at the same time. Any help would be appreciated!!! THANKS!!!

My suggestion is that if MGM (Disney Studios) is still open that night after Epcot closes take a boat from Yacht Club over to MGM and take a bus to ASM. If not you'll have to go to DTD (or another park) by bus from the YC, BC, or Boardwalk and transfer to another bus to ASM. Or you can always park your car (if you're driving one) at any of the resorts for free (since you're staying at a Disney resort). Good luck!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

We are booked for the Sept. 2nd Illumination Cruise. I was told that it leaves from the Bayside Marina Yacht Club. What is the best place for the boat to take us back to? We are staying at All Star Movies Resort and I am not sure the best/fastest way to get back to the resort. I realize we will need to take one of the buses but I am trying to find the best way with the least crowd. We have never done the cruise and I can only imagine how crowded the park will be after the fireworks and everyone trying to exit at the same time. Any help would be appreciated!!! THANKS!!!

Or, walk thru the Yacht Club lobby and hail a cab (usually have one or two waiting there). Got to be around 1 mile between Yacht Club and All Star.

 

[Andrea from PA]

Please pm me if anyone has a cruise to share.

Thanks!

 

[connie1042]

Cruise for Illumanations for Monday night Sept. 22. Pm me if interested.

 

[momto2inKC]

I have 2 seats left for the Illuminations Cruise on Sunday Sept 21st

 

[dato63]

I read that the cruises charge by the hour (can't remember now if it was $225 or $250 and hour). My question is - how long do they normally take? If you are planning a romantic Illuminations Cruise is an hour long enough? Should I plan/budget for longer?

I read the first post on this thread - but it is dated 2004, so wasn't sure if it's been updated (my guide book shows $225 an hour). Anyhow - it does say you can tip the captain, but some of the posts said they aren't allowed to accept. Does anyone know which is current?

Thank you in advance.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Hello dato63:

I just had to comment...Your girls are Madison & Makayla and they are 4 yrs old???? I have granddaughters that will be going with us to WDW in September and they are also 4 yrs old and they are Madison & Makayla (spelled exactly the same)! How funny. Actually my granddaughters are not twins, but they dads are identical twins (my sons)!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I read that the cruises charge by the hour (can't remember now if it was $225 or $250 and hour). My question is - how long do they normally take? If you are planning a romantic Illuminations Cruise is an hour long enough? Should I plan/budget for longer?I read the first post on this thread - but it is dated 2004, so wasn't sure if it's been updated (my guide book shows $225 an hour).

An Illuminations cruise lasts about an hour. The captain may take you on a jaunt before or after the fireworks, but you will be charged a flat fee for the specialty cruises, which last about an hour. The descriptions and prices can be found here...http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm Oh, and if you want romantic, I really recommend the Breathless II if you can get it!

Anyhow - it does say you can tip the captain, but some of the posts said they aren't allowed to accept. Does anyone know which is current?

Thank you in advance.

Please tip the captain for good service. It is not required, but it is certainly appreciated. I commonly tip 20%-25%, because I've always had exceptional service.

 

[dato63]

Hello dato63:

I just had to comment...Your girls are Madison & Makayla and they are 4 yrs old???? I have granddaughters that will be going with us to WDW in September and they are also 4 yrs old and they are Madison & Makayla (spelled exactly the same)! How funny. Actually my granddaughters are not twins, but they dads are identical twins (my sons)!

What a small world. Yes - our M&Ms are 4. They will be 5 in November. Even funnier that yours are daughters of identical twins. Ours are identical twins.

 

[dato63]

An Illuminations cruise lasts about an hour. The captain may take you on a jaunt before or after the fireworks, but you will be charged a flat fee for the specialty cruises, which last about an hour. The descriptions and prices can be found here...http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm Oh, and if you want romantic, I really recommend the Breathless II if you can get it!



Please tip the captain for good service. It is not required, but it is certainly appreciated. I commonly tip 20%-25%, because I've always had exceptional service.

Thank you very much for the information!!!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I have 3 seats left for an Illuminations cruise on August 20th. The boat will be leaving from the Yacht & Beach Club. Please PM me if you want to join us.
Also, you can email me at barry_martin@verizon.net. (After barry it will show up as a space, but it is an underscore. Thanks!!!
Joan

 

[rollie]

I have 2 seats left for the Illuminations Cruise on Tuesday Sept 23rd. Please PM me if interested.

 

[tlbwriter]

The prices listed in the first post are considerably lower than those on the page that gives more information. Which is correct?