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

[Eyore4Ever149]

Actually,

I DID NOT have 8 people to share the cost.

We had 2 families originally interested, but they both decided to cancel due to their schedules.

I could not afford the cost of this cruise by myself (single mom with 2 kids)

I am not sure if it was because it was a "Wishes" cruise rather than an Illuminations cruise, but either way, If people had been interested, I think I would have had some replies?

What would you do? Pay $150 and hope someone is interested?


We are leaving in less that 2 weeks and I am sure I can find another way to spend the amount I had set aside for the cruise on something else Disney .

We are going to have a GREAT time, no matter what!!!

iluvwesties (AKA Carol)

Oh I thought I saw that you only needed 3 or 4 ppl to fill the boat. What a shame. I had a Wishes cruise in May and filled it, but maybe its the time of year?????

If its any consolation my DH and I decided it wasn't as much fun as seeing it from in the park or at California Grille- we couldn't hear the music at all. I was fun cause it was different, but not THE best way to enjoy the fireworks. I hope your family has a terrific time.

I basically just assume I will pay the $140 or whatever it is and then any DISers that join me are "bonus". But its a lot if you are budgeting in other stuff too.

Well, if you are back in May ours is an Epcot one on May 2...a quickie return trip???

 

[Cinderpals]

Hi! I wouldn't keep the Wishes Cruise especially if you don't want to pay for the whole boat. It's not nearly as popular as the Illuminations Cruise. Maybe, you could post a need to share an Illuminations Cruise with someone who has reserved a boat during the time that you're going to be there. You can post an amount that you're willing to spend for you and your kids to ride it. We've had several ressies for Illuminations, but have had to cancel for some reason or another. We've always enjoyed watching Illuminations from Mexico and between Germany and China**

 

[iluvwesties]

Hi Cinderpals and Eyore4ever149,

Thanks for your replies.

I was really caught in an awkward situation as I had reserved the boat in the hopes that others would like to join us.

I had one family say Yes they would join us and I posted a thread advertising that there was still space for 3 or 4 (there were 7 of us originally) then the first family decided to go to Cirque du Soleil instead and cancelled.

We then had another family of 4 interested in joining us, and again I posted another thread for 3 or 4 spaces.

The second family were very nice and let me know that they were juggling schedules and found it might be difficult and asked if we had any other's interested, also the cost for 7 sharing was going to be higher than $15 each (more like $21 = tip)

This left just myself and kids. As mentioned before, I could not afford to pay for the entire boat, so I had to let it go before It became a burden instead of a bonus.

Hope this explains everything!! Maybe another time.

We will still view Wishes from the park instead.
And like I said before, we are going to have a GREAT time!!!

Eyore4ever, Thanks for the invitation, I would love to go in May, but it is out of the question right now.

Talk to you all again soon!

iluvwesties (AKA Carol)

 

[rebecsu]

Do you have a reservation or are you looking for one?

 

[disneymom1]

I am interested in sharing an illuminations cruise any night from April 23 to April 30. We have 4 (2 adults and 2 kids - 8yrs and 10yrs).

Does anyone have space available on their boat?

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

I don't have anything booked yet (it's to early) but I am interested in splitting the cost. My party is me, DH both 40 and DS 9 and DD 7.

Anyone else thinking of going this time of year assuming I can even book it?

 

[ShellyShellfish]

Does anyone have a cruise booked May 30-June 5th? My H2B and I will be down there for our honeymoon and we're thinking of doing the cruise but only if it's within our budget...

thanks!

 

[mrmike972]

If anybody needs to unload spots for the wished cruise APRIL 25....I need 4 spots please contact me

 

[LBurg93]

I am interested in sharing an illuminations cruise any night from April 23 to April 30. We have 4 (2 adults and 2 kids - 8yrs and 10yrs).

Does anyone have space available on their boat?

Hi Disneymom1, I have an illumations cruise for 4/27/05. I will probably cancel this boat. If I cancel, hopefully I can arrange with you & Disney to transfer the reses to you. If I don't cancel you and your family are welcom to join us, we are 3.

 

[smoochie]

Ive done the illuminations cruise before. This time we will be doing wishes. How do they compare? And can you hear the music at MK like you can at Epcot?

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Have Illuminations Cruise for May 3rd. Please PM me if you are interested in joining. Adults or children over the age of 8 please.

 

[my2girlsmom]

Hi Everyone,
My very first post here...so hope I'm doing right!

We're going to Disney 5/14 - 5/21 with dh, 2 dd's (6.5 and 4) and my senior parents (75 and 78)

Wanted to do the Illumination cruise...but my hubby is worried about my mom getting on and off the pontoon.

Is it easy to get on (i.e. ramp, etc?) also...are there seats on the boat or do you have to stand the whole 1 hour?

any help would be appreciated!

Marion

 

[Crazy Hakim]

These photos should answer all of your questions, if not just ask.

http://www.amazon.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?&collid=466357466103&photoid=366357466103

 

[my2girlsmom]

Album Not Found


The link you are using is no longer valid. If this link was sent to you in an email and you would like to view the photos, you will need to contact the album owner and have them share the album using Ofoto's share feature.

Hi, Did I do something wrong? (I am a member of Ofoto...and logged in...)

 

[weluv M&M]

I feel like I am "armed" with everything I need to take a shot at making a reservation for an illuminations cruise for our WDW trip in June. Thanks to everyone My question is about where you board the cruises....I read about the boardwalk and yacht club marinas...Since we will be staying at the Polynesian should we take transportation to these resorts or to Epcot and walk to the marinas? AND afterwards where is the best place to dock and get transportation back to the POLY? We will not have a car and will be using Disney transportation. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

You want to depart from the Bayside Marina which is at the Yacht Club.
You could walk to the marina from Epcot, or MGM
After the cruise, you could have the driver drop you off at the Epcot Dock and walk thru Epcot to the monorail, or at the MGM dock (IF MGM was open past 8pm that night) to catch a direct bus to the Poly.
Otherwise you would have to go by bus to Downtown Disney to transfer, or by bus to the Magic Kingdom.
Fastest way back would be a taxi from the Yacht Club.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I have a few questions. I am thinking of booking an Illuminations cruise for the first night of our stay. We won't be checking in until about 5 pm. I don't want to use park admission that night. I just wanted to be sure that it would not be needed. Also, since we will be relying on Disney Transportation, could we take the bus from Pop to MGM then walk or ride the boat over to the marina and do the same in reverse to get home?
Thanks!

 

[weluv M&M]

Thanks so much Crazy Hakim....I dread that mass exit after Illuminations, been there done that, it is crazy. Is the epcot dock close to the exit or is a pretty good walk? My other option is MGM...isn't it usually open past 8 during the summer? If so how far is the walk from MGM dock to exit to catch buses?
Since we are staying at the POLY...we need to catch a bus back to the TTC.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I have a few questions. I am thinking of booking an Illuminations cruise for the first night of our stay. We won't be checking in until about 5 pm. I don't want to use park admission that night. I just wanted to be sure that it would not be needed. Also, since we will be relying on Disney Transportation, could we take the bus from Pop to MGM then walk or ride the boat over to the marina and do the same in reverse to get home?
Thanks!

1. You do NOT need park addmission to view the IllumiNations Fireworks from the boat.
2. If MGM closes early, the dock will be closed by the time IllumiNations is over (9:15ish), you would not be able to be dropped off at the MGM Dock. If the busses were still running from MGM, the driver could drop you off at BoardWalk Dock and you could walk (hike) it over to MGM.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Thanks so much Crazy Hakim....I dread that mass exit after Illuminations, been there done that, it is crazy. Is the epcot dock close to the exit or is a pretty good walk? My other option is MGM...isn't it usually open past 8 during the summer? If so how far is the walk from MGM dock to exit to catch buses? Since we are staying at the POLY...we need to catch a bus back to the TTC.

1. The Epcot dock is the one near the International Gateway entrance, just past United Kingdom Pavillion. You would have to walk from the dock, past UK and Canada, then thru the fountain area and past Spaceship Earth. Little bit of a walk.

2. From the MGM Dock to the busses is just around the entry area, not a very far walk, depending on where your bus stop would be for your particular resort.