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

[daisylove]

Does anyone have 2-4 openings from March 17-March 20th??? I know it is last minute but I am hoping.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Does anyone have 2-4 openings from March 17-March 20th??? I know it is last minute but I am hoping.

Look here:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=7003551#post7003551

 

[Hunk-A-Nick]

I went on the illuminations cruise last summer it was very relaxing and its a good time for you and your family, or friends to come together and take part in a great show.. we were in the very front of all the boats and we were on the right hand side and the smoke was fine for us.. i didnt even notice it as a problem.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Wow, this all sounds so interesting and like something DH and I would love to do, but it's only two of us and it's sounding mighty confusing and complicated at this point. We aren't going until 12/18/05, so I'll just keep reading up on it.

 

[Mad2Scrap]

I just did my experimental call. This is what I did:
1-407-939-7529
Pushed 3 (not 2, two asked if I wanted to reserve golf course, has this been changed since the instructions were posted?)
Pushed 2 (first time visitor to resort, one if return visitor)
entered my phone number - got a reservationist! I, embarrassed, told her that I was experimenting to see if I had the numbers right. She asked when I was coming, was ready to assist me. Very nice.
I made my call at 7:44 PM Pacific time! Isn't that 10:44 EST and well past when they are supposed to be closed??

Sheesh, I'm new at this.
Marsha in Seattle

 

[Crazy Hakim]

REMINDER!

I was talking to Cap't Scott just last night at Bayside Marina. Just this week there were TWO No Show groups and two pontoon boats went unused for IllumiNations! Bear in mind, the drivers cannot release the boat without first giving the schedule party the time to check-in, but when they have still not yet arrived by 8:45, there is the opportunity to snag a boat.

Also, he told me that Breathless is back on Disney property (not at Bayside Marina yet) and should (*should*) be used starting March 1st.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

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.

I would go through Epcot and grab a monorail to the TTC and then just take the short walk over to Poly.

 

[Cinderpals]

Just thought I'd post this. Miracles do happen. Need an Illuminations Cruise for Epcot 3/22-3/27 any night. Thanks!

 

[Mad2Scrap]

These are the instructions on the first page of this thread:

"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 #4 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."

However, when I called a couple of nights ago to test it out, at, I believe it was 11:00PM EST (it shocked me they were open so late), if I pushed #4 I would get "current" WDW weather. #3 was for boat rentals. Then I pushed #2 (for first time visitor to a WDW resort, #1 for returning visitor), then I gave my phone number. I did not push anymore numbers after that because I got a person!

I think this information needs to be updated or have I missed emails on this. I am, admittedly, new to this whole thing.

 

[mommiechewie]

i also would like this information. i am going to be trying this soon and i need to make sure i have the most updated info. any help would really be appreicated!!!!

 

[slinky101]

Hi, I had the same shock as you did last week when I did a trial run, you need to push 3 not 4 after, "thank you for calling......." it is worth perservering as I got one today it was just what I wanted, its on my DD's 9th birthday, she knows I,ve booked it but does not know about the cake and decorations etc.
Hope you get one, I have been smiling all day, can,t believe it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mad2Scrap]

Do the Illuminations cruises always start at 8:00, winter or summer? Seems the Illuminations display would begin later in the summer, after dusk, then in the winter. So, if I want the Illuminations cruise I ask for the 8:00 pm cruise no matter the time of year?

 

[danny1649]

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Called this morning and got my cruise first try...just wanted to THANK everyone for the information...Tylor (CM) was surprised that I got through on my first attempt.

We are now ready to cruise.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Do the Illuminations cruises always start at 8:00, winter or summer? Seems the Illuminations display would begin later in the summer, after dusk, then in the winter. So, if I want the Illuminations cruise I ask for the 8:00 pm cruise no matter the time of year?

IllumiNations is 9pm every night except between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve, then it is 9:30pm

Check in is always 1-hour before IllumiNations starts, regardless of what WDW-PLAY tells you to do.

 

[teedee]

Hi - I'm getting confused with conflicting information. I read the instruction page for making reservations. I understand that the numbers have changed and to press 3 instead of 4, but I'm still confused. The first page I read said do not ask for an Illuminations cruise, you'll be told there is not one, but then posters on this thread are saying they asked for an Illuminations cruise as soon as they got the operator. Which one should I do? I really want to book one as a surprise for the kids. My other question is if I ask for an 8:00pm cruise as instructed won't it be over by 9:00 when Illuminations starts? I'm sorry if these are questions that have already been asked, I looked back a few pages but could not find the answers.

Thank you very much for any help

Terri

 

[slinky101]

hope this helps, the numbers have changed and it is 3 not 4. when i booked mine I asked for the speciality cruise at 8pm and they asked did I want wishes or illuminations, the CM told me later that there are four boats at the moment, 3 do illuminations 1 does wishes. In fact last week i could not get illuminations and she offered to check for wishes and it was available but I did not want that. As for the time she told me that as park hours are not confirmed for may yet, I should phone two weeks before for an exact time but, the boat I had booked was to see illuminations whatever time it was (even though it is always at 9pm) weather permitting of course!

I know its all confusing I,ve been there myself, believe me the relief when you get one is worth the anguish

 

[teedee]

hope this helps, the numbers have changed and it is 3 not 4. when i booked mine I asked for the speciality cruise at 8pm and they asked did I want wishes or illuminations, the CM told me later that there are four boats at the moment, 3 do illuminations 1 does wishes. In fact last week i could not get illuminations and she offered to check for wishes and it was available but I did not want that. As for the time she told me that as park hours are not confirmed for may yet, I should phone two weeks before for an exact time but, the boat I had booked was to see illuminations whatever time it was (even though it is always at 9pm) weather permitting of course!

I know its all confusing I,ve been there myself, believe me the relief when you get one is worth the anguish

Claire - Thanks for the information We will be there from June 4-11 and I can start trying to reserve this Sunday. I think this will be a wonderful surprise for the kids!

Terri

 

[mommiechewie]

Claire - Thanks for the information We will be there from June 4-11 and I can start trying to reserve this Sunday. I think this will be a wonderful surprise for the kids!

Terri

TeeDee
we will be down there at that time too. let me know if you get a cruise.

 

[teedee]

TeeDee
we will be down there at that time too. let me know if you get a cruise.

I will. I can start trying this Sunday. We have 4 in my family - me and 3 teenagers.