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

[tomerin]

i just wanted to say thanks to the OP who posted the instructions as to how to book the illuminations cruise. i followed the instructions exactly as posted and for the second year in a row i was successful!!! first time was great but this time will be better because i will be taking this cruise with my brother and his family


THANK YOU!!!

 

[vikame]

we are 3 lovely people from nj(myself, dh & ds who's 4).
looking to mooch some room on an evening cruise.
just booked a last minute trip & cant get a boat
pm me if interested.
Thanks

 

[Princess Mommy]

We did the bday Illuminations for my 30th b'day last year in Jan it was by far one of the best memories I have of WDW.
Anyone who can should really try it- it is truly AMAZING!

 

[annieh6]

Is there a seperate Wishes thread?? We are wanting to book that again for July!
Thanks

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Is there a separate Wishes thread?? We are wanting to book that again for July!
Thanks

There is really no reason to have a Wishes thread. The Wishes Fireworks Cruises are much more available since there are a lot more boats dispatched from Wilderness Lodge, The Contemp, The Grand and The Poly. You should not have a problem securing one of these, aside from any major holidays (like 4th of July).
While at Bayside Marina there are only a total of 6 boats (including Breathless).

 

[annieh6]

Thanks Mike S., I found a thread last summer and was able to book with another guest who was looking for a party of 4. That is what I was hoping to do again this year, but have not located anything similar to Illuminations.
Annie

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

I know they say the cruise could be cancelled due to inclement weather. How often does this happen? Is it any different for the pontoons vs. the Breathless? If in doubt that night, is there a way to find out before leaving for the marina? Thanks for your insight!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Does anyone know if you can get a cruise with just beverages (coffee?) and not the food? Or if you can bring your own? Thanks for the help!

 

[annieh6]

On our wishes cruise last summer nobody had food or drink. I don't know if it is prohibited or not, I don't imagine they would fuss too much if you had a mug, but for such a short cruise food doesn't seem necessary.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I found my answer! Here you go for anyone else that wants to know! I found this on allears.net.



Pontoon Boats -- Another option for an IllumiNations cruise is a 24-foot pontoon boat, which seats 10 comfortably. The pontoon has a canopy, is roomier, and has some drink holders. When you rent either boat, it belongs to your party for the show; meaning the only people there will be the ones you've invited! The price for a pontoon IllumiNations Cruise starts at $140.84 + tax, for a maximum of 12 people. (Not covered under any of WDW package plans.) Cost includes a driver. Optional food and beverage items are available through Yacht Club Private Dining at 407-934-3160. You may not bring your own food or beverages on board.

 

[sunny04]

I was also thinking of doing the Pontoon Boat in the future...for anyone who has already done this, does the canopy of the boat block the view of the fireworks at all???

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

We went on an Illuminations cruise last October. The canopy covered the driver and the back area of the boat but we sat in the front (and probably all ten could fit in the front if you had ten people - we only had five.) We had a totally unobstructed view from the front of the boat. Quite honestly, you are far enough back from the fireworks that I think even under a canopy you would still have a great view!)

This cruise made a wonderful memory for our entire family. We did it as an "un-birthday" celebration for our three boys, complete with cake! It's something they'll never forget (and neither will my husband and I)!!!!

One note for anyone having problems getting reservations - - - KEEP TRYING! We didn't find out about these cruises until about a month before our trip. I called and there was nothing available. But with persistence we ended up with reservations for one five days before our trip. Someone had cancelled! So if you can't get a ressie right now, don't give up!!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

One note for anyone having problems getting reservations - - - KEEP TRYING! We didn't find out about these cruises until about a month before our trip. I called and there was nothing available. But with persistence we ended up with reservations for one five days before our trip. Someone had cancelled! So if you can't get a ressie right now, don't give up!!

FYI, both Monday & Tuesday (4/11 & 4/12) one pontoon boat was not used due to cancellations.

 

[sundarlin9]

I booked the specialty cruise to view WISHES on May 17th. We are DH, DW, boys aged 10, 12, 12, and girl 8. We have room for 6 more people. It leaves Wilderness Lodge @ 8pm (be there @ 7:45pm). Bringing your own food is prohibited but they gave me a @ to call to get a price and order if you'd like. They advised me to call them a week prior to make sure the fireworks schedule and departure time remained the same. Please PM me if you're interested in sharing cost.

Sally

 

[missygayle]

I booked the specialty cruise to view WISHES on May 17th. We are DH, DW, boys aged 10, 12, 12, and girl 8. We have room for 6 more people. It leaves Wilderness Lodge @ 8pm (be there @ 7:45pm). Bringing your own food is prohibited but they gave me a @ to call to get a price and order if you'd like. They advised me to call them a week prior to make sure the fireworks schedule and departure time remained the same. Please PM me if you're interested in sharing cost.

Sally

I'll be there 5/13-5/18 and would love to join you. I just sent you a PM. I would have 4. Thanks!

 

[sundarlin9]

Welcome missygayle party of 4!

We still have 2 spots open (would work out to $12/pp). Feel free to PM me if you'd like to join us for specialty cruise to see WISHES leaving from Wilderness Lodge on May 17th @ 8pm.

Sally

 

[walmuete]

We have a party of 4 that would like to share june 12-17th

 

[amlar]

We booked our trip less than 90 days out so I could not get a boat. May 21 is my wife's birthday so I would love to do an Illuminations cruise. It is my wife and I, her parents who are really nice, and my 3 kids (10,8 and 2)who are very well behaved, that makes 7 of us. So, in the unlikely event that someone has that much room at this time, I would love to share a boat, in fact, I would be happy to spring for the whole thing. Thanks

 

[eeyoresmountainpals]

If you don't find someone to share with keep trying to reserve one on your own. Like I had said in my previous reply we didn't get ours until about the last week before our trip. They do get cancellations now and then so don't give up hope!! Good luck!!!

 

[JLTraveling]

If anyone manages to book an Illuminations cruise for sometime around May 23 (live in the area, so we're flexible on the exact date) and has room for two more, please let me know. May 23 is my father's birthday and I would love to take him on this. We are more than happy to share cost.