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

[Mad2Scrap]

Illuminations leaves from BC & BW
Wishes leaves from the MK resorts

When I made my Illuminations reservation I was told we would be picked up at the Yacht Club. Now I'm worried! We leave the 24th and our trip cruise is the 26th. I need to call to confirm the time so I will also confirm the location and get back to you.

Marsha in Seattle, leaving in 22 days!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

When I made my Illuminations reservation I was told we would be picked up at the Yacht Club. Now I'm worried! We leave the 24th and our trip cruise is the 26th. I need to call to confirm the time so I will also confirm the location and get back to you.
Marsha in Seattle, leaving in 22 days!

Why are you worried?
The BoardWalk is walking distance from the Yacht Club, or you can take a Friendship Boat across Crescent Lake. There is really no marina at the BoardWalk, there is a large dock for the Friendship Boats, but it was never convenient to load a pontoon boat at this dock, so it is preferred to have all of the boats at one location, The Bayside Marina at the Yacht Club.
The time? Arrive at Bayside Marina between 8:00pm and 8:15pm.

Have a great trip and enjoy the fireworks!

 

[Mad2Scrap]

Why are you worried?
The BoardWalk is walking distance from the Yacht Club, or you can take a Friendship Boat across Crescent Lake. There is really no marina at the BoardWalk, there is a large dock for the Friendship Boats, but it was never convenient to load a pontoon boat at this dock, so it is preferred to have all of the boats at one location, The Bayside Marina at the Yacht Club.
The time? Arrive at Bayside Marina between 8:00pm and 8:15pm.

Have a great trip and enjoy the fireworks!

I'm worried because this is my first trip on site and I am not overly familiar with the locations of the resorts. I have looked at what maps I can find but they are few and far between and having never been to any of the resorts I don't have a feel for the distance between them. I wouldn't know if it takes a boat ride, a bus ride or a long walk from one resort to another. I did confirm yesterday with Disney that we catch the pontoon at 8:00 at the Yacht Club. And our fellow passengers have confirmed with me that they will be there (and they paid in advance so no worries there) so we are set to go!

 

[Tanuki]

Check out this website, It calculates the best route for you between locations at Disney World with approximate transit times. It's very handy.

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp

 

[Hugpug]

I know it is early but If and when someone books a WISHES cruise for DEC. 11,12,14,15,16 I would love to share the cruise with you. I can't try and make the reservations myself as I leave for work 1/2 before you need to call. There is only one of ME. Besides I could not afford the cruise just for myself. Please PM me if you wil be willing. I will check the board when they bring up the Dec. Thread.

 

[williejs]

I know I should be THRILLED that I obtained a boat for the illuminations cruise on Sept 2, and I am. We are staying at the Dolphin. The reservation person told me to go the Yacht and Beach Club and pick up the boat there. Seems like it would be easier to pick the boat up at the Boardwalk. Any suggestions other than "smile and be glad you got the boat?"

 

[Crazy Hakim]

It is not easier to pick up the boat at BoardWalk, because the pier there is not made for pontoon loading and unloading, it is a Friendship Boat Dock. It is much easier to board the pontoon boats at Bayside Marina, and it is really not that much farther in distance from the Dolphin, in fact I would bet Bayside Marina is closer to the Dolphin than the BoardWalk Pier.

IMHO

 

[williejs]

Great - then I'll just take my own to-go-covered-cup with an adult beverage in it and walk down to the Bayside Marina. Life will be good I'm sure!

 

[traumamama]

does anybody have room for 4 to share your illuminations cruise???? I started planning late and didnt realize all the stuff that needed to book so early. email me at jsotorn@cox.net we fly out the 16th so not that night and we have PS at HOOP dee do on sunday night.

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to the DIS traumamama. I'm so glad you found us and I hope you can visit often.

You might have better luck finding a cruise to share if you post to our Illuminations Cruise Central thread. You will find that HEREhttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=8159205#post8159205

Katholyn

 

[TiggerStac]

I know I should be THRILLED that I obtained a boat for the illuminations cruise on Sept 2, and I am. We are staying at the Dolphin. The reservation person told me to go the Yacht and Beach Club and pick up the boat there. Seems like it would be easier to pick the boat up at the Boardwalk. Any suggestions other than "smile and be glad you got the boat?"

I just booked a illuminations cruise today for 9/10 and I was told that they only pick up at yacht club for illuminations cruise.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

I just booked a illuminations cruise today for 9/10 and I was told that they only pick up at yacht club for illuminations cruise. /QUOTE]

Yes, they got new pontoon boats that are a bit longer than the old boats and it is no longer safe to park at the end of the BoardWalk Pier. All boats are now dispatched from Bayside Marina. BUT, after IllumiNations you can still be dropped off at any dock that is still operating.

 

[NandP]

If Illuminations starts at 9pm, what time do I book the cruise????

August hrs are out for Illuminations (9pm), but I was planning on Sept/Oct... so how do I know what time to book it?

Thanks...

Anyone want to make a plan for booking a cruise during 9/29-10/3 we can set up a plan so one way or another, we'll have a boat... We can make sure one of us gets it, if more than one does, we can cancel and free up space for others. I am looking for only 2 spots, me and my wife...

PM me we can devise a plan...

 

[BriarRose59]

My DD and I enjoyed an Illuminations cruise on Tuesday, June 7 aboard the Breathless. I was able to book this cruise about a month out because I kept calling and someone cancelled. When we arrived at the dock that night, we found out one of the pontoon boats wasn't even going out because that party had cancelled. The moral of this story is to KEEP CALLING! Even after you have arrived at the resort, keep checking every day to see if someone cancels at the last minute.

Good luck!!

 

[NandP]

If Illuminations starts at 9pm, what time do I book the cruise????

August hrs are out for Illuminations (9pm), but I was planning on Sept/Oct... so how do I know what time to book it?

Thanks...

Still looking for an answer

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Still looking for an answer

You don't book the time of the cruise. The cruise is an IllumiNations Specialty Cruise, the time is determined by the Fireworks. You arrive between 8pm and 8:15pm.

 

[poohntigger]

Please let me know if you get a cruise for Oct. 1. My family would be interested in sharing.
thanks
Angie

 

[williejs]

Have booked an illuminations cruise on Friday, Sept 2. Just two females. Plenty of room for some joiners. Would prefer ADULTS only - unless your children are near to perfect. We will have lots of extra space - so let me know know if you'd like to join us. It's my birthday - so you'll have to be nice to me!!!

 

[rebbeca]

Hi. We may be interested in sharing your cruise. We are myself, my 72YO DF (first time to WDW!), and 18YO DS. Let me know how much for the three of us and how to pay you. Please PM me. Thanks.

Becky

 

[williejs]

Becky - Glad you can join us. Sounds like a three-generation family reunion. How wonderful. We leave from the Yacht and Beach Club Dock, I think at 8. I'll obviously double check and recheck. I know Disney will charge me - even if Illuminations is cancelled, but we still take a boat ride. But, I wouldn't feel right doing that to you. If it's pouring down rain, and your Dad doesn't want to be in a plastic poncho in 90 degree weather with 100% humidity, why would you put him in the boat? We can talk money later... maybe some other adult people will want to join us because we sound "fun" and normal. I'll put you down as THREE for sure. We are staying at the Dolphin. Not sure how we do the "private e-mail" just earning my ears here... but will provide you all my information.