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

[Connor' Dad]

Prices went up for cruises 10/01 and later.

 

[PoohHappens]

Yes Connors' dad is right the prices have increased for cruises starting 10/1 I have spent almost 2 hours on the phone thismorning trying to figure this out. I am just so glad I asked because they did not offer any pricing when I booked until I asked. I have finally talked to a supervisor and this is what I've got.
Pontoon basic--187.79+tax--includes boat, driver, music of fireworks show, water, coke, diet coke, sprite, and bagged snacks (chips, pretzels, popcorn)
Pontoon celebration--211.26--includes all above plus decorations (banner, balloons) NO CAKE....the previous celebration cruises included cake.
If you want additional items they must be set up throught the dinning services of the marina you are leaving from--things like cake, alcohol ,pizza, and other items
The package with nothing but boat and driver is no longer avail.....
I figure these have got to be some really fancy chips for a $47 price increase

 

[kimbac3]

Yes Connors' dad is right the prices have increased for cruises starting 10/1 I have spent almost 2 hours on the phone thismorning trying to figure this out. I am just so glad I asked because they did not offer any pricing when I booked until I asked. I have finally talked to a supervisor and this is what I've got.
Pontoon basic--187.79+tax--includes boat, driver, music of fireworks show, water, coke, diet coke, sprite, and bagged snacks (chips, pretzels, popcorn)
Pontoon celebration--211.26--includes all above plus decorations (banner, balloons) NO CAKE....the previous celebration cruises included cake.
If you want additional items they must be set up throught the dinning services of the marina you are leaving from--things like cake, alcohol ,pizza, and other items
The package with nothing but boat and driver is no longer avail.....
I figure these have got to be some really fancy chips for a $47 price increase

That really stinks!!! Now I'm going to have to rethink this cruise idea. Thanks for the detailed info!
Kimba

 

[cobbler]

Thanks for the info. I am paying 234 so I think I got the second one but I didn't ask for a celebration. They mentioned something about snacks and sandwiches or something.

I may have to call back and see what all is included.

 

[msmayor]

Just a word of encouragement to those still looking for cruises inside the 90-day window...cancellations DO occur!

We're 45 days out from our arrival, and before last week I didn't realize just how difficult it would be to get a fireworks cruise. I decided I'd just start calling every day to check on cancellations; this afternoon was my first call.

I gave the CM the dates we were staying, and asked if she had anything at all on those days...SHE DID! So now my family is booked on a Wishes cruise for 9/1...woo hoo!

So don't give up...keep calling...Disney magic is there!

 

[cobbler]

Just got off the phone, spoke to a wondeful CM. He read through all his information and gave me the whole rundown.

He said, and this one actually took me by surprise, that there are 2 boats only now going to Illuminations. 3 if you include the breathless. These are the larger boats. Maybe this is new starting October 1st with the price change. If this is accurate it will be super hard to get a cruise now with only 2 available.

They don't offer a base cruise anymore without food. Its kind of a one price fits all type thing

If you want to see fireworks at the Magic Kingdom the price is 187.79 for up to 8 people (because they have the smaller boats, he didn't say how many go over there) and includes popcorn, pretzles, chips, water and soda - including coke, diet coke and sprite, your driver, music and of course the boat.

The next one is the base cruise at Illuminations, again only 2 pontoons and the breathless. This is 234.73 and includes the driver, boat, music and snacks mentioned above.

The next level is the celebration cruise with the the above and decorations, this runs 258.21.

Hopefully that helps some!!

 

[denman007]

Well if I lived down there, I'd sure try to get my boat in the loop for 2 bills a night.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

snip prices have increased for cruises starting 10/1

Pontoon basic--187.79+tax--includes boat, driver, music of fireworks show, water, coke, diet coke, sprite, and bagged snacks (chips, pretzels, popcorn)
Pontoon celebration--211.26--includes all above plus decorations (banner, balloons) NO CAKE....the previous celebration cruises included cake.
If you want additional items they must be set up through the dinning services of the marina you are leaving from--things like cake, alcohol ,pizza, and other items
The package with nothing but boat and driver is no longer avail.....

I was at Bayside Marina yesterday and spoke the Captain Scott. This info is accurate and was just announced yesterday to the drivers. FYI, there will still be 5 pontoons and Breathless and Breathless will NOT include any drinks and snacks.

As far as the "music" I think that is more of a "Wishes" issue, since at IllumiNations you can clear hear all of the soundtrack and music.

One final note, Captain Scott assured me that under no circumstance would an IllumiNations Cruise return to Bayside Marina before the entire performance has concluded. He said that he has heard some guests say that they were told that you must be sure not to depart too early in risk that the show may be delayed and that the boat MUST return exactly 60 minutes after its initial departure. He said this is laughable and that the cruise driver's sole purpose is the view IllumiNations in it's entirety with the guests. Don't ever worry that you may miss the show, or have to leave it early due to any sort of time restraints.

 

[lenshanem]

Actually, that is not a bad price for the Wishes cruise. If you break that down it is right under $25 per person. We did the Magical Gatherings cruise and it was truly magical seeing the fireworks from the lake.

So all Wishes cruises now include the music, cause I thought before some boats did not. We just watched Wishes from the GF marina and it just wasn't the same w/o the music.

I also wonder if they would accommodate someone with food allergies - substitute other foods... I know the WDW Mickey pretzels aren't safe for peanut allergies. Says may contain on the package.

 

[Shelby5514]

Thinking about a cruise for Valentine's Day. How hard is that gonna be? Which cruise would you try for? Wishes or Illuminations?

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Thinking about a cruise for Valentine's Day. How hard is that gonna be? Which cruise would you try for? Wishes or Illuminations?

1. IllumiNations on Breathless
2. IllumiNations standard Pontoon
3. Wishes

 

[sunny04]

Did anyone get an Illuminations cruise for 10-8, 10-9, or 10-10? 2 Adults would like to share....

 

[unixadm]

If you are looking for the WISHES cruise, click on my
WISHES CRUISE SHARING thread

 

[Regina]

I posted this on the main board, but thought that you'd like to see it:
Specialty Cruise price changes

 

[owtrbnks]

For you guys looking for a unique WDW experience, this show is awesome.
Crazy Hakim is correct. According to our Captain Scott (the best) the Illuminations specialty cruises NEVER return before the show ends. Scott said this is a RUMOR that has been around for years. We booked the cruise for 8 pm. Got there at 7:45 & were told to come back at 8:10 to complete the paperwork (read PAY). We were on the boat and cruisin' around by 8:15. Sailed around the lakes up past Dolphin, Swan and MGM Studios before going to EPCOT about 8:50pm. Parked under the bridge with a perfect view. A few minutes after the show ended we headed back to the Yacht Club, never in a hurry. So IMHO there is NO 50 minute or 1 hour time limit for the Illuminations cruise. This beats crowding around the lagoon an hour early when it's 90 degrees, even for $200 bucks, and if you spend the day at the pool, you don't even have to burn a day on your park hopper!

 

[jkovick]

Are the Illuminations cruises still leaving from the small dock at the Yacht Club?

 

[RoRoLovesEeeee]

Looking for someone to share room on their cruise for me, DH, MIL, FIL and DD who is 2.5 and very good. She is also very entertaining. Please PM me if you have room. I am trying to make this a xtra special trip b/c I don't know when we will be able to go back as a family again as DH has been deployed 2 out of the last 3.5 years.

 

[cobbler]

Are the Illuminations cruises still leaving from the small dock at the Yacht Club?

Yes they are.

 

[dudedisney]

So what exactly do you ask for when you call for an illuminations cruise? What information do they need? I just want to make sure I don't sound like an idiot...

 

[NandP]

When I booked mine, they very openly called it a fireworks cruise... but ask for a specialty cruise at EPCOT for your date... the very first posting in this thread hits the nail on the head.. look at the first page.