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

[funshipm174]

OK here is the way it works......

Currently, they only show 3 boats in the system as well so there is no change after October 1. Here is the breakdown and I hope this clarifies everything:

There are 3 pontoon boats available in the system everyday for regular guest viewing of Illuminations.

There is 1 pontoon boat available in the system for concierge to book guest viewing of Illuminations. They did this over a year ago to satisfy a huge guest need at the concierge level. If the boat is not booked 7 days out, the reservation drops in to general inventory and can be sold to any guest who calls DRS.

There is 1 pontoon boat available in the system everyday for the Platinum Plan viewing of Illuminations. Effective October 1, if this boat is not booked 3 days out, they can sell it locally (at Bayside Marina). Unfortunately, we can not make the availability drop in to the DRS system so it will be sold through Concierge and the marina or used for service recovery.

This leaves a total of 5 cruise boats for Illuminations (not including Breathless).

Some of the inventory is set aside for guests to book in advance and some is set aside for close in bookings, similar to how Disney books restaurants.
The information in the system is correct and there is nothing we can do to change it, it is just how the system is set up. The challenge we have is that unlike a restaurant, the guest knows there are only 5 boats so they are wondering where the other two boats are vs. a restaurant where the guest has no idea how they manage the system.

In summary, there are still 5 pontoon boats available, but due to inventory management, there are only 3 showing in the system 90 days out, with a 4th becoming available 7 days out (if not booked by concierge) and a 5th becoming available 3 days out (if not booked by the platinum plan).

I hope this helps everybody understand why it "appears" that only 3 boats are available.

I don't think you could have clarified it any better ! Thank you!



AARRGGHHH!!

 

[Austensmom]

We have an lluminations cruise booked for November 14, leaving from the YC marina. We have room for 4 additional people. Our family of 4 consists of fun loving mom and dad, DD 13, and DS 10.

PM me and let us know.

 

[BrendaE]

We have an lluminations cruise booked for November 14, leaving from the YC marina. We have room for 6 additional people. Our family of 4 consists of fun loving mom and dad, DD 13, and DS 10.

PM me and let us know.

I am very interrested in this for me and my DH. Sent you a PM.
Thanks,
Brenda

 

[WDWorBUST]

So lesson learned is that you should always try again at 7 days out if you did not get the Illuminations Cruise at 90 days out?

 

[Happydinks]

Just reposting our "desperately seeking a cruise" request from August 7th - still looking for 2 spots on an Illuminations cruise in October (see the 8/7 post for the dates). We really, really, really would like to make one on this trip. If no one has any booked - any "hints" on how to maybe catch a ride while we're there? (54 days 'til we're "welcomed home"!)

PM or e mail us - happydinks at AOL.

Thanks! (Love this site!)

 

[JrsyDebs]

Is there any one who booked an Illuminations Cruise for Saturday, November 12, and would like to share with our family of three? We are all adult-sized; DH and I are in our forties, DD will be fourteen. DH would be especially delighted if I were to surprise him with this fireworks cruise; he really loves going anywhere on a boat.

Please PM me if you have room to share with three on Nov 12th.

Another question: I had read a reader's comment on Allearsnet that on their Illuminations cruise, they had experienced a lot of smoke and fumes from the fireworks; so uncomfortable it almost ruined the enjoyment of the cruise...Anybody have comments about this happening to them? I imagine that you will always have the chance of this happening, depending on the way the wind blows, and what kind of night it is...

 

[Tiffany]

So I have been on hold for over half an hour now. What do you think my changes are of getting one of three boats that would have been in the system this morning? I guess I am going to find out.

I am going to see about the Whishes cruises if the Illuminations is all sold out. Does anyone have any idea how many boats they have for Wishes?

 

[Tiffany]

I gave up after 50mins on hold this morning. I figured the three boats were long gone. So is the hold time this long because there are that many people calling to is the call center that short of staff?

 

[cobbler]

Well lets just say everytime I have called the Illuminations boats were gone by7:03am and 7:04 am so they are, I am sure, gone.

However, people do cancel and such so do call back closer to your trip!!!! Plus they may open up the other boats if no one in conceirge or on the gold plan type thing don't want one.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Hi, we're still looking to join an Illuminations cruise between Sept. 19-23. There are 3 of us. 2 A, 1 K. My DD turns 6 on the 19th (very well behaved) and my DM birthday is 22nd (also very well behaved). Any room?

25 days and counting!

 

[Bronte]

Boy this sure sounds like a great time ... I love Illuminations soooooo much and the cruise sounds just wonderfull ...
What are my chances of getting in on a Friday or Saturday night ... we are going down Dec. 8-11 (already have tickets for MVMCP on the 8th.)
Thanks for any info ... I think my 90 days out would be Sept. 9th (right?)
Bronte

 

[jbhaupt]

I usually start calling about 5 minutes before 7a and keep hitting re-dial. There are much better odds for the "Wishes" boat. I think when we went in May the CM told us there were 8 boats, we left from the CR but I think they also leave from WL. I called last week to see if there was a boat in Nov on another night, different than the date we got, it was around 7:30a (woke up late) and they were all gone.

Good luck!
Bonnie

 

[Hugpug]

Whom ever booked the Cruise pays for it. That person collects from everyone else. I was able to share a cruise last year and we just totaled the bill including the tip and divided it evenly among us. We boarded at the Yacht/Beach Club Marina also. You will love the Cruise.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Boy this sure sounds like a great time ... I love Illuminations soooooo much and the cruise sounds just wonderfull ...
What are my chances of getting in on a Friday or Saturday night ... we are going down Dec. 8-11 (already have tickets for MVMCP on the 8th.)
Thanks for any info ... I think my 90 days out would be Sept. 9th (right?)
Bronte

Sit down and actually count back 90 days to see what date you can start calling at 7am!

Chances are always good, but as I always say never give up! If you don't succeed, keep calling back and check for cancellations. They do happen! In fact, I passed Bayside Marina last night and one boat did NOT go out since it was due to a last minute cancellation!

 

[Bronte]

Thanks for the info.
I will be looking into it.
Bronte

 

[degrapevine]

Hi, all!
My DH and my best friend's DH are both celebrating their 40th birthdays in November (of next year). We've been looking for something special to do and would like to invite about 10 other couples to come with us. My question about the Illuminations Cruise is ... Do all passengers have to have park tickets or does the $234/boat (would need to get 2) cover the "entry" into Epcot? Some of the couples have Annual Passes, but most do not. I thought it would be great to have everyone drive over (church van, carpools) to the Boardwalk area for a big dinner at one of the resorts or on the Boardwalk, then take the cruise afterwards. A couple at our church recently celebrated the wife's 50th birthday at the California Grill (private room) and we watched Wishes afterwards from the Observation Deck ... that's what we had wanted to do, but now that it's "been there, done that," we'd like to do something different. So, how crazy would it be to try to get 2 boats reserved ... and does everyone need park admission? Sorry if this question has been answered before - it's kind of hard to search on such a specific topic!
Thanks in advance.
Rose

 

[betterlatethannever]

...and does everyone need park admission?

noone needs park admission. YOu board the boat at the YC marina and technically never go into Epcot.

Ed

 

[lynnmci]

Hi there

Just wondered if anyone would have sapce on their boat for me and my husband. We are in orlando 11/18-11/30 and would love to go on a cruise. Unfortunately we are in Scotland so when its time to phone we are at work and cant. the only hope we have is to share. We will happily pay our way.

Many Thanks

Lynn

 

[Kapp]

for 2 adults and two kids?
Please let me know and thanks, in advance!

 

[barrie]

Hi - I'm looking to join in on someone's Illuminations Cruise (Specialty Cruise) on one of these dates: November 17, 18, 19 or 20th. We will be 4 adults. Anyone have room? Barrie