ILLUMINATIONS Fireworks Cruise - worth the $$$'s ?

[pooh2001]

ILLUMINATIONS BASIC CRUISE - $250.00 tax included for up to 10 guests. Price includes pontoon boat, driver, water, soda and bagged snacks

If we celebrate DS's birthday - maybe we could do...ILLUMINATIONS CELEBRATION CRUISE - Same as Illuminations Basic Cruise plus decorations.
-$275.00, tax included

or should we try for “Breathless” Cruise – a 1930 mahogany reproduction Chris Craft run-about boat. Seven guest maximum, available at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This cruise can be booked during Illuminations for $250.00.

I would call 1-407-WDW-PLAY - 90 days in advance.


BUT - should we splurge - or is it not worth the money ?

 

[mikmin]

I would say no, it's not worth it. The boats sits right under the bridge that goes to France and the International Gateway. If you get a good spot early on the bridge, you get the same view as if you were on the boat, if your lucky and there is no private party going on, you can go down and watch Illuminations from below. That's just my opinion if this is something that you would like to try, I say got for it. Have Fun.

Family trip BWV 1-Bedroom 12-1 to 12-14 MVMCP 12-1 and CP
Trip OKW 1-Bedroom 1-21 to 1-29

 

[lsayd]

Just my opinion - I wouldn't pay that much for it. We were lucky enough to do it before the price increase (was $120 for up to 12 people) in Aug 2005. Granted there was no food included, but we had just had dinner at Cape May (the Clam Bake) and wouldn't have wanted anything anyway. It was nice, our captains (we had 2 boats since we were 3 families) were great and gave us lots of information, it was fun and something different to do (we've been averaging a trip once a year since 2000, so we look for different things to do). I'm glad we were able to experience it, but I'm also very glad I did it for $120 and personally don't feel it's worth $250 and up. The view was good - but you can get a much better view of Illuminations from many places in Epcot (again, my opinion, others may feel differently). We've also done the Magic Kingdom Cruise (back in Dec 2002 - it was also $120 at that time), and I much preferred that one over the Illuminations one, again, I wouldn't pay today's prices for that one either. Maybe you can find others to split it with, so you don't have to pay the entire price. Hope this helps - whatever you decide I'm sure you'll have fun!

 

[theblondebee]

That seems like a large price increase in such a short amount of time. Any idea why?

 

[pooh2001]

Thanks for all the replies - I thought $250 was a bit much

We are staying at an EPCOT resort - so we'll spend the $250 on 2 dinners and secure a spot around EPCOT to see Illuminations one night. I guess with the crowds, we can still walk back to our resort.

I really appreciate the opinions of everyone on the DIS boards

 

[travelin' tigger]

From Deb Will's AllEars Newsletter:

As of Sunday, October 22, the following prices went into effect for certain recreation items:

-- IllumiNations and Wishes cruises (25' Pontoon): $258.21 + tax = $275
-- Birthday and anniversary cruises: $300 (including tax)
-- Sea Raycers: $25 per half-hour
-- BASS Fishing Excursions (for up to 5 people): 7 a.m. $235; 10 a.m. $230; 1:30 p.m. $200. Extra hour: $100. Half-day $405.
-- Surrey Bike -- Two-seater per 30 minutes: $18.77 + tax = $21.00

I can't believe they've already raised their rates again!!!

 

[javaonline]

a couple of very KIND DISers invited us along on an Illuminations cruise a couple of weeks ago.

Is it worth it? Depends on how long it takes you to earn 300 bucks. I think its definately worth it if you look at it on a per-person charge (25-30 bucks each)

Benefits
You dont have to burn a theme park day to use it....just drive to the Marina and load up. (Good for an arrival day)
No fighting crowds or trying to get a good spot and waiting for 2 hours
The boat captains are top notch, and do anything for you in their power to make the evening special.
The view is excellent

The only downside in my opinion is the cost if you have no one to share it with.

 

[kj2mom]

Guess I am a little late coming in on this since you already made your decision but we did it a couple weeks ago and enjoyed every second. I am not sure I would do it again (I paid for everyone and didn't tell the other members of my group what it cost). It was great not to have to stake out spots prior to the show and not be stuck in the crowds exiting the park. We were perfectly timed that we sat outside MGM and 'saw' some of Fantasmic through the trees. My children were sooo excited to be on the water hearing that since we had already seen it a few nights prior. We did the birthday cruise and my children loved when people yelled Happy Birthday to them from the Boardwalk. Captain Mike made the night fantastic. All in all we had a wonderful time but I am not sure it is something I would do again, I guess if we shared with more people and I didn't offer to pay. We were supposed to have another party but they cancelled on us about an hour before.

Captain Mike told me that Breathless is being refurbed so I don't think that is available to anyone right now.

 

[SCohen]

Hi!
We just got back. We did a MNSSHP fireworks cruise and it was amazing! We did a Magical gatherings vacation and there were 9 of us in the group. I paid for the cruise as a treat for everyone in our party. I also had dinner catered to us. We had gourmet sandwiches, a fruit tray, mickey head brownies and a birthday cake. My F-I-L has been rediagnosed with cancer and we wanted to do something really special. It was really nice to just be together with no agenda and no one could wander off. It was just us and our captain Jeff, who was wonderful I might add.
We started by taking a cruise around the lake. We saw part of the water parade and then went on to the middle to see the fireworks. It felt like the fireworks were done just for us. It was incredible. Everyone agreed that it was the highlight of the trip.
We all also agreed that we would never be able to sit and watch the fireworks from the sidewalk or a curb again...haha! We are all so spoiled.
I got the boat with the sound system. If you're going to do it, it is worth the extra money to make sure that you can hear the commentary.
Would we do it again? A great big YES! It was the best $500 I have ever spent. All of us in the boat without a care in the world, no cancer, no work troubles, no peer pressure, nothing but us and pure Disney magic.....