Illuminations or Wishes Cruise

[gnoles]

Looking for anyone who has been on both? Comparisons?

Still working on that perfect trip capper.

 

[gnoles]

*Bump*

Anyone, Beuller? (sorry..)

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

I'm sorry to say that I haven't been on both cruises. However, we did do the Wishes cruise in February and thought it was amazing! Wishes is our favorite nighttime show (always makes me cry) and I have to say that without a doubt, being with my family on the boat and not having to fight the crowds made that night one of the most special we have ever had at Walt Disney World. The boat captain was full of information, we had the music piped in right there, they supplied us with drinks and snacks and it was like having a piece of private magic. Hope that helps somewhat!

 

[DVC Jen]

We have done both and I personally prefer Illuminations.

My reason are... with Illuminaitons you actually get MUCH closer to the actual fireworks.

you are anchored and do not drift around

You actually feel the heat and really feel like you are in the middle of the show.


For wishes..

we did not anchor therefore we were drifting around and had to start the boat up and reposition all the time.

we were further out on the water and while we could see all of the fireworks.. i kinda felt like ya do when ya sit in a car and watch the fireworks from a distance.. not like I was actually a part of it.


I would do another Illumination cruise again in a heartbeat. Not so sure about the Wishes cruise.

 

[DisneyGerry]

I think a little more intimate. Not as many parades of boats.

 

[Reppstir]

We just did the Breathless for Illuminations. It was fantastic. The actual fireworks show was great, very close and well positioned for viewing. As we positioned ourselves for the show, arriving about 5 minutes before it started, a man looked down on us approaching the bridge at International Gateway and said "So this is how the other half lives!" I just raised my glass and toasted him, because that is exactly how I felt about it. The best part, however, was after the show, when we got back on Crescent Lake, and the driver opened it up and we ripped around the lake, buzzing the people on the Boardwalk, then down the canal to MGM and back. It was great! Even my teenage son, who is hard to impress, had a goofy grin plastered on his face the whole time.
I thought that the cruise would be very nice, and it exceeded my expectations.

 

[gnoles]

Thanks for all the advice folks... that more than answers my questions. I think the 4 year old will have a problem with being so close to the show. I think I'll go Wishes this time and then on the next trip I'll look at Illumi-Nations.

Great, now I sound like everyone else... already planning a trip for the time after this June.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

Do you have to have/use a ticket to the parks for either of these? Where could I go to get the price and idea as to how to reserve? Thanks to any helpers.
Gerri