Illuminations or Wishes Cruise?

[pandamom]

Going to WDW first week of November and plan to do one of the firework cruises. Would like opinions on which is better. Also, when does Wishes usually run in fall? If we choose Illluminations do they have buses that run to FW campground afterward?

Any suggestions/information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Nickimouse]

We have an Illuminations cruise scheduled for Aug. so I can't give you first hand information just what I have read here.

Wishes does not have the music piped into the boat, but some people report if the wind is blowing just right you can hear it faintly.

I'm not sure of November hours, but once you find out you could time your boat ride back to FW so that Wishes is happening as you cruise across the lake.

We have decided to drive to the Beach/Yacht club to pick up our cruise because the boat takes you back to the dock and we would then have to walk back to the International Gateway and through the park to catch our bus back to the AKL. But, if you don't have a car the resorts buses will be running ,as the park closes after Illuminations.

hope this helped!

 

[Mich Mouse]

I am interested in the answer to this as I have an Illuminations and Wishes cruise booked for our August vacation. FYI, we still have five places left in our boat for Illuminations on the 28th of August.

 

[maine_jennifer]

Wishes has no music or narration. For that very reason, I would not go on it.

IllumiNations is wonderful! I've been twice and have another one booked for July. In fact, I have never seen IllumiNations from "land". You tie up right under the bridge between France & United Kingdom and can hear and see everything. Both of our drivers have been wonderful and in January, we even paid extra for an anniversary cake and decorations for my parents 40th anniversary.

 

[minijeanie]

I have never been on wishes cruise but was on illuminations cruise. It was nice but I don't believe you get the best view tied up under the bridge.

seeing illuminations 6 times the least best viewing was on the boat. Don't get me wrong, it was a great trip, but honestly, not best viewing.

don't know if wishes will be different.

are you staying onsite ? if you are at a MK resort, maybe wishes would be better.

I was staying at BW when we did illimunations cruise. so it was great to just walk back to our room

maybe this could be your deciding factor

 

[MouseClubMom]

We went on the Illuminations Cruise a few weeks ago with 2 other DIS families. The cruise was FUN and we loved meeting the other DISers but I have to agree that the view is NOT the best from under the bridge.

Just my opinion.

MCMom

 

[bethbuchall]

I've been on a Wishes cruise but never an IllumiNations cruise. It was absolutely wonderful! It was a beautiful night, and the view of Wishes couldn't be beat. The night we were out, they were testing portable receivers on one of the boats, and we were able to hear the entire music/narration. I think that adds a lot to the experience. I would definitely book another Wishes cruise, and now that I've done that, I'd like to try an IllumiNations cruise, too.

Beth

 

[antnee]

Where can I find more info on these cruises???

 

[pandamom]

Thanks everyone for your input! We'll probably do the Illuminations cruise unless Wishes definetly gets the sound added -- I just hate having to go back thru epcot to catch a bus back to FW. The big selling point for Wishes was the fact that it is only a boat ride away from FW and we could plan to do it after dinner at Chef Mickeys.

Thanks again for all the info!


antee: Here's a link to the main thread discussing Illuminations: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=560160

 

[judykay53]

We were at FW a couple weeks ago and did the Illuminations Cruise. It was wonderful. We took a bus to DD then caught another bus to YC. Their transportation was real reliable so it was no big deal.