Illuminations Or Wishes Cruise

[HERSEY]

Can someone explain the difference in the different cruises are they the same? Is one better than the other? My DS and I will be going to WDW for the first time in May. Thanks!!

 

[giasmom]

Can someone explain the difference in the different cruises are they the same? Is one better than the other? My DS and I will be going to WDW for the first time in May. Thanks!!

The Illuminations Cruise is at Epcot on the marina and the Wishes cruise is for the Magic Kingdom fireworks. You are in Epcot for the Illuminations one but you are on the lake before entering the MK for the Wishes one.

 

[llij]

I can only tell you about the WISHES cruise since we've never done the Illuminations cruise. We met at the Contemporary dock and the pontoon captain (not sure what to call her! ) gave us a tour around Bay Lake before the fireworks. She had all sorts of interesting tidbits for us and it was quite enjoyable. We then parked in the Seven Seas Lagoon for the viewing of Wishes. We didn't have music piped in, but one of the Magical Gathering boats nearby did, so we heard the music perfectly. After the fireworks we cruised around the Seven Seas Lagoon for a little tour with more interesting tidbits of information given to us. The cruise lasted about an hour and we had snacks and drinks (as well as a birthday cake since we were celebrating my dad's birthday). It was a wonderful cruise.....so wonderful that my dad wants to book it again for our next December trip!
(BTW, for the WISHES cruise we had a choice of meeting at the WL, Contemporary or Poly dock for the cruise.)
I would also love to do an Illuminations cruise one day! Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[gothmommie]

When do the cruises typically begin - about one hour before Epcot/MK closing time?

 

[Tinkaroo]

I booked the IllumiNations cruise (our first time) for late April. The CM told me that the boat would depart about a half hour before IllumiNations is to start (around 8:30 if IN is at 9:00), but you have to be at the dock no later than 45 minutes before (so in this example, 8:15). I was told the same when I considered booking a Wishes cruise, before I knew if I was going to be one of the lucky 4 to secure an IN cruise for that night!

I hope this helps - I'm really looking forward to trying this for the first time. It's a surprise for my husband's birthday!

 

[gothmommie]

...I hope this helps

Very helpful, thank you so much.

I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise!