Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise? Worth it?

[donald@home]

Has anyone done the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise?

We want to show my family a good time when we are down there in October and thought this might be a good way to get a good view of the fireworks without having to stake out a spot on Main Street an hour ahead of time. We will also be there with my niece who will turn 1 during the trip and thought this might be a memorable way to celebrate (memorable for her parents and grandparents, she will probably be sleeping). So... If you have done the cruise:

What did you think?
Is it a good view?
Do they pipe in the music? If not, can you hear the music from the park?
How early can you call to make reservations?
Is it worth the extra money for cake and decorations?
What happens if it rains?
Anything else you care to offer?

Thanks!

 

[undertheradar]

The view on the cruise is good, but it gets C O L D when the breezes come across the water. We did this several years ago and I don't think I would spend the money if I had other uses for the money.

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

We did the cruise Jan 1, 2004 for my dd's 7th birthday. It was really nice, I actually prefer the view of Wishes from the boat compared to the MK. They provided blankets for us. The music wasn't piped in but I think they are working on this. We are doing the Wishes Cruise again on our next trip. We did the Illuminations cruise for other dd's 3rd birthday. I loved the cake but I just couldn't justify the added $100 dollars. We decided to have dinner at Ohana's and had them provide us with a cake (it was beautiful and tasted awsome!). It only cost $40 and it fed 15 of us. You can book the cruises 90 days out but usually the schedules aren't out yet for park hours. You have to call closer to the date of the cruise to get the actual time for the cruise.

 

[mickeyclark]

We did the Wishes cruise this past October. We shared the cruise with another family to split the costs. The boat allowed for one family to be in the front of the boat and one to be in the back of the boat ... and we got to meet another family!
Our boat captian was good. He was able to share lore about Walt Disney World and all the resorts on Bay Lake.
The fireworks from the boat were very impressive. You get a better sense for the massiveness of the presentation. You could hear the music faintly.
The rocking of the boat on the water was very soothing at the end of the day. In fact, my son fell asleep! What was he thinking?

Another option would be to watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly. I'm not sure where you are staying. You would not be able to hear the music at all, and you may miss the lower fireworks. However, if you watched the fireworks one day inside the park and then one day from the beach that might be nice. You could order some take-out food from Kona Cafe and munch and watch. In addition, you could also watch the Electrical Water Parade from the beach.

We didn't order food. With little ones on the boat, I would have been nervous to also have to negiotiate food while watching them. Plus it was very dark. If I were going for a memorable moment with a little one, I think I would do that with a character breakfast.

If it rains, then it gets canceled.

 

[Doodlebug939]

I second the idea of watching the fireworks on the beach of the Poly. We had such a wonderful private family moment. We were there in November and one of the only ones on the beach. We didnt hear the music but the moment was perfect otherwise.

 

[kadaten]

The view from the water is great!

For the regular cruise music is not piped in.

If you have 8 or more paying travelers (ages 3+) in your party and you're staying on-site, though, you can register to be a Grand Gathering and go on the Magical Fireworks Cruise that's $29.95/adult and $14.95/child (3-9). It includes a dessert reception beforehand, viewing of the Electric Light Water Parade, storytelling, character interaction with Capt. Hook, Smee, some pirates, and Peter Pan! It's fabulous and worth the $$! We did it in December Next trip (April 30) we don't have enough people, so we're doing the regular Wishes cruise.

 

[kmel]

We just did a Birthday MK Fireworks cruise (3/17/04) for my boys 7th birthday. It left from the Contemporary. It was great. There were snacks, water, soda, balloons and a cake. Nice view of the fireworks. After the fireworks we also viewed the electrical water parade and then my kids both got to drive the boat. We all had a good time. It was cold on the water, so bring a jacket.