Please share Illuminations Cruise experiences

[GoofysPrincess]

We're going to WDW with my parents and are looking for ways to make the trip a little extra special. One idea I had was an Illuminations Cruise -- but... I read a post once that said the smoke was so bad it really ruined the experience. Is that typical? Can anyone who has gone share their experiences and let me know if you thought it was worth it? Thanks much!

 

[WedWay72]

It's true that the smoke can make things pretty tough but it really depends on the wind. Unfortunately, the wind frequently goes towards the bridge that docks the cruise boats.

Hard to tell what will happen with your family....but be aware that the smoke "can" move your way, just like when watching any pyro show.

The cruise is really fun and a great view....and your CM pilot will add a lot to the experience.

 

[confal1]

We have done this cruise twice and loved it both times. We did not think that the smoke was so bad but beware that the noise is louder than if you were around the lagoon because you kind of under a bridge and it echos. We had two 3 year olds with us and it bothered one but not the other. We also brought our own wine and cups and they did not mind that. They will take you on a cruise down to MGM and then back up to Epcot giving all sorts of little known facts on the way. We would definately do it again. Also you feel like a millionaire when you are riding this great boat back to the dock and everyone is looking at you wondering who you must be to have done such an extravagent thing. Have Fun.

 

[InstImpres]

It's AMAZING!!!!!!!

I have wanted to do this for years and thanks to someone posting here on cruise central, I got my Disney Dream last month. I would highly recommend it to any Dis fan. It was a totally unforgetable experience. (Apparently people I traveled with enjoyed watching my enjoyment of it more than the show!! - I was told I looked like a starie-eyed 5 year old )

We didn't have any smoke problems, was a little loud but made you feel like a part of the show.

Enjoy

 

[disneyjunkie]

I know this may be a dumb question but, is the smoke a problem in the summer time?

I want to book the cruise during our 4 of July trip.

 

[nativetxn]

We didn't have a problem with smoke during our Illuminations cruise. There was a terrible problem with smoke watching from the private Island during the Illuminations Dessert for DISCONI.

It all depends on which way the wind blows. The smoke and ash were thick when I watched from land but I could still see the event and it was just a little annoying.

If you book one of these I hope you have a calm night

 

[Piper]

We did this in July 2000 and had no porblem with smoke. It was a great experience!

 

[Pinnie]

If you book one of these, be sure to ask for MIKE S as your driver. He is terrific!!!!!

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[strawberryblonde]

We went last week, had heavy rain and it was cold . Could have enjoyed it so much more had it been a hot night, oh well. No problem with smoke and we had a great view. I would book for the summer but pass for during slower seasons (for me......)

 

[Mimi Q]

My family has done the Illuminations Cruise three times. I highly recommend it. Smoke was only a slight problem once- as others have said it just depends on the direction the wind is blowing. The pontoons are nice, but I really like the Breathless.

 

[donna in Oz]

We had no problem with smoke, either.

However, we were kept entertained while waiting for Illuminations to start by a fellow who was standing on the bridge above our boat. Seems he thought he was a real comedian and kept making jokes about how he was going to "hurl" down into our boat!! Our captain played right along . . . . . . .

A tad disgusting, but it was quite funny (one of those things you had to be there . . . . . . . )

 

[GoofysPrincess]

Thanks so much to everyone for sharing!! I feel much better now and will definitely try to book the cruise.

 

[zurgswife]

Just did ours on March 6 and it was wonderful and no smoke...

 

[Redbeard52]

We did the pontoon boat (my mother (70) and sister (44)) in September of 2000 and we had a great time. I don't remember smoke being a factor, but I do remember getting back to our room and realizing we were covered in firecracker paper. (The shells seemed to explode right at us.)

Instead of it being bothersome, it was kind-of cool. My mother kept this one-inch piece that flew into her hair as a memento.

Have a great time!

 

[CJK]

This sounds interesting. What's the cost and how many people can it hold? TIA!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

When we did the Illuminations cruise for our anniversary, the fireworks part was just magical. However, a group of our driver's "friends" happened to be on the bridge and were either drunk or just stupid. They kept yelling at her, throwing things at her, and generally being obnoxious. As we pulled out from under the bridge to head back to the YC marina, one of them dumped some kind of drink on the boat, and they "chased" us all the way back to the YC, yelling and laughing.

Dh and I were pretty peeved with the whole thing and needless to say, she didn't get a tip. It'll be a long time 'til we do the cruise again.

 

[Texowl2]

I am big WDW fan, but I gotta tell you that I was disappointed in the Illuminations cruise as it takes a lot of time, ain't cheap and I think that there are many better places to see Illumninations than the location for the boats, which is underneath the bridge next to UK and very low. On the other hand, we tend to be commandos and go during the less crowded times of the year...

 

[MiJo]

I would recommend it. My DW and I did one during our early December 2000 trip and are still talking about it, for more reasons than one. We were fortunate enough to find space on a boat with a couple other DIS families, thanks to the boards. As it turned out, it was pretty cold (in the mid 30's) and windy that evening, so it seemed even colder than it actually was. Being from PA, we didn't think that would bother us but is seemed much colder sitting in a boat on a lake. Our driver was to meet us at the Boardwalk boat launch but ended up going somewhere else instead. That was straightened out by a CM and our boat arrived about 15 minutes late. We got to the bridge where we docked and out boat pilot handed out blankets to everyone (which was great) and even handed out hot chocolate. Unfortunately, we were in the back of the boat and he ran out of the hc before he got to us. We watched the show and headed back to the BW launch area. On the way, our pilot was watching a boat coming toward EPCOT and he ran our boat into the retaining wall between EPCOT and the BC/YC! No one was injured and we had a good laugh once we got back on dry land. I would honestly say there are better places to watch the show than under the bridge but it is a memorable experience.

 

[Disney Panda]

I booked the Breathless for a fireworks cruise during our honeymoon. It was nice but not worth the cost. My DH did not want to do much cuddling as the driver was within arms reach. The boat pulled up next to the larger cruise boat which I didn't like. The smoke did come in our direction.