Private Fireworks Cruise

[nw6675]

If you did the one to Epcot may I ask what kind of boat it is? Is it a small boat (like the GF/Poly boats that go back and forth to MK) or is it a boat like the Friendship boats? Or something else?

THANKS!

Large pontoon. Soft benches in front and back. And a captain chair in middle. Very comfortable. Cover is down so all open air.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Large pontoon. Soft benches in front and back. And a captain chair in middle. Very comfortable. Cover is down so all open air.

Thank you! My husband was in the Navy and can be picky about the boats He dislikes the Friendship boats unless he can sit outside - but loves those small boats to/from GF. Pontoon sounds like something he would like!

 

[nw6675]

Our captain allowed alcohol. When you get there they have a few minutes to use the facilities and they will tell you plastic/glass requirements. Cooler on board with sodas and water. Plus snack basket. You can take those with you at the end.

 

[AdamsMum]

How many days in advance can you book the fireworks cruise. I'm thinking of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from Contemporary Resort. Does anyone know the current price? The information I found said $399, which is actually cheaper than a dessert party for 4. I'm not sure how old that information is though. Also it will be my son in laws birthday if I can get the date I want, so I'm wondering if we can bring a bottle of bubbly on board. Too much to ask? We'll be staying at Boardwalk so do you think that would be the better cruise to take? Are the boats positioned inside world showcase lagoon?

ETA: guess I should've read the thread first, so thanks for the poster who said alcohol was allowed. I'm still foggy about the cost.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Are the boats positioned inside world showcase lagoon

The boats basically dock under the bridge that connects the UK to France.

The price I have seen on several sources is $399. Not sure, like you, if that is current. I do know our price was $85 back in 1999.

 

[nw6675]

$399 plus tax is still current.

 

[nw6675]

How many days in advance can you book the fireworks cruise. I'm thinking of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from Contemporary Resort. Does anyone know the current price? The information I found said $399, which is actually cheaper than a dessert party for 4. I'm not sure how old that information is though. Also it will be my son in laws birthday if I can get the date I want, so I'm wondering if we can bring a bottle of bubbly on board. Too much to ask? We'll be staying at Boardwalk so do you think that would be the better cruise to take? Are the boats positioned inside world showcase lagoon?

ETA: guess I should've read the thread first, so thanks for the poster who said alcohol was allowed. I'm still foggy about the cost.

For the alcohol, there were some restrictions on type of container it could be in. I don’t recall what he told us since nobody had glass. I'm tagging two who can tell you more. @Smugpugmug @john7994

60 plus 10 on the cruise booking.

The ease of getting to the dock from BW would be great.

And I answered above, but yes on $399 as of May.

 

[MIALIAS]

Hi

We will be at Swan mid December.
How far in advance can I reserve a fireworks cruise?
Is the private pontoon the way to go?
What’s the yacht?
Can we order food?
Also can we get it by the boardwalk or need to go to 7 seas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Hi

We will be at Swan mid December.
How far in advance can I reserve a fireworks cruise?
Is the private pontoon the way to go?
What’s the yacht?
Can we order food?
Also can we get it by the boardwalk or need to go to 7 seas?

Thanks in advance!

Your questions have been merged with an active thread discussion Fireworks cruises. Lots of great and helpful information can be found in this thread.

 

[TeamSy]

The EPCOT version was pretty amazing - you are tucked under the bridge (from UK to France) just entering the lagoon from the International Gateway canal area - The boats are tied side by side - there were about 4 or 5 of them on our trip in January. You are right up close to the action and we had good views of the barge projections and fireworks that almost felt as if they would fall on you during the show. It is expensive ~$400 for up to 10 people on the pontoon (or as few as you like).

Our family thoroughly enjoyed it and when we did our round of "what was your favorite part of the trip" on our last night of dinner together - it was almost unanimously the winner.

This sounds amazing! Question tho - on the water did you find there were a lot of mosquitos?

 

[nw6675]

This sounds amazing! Question tho - on the water did you find there were a lot of mosquitos?

No mosquitos, but you will feel the ash from the fireworks from being so close. Or at least we did!

I just booked the MK cruise for November. This time they specifically said you can BYOB as long as it is plastic. Same as last time, but actually mentioned up front.

$424 with tax.

 

[magicalfoursome]

Girls trip of 8! Thinking it would be so fun and relaxing to do the MK fireworks cruise on our first night. We plan on enjoying the resort on our travel day. We are staying at Boulder Ridge. I believe they can be reserved 60 days ahead. Would the boat be able to pick us up at WL? Can the boat drop us off at any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts? How long is the time on the boat? Are we allowed to bring our own beverages? Can we bring wine or champagne? Is there bathroom facilities?

 

[nw6675]

Plastic BYOB only. Pick up at GF or Poly - I don't think at WL and doubt they'll drop off elsewhere, but you could ask. It's about an hour and 45 mins. No bathroom - it's a pontoon. 60 days out. $424 with tax.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Girls trip of 8! Thinking it would be so fun and relaxing to do the MK fireworks cruise on our first night. We plan on enjoying the resort on our travel day. We are staying at Boulder Ridge. I believe they can be reserved 60 days ahead. Would the boat be able to pick us up at WL? Can the boat drop us off at any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts? How long is the time on the boat? Are we allowed to bring our own beverages? Can we bring wine or champagne? Is there bathroom facilities?

While waiting for more responses to your questions, I would read the posts in this thread as there’s a lot of great info here.

 

[SuzErwin]

Girls trip of 8! Thinking it would be so fun and relaxing to do the MK fireworks cruise on our first night. We plan on enjoying the resort on our travel day. We are staying at Boulder Ridge. I believe they can be reserved 60 days ahead. Would the boat be able to pick us up at WL? Can the boat drop us off at any of the Magic Kingdom Resorts? How long is the time on the boat? Are we allowed to bring our own beverages? Can we bring wine or champagne? Is there bathroom facilities?

You can book a private fireworks cruise to be picked up at the Wilderness Lodge marina, we had one booked before we had to cancel our 2022 trip. You can also book from Contemporary as well as Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Ft Wilderness - we’re leaving from the Contemporary on our upcoming trip. I don’t know if they will drop you off at a different resort.

No bathroom - it‘s a 25 foot pontoon boat. I believe the cruise lasts two hours. You can book 60 days + length of stay.

 

[nw6675]

Op here - a couple of updates:

1. Went on another Epcot one this week. Only difference was blankets provided due to the cold (much needed) and the captain. I won't post his name, but it was not as good of an experience. He was not very friendly and just dramatically changed our experience.
2. Had MK booked for tonight. We have covid so had to cancel today. I spoke on the phone directly with the recreation staff (David) and I was refunded immediately even though past the deadline.

 

[Darth Insidious]

Op here - a couple of updates:

1. Went on another Epcot one this week. Only difference was blankets provided due to the cold (much needed) and the captain. I won't post his name, but it was not as good of an experience. He was not very friendly and just dramatically changed our experience.
2. Had MK booked for tonight. We have covid so had to cancel today. I spoke on the phone directly with the recreation staff (David) and I was refunded immediately even though past the deadline.

Sorry to hear you got Covid

 

[MamaKate]

Op here - a couple of updates:

1. Went on another Epcot one this week. Only difference was blankets provided due to the cold (much needed) and the captain. I won't post his name, but it was not as good of an experience. He was not very friendly and just dramatically changed our experience.
2. Had MK booked for tonight. We have covid so had to cancel today. I spoke on the phone directly with the recreation staff (David) and I was refunded immediately even though past the deadline.

Bummer! About Covid and the lackluster captain...

 

[MamaKate]

We are trying to decide between the Epcot & MK cruise. We will be staying at the Boardwalk, so convenience may win, but we rarely watch the MK fireworks because I dislike being squished in with the masses of people so I thought the family might enjoy the MK cruise more...

Are there any discounts on the specialty cruises (AP, DVC,...)?

 

[nw6675]

We are trying to decide between the Epcot & MK cruise. We will be staying at the Boardwalk, so convenience may win, but we rarely watch the MK fireworks because I dislike being squished in with the masses of people so I thought the family might enjoy the MK cruise more...

Are there any discounts on the specialty cruises (AP, DVC,...)?

You probably already know, but MK pipes in the music instead of live and close up at Epcot. But you are tied to other boats at Epcot.

I'm not aware of discounts, but there may be.