Question for anyone who has done the Illuminations cruise

[BYC]

Can you tell me how much time before Illuminations do you board the boat? And, does anyone have a photo of what the boat is like? Also, has anyone done dinner on the boat? How was that? Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

If I recall, I think it was about 30-45 minutes before.

From Deb's site..........

http://allearsnet.com/btp/pontoon.jpg


No dinner here, but we did do cake, it was a celebration of life for DW, Marie's remission from breast cancer. Part of cake is in forground. It was a pretty chilly night, early Dec.

 

[BYC]

Thank you! Do they take the canope down from the boat to watch the show? Or, is it not necessary, as you can see just fine? Was it worth it? Would you do it again? I really want to do it...I am just trying to justify the cost.

 

[shafke]

It was probably about 30-45 minutes. We left from BWI but I think that all the boats now leave from BC/YC. You cruise down past Swan and Dolphin (I don't think we quite made it all the way to MGM) and then back to Epcot where we parked just past a bridge. We sat there for about 15 minutes before the start of illuminations. Our captain had flash cards that he used to play a Disney trivia game.

 

[subtchr]

If you are at all interested in the Breathless, I cannot recommend it highly enough. We had SUCH a good time on it a few weeks ago. I talk about it on Day 2 of my trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1160683

We would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[Laurajean1014]

We boarded an hour prior and sailed around Bay Lake and go around a few times before stopping underneath the bridge.

Have a great time - it's loads of fun.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thank you! Do they take the canope down from the boat to watch the show? Or, is it not necessary, as you can see just fine? Was it worth it? Would you do it again? I really want to do it...I am just trying to justify the cost.

Yes, the canopy is not up, unless it is raining. When we did it, it was quite a bit less costly, $85 if I recall, back in '99. It has gone up quite a bit since then I think, as has everything, LOL.

Was it worth it? Yes, it was probably the highlight of our trip, especially the emotional side of it, with the meaning of our trip and all. Do it again? Yes, with family. That was our first and only family trip to the World, I caught the Mouse 'bug', family, grown and all, did not. I have had 14 solo trips since (one, 2 years ago, DD, Natalie was with me ). I would love to do it again with all of us.

It is an experience.

If you do go for it, make sure you follow the calling recommendations to get it, it is a tough one to get.

 

[kytiam]

Can you tell me how much time before Illuminations do you board the boat? And, does anyone have a photo of what the boat is like? Also, has anyone done dinner on the boat? How was that? Thanks!

Hi! We did this just two weeks ago! We were told to meet at the Yacht Club marina at 8:00 pm. We checked in, paid, stood around a few minutes, listened to the captain a minute or two, then left the dock about 8:30. The captain took us around the lake and pointed out points of interest in the Boardwalk area then took us over to epcot. We parked under the bridge at about 8:50 then had our soda and chips. When Illuminations was over, we turned around and went back to the Yacht club marina. It was wonderful! The boat was just an average looking pontoon boat. there were two seats at the front (facing each other) each big enough for 3. there was also a long, curved couch-like seat at the back on one side and the captain's chair/steering wheel on the other side. White vinyl seats. Sorry, no photos. We were too cheap to do dinner on the boat. It was stretching the budget just to pay for our half of the cruise (shared it with friends).

 

[tomerin]

we have done this in each of our last 2 trips. the first time was on the breathless which is a beautiflu boat in itself and was fun to ride in. honestly it is only really good for couples. there is a bit of space between the seat. so iteraction beytween each other can be difficult. the second time i went i treated my brother and his family, we had a pontoon boat and honestly i enjoyed it so much more then the breathless.

here is a link form allearsnet for the illuminations cruise

http://allearsnet.com/btp/illum.htm

has some breathless photos

 

[liamandcaili]

We did an Illuminations Cruise last December. It was pretty chilly and we did have dinner on the boat, but we wouldn't do that again. Our food wasn't on the boat at the scheduled time, it was a while before we could comfortably eat the food, and the food was only so-so, and it was expensive. We would do the cruise again, but we wouldn't go in December (too cold), and we would just order a bottle of wine for the boat. We loved the cruise for the view of Illuminations. It was a great time, but it would have been better if it wasn't so cold, DD wasn't crying through most of the ride thinking it was too fast (it wasn't), the food and wine arrived on time, and our captain wasn't so nervous because things got off to a rough start.

I forgot to add that normally they ask you to be there by 8. At holiday time, Illuminations is at 9:30, so I think we had to be at the dock at 8:15.

 

[minijeanie]

Did illuminations crusise many moons ago. We boarded about 45 minutes before,,our kids were 8 & 10 at the time..We split cruise with another family which helped the price.

It was nice but I feel not the best show in town..Under the bridge is not the greatest place to be during illlumnatiosn..Not great..

Boat was a great ride, feeling special and not having lots of people surrounded by you was good,, but quite honestly,,,

I would rather book private view than do the boat again.

 

[Poohbear123]

One for Illuminations, thanks to a few on the Board here, and another in May with a few of the Swan/Dolphin cheerleaders, for MK it was great! Dan, nice photo!

 

[BYC]

Thank you all! It really sounds like we would enjoy it! One question though....UNDER the bridge?? Doesn't that limit your view? Also, how many boats are there at one time under the bridge?

 

[minijeanie]

yes, as stated above, I feel it does limit your view
When I went out there were only 2 boats but that was quite a few years ago. I am sure they added on more.

but I didn't find that an additional boat impeded your view.

Trust me, book private view, you will be much happier

 

[kstinw19]

yes, as stated above, I feel it does limit your view
When I went out there were only 2 boats but that was quite a few years ago. I am sure they added on more.

but I didn't find that an additional boat impeded your view.

Trust me, book private view, you will be much happier

What is private view? I booked the cruise for Sept. but am nervous now.

Also how do you order a bottle of wine for the cruise?

thanks!

 

[01Sweetpea]

I would rather book private view than do the boat again.

I'd love to know about this as well.

Was planning on trying to get one of the boats for our Thanksgiving trip.