Specialty cruises worth the $$$

[lilpixie]

Hi everyone
I have read many posts in the sticky thread about Illuminations cruises. Which cruise is better in your opinion -- the wishes or illuminations?
Are the reservations still very difficult to get?
I haven't bought the Unofficial Guide to WDW yet, but does this book go into more detail about these cruises?
I followed a link -- but it mainly talked about the cost and numbers to call. I would love more info about the actual experience itself.
TIA

 

[sadiwest]

My only experience so far has been in getting a reservation. I called about two-three months before our trip and wasn't able to secure one (I called somewhere shortly after the maximum time before your trip that you're allowed to book). I then called about a week later and got one for May 13th this year.

I agree with the many folks who say "don't give up". Even while you're there in WDW it pays to keep trying. I've seen a number of people posting that they will cancel and does someone want to reserve when they do....

I think you are allowed to cancel even a day before with no penalty...so you just never know--you can always luck out even during your trip.


Sandi

 

[Puffy2]

Many people will say "yes, it's worth it!" but I'll play devil's advocate - it really isn't. It's a boat ride and some fireworks. If you are ok shelling out the big bucks for that then go for it.
The time we did the "cruise", we spent about an hour just getting to the departure place, 30 more minutes waiting (all of which we could have spent doing more touring instead of rushing to meet a deadline) - the ride was nice but one kid slept through it and the view was just ok. We would have enjoyed the show just as much with a yummy snack and a view from the shore.

Out of all the things you can do with your extra cash at disney to "make something special" - I recommend a character meal, arrive early at each park to get ahead of lines, get your photo taken by the "photo people" at the front of the parks, treat yourself to a few sit down dinners, relax and have fun. Many of these "extra events" that cost lots of cash are really just a way to waste money. You could spend that money on a special event planned just for you though Gifts of a Lifetime (no, I don't have any connection to them at all, except that I had an event planned by them - that was more fun than the cruise or dessert party, or fantasmic dinner package, etc....)

 

[sadiwest]

...that being said...

I booked it because my husband and I are going to WDW for our first anniversary. Additionally, he's NEVER BEEN to WDW. ADDITIONALLY, he's a boat/water lover. ADDITIONALLY I was able to book it for the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend and my mother/her husband live in FLA. They will meet us there, and the entire cruise/evening/event is a surprise for my DH.

So.....even considering what the OP said, I think it's worth it if it's worth it to YOU.
And, in the above case, it's worth it to me.

Sandi

 

[HunnyPots]

Puffy2 I totally agree. While I have not done a cruise, I just can't see the draw. When I watch fireworks I want to be RIGHT THERE! On one of the Travel Channel disney shows, I think it was the Fan's Guide, they showed a family taking the Wishes cruise and I thought, "Man! That's it?! They paid all that money and gave up park time for that?!"

I think when I reach the point of having to do extra things to make a WDW vacation "special", its time to go somewhere else!

Sorry OP, I know I didn't really answer your question since I haven't done it but I'm just saying that for this family, no, its not something we desire to do.

Have a great trip!

 

[TommyTutone]

If you are on the boat, you don't have to spend an hour staking your claim for a perfect spot only to be edged out by rude tourists who inch their way in front of you.

I'm doing the boat thing this year for the first time (September 15th) for the last day of our trip. We still haven't decided if we are going to look for another group to split the cost with, but for now, I could not be happier.

 

[MamaKate]

We love Wishes but we didn't really enjoy the fireworks cruise in October. It was windy so the boats kept moving, not a little, but a lot!! The music timing was off. You could hear the music from inside the park, your boat and other boats around you, and they were all off by a few seconds, so it was hard to get immersed into the show. And for me, you are just too far away. I like to be in the action.

We did enjoy the boat ride before the show and our driver let the kids drive the boat, which they enjoyed. But it was definately a one time thing.

I haven't tried an Illuminations cruise, but we enjoy watching it from inside the park, so I think I'd rather spend the money on something else. If I could find a group to split with, I'd probably do it. I just wouldn't pay for the whole thing by myself again.

,
Katie

 

[lilpixie]

Puffy: What is Gifts of a Lifetime? Just curious as to what events they plan?

 

[Puffy2]

they (Gifts of a lifetime) have a website - I think it's just www and then their name and a dot com. The owners name is....I'm thinking....Jane, I think. They do special events for people that want something unique at the theme parks. They can do scavenger hunts (where you decide what the "end prize" for the person you are surprising will be and then there will be clues planted all over the park to lead the person to that prize), they have delivered roses or a gift to someone as they exit a ride, they have left clues that lead a person to a proposal by a boyfriend, they offer "photo events" where they will follow you around a park for an hour or so and take candid shots of your group (so you don't have to fool with a camera), they can decorate hotel rooms, and if you can think up an event yourself they'll do that too as long as it is legal and ok with Disney. If you want their service, I know that most events require a lot of planning, so call/email early.
I had them do an event for a friend of mine - ours was a shopping event when we convinced my friend that "she was chosen to do a shopping survery for disney" and was given $100 disney dollars to spend any way she wished in the park and then she had to show up later and answer some questions about her shopping - when we showed up to answer the questions a final surprise was waiting for her and then it was revealed that I had set the whole thing up. A photo or two were also taken. The whole idea of GOAL is the element of surprise, so be creative.