Tomorrow I call for Illuminations Cruise

[Aisling]

Well, tomorrow is my 90 day mark to call for an Illuminations Cruise, and I want to make sure I do this correctly. I was lucky enough to get one on my third morning of trying 2 years ago, and I just want to make sure the procedure is the same. I just made a practice call, and it seemed to work, meaning it went through as was instructed in the Illuminations Thread.

At 6:55 AM I begin:

14079397529
3
2
my phone number and the pound sign (#)
1
2

and this should take me right to a CM

No small talk, don't give them a chance to say "thank you for calling, etc.", just immediately and quickly say "8 PM Specialty Cruise".

Will this do it? Have there been any changes or tips I need to know? Please advise!

Thank you!!!!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

You don't have to put in your phone number. Choose whichever option is the one for "calling from Orlando or for reservations within the next 7 days". That's how I got through in October. Good luck!

 

[Aisling]

You don't have to put in your phone number. Choose whichever option is the one for "calling from Orlando or for reservations within the next 7 days". That's how I got through in October. Good luck!

Great tip! It'll save me at least 4 seconds! Thanks so much!

 

[Aisling]

You don't have to put in your phone number. Choose whichever option is the one for "calling from Orlando or for reservations within the next 7 days". That's how I got through in October. Good luck!

I know my chances are slim that anyone can help, but does anyone know what numbers to press to bypass having to put in your phone number?

I just called to listen, but it's closed!
I did it earlier, but I forgot the way to do it.
14079397529
3
2
my phone number and the pound sign (#)
1
2
I need to bypass having tp punch in my phone number, or I'll never have a chance! Does anyone remember the sequence???

 

[Aisling]

emergency bump!

 

[MAGGIED]

Well - did you get it????? I hope so...we did the Illuminations cruise last year and it was great...I have my fingers crossed for you!!!!

 

[catherines_mama]

We're doing one on our Dec trip! My friend is in charge of the trip and she's gonna have to call. But I'll be on the edge of my seat SO nervous for her. Hope you made it! Any tips you can pass along will be GREAT!!

 

[jj13]

Well......did you get it?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Waiting to see if you got lucky.

I'm going to be trying in April for our July trip. If you don't get the breathless is it easier to get the pontoon illuminations cruise?

If not I guess we'll try for the Wishes cruise again.

I hope you were able to get it. Let us know.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

If you don't get the breathless is it easier to get the pontoon illuminations cruise?

It's all a matter of supply & demand.
When you call at 7am, there is only one Breathless, and there is 3 Pontoon Boats available.

Good Luck!

 

[subtchr]

I realize the OP has already called, but I got a reservation for the Breathless for June when I called this past Sunday. I posted on the Illuminations thread, but I DID put in my phone number, and I was not put on hold, so I'm sure I was the first caller that CM had that day. Here's what I posted about it:


Well, my obsessive personality paid off -- I started calling the reservations number at 6:55 this morning (the opening of our 90 day window), and the first time the system answered that they were open, I pushed my preset button to go through the menu items. I was not put on hold, so as soon as I got a real person, I just blurted "I need a Breathless specialty cruise at 8 pm on June 24!" Did I really NEED to do it that way? Who knows? But I got it!

In case anyone is wondering what I mean about my preset, (it might help for CRT or some other hard-to-get reservation, too), on my phone the memory buttons can be programmed to dial a series of numbers with pauses. So I programmed one of the buttons to dial: "3 - pause - 2 - pause - my phone number # - pause - 1 - pause - 2" and it worked like a charm. I did not have to listen to any of the prompts as it worked through the menu to get to a reservationist. I'm not sure if all phones that have memory buttons can do this, and I would definitely try a "dry run" before your actual date to make sure it works -- I know I did!

Good luck to anyone trying to reserve a cruise -- I can't wait!

And yes, it is $250...ouch! But what an experience, by all accounts. My kids (14, 17, & 20) will love the Breathless, as will DH & I. And not only is Epcot our favorite park, but Illuminations is one of our very favorite things to see in all of WDW.
__________________

 

[subtchr]

Just bumping this so Aisling can tell us if he or she got it!

 

[Aisling]

I got it! And on my first morning of trying! Thanks for the tips. I really think it would be impossible to get a boat by not by passing the automated prompts. The most important thing is to NOT waste time with the "telephone number or reservation number" prompt. I'm convinced it was the deciding factor of me getting through.

I was so nervous, because I couldn't for the life of me remember what to press to avoid the phone number thing, so get to the "if you're calling from the orlando area, etc", but I think I just took a chance and pressed 1, and it worked. A CM came on right away.

I am so excited, even though I swore I'd never pay $250! Well, I asked my kids if they'd rather do the Illuminations cruise or use that money for an excursion limo from the airport, and they said cruise! So we'll use that limo money for this boat, and take DME for free, which suits me just fine!

I wish you all GOOD LUCK if you're going to make the call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As of now, I have the boat booked to capacity. As you can see in my siggy, all the letters represent the names of all my family going on this trip, but if anyone of the three families represented in my family decides to do something else that night, I'll post here.

Thank you for the encouragement and help!

 

[MAGGIED]

Hurray for you ---enjoy!!!!