WDW Specialty Cruise Questions

[Goofster57]

I was hoping to get some advice on the firework cruise offered at WDW. We are headed down for nine days in August and I need to call next week to reserve a cruise, however before I book one I would like to get some opinions about them. We are interested in getting a pontoon boat that cruises Bay Lake (?) before you settle down to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

It appears that I can book a cruise to leave from a number of locations. Is there a location that is better than another or worse than another?

Do they pipe in the music that goes along with the fireworks?

Do you also get to see the water pageant during the cruise?

Is it worth it to include food and beverage with the cruise or should we plan on bring our own?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance

 

[rockomomma]

I have the same questions. Thanks for posting them. We will be at WDW from 8-7 to 8-14 and I need to get ressies for this as soon as next Monday.

 

[disney queen]

you can book them from any of the MK resorts, not sure if they leave from FW. we book from WL just because we like the lodge, no other reason. there is no music, but the view makes up for that! yes, you will see the water pagent parade. as far as the food, i can't help you there. it is really a neat experience; we are doing one on the 16th and have done several before. worth the money. you will leave early enough to take a "tour" around seven seas lagoon. you will need to call 1-407- WDW-PLAY for reservations. good luck!

 

[Goofster57]

Thanks for the responses.
We are still trying to decide what night to go.
I think we will book the cruise from whatever location we can get.

 

[maine_jennifer]

I've only done IllumiNations cruises, so I don't have details on Wishes cruises. Until they find a way to get music to the boats, I don't think I'll be booking a Wishes cruise. From what I understand Wishes cruises are easy to get. More people try for IllumiNations cruises.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm

Check out the IllumiNations cruises for more info on how to call.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=560160

HTH,

 

[LJC1861]

Having done both I can honestly say I much prefer the illumiNations Cruise over Wishes. On the Iluminations cruise you can hear the music and the boat is frimly docked against the bridge. For the wishes Cruise you cannot hear the music and the boat is floating freely which was a little uncomfortable. I found the captains for Illuminations to be older and a bit more knowledgeable about all things Disney. All in all the cruise for Illuminations was more entertaining.

As for food, I always ask and am told different things each time. Technically if you want food it must be catered from Disney Dining. However we have never been turned away if we brought pretzels and soda or some such snack.

Wishes Cruises are MUCH easier to get than IllumiNations. There are 12 boats for Wishes and only 5 for Illuminations. Both Cruises are amazing experiences and even though you can't hear the music as well for Wishes the view is still amazing. The actual cruise part of wishes was great as they take you past all of the hotels. They look wonderful at night!

If it were me, I would try for Illuminations and take wishes if you can't get it. What ever you decide, a cruise is a highlight of any trip.

Linda

 

[RLewis]

I have booked both. the cruise is $120.00. For another $80.00 you can get "a meal". Its chips, sodas, and a large tray of deli sandwiches - designed to feed 7 adults.

 

[whjoyjr]

Originally posted by disney queen
you can book them from any of the MK resorts, not sure if they leave from FW. we book from WL just because we like the lodge, no other reason. there is no music, but the view makes up for that! yes, you will see the water pagent parade. as far as the food, i can't help you there. it is really a neat experience; we are doing one on the 16th and have done several before. worth the money. you will leave early enough to take a "tour" around seven seas lagoon. you will need to call 1-407- WDW-PLAY for reservations. good luck!

Yes, they do leave from WL... I have one booked from there in July. Now that I have Illuminations booked, trying to decide if we wnat to do both...

 

[Goofster57]

I just booked a Wishes Cruise for August leaving from Wilderness Lodge. I understand that they do not pipe in the music for the show, however does anyone know what radio frequency they use to broadcast it inside the park. I was thinking that I would bring my scanner and we could listen to it that way.

Once again thanks for all the suggestions they have been very helpful.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I have a "Grand Gatherings" Wishes cruise booked for 18 on July 31st. It was my understanding that the music was piped onto the boat. I thought I had read here that some people had done the Gatherings cruise and it had music??? I'm getting worried as I have told everyone you can hear and see the show!

 

[Goofster57]

I am just going by the information that I got here. I did not ask when I made the reservations.

Maybe someone will be able to clarify this for us.