Which fireworks cruise?

[MarkE83]

For those that have been on either the wishes or illuminations cruise, what were your impressions? Would you do them again and again, or does the novelty factor wear off?

For those that have been on both, how do the two compare? If you could only do one, which would it be?

I am looking at booking one for our honeymoon in August, either on our first or last night. Illuminations looks like the boat gets closer to the fireworks... Is that correct?

We did look at the deserts cruise, but that's $99 per person, so for the extra money we'd rather have a boat to ourself!

What's the food you can order like? Can you order just drinks, like cocktails or champagne? Is that worth the cost, or are the complimentary offerings sufficient?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Robo]

Illuminations looks like the boat gets closer to the fireworks... Is that correct?

The boats tie off during the show. (At the #7 area on the maps below.)
But, yes, the location of the boats is IN Epcot and close to the show.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Have done both several times. And yes, as with anything, the novelty does wear off some. But it is fun getting to that point where it does.

I think I prefer the Wishes one, as it gives you a unique perspective of the show. The Illuminations one brings you somewhat closer to the show, but you are essentially at the same location as the people above you on the bridge between UK and France. The Illumination boats sit under that bridge. So if you were on the bridge, you have the same view as those under the bridge, maybe better, and for free. You also are at the mercy of the wind direction. If blowing your way, the smoke can envelop you, with no way or place to move to. I have seen those boats obscured by smoke at times.

The Wises cruise puts you further away from the show, out in Seven Seas Lagoon, but gives you a perspective you can only get from there. Wishes should also be seen from nearby the castle some evening also, unless you already have done so.

As for food, your imagination is about the only limit, along with Disney prices. We did a celebration cake for one cruise, it was great. The free snacks of water, soft drinks, juice, chips, pretzels, usually suffice.

The cruises are costly, but memorable. If you do decide to book one, make sure you are calling first thing in the morning at your 180, they do go fast as there are not many of them.

Enjoy.

 

[MarkE83]

Thanks both, that's great input. We had been looking at the desserts party at Epcot too, so think we'll go with that and the wishes cruise. I've seen Wishes before but not for 7 years now, so we'll definitely be viewing it more than once (we are staying at YC for 10 nights).

Is the 180 days like ADR's, where its 180+ 10 for on site guests, or will I need to call exactly 180 days prior to the night we want the cruise?

 

[Spork24]

We've only done the illuminations cruise. It was pretty great. I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it. I would like to do wishes at some point too.

 

[JenB1104]

We loved our Illuminations Cruise - worth the splurge for us.

 

[jawa7400]

We've only done the illuminations cruise. It was pretty great. I highly recommend it to anyone who can afford it. I would like to do wishes at some point too.

Where do you find prices for these cruises? Are these the ones listed as "specialty cruises" on the website or is this different?

 

[MarkE83]

They're the speciality cruises- approximately in the $350 range. Seems like a lot but the desserts cruise is $99 a person, so once there's more than 3 of you this actually works out cheaper.

Would people recommend the wishes cruise as the first time you ever see the fireworks, or would you view them in park first? The other half has never seen them before, wondering which way around you'd recommend.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is the 180 days like ADR's, where its 180+ 10 for on site guests, or will I need to call exactly 180 days prior to the night we want the cruise?

180+10

Where do you find prices for these cruises? Are these the ones listed as "specialty cruises" on the website or is this different?

http://allears.net/btp/spcruise.htm

They're the speciality cruises- approximately in the $350 range. Seems like a lot but the desserts cruise is $99 a person, so once there's more than 3 of you this actually works out cheaper.

Would people recommend the wishes cruise as the first time you ever see the fireworks, or would you view them in park first? The other half has never seen them before, wondering which way around you'd recommend.

For Wishes, I think it better to view them first in the park.