Wishes Cruise: is it worth $275?

[djkeenan]

We're going to WDW with family in January (75 days to go!) and I haven't been able to get them into the planning mode, in fact I've taken a lot of heat over being "obsessive" and a "Disney Freak" when I try to talk with them about what they might want to do.

In any case, this morning my DW suggests we book an illuminations cruise for the group and I try to explain that at 75 days out, we don't have a chance, but she wants me to try. Needless to say, none were available, but the reservationist asks if I'm interested in a wishes cruise, so we went ahead and booked one, knowing it's easy to cancel.

Now I'm looking for some advice on what this tour is all about, how good is the view, etc. and bottom line, is it worth $275? Your input is much appreciated.

 

[katallo]

Is the cruise that you booked the "standard" Wishes cruise (pontoon boat, no extras such as snacks)? The cruises are very nice but we did the Illuminations Cruise in March for 125.00!

 

[msmayor]

We did the Wishes cruise in August, but at that time it was only $150. No snacks or drinks included as 'standard' (they were optional at an additional fee, but we didn't arrange for it).

It was just my family of 4; we decided to make it special just for us on our first cruise out.

Captain Jeff told us about the price increases coming up, and while we loved the cruise we didn't feel it was worth over $200 if it was just the four of us. We'd do the cruise again, but only if we found others to share the trip and expense.

 

[Bete]

if you are keen on doing them it's the only way I feel it's worth it now. I think Disney has priced themselves out of reason, here.

You take that same money and ask the kids and even the adults to shop instead and I think 9 out of 10 would prefer buying souvenirs, etc.

I thought the Wishes cruise was cheaper than the Illuminations. I think the Wishes cruise goes for about $190 with tax, now. The snacks are standard potato chips, pretzels, etc. and soda. If you are going to share make sure you call back and get a bigger boat that holds 10 or 12 people; otherwise, you will get an 8 seater.

For Wishes, I prefer a land view, but there will be others that disagree. I feel you are too far away from the action. It is nice to see the water show by the Poly.

 

[jlcbshaw]

I can't really comment on the wishes cruise as we have never taken one, but we have done an IllumiNations cruise and it was worth every penny to us. We have been to WDW many times and have seen IllumiNations and this was a special and different way to view the "same" show.

We were lucky enough to get in on a cruise that was already booked through a Dis member and the price of the cruise was divided between everyone, so the price wasn't as high as the Wishes cruise.

All in all the kids really enjoyed seeing the show in a different manner and it is a special memory for them, so really worth the money to us.

 

[civileng68]

Over the next few years, the prices are likely to rise until they see the demand drop.

 

[ljsmom]

We never did a Wishes cruise,but just last week we got stuck on the boat coming from the WL to MK. It was fireworks time and according to the captiain,the boats and monorail are not allowed to move. At first I was upset because after a long day I just wanted to get back. It wound up being beautiful, and best of all free. I would never pay hundreds of dollars for that though.

 

[msmayor]

We never did a Wishes cruise,but just last week we got stuck on the boat coming from the WL to MK. It was fireworks time and according to the captiain,the boats and monorail are not allowed to move. At first I was upset because after a long day I just wanted to get back. It wound up being beautiful, and best of all free. I would never pay hundreds of dollars for that though.

You're right...paying all that money just for the fireworks is probably not worth it. The cruise is more than that though.

But when we did the cruise, we sailed around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon for nearly 45 minutes before the fireworks. Our captain, Jeff, treated us to wonderful stories about WDW, the resorts surrounding the MK, and took us to "The Sneaker Tree" near Fort Wilderness. He was fun and engaging, held our kids' attention for the entire cruise. It was an immensely enjoyable evening even before the fireworks began.

Worth the $150 we paid? Absolutely. The fireworks display was icing on the cake, as I finally saw the show the way it was choreographed to be seen, without any trees in my way or crowds around me. I heard the music and 'story' clear as day. It was a treat, one we decided to splurge on for this one trip.

Like I said before, I'd do it again in a heartbeat but only if I was sharing the boat with others. Its not an expense I'd want to incur regularly on each trip.

 

[kyirish25]

I think that if you are going to have a full boat (10-12) people, then its worth the $275, but if you are only a family of 4 then maybe not. We did the standard without snacks before the price increase and thought it was worth every penny spent.

 

[bicker]

When the economy was much better and I was pulling in very substantial bonuses each year, $275 would have been worth it, while now, after austerity programs, across-the-board pay cuts, no salary increases, no bonuses, for year-after-year, it's not worth it. Similarly, while it would have been worthwhile to me, I don't think my brother cares so much about having such a special experience or would consider that specific experience so special as to warrant that price, even though I would.

In a nutshell: Everyone's situation will be different, so whether the cruise is worth it or not will vary from person-to-person, based on their own situation, and how much enjoyment they get out of the experience.

 

[Goofy4]

Just did both (Wishes GG Pirate cruise and Illuminations). Good advice above!

The Wishes visual experience can be had from several location along the shore. The problem is with getting the audio. It's been said the you have to be right next to a speaker at the Poly pool to get much out of it. I don't know if the boat landings or Contemporary observation areas have it (no doubt concierge does, but good luck with that).

Next time I might be crazy enough to take the sound track with me if I can't be in the park. Strike that, I'll want to be in the park. PM me if you have questions.

 

[civileng68]

Just did both (Wishes GG Pirate cruise and Illuminations). Good advice above!

The Wishes visual experience can be had from several location along the shore. The problem is with getting the audio. It's been said the you have to be right next to a speaker at the Poly pool to get much out of it. I don't know if the boat landings or Contemporary observation areas have it (no doubt concierge does, but good luck with that).

Next time I might be crazy enough to take the sound track with me if I can't be in the park. Strike that, I'll want to be in the park. PM me if you have questions.

The ferry landing does have the music piped in.

This location is purely amazing. Direct shot to the MK and castle with no people or trees in the way.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I don't know but I'm going to find out. Let's hope so at that price, but I don't know.

I have it booked for my family of 6 (my mom will be along). I wanted to do something REALLY special for my family, mostly DH and mom. Something they would never expect.

We've done character meals. Didn't think that was special enough. V & A's is out because I have 2 smaller children and NONE of us want to get dressed up on vacation.

The tours were out because I didn't think my mom would like this, we also have the smaller children and it would have been a lot more money.

I didn't quite know what to do, and I tried the Illuminations cruise but they were booked.

I've heard a lot of nice things about the Wishes cruise and I'm going to order some hot chocolate (this will be extra ) since it is at the beginning of December.

I like the fact that we will hear the music in our boat......before it depended on what boat you got. Now it is guaranteed. The snacks I could care less about.

Here's hoping my family loves it. I'll tell you in my trip report when I get back if it was a bust or not.

 

[ugadog99]

The last two years I have had Wishes cruises booked. Unfortunately, we had to cancel for one reason or the other. This Thanksgiving I have the cruise booked again. I am determined that we do the cruise this time, though. We are traveling with a dance group and two other families will be joining us. We are splitting the cost so I think that makes it more reasonable. I wouldn't be able to swing it if we didn't share.

 

[4greatboys]

We havent done the pontoon Wishes cruise but we just did the GG one and we loved it. If you can get a group of 8 get a GG # and book that cruise. We had a great pirate! He was so funny. We were on Capt Hooks boat. We saw the EWP and then Wishes and loved the entire experience.