Wishes Cruise vs. Illuminations Cruise

[lovinwdw]

When my DH & I go back for our anniversary we would like to do one of these cruises. Can I get some input?? Which do you think is better?

 

[Mymatisse]

We've only done an illuminations cruise so I have nothing to compare. I however, personally like Illuminations better than Wishes so I don't think I would enjoy the Wishes cruise half as much.

It may just depend on which show you like.

 

[lovinwdw]

Did you get food and beverages on the cruise?

 

[eddieras]

its so funny you posted this question as i was just going to do the same!

i too am interested in others input-- also i may look to be sharing a boat sometime during our stay- May 11 thru May 17 - me, wife, son (9) and daughter (5 1/2) .

i was told by the agent that the cruise is better with Wishes and Illuniations from land.
any comments on these two cruises??

thanks!

 

[RumpleMom]

Our family has done both cruises. Now we enjoyed them both, but since you asked I will try to point out some differences.

Illuminations cruise- we felt more in the center of the action, music was easy to hear

Wishes Fireworks Cruise- only music we heard came from the land, we could hear it,but not great When I booked I was told the music would be playing on our boat, but that was not the case.

We shared the Illuminations cruise with a family from the UK, arranged it here on the DIS. That was fun.

Food- we could have arranged for food on the boat, but it seemed rather pricey.

If your family is looking for something different to do, go for it. I think the Magical Gatherings Fireworks Cruise on the larger ship would be a better time, but you have to have at least 8 in your party. The MG boat has the music on board. We were scheduled for the MG cruise, but 2 family members canceled 1 week before vacation due to health reasons, so we couldn't take that cruise.

But you are at WDW, have fun no matter what you decide.

 

[eddieras]

thanks for the info--

can you bring your own food/ (beer???) on board too?

 

[kmwilson98]

One thing I'm confused about - do you have to have Epcot admission to do the Illuminations cruise? We will be at MK only with no hopper - does that mean we are limited to the Wishes cruise?

 

[lovinwdw]

kmwilson98 -No you are not limited to Wishes only. I have been dealing with Lisa at Magical Vacations and she told me that you can catch the boat from the Yacht Club. You are just going to have to take a bus to the Yacht Club Resort in order to get on the boat.

 

[eddieras]

fyi - you can NOT bring food or drink on the boat

 

[Bellefan66]

The NOT being able to bring our own snacks and BEER is the only drawback I can see. We are doing Illuminations Cruise on our next trip,and I was bummed about it. The price for their snack and drinks was way higher than we would pay if we bought them ourselves, and since half of our people are kids, they probably wouldn't care for the snacks they provide,just us adults. SOoo, we are going to snack and eat ahead of time...it will still be magical I'm sure!!

 

[married@wdw]

When did they change the snacks rule? We've taken snacks every time we've done a cruise, but haven't done one since 2003. We're taking my whole family next week and had planned on having the Grand Floridian Cafe pack up some mini desserts for us to take along.

 

[twojo21]

we have done the epcot illuminations cruise on the breathless it was like $120 back in 2003 & the show from near the bridge was fabolous, could hear & see everything. we also did a moonlite cruise on a pontoon at/near epcot & arranged dining through yacht club catering, we enjoyed both cruises so much, would do it again in a heartbeat! so much fun, one of our (me & my fiances) favorite pictures is on the cruise together. the epcot cruises leave from the yacht club marina but you can request pick ups at the boardwalk & swan/dolphin. the breathless seats 7, but is perfect for a romantic 2, the pontoons seats 10, 12 with children call 407-939-7529 to book a specialty cruise.

i have yet to do the grand1 yacht -a 48 foot sea ray, which you can rent from the grand floridian for $350/hour & accomodates up to 16, includes a driver & deckhand. you can also request pick up's from the polynesian, contemporary, wilderness lodge & ft. wilderness. the grand 1 is available for speciality cruises like the wishes fireworks, sunset, lunch/dinner & moonlite cruises call 407-824-2439 to book cruise. you can order food, snacks & drinks from private dining at the grand floridian at 407-824-2578. you could also do a pontoon cruise for less $.

fyi - you dont need a park ticket for either cruise/s

married@wdw it depends on the cruise, if you're renting a pontoon on your own during the afternoon for example you can bring your own items/food. however if its a specialty cruises you booked with driver there official answer is no outside food. you can order private dining or catering through most nearby cruise departure resorts to be delivered/on board.

 

[dizneeguy]

All Illuminations cruises now go out of the Yacht Club Marina (no exceptions). If you bring your own snacks and drinks, they won't say anything. Just don't bring alot of alcohol. They will make intoxicated people get off the boat. Also, request Captain Ron if you want the best experience.
Let them know at booking if you are celebrating a special occasion. If the captain knows they will most often decorate the boat even though you book a basic cruise.

 

[Crazy Hakim]

<snip> Also, request Captain Ron if you want the best experience. <snip>

So who should we request on the nights Captain Ron does not work?

 

[exwdwcm]

i am also hoping to book a cruise using magical memories....Lori told us that the regular WISHES cruise- you can't hear the music, NO music is piped in, but sometimes you can pull up next to one of the bigger boats (Magical gathering boat) where they might have the music, so it's a risk to take. I think the music is a big part of that show when I saw it, and would hate to risk not hearing it.

so we have decided to try for the Illuminations one instead. I never seem to be able to get a good view of it on land, so i am excited about seeing it from the water.