Wishes Cruise

[Lizzybee]

Well, when I called I asked about Illuminations Cruises, but the cast member said there was a "Wishes Cruise" I'm pretty sure when you call that should get you where you want to go. Good luck and happy sailing

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I called and asked for a "Wishes Cruise". And just a little advice, we planned our entire trip after the 90 day window. I just started calling a couple of times a week. One night they just said "yes". I was within the 30 day window when this happened. I think the CM was just as surprised as I was. She even checked to make sure they were having fireworks that night - that's how shocked she was. So if you miss one just keep trying.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Just wanted to let you all know that I booked the Wishes Cruise this morning. I couln't resist. It sounded so good, plus I wanted to do something different this trip. I told my DH after he woke up and all day that is all he can talk about. We are doing our cruise our 1st night in WDW. We are having dinner at Chef Mickey's so we will catch our boat at the Contemporary. The question my DH has, though, is how big is the boat. I am assuming its like the canopy boats you can take out. Also he was asking me if the "captain" could drop us off at DTD after the fireworks. I guess he thinks we have a chauffer for the evening.

 

[NCombs]

I just asked my TA about the Illuminations Cruise and she said she enjoys this cruise more. I think we will try it out.

 

[Lizzybee]

Our boat was a pontoon boat with a canopy which looked like it could seat about 8 plus the "captain". I think they take you back to the place they picked you up at, at least that is how ours was arranged. You can take a ferry boat from either Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter to Downtown Disney, but you'd have to catch a bus to those resorts. It can't hurt to ask, but I think that would be a pretty long boat ride from MK to DTD, if the waterways connect and I'm not sure that they do. It doesn't look like they do from the overview map on the Disney website.

 

[mjmcgillivray]

I have a Wishes Cruise booked for our April trip and I have really been toying with the idea of cancelling because of the lack of good reviews the cruise had gotten. And actually there were some that said it wasn't worth it. The Illuminations cruise seemed to be the one getting all the attention. After seeing all the comments on this post I can't wait for our cruise!!!

The best part is the rest of my family doesn't know I ended up getting this booked. I also told them it was full.

One thing I have noticed is Wishes is now an hour later on the night of our cruise. If you've got one booked at the end of April and they have extended the park hours a little bit and are also starting Wishes an hour later... now at 10pm. This isn't the time it was originally scheduled but it will work for me anyway.

My 4, 3, and 1 yo DS's will just have to stay up a little later. What a way to end the night though...

 

[Lizzybee]

I would try to sneak in a phone call the day before the cruise, just to double check the time. The hours at MK were extended til midnight every night we were there, but Wishes remained at 9pm. They originally told me 10pm when I booked the cruise and to be there by 9:15, it ended up being 9pm and we had to be there at 8:15pm. If you enjoy an experience that is beautiful, serene and exciting at the same time you will love this cruise. Enjoy!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Thanks for the advice Lizzybee. I thought 10 for fireworks was late myself. Now I know to call. Good thing we haven't planned everything out to the last minute.

I can't wait for this cruise!!

 

[Twigs]

The question my DH has, though, is how big is the boat.

As mentioned above it is a pontoon boat, you are allowed up to 10 adults and 2 children under 10.

 

[mjmcgillivray]

We're a family with 3 kids and we'll be relying on our double stroller for the trip. What do we do with the stroller when we take the wishes cruise? Is there room on board or will we have to leave it at the dock? Would it be better to leave it at the hotel for this outing? We're departing from the Polynesian and staying at SOG.

 

[California Mom]

I set my alarm for 3:45am PST this morning (before my full day of work), to get up and try for the July 4 Illuminations Cruise, but no luck...but sounds like it's just as well. Not only did I find out that the July 4 cruise is more than the standard ($400), but after reading this posting, I'm going to try again each day, but for the Wishes Cruise! We did the Illuminations Cruise in July 2000 and loved it...but wouldn't mind a little change, but still along the same line. So, what I understand from this posting, is that the cruise is to see Wishes (the MK fireworks show), correct? And they dock from more than one location? Poly? WL?

I'll be up at 3:45am PST tomorrow morning trying to book a Wishes for July! Wish me luck!

 

[Suearoo]

We leave our stroller at the dock, it is never a problem for us to leave it there. SOG is beautiful we checked it out while we were there we are definatly staying there our next trip.

 

[Lizzybee]

There were several options when I called. They originally said Fort Wilderness Campgrounds, then she said that WL would probably easier. I've heard of people leaving from the Poly as well. I think we got more of a boat ride from WL. Good luck and enjoy! I got one on Easter night less than two months before our trip, so hopefully it will be smooth sailing for you

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We are getting our cruise out of the Contemporary. We are so looking forward to it. In fact I called yesterday to upgrade to a birthday. Friends of ours are going to WDW the same time we are and their DD will be turning 8 and I told them about the wishes cruise so they are coming along with us.