Wishes Cruise

[jen_uk]

What exactly is this?

Can someone pls let me know how much it costs, is it worth it etc?

 

[carolfoy]

Hi Jen found this for you, HTH If you're thinking of booking but need another 6 people - don't forget we're there at the same time as you


MAGIC KINGDOM WISHES CRUISE BASIC PLAN -

$187.79 + tax for up to 8 guests. Price includes pontoon boat, driver, water, soda and bagged snacks

MAGIC KINGDOM WISHES CRUISE CELEBRATION CRUISE -

$211.26 + tax. Same as Basic Plan plus decorations

MAGIC KINGDOM WISHES PREMIUM CRUISE

$234.74 + tax for up to 10 guests. Price includes pontoon boat, driver, water, soda, bagged snacks and AUDIO FEED

MAGIC KINGDOM WISHES PREMIUM CELEBRATION CRUISE

$258.21 + tax. Same as Wishes Premium Cruise plus decorations

 

[jen_uk]

Thanks for the info! Do you think its worth doing? Would you be interested in doing the cruise with us?

 

[carolfoy]

I'd want to know a bit more about it really, just curious as to whether you get anything out of it more than just watching wishes inside the MK which is magical anyway, hopefully someone will give us an opinion soon, but personally I'd love to try anything I haven't done before (same goes for my mum and Son) obviously I'll mention it to the Pattersons tonight, which one would you want to do? If its the cheapest I'm sure they'd go for it but as they've never been to WDW before they would probably see spending $100+ for their party of 3 a bit of a waste if they don't get a better experience than just being in MK - does that make sense?

 

[carolfoy]

Have just asked a couple of questions on the theme park board to see if that can get us an opinion

 

[jen_uk]

Yep the cheapest one would be fine, I dont really know anything about it so I would like to hear from someone that can tell us what exactly happens and whether its worth it.

 

[carolfoy]

Jen, have had a response from a lady over at the theme park thread, it does sound rather good doesn't it? I'm thinking the Pattersons WILL get a good experience although I'll still have to persuade them tonight!



When I was there in May I had a chance to share a Wishes cruise with a fellow Dis'er, and it was by far the best part of the trip.

We left Wilderness Lodge (think it was one of the 10-seaters pontoons) and cruised our way over towards Magic Kingdom. While enroute to MK (approx 30-45 mins), our driver shared alot of very interesting info regarding the history of the lake, island out there, resorts, and former River Country as we passed by. We had lots of questions and he answered them all.

We then went alongside the CR and took up position near the MK ferry launch. As we waited, we watched as many other pontoon boats lined up all around and we ended up right next to the GF yacht which was pretty nice.

We also got to see them setting up the Electrical Water Pageant floats and had a front-row seat when that got started (I swear we were only about 50 yards away). And this was all before Wishes even started....

Then Wishes did start, and it was AMAZING. Our view from the water pretty much lined right up with the Railroad Station and the castle, and was IMO better then seeing it from the MK.

I'm planning on booking this cruise again during our familiy reunion trip next fall. There will be a new cost structure going into effect on 10/1. No longer can you just reserve the boat/driver for about $160...... now the Wishes "Basic" cruise (includes boat, driver, water, soda and snacks) is about $190+tax.

Check here for more info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm

But even with this higher cost, I still can't wait to take this cruise again.

Hope this helps,
--Sarah

 

[jen_uk]

That sounds really good! I hope your friends go for it!

 

[carolfoy]

Will let you know tomorrow, have printed off everything I can find about it to try and persuade them

 

[carolfoy]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=9914555
more info Jen, if you want it

 

[jen_uk]

It definately sounds like its worth doing and split between us its not that expensive either.

 

[KayleeUK]

We did a Wishes Cruise on my Birthday this year.

We were picked up at the Wilderness Lodge and then cruised around Bay Lake looking at the Lodge, Fort Wilderness and the Electrical Water Parade. We then went over to Seven Sea's Lagoon and cruised by The Polynesian Resort and the Grand Floridian before stopping outside of the MK to watch wishes.

It is a lovely way to see Wishes and a great way to meet others if you are able to share a cruise

 

[carolfoy]

Thanks Kaylee, its nice to know a uk person you feel you 'know' has done it and enjoyed it.
will let you know what we decide

 

[JanElliott]

Is that price per pontoon boat or each person?

 

[Miffy2003]

It's per boat Jan!

We did it in December and shared a boat with Allie5. It was a great experience (albeit extremely cold) though it looks like the price has increased considerably. It is great value though especially if you do it on a non park day - you can get to see Wishes without using a day's pass if you have that type of ticket

 

[Miffy2003]

Here's the Wishes Cruise from my Trip Report if it helps at all

Bear in mind it was unseasonably cold, even for December! Hopefully you will have more luck when you are going (I'm sure you will).

If you decide to go for it, definitely book asap as they do go quickly (though not as quickly as Illuminations Cruises which we tried to get I think 15 mornings on the trot at 11.59 UK time as the lines opened, but they had all sold out every time by 1 minute past 12 UK time (when we got through).

We go to the wrong boat dock initially but soon locate Allie & Neil. Unfortunately their children aren’t feeling too special and because it is so cold Allie thought it was a good idea to leave them at home with her mum. A very wise decision, as it turned out!

There was no sign of the boat and we were slightly concerned as it was getting close to Wishes. There had been some sort of snafu but in the end they found us a boat and sent it over from Fort Wilderness. The upshot was that it was a Birthday Boat! It was festooned with balloons and complete with cake and drinks. Unfortunately they weren’t hot though and already we were all feeling extremely chilly! The boat refused to start for quite a few attempts and when it finally did we had to head straight to the middle of the lake in order to get a spot for Wishes. What an incredible view you get here! You really see the entire panorama of fireworks and at one point a firework goes off that draws the Evil Queen’s face! How on earth do they do that? We had not seen that in the park. Even better, one of the boats around us (clearly an upmarket vessel) had the music and narration piped in so we could hear everything. A wonderful experience.

We had a scream at the back of the boat; I laughed practically the entire time (particularly when Allie kept being attacked by the Birthday Balloons) but let me tell you it was absolutely freezing. I think Disney usually supply blankets for this but there were none on this boat (maybe this had something to do with the boat being a late entrant into the night’s activities?) but happily I had brought some from ASMo (ssssh, don’t tell anyone! We did put them back). We donated the blankets to the front end of the boat, as Allie, Neil and I were somewhat sheltered at the back. We had a nice tour around Seven Seas Lagoon with some information from the driver (though I got the impression he didn’t do it very often as Allie & I seemed to know stuff he didn’t). Problem was, it was simply absolutely freezing. We’d lost all feeling in our extremities! You probably think I’m jesting but really I’m not, it was extraordinarily cold. We wondered if Disney had ever had a hypothermia case brought against them

 

[mushumadness]

hiya

we have a wishes cruise on december 7th to share if anyones interested, theres 5 places available

also was lucky enough to get an illuminations cruise as well for the 13th december, theres 8 spare seats on thatt one

pm me

 

[JanElliott]

Thanks Miffy - sounds brilliant. We are looking for "different" things to do on our next visit and this sounds like just the thing - and reasonably priced as well.