Wishes v Illuminations cruise

[rosiejo]

ok guys - I'm 92 days out which means I have another 36 hours to decide between wishes and illuminations for the wedding day cruise...

I had always said illuminations- but now I'm tempted by Wishes...

please help - which would you pick and why?

RJ

 

[MApigletfan]

I am going with Illuminations. My family and I love this show, it always makes me cry. The boat for this show goes right into the park and from what I've heard you have an awesome view. The wishes cruise can not go into the park so you are seeing everything from far away but I am sure that it is nice also.

Just a note, make sure you are on the phone as soon as they open they book up fast. I know this because I called on our 90 day out mark at 7am and wanted to book one for 9 aduts and 3 children (they used to sit up to 10 adults and 2 children) but when I was told that first the price went up (used to be $180ish and is now $234ish) and the amount of people went from 12 to 10, I had to hang up call fiance to see if he wanted to spend more money for two boats, by the time I called back 7:25 they were all booked up. So within 25 minutes they were booked up! So good luck - whatever you decide it will be wonderful just get on the phone early!!!

 

[cooncat]

I tried booking Illuminations for 3 days - was on the phone at 6:57 am! - and all boats were booked by the time I got a person so decided to go for a Wishes cruise instead. Had absolutely NO trouble booking and in fact had several days available! Between the lower price and my daughter the photographer who thinks she'll get better shots on Wishes, we're pleased with the outcome. (Now if vacation will only GET here! )

 

[gradtchr]

We did a wishes cruise on the Grand One and absolutely loved it. We're talking that when we go back for an anniversary trip we're going to do it again, except include a private dinner on board.

 

[aengus]

I was going to say Illuminations hands down but Gradtchr has a point. If the option was Illuminations cruise (pontoon or breathless) or wishes on the Grand One I would say wishes. But other than that I would say Illuminations. There is a reason that Illuminations is still so much harder to book than Wishes. Wishes is quite a bit off in the distance whereas the Illuminations cruises are like right there! If you dont pull off getting an Illuminations by all mean book a wishes cruise. The wishes cruise was a great experience, just IMO the Illuminations was just a touch better.

 

[JonetteA]

I am all for Illuminations....the reason being is that I have seen the pictures that come of it. I am all about the picture memories to have, b/c I am going to be in my wedding dress. Heck, if I am going to spend that kind of money on a dress, I am going to wear it!! You are doing a custom right? So you get to wear your dress in the park if it is your wedding day. Another concern to me is the cost aspect. So that is something that I am looking at as well. Isn't it a little less expensive to do the Wishes cruise? I hope that this make sense I am really burned out right now! =)

 

[hmgolden]

I would pick Wishes. Watching Wishes from the lagoon on the boat is one of my favorite memories from our honeymoon. Plus you get a tour of the whole lagoon, and get to watch the water pagent as well. I also personally think that Wishes is more romantic than Illuminations. If you can swing the Grand One, I would go for it. Good luck choosing. Either would be a lovely ending to your day!

 

[JonetteA]

K I just want everyone to know that I am a big GEEK!! I missed the cruise part! I thought you meant your dessert party.... Nevermind I have no idea what is going on anymore.

 

[rosiejo]

Wow - thanks guys!

Ok here's the plan - I'm gonna be on the phone at 3 minutes to 7 (EST) tomorrow and I'm gonna ask for illuminations - if all of the boats have gone I'll try for Wishes instead. Unfortunately I can't call back for another day as it won't be the wedding :0(

Grand one is over budget...

One more question though - shall I go for the celebration cruise with decorations or just the normal one? What are the decorations like?

Thanks again

RJ

 

[Snow_White]

I can honestly say that I don't think you can go wrong with either one! Both are SUCH beautiful shows with wonderful music.

 

[FranP]

Before you book Illuminations check some of the other posts to check if there were complaints about too much smoke from the fireworks - don't remember where I read it, but someone mentioned that since the boat is at water level just inside the archway from the Boardwalk area, a lot of smoke settled near the boat the actually obscured their vision and caused one of their children to have difficulty breathing. It might be worth looking into (I have no experience on this cruise, tho). DS and his DFi had a Wishes cruise in June and they loved it - were able to have champagne and choc dipped strawberries in the boat!

 

[952LisaR]

I went on the illuminations cruise (pontoon boat) and it was nice but not great. Like other posters have said you watch it from under the bridge - so in my opinion the same view as being at the park - just under the bridge rather than on top of it. Plus it was windy that night so we did get a lot of some and ashes - in fact we were instructed to wear safety goggles - not all that romantic to me. I have not done the Wishes cruise but think that would be neat since you are on the bay and getting a view of the fireworks you wouldn't otherwise get (closer than the poly beach). just my opinon tho ...

 

[melanieewr]

Gradtchr;

We are doing the Grand 1 and I am also considering dinner, but was wondering about the room on there for a party of 8 and the feasibility of a nice dinner on water. I was also considering GF doing platters instead of dinner. Why do you think dinner would be special on the Grand 1?

Thanks !

 

[J&L Love Disney]

Although both are very nice, I have to go with Illuminations Cruise. We have done that three times and would do again.

Hope it helps.

Lisa

 

[rosiejo]

Just got off the phone to Disney - i started calling at 5 to and followed all the instructions on the borads but I got put on hold and when I got through at 7:14 - all boats had gone!

Now I have to start thinking about plan c... I'm doing an intimate so can't wear my gown in the parks - and idea of a good place to watch the fireworks from outside?

Although I'm tempted to ditch the dress and go see Wishes in the MK...

 

[952LisaR]

Sorry you didn't get the boats. An idea for Plan C is California Grille, there is an obeservation deck up there and you can see WISHES the pipe in the music and you can wear your dress. Other options are Ohana's, Concourse Steakhouse - basically any restataurant at GF, CR, Poly - you can either see the fireworks right from the restaurant or from an observation deck/beach close to the restaurant and you can wear your dress at any of those resorts.

 

[rosiejo]

Thanks Lisa - we're gonna start considering those restaurants and try and get a PS - although I probably should have rang this morning for those too...!

 

[J and R's mom]

BUMMER!

So you weren't able to get either Wishes OR Illuminations?

Maybe you can keep calling back everyday to see if there is a cancellation. Do they have a waiting list of sorts?

We did the breathless cruise (illuminations) the night of our wedding and I was actually a little disappointed in the viewing part. Being under the bridge obscured the view of some of the countries lighting up so it was hard to get the full impact of it. Plus, we were surrounded by other boats. I'd still recommend it if you can get it, though. Although we didn't request decorations, they knew that we had just been married and they had a few balloons tied to the boat along with a rose for me. It was very sweet.

 

[rosiejo]

We're considering watching wishes from the pier at the poly now instead - while still trying for a cancellation. There isn't a waiting list but I did find out that only 3 boats go on sale 90 days out - the other two aren't offered up until 7 and 3 days out as they're reserved for concierge guests. So we may still be able to get one ::fingers crossed::