Wishes vs Illuminations Cruise

[DLPDreams]

I know this has been done a lot - I've just trawled through the search threads! However, quite a few of the comments are out of date, so I thought I'd ask specifically on the UK forum here about these, hoping to some of you have done these!

I had my heart set on a Wishes Cruise as I thought it 'may' be my preferable show as it seems more 'traditional' in nature. But, I've read quite a lot of people rate the Illuminations cruise more because you are more immersed in the 'magic' up close. I can see that for Wishes, you are much further away. I think the reason I had set my sights on Wishes is because I thought I might enjoy that more than Illuminations, but now I'm not sure? It's no good asking anyone at home - no one has a clue and just seems to want a plan put in front of them and I'm trying to keep this a surprise for parents !!

We are hoping to catch Wishes at Main Street one night, also at Ohana (Poly) if possible and also from the GF deck with dinner at Cali Grill, so hopefully out of those we'll get a good view somewhere!

If we are looking for a more immerssive experience are with better off with IC rather than WC? I believe it is much harder to book IC due to the restricted number of boats.

Also where would you be collected for an Illuminations Cruise please?

 

[Elise79]

For me it has to be Wishes - you get about an hour on the lake. You get up a viewing of the EWP then move round to the front of MK for the fireworks.

Yes the boats are closer for illuminations however for me Wishes is just more magical!

I will see illuminations every trip but apart from the Christmas version I don't overly enjoy it as I mind the middle section just plain boring!

 

[Chris and Pooh]

For the Illuminations you are picked up at the Beach Club and transported to beneath the bridge between France and England, you do get a very good view, but can cramped to some degree between other pontoon boats.

Personally I prefer the Wishes option which you can pick up from GF. They are both difficult to book and you need to be on the ball and pre practice all the phone options as soon as they are open for bookings to get through to the right department in the shortest time possible as they are both booked up very quick

 

[DLPDreams]

Thank you both - I think maybe I will go for Wishes after all. I haven't seen either show (and don't want to spoil them) but I'm a bit of a traditional type of firework girl - have seen summer fireworks at DLP and they blew me away but I just don't know about Illuminations. But, in the next breath, out of the cruise I'd want to feel immersed in it all - Illuminations seems so much closer!

If we manage to see Wishes at Ohana and also from Main St one night, is it still worth doing a cruise?

So, to book, I just ring on 180 days out and try. The problem I have is I also want to book BOG for dinner, so which one should I go for first ? Are they on the same keypad number I need to press or is it a different option for the cruise?

FWIW I've read it is easier to get Wishes as they don't have to limit the number of boats as much. I've read this on a few sites now.

 

[Elise79]

For Wishes you can choose your pick up - we went from the Contemporary and went round Bay Lake first which was nice

I think cruises are a different option but I'd need to check the website

 

[DLPDreams]

For Wishes you can choose your pick up - we went from the Contemporary and went round Bay Lake first which was nice

I think cruises are a different option but I'd need to check the website

Thanks. I had read you could choose pick up. As we are at OKW, I don't suppose it matters where we go to really as we'd have to travel to all of them!

I think you may be right about a different option - so it leaves me with the dilemma, do I do BOG first and then try the cruise after doing my ADRs? Risky, but the ADRs are the most important! Food comes first .

 

[micksn]

I haven't done either cruise, but it's more relaxing watching illuminations in the park - less crowded! I love the illuminations and atmosphere in Epcot at night, my favourite is sitting on the ground in Mexico with a frozen margharitta Wishes is lovely, but can be very crowded and less relaxing, particularly if you try and leave the park straight after - a cruise might be nice to escape the crowds

 

[Duck In Blue]

We have done both cruises (although they were both some years ago) and out of the cruises much preferred the Illuminations. Although I prefer Wishes for the fireworks we felt were missing out being out of the park and not being able to see the castle. As others have said you are much closer with the Illuminations one and it's also quite nice to have a good position sitting on your boat whilst others jostle for space in the park and then float away from the crowds whilst they fight their way out! Over the years we have done the Illuminations cruise three times but never repeated the Wishes cruise, we go for the dessert party to avoid the crowds.

Whichever you choose, enjoy!

 

[Elise79]

Thanks. I had read you could choose pick up. As we are at OKW, I don't suppose it matters where we go to really as we'd have to travel to all of them!

I think you may be right about a different option - so it leaves me with the dilemma, do I do BOG first and then try the cruise after doing my ADRs? Risky, but the ADRs are the most important! Food comes first .

Do ADR's first as they go faster in general :good vibes

Are you driving or getting Disney transport? If Disney transport the CR is within walking distance of MK making it easier to get too however people seem to really like to start at the GF but I don't really understand why

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks all!

I am getting myself in a tizwaz about it all now as I've read good reviews about the dessert party now and as it's so much cheaper and you are up close, wondering if this would be better.

Mum isn't a huge lover of boats which I'd somehow managed to forget so perhaps it isn't such a good idea!

Agh - I just can't decide - as we are on DDP I can't see us eating much dessert wise. The cruise is such a lot of money - the dessert party would be about half the cost - is it still about £17-19 pp? I like the idea of being guaranteed a decent spot to watch Wishes without needing to stand and stake a spot for hours on end - I would do it, but others in the party aren't so keen!

Think I might start a new thread to ask in case people don't see here!