Would like opinions on fireworks cruises

[MinnesotaChill]

Who has taken one? Which one and was it worth it? I can't find prices anywhere, although I'm sure I saw them somewhere over the weekend! UGH! How far ahead can you book?

 

[JimMIA]

There was (is?) a thread with more than you would EVER want to know about that subject. I believe it is entitled something like "Illuminations Cruises," and was on the main Theme Parks Strategies, etc. board. All the nuts and bolts, plus a lot of feedback from people who had done it.

EDIT: Main DISboards page/Theme Park Attractions and Strategies - right near the top of the page - entitled ILLUMINATIONS CRUISES, etc. You'll not only find all you want to know, you may even find someone who already has reservations they'd be willing to share with you!

The one statement that pretty well summed it all up was from a woman whose child (six, I think) said, "This has been the best day of my life!"

 

[Deb & Bill]

The regular pontoon boats cost about $125 for the boat, plus a nice tip for the captain. You must reserve these 90 days ahead of time, just like Cinderella's breakfast. Only you call WDW-PLAY instead of WDW-DINE. Fastest fingers win.

We have done it three times - just had one in January. We're headed back to WDW in June and our son asked if we could do it again.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Thanks!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We enjoyed our Illuminations Cruise last May. We'd do it again for sure...was definitely worth the money. I got most of my research from the Theme Parks board on the DIS.

 

[Mickmse2002]

We've done it twice. The enjoyment factor depends on who the driver/guide is. The first time was just fantastic, the guide was Mike Skibetta and he was great. The second time, although fun, was not the same. I can't remember the guys name but he calls himself the "Disney God" (that alone should have been our clue to abandon ship). He spent an hour regaling/quizzing us on Disney facts. When we told him we were DVCer's and have spent a lot of time at WDW including the Boardwalk he still went to great lenghts to impress us with his knowledge of the Boardwalk by pointing out that the ESPN Club was a sports bar/restaurant that had lots of televisions and that the Boardwalk area was modeled after a real life boardwalk. It came off as a very canned/rehearsed speech.

 

[zulaya]

Hey MNChill!

There are 2 kinds of fireworks cruises: Illuminations Cruises and Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruises.

Illuminations Cruises are harder to get because there are only 5 boats each night. You have to call 407-WDW-PLAY right at 7am right at 90 days, just like an above poster said.

Magic Kingdom Cruises, to see Wishes, are much easier to get. I think I read something that there are 18 boats that can be in Seven Seas Lagoon and that they hardly sell out of those.

I did get an Illuminations Cruise a couple years ago. Bryan and I were doing the whole fastest fingered thing and he got one. We shared with some other DISers. It was quite enjoyable to have a relaxing ride and not have to stake out a spot with the kids. I'd do it again if I had a special occasion, but not something I'd try for every trip.

 

[rocketriter]

You can also order a range of food options on the cruises, from a birthday package (cake and soft drinks) to a complete buffet.

 

[Psychodisney]

We did an illuminations cruise last spring. I'm glad we did but would I do it again???
We were dissappointed by where we had to park under the bridge. I think you actually get a better view from inside the park. Food etc. packages seem way over priced.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We did an illuminations cruise last spring. I'm glad we did but would I do it again???
We were dissappointed by where we had to park under the bridge. I think you actually get a better view from inside the park. Food etc. packages seem way over priced.

I agree with this. We did it once but won't do it again. In addition to the view being blocked because we were under the bridge, the night we had our cruise they were doing a test using one of the ferries as a "party boat" and had it anchored right in front of us. Even though much of the show was still visible, it was still very distracting to have such a large boat bobbing up and down in front of us.

 

[slk537]

DH surprised us with a Wishes cruise last December when we were staying at VWL - it was a cold night, but we bundled up in blankets, brought mugs of cocoa from Roaring Forks and had a wonderful time. We have another one booked for this May - also leaving from VWL, although we're staying at BCV - and I was quoted $140.00. We're doing dinner at Whispering Canyon and the cruise with DS3's best friend (also 3), his older sister (10) and their parents - DS has no clue that his bf is going to WDW that week (neither does his best friend!) and we can't wait to surprise him with a dinner and fireworks cruise with his favorite friend since birth.

It was expensive - especially when it was just DH, DS and me, but well worth it. The music is piped in to the larger boats and we heard it just fine. The view is magnificent, and you also get your own personal viewing of the Electric Lights Parade in the water, as well as a cruise around Seven Seas Lagoon.

We haven't done Illuminations yet, but can wholeheartedly recommend Wishes for the cruise.

 

[Tine731]

I have taken both fireworks cruises. We liked the illuminations the best and felt it was worth the $$$. My complaint about the wishes fireworks cruise is that it was hard to hear the music. I would not spend the $$$ for that one again.

 

[lulu71]

We did an illuminations cruise last spring. I'm glad we did but would I do it again???
We were dissappointed by where we had to park under the bridge. I think you actually get a better view from inside the park. Food etc. packages seem way over priced.

I agree. I enjoy the show much better on foot.

 

[zurgswife]

We do an illuminations cruise at least once every trip. But it definately because of the driver...we have our favorite and us him each and every boat ride...He has become a good friend...

This upcoming trip I was actually able to snag a boat for 3 different nights...but alas i decided to only use it once for our family and the 2 other nights friends and a DISer are using it....