Illuminations Cruises

millermouse · 01-24-2007

I was wondering if anyone has ever done the Illumination Cruises???

Are they worth it?

And did you do the Breathless or the Pontoon Boat????

Here's the link on Allears IllumiNations Cruises

It sounds really neat!

**ddoll** · 01-24-2007

I did do the cruise, but it was with a group and it was before they raised the price to the outer stratosphere.

It really is a wonderful treat. They drive you around the bay for a while and then park you under the bridge between France and UK to watch the show. All the other boats park alongside you. We were in a pontoon boat, but the Breathless was parked right there next to us.

millermouse · 01-25-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddoll

I did do the cruise, but it was with a group and it was before they raised the price to the outer stratosphere.

It really is a wonderful treat. They drive you around the bay for a while and then park you under the bridge between France and UK to watch the show. All the other boats park alongside you. We were in a pontoon boat, but the Breathless was parked right there next to us.

Did you like the pontoon boat?

And is the price on allears per person or as a group??? I think it's like $235 plus tax for the pontoon...That would be a lot if it were per guest

Glad to know you had fun

john+colwdwlvrs · 01-25-2007

Never tried it really want to someday though. Last time we watched Illuminations we were between France and UK and the boats pulled up right by us to watch.

whitba · 01-25-2007

We've done both Illuminations and Wishes. The price is for the boat so sharing with another family can help with the cost. Totally enjoyed both & would love to do Wishes again. They include snacks and pop now, they didn't when we did the first cruise so we brought our own snacks on the second, oh well!

We're going with 4 other families so I'm trying to entice them but they're relative WDW newbies so there will be so much to do and so little time...

Boss Mouse · 01-25-2007

We didn't like the Wishes cruise. I would like to try the Illum version. Esp on a crowded night, it would be very convenient

Soundgod · 01-25-2007

We've done two Illuminations cruises and one Fantasy in the Sky cruise. All were part of the old Grand Plan package. For Illuminations, there was a Grand Plan boat, all guests on board we not connected in any other way. Fantasy in the Sky was the same, except we had the boat to ourselves, it was shortly after the 9/11 attacks and attendance was way off. I believe you can have up to 12 in your party and if you have 12 people sharing the cost, it isn't too bad a price at all.
And you don't have to fight for a good vieing spot. The only downside for Illuminations is the boats can go no farther than the bridge between England and France.

Boss Mouse, why didn't you like the Wishes cruise? Did you not pay extra for the boat with a soundtrack?

**DisneyTeacher** · 01-25-2007

We've taken 4 IllumiNations cruises and they were wonderful and well worth the money but we did all of them before the price went up. I'm not sure I'd do it again at the current price but you get a great front row seat and a nice tour around the lake before the show.

**MissDisney** · 02-16-2007

I have always wanted to try this... maybe when we are massively wealthy!

bali · 02-16-2007

I hired a Pontoon Boat for an Illum. Cruise on my mom's birthday. It was worth every penny. Fabulous experience. I recommend it highly!!

**ddoll** · 02-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by millermouse

Did you like the pontoon boat?

And is the price on allears per person or as a group??? I think it's like $235 plus tax for the pontoon...That would be a lot if it were per guest

The price is total, not including tip. It used to be like $150, but they raised it and included soda and popcorn (which of course, is worth at least $100

).

The pontoon boat was great. Very roomy and comfortable.
The best way to do it is to get other people to share the cost with you. I would definitely do it for Newbies. What a great way to view Illuminations!

nitaworm · 09-26-2007

I planned this for my son's birthday as he was willing to forgo his birthday party and XBOX360 for a trip to Disney -- go figure. I got the birthday package as they decorate it for his birthday. Since it will be 6 of us already and my son's birthday we splurged on this, because we didn't want any other people there. Also this is our first time doing this so hopefully he won't be disappointed. I wonder if I could bring cupcakes aboard with candle's to sing Happy Birthday to him? Any tips would be appreciated.

Soundgod · 09-27-2007

We did a cruise last night and one of the boats was decked out with balloons and party streamers for someone's birthday. Not sure why, but all boats were encouraged to sing Happy Birthday. Beyond that, I'd give 407-WDW-PLAY a call with your questions. Also, there is a very limited number of boats available for Illuminations cruises, and you can't book before 90 days out and you need to call first thing that morning, and it would also help if you were a concierge guest at Yacht, Beach, or Boardwalk to increase your chances of success.

nitaworm · 09-28-2007

I got lucky and got one on my first call for Nov. 16th. The lady I spoke to said I should play the lotto that day because that hardly ever happens! What time do you have to be there? How long is the cruise?

keljen · 09-28-2007

This sounds great but we'll have to think about it as it is a bit costly

01-24-2007	#1 (permalink)
millermouse Big Cheese Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 666	Illuminations Cruises I was wondering if anyone has ever done the Illumination Cruises??? Are they worth it? And did you do the Breathless or the Pontoon Boat???? Here's the link on Allears IllumiNations Cruises It sounds really neat! __________________ I WANT TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!! www.myspace.com/elyriaohrealestate My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Walt Disney World Vacation I'm in Disney!!!!!

01-24-2007	#2 (permalink)
ddoll Singing In My Head Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: RI Posts: 5,257	Re: Illuminations Cruises I did do the cruise, but it was with a group and it was before they raised the price to the outer stratosphere. It really is a wonderful treat. They drive you around the bay for a while and then park you under the bridge between France and UK to watch the show. All the other boats park alongside you. We were in a pontoon boat, but the Breathless was parked right there next to us. __________________ Moderator of DVC, Disney Company • 3/96 Offsite • 9/98 Villa • 10/98 Dixie Landings • 8/00 Villa • 6/01 Disneyland, CA • 5/02 Villa • 6/03 Villa • 11/03 Wilderness Lodge • 8/04 PopCentury, Swan & Royal Pacific • 12/04 Swan • 8/05 Swan & Hard Rock Hotel • 11/05 Swan • 1/06 Swan • 9/06 Disneyland, CA• 12/06 Swan & HRH • 1/07 Swan • 10/07 Hard Rock Hotel • 12/07 Hard Rock & Swan • 1/08 Boardwalk• 10/08 Villa• 1/09 Swan • 8/09 Condo • 1/10 Swan & PBR My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Viva Las Vegas! 18 days 10 hours 25 minutes

01-25-2007	#4 (permalink)
john+colwdwlvrs Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Motor City Posts: 119	Re: Illuminations Cruises Never tried it really want to someday though. Last time we watched Illuminations we were between France and UK and the boats pulled up right by us to watch. __________________ 1975-1995 22 trips all off site May 2000 - CB May 2005 - POR May 2006 - POFQ May 2007 - POR May 2008 - Caribbean Beach "Now is the time, Now is the best time, Now is the best time of your life" "He called Peter Pan Absolute Poppycock" "You are not Mickey Mouse you are a Rat!!!" Go Tigers 2007!!!!!

01-25-2007	#5 (permalink)
whitba Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 395	Re: Illuminations Cruises We've done both Illuminations and Wishes. The price is for the boat so sharing with another family can help with the cost. Totally enjoyed both & would love to do Wishes again. They include snacks and pop now, they didn't when we did the first cruise so we brought our own snacks on the second, oh well! We're going with 4 other families so I'm trying to entice them but they're relative WDW newbies so there will be so much to do and so little time... __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2009 - Just Say NO! Must Save Money! ..... we tried We really did POR - August 2008 - POR 2007 POR & GF, 2007 Easter - Off property 2006 POR, 2005 WL, 2004 CSR (It’s true! Once you go Disney You Never Go Back!”) 2003 Holiday Inn Sun Spree, 2000 Holiday Inn Family Suites, 1994 Way off property My Disney Countdown Counting down to: WDW Grand Gathering at POR Again! Isn't it Time for that Trip Report !

01-25-2007	#6 (permalink)
Boss Mouse Gearing Up Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coolsville Posts: 4,339	Re: Illuminations Cruises We didn't like the Wishes cruise. I would like to try the Illum version. Esp on a crowded night, it would be very convenient __________________ 1979 - Wilderness Campground 1980 - Off site - I don't remember where. It was the 80's. 1999 - AllStar 2001 - Beach Club 2004 - Saratoga Springs 2005 - Beach Club 2006 - Saratoga Springs 2007 - Boardwalk 2008 - OKW 2009 - A Tree House! ___________________________________________ The Jungle VIP. "We did not inherit the world from our ancestors; We are borrowing it from our children." My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Monkeying around in a tree house Swinging w/the king

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > Other WDW areas
Illuminations Cruises

01-25-2007	#7 (permalink)
Soundgod Squirrel! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Laughing on the Laughing Floor Posts: 8,789	Re: Illuminations Cruises We've done two Illuminations cruises and one Fantasy in the Sky cruise. All were part of the old Grand Plan package. For Illuminations, there was a Grand Plan boat, all guests on board we not connected in any other way. Fantasy in the Sky was the same, except we had the boat to ourselves, it was shortly after the 9/11 attacks and attendance was way off. I believe you can have up to 12 in your party and if you have 12 people sharing the cost, it isn't too bad a price at all. And you don't have to fight for a good vieing spot. The only downside for Illuminations is the boats can go no farther than the bridge between England and France. Boss Mouse, why didn't you like the Wishes cruise? Did you not pay extra for the boat with a soundtrack? __________________ Do you live to eat or do you eat to live? My Disney Countdown Counting down to: WDW? Nope. Home

01-25-2007	#8 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,305	Re: Illuminations Cruises We've taken 4 IllumiNations cruises and they were wonderful and well worth the money but we did all of them before the price went up. I'm not sure I'd do it again at the current price but you get a great front row seat and a nice tour around the lake before the show. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 242 days 8 hours 25 minutes

02-16-2007	#9 (permalink)
MissDisney Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 8,552	Re: Illuminations Cruises I have always wanted to try this... maybe when we are massively wealthy! __________________ Disneyland Moderator Disneyland Hotel 1987; Dixie Landings 1993; Dixie Landings 1997; Caribbean Beach 1998; Boardwalk Villas 1999; Vistana Resort 2001; Dixie Landings 2002; Vistana Resort 2002; Marriott Royal Palm Villas 2004; Vistana Resort 2006; Marriott Cypress Harbour 2007; Boardwalk Villas 2008; AKV Kidani 2009; Saratoga Springs 2009

02-16-2007	#10 (permalink)
bali Dreamfinder Society Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,387	Re: Illuminations Cruises I hired a Pontoon Boat for an Illum. Cruise on my mom's birthday. It was worth every penny. Fabulous experience. I recommend it highly!! __________________ May 02 offsite * May 03 AKL * Oct 03 CSR * May 04 POR * Oct 04 CSR * May 05 BCV * Oct 05 SSR * Dec 05 BWI * Jan 06 WL * May 06 AKL * Sep 06 PC/BCV * Dec 06 WL * Jan 07 CSR * Apr 07 BCV * Jun 07 BW * Oct 07 BWV * Nov 07 WL * May 08 CSR *

09-26-2007	#12 (permalink)
nitaworm Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 404	Re: Illuminations Cruises I planned this for my son's birthday as he was willing to forgo his birthday party and XBOX360 for a trip to Disney -- go figure. I got the birthday package as they decorate it for his birthday. Since it will be 6 of us already and my son's birthday we splurged on this, because we didn't want any other people there. Also this is our first time doing this so hopefully he won't be disappointed. I wonder if I could bring cupcakes aboard with candle's to sing Happy Birthday to him? Any tips would be appreciated.

09-27-2007	#13 (permalink)
Soundgod Squirrel! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Laughing on the Laughing Floor Posts: 8,789	Re: Illuminations Cruises We did a cruise last night and one of the boats was decked out with balloons and party streamers for someone's birthday. Not sure why, but all boats were encouraged to sing Happy Birthday. Beyond that, I'd give 407-WDW-PLAY a call with your questions. Also, there is a very limited number of boats available for Illuminations cruises, and you can't book before 90 days out and you need to call first thing that morning, and it would also help if you were a concierge guest at Yacht, Beach, or Boardwalk to increase your chances of success. __________________ Do you live to eat or do you eat to live? My Disney Countdown Counting down to: WDW? Nope. Home

09-28-2007	#14 (permalink)
nitaworm Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 404	Re: Illuminations Cruises I got lucky and got one on my first call for Nov. 16th. The lady I spoke to said I should play the lotto that day because that hardly ever happens! What time do you have to be there? How long is the cruise?

09-28-2007	#15 (permalink)
keljen Mouse Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Too far from Disney Posts: 1,221	Re: Illuminations Cruises This sounds great but we'll have to think about it as it is a bit costly __________________ Walt Disney World - Always on my mind My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Cruise on new NCL ship 349 days 2 hours 25 minutes

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