IllumiNations Cruise

[GoochDSA]

I am interested in booking an IllumiNations cruise as a surprise for my bride-to-be on our Disneymoon in October. It has been really difficult to find much information on them. I know it runs about $300 or so, that we meet 30 minutes before IllumiNations begins over at the YC and that th boat will park under the bridge that connects France and UK.

This leaves me with a couple of questions:

1. Is there anything else included in the price?
2. Can I have a custom cake made for the cruise?
3. How are the waters? Are the waters like glass or is it on the rocky side?
4. Is the booking window 180 days? Less? More?
5. While I know it is completely subjective, is it worth it?

I'd be happy to hear any other thoughts, opinions and tips that anyone may have.

TIA!

 

[coachwnh]

We have done this twice and will be doing it again in July. It's a great experience. Snacks and drinks (water and soda) are included. You can add balloons and a banner for a little extra if you are celebrating. Food and alcohol can be added too from dining through the YC or BC. I gave pictures I'll post for you this afternoon. If you do book it, request Robert as your boat captain. We had him both times and he is a great CM to chat with on your cruise. You can tell he loved his job at WDW!! If you need any other info, just ask.
And no, the water is not choppy. Smooth sailing

 

[Master Yoda]

1. Just snacks consisting of chips, granola bars caned soda and bottled water.
2. I know you can have extra food added but I have never tried to add a custom cake. Food and beverage items are available through Yacht Club Private Dining at 407-934-3160. They will be able to tell you what you can and can't add.
3. It depends on the weather. If it is very, very windy it can get a little rough, but nine times out of ten it is as smooth as glass.
4. Booking is at 180 days out.
5. Yes.

 

[LuLaSue]

We did it in August! DH had the boat decorated with ballons and a banner (extra $25) and he had a custom cake brought on board. We were 10 people and it was certainly worth it.

If you are a DVC member (My brother is), show your card at time of payment. I think it was 20% off.

 

[coachwnh]

We did it in August! DH had the boat decorated with ballons and a banner (extra $25) and he had a custom cake brought on board. We were 10 people and it was certainly worth it.

If you are a DVC member (My brother is), show your card at time of payment. I think it was 20% off.

AP holders get discounts as well.

 

[GoochDSA]

We did it in August! DH had the boat decorated with ballons and a banner (extra $25) and he had a custom cake brought on board. We were 10 people and it was certainly worth it.

If you are a DVC member (My brother is), show your card at time of payment. I think it was 20% off.

Unfortunately, we are not DVC members. We want to be, someday, but we will worry about that after we buy a house.

Do you know how your DH went about doing the custom cake? Was something mentioned at the time the reservation was made? Who did he have to contact? Was the cake on the boat waiting for you or did he have to pick it up before hand?

I was thinking about doing a custom cake since she really wanted a Disney wedding cake, but decided not to (I left it up to her). So I thought I would get a small custom cake like the one she wanted. To surprise her with it on an IllumiNations cruise would score me HUGE points.

AP holders get discounts as well.

We are not AP holders, although we might be since my parents are starting to look into a family trip to WDW a few months later (depending on the length they decide they want to go will dictate if we go AP or not). Do you know if the cruises are considered a tour, where Disney Visa card holders get a discount along with AP holders and DVC members, or is it just the APs and DVC that get a discount?

 

[LuLaSue]

Unfortunately, we are not DVC members. We want to be, someday, but we will worry about that after we buy a house.

Do you know how your DH went about doing the custom cake? Was something mentioned at the time the reservation was made? Who did he have to contact? Was the cake on the boat waiting for you or did he have to pick it up before hand?

I was thinking about doing a custom cake since she really wanted a Disney wedding cake, but decided not to (I left it up to her). So I thought I would get a small custom cake like the one she wanted. To surprise her with it on an IllumiNations cruise would score me HUGE points.



We are not AP holders, although we might be since my parents are starting to look into a family trip to WDW a few months later (depending on the length they decide they want to go will dictate if we go AP or not). Do you know if the cruises are considered a tour, where Disney Visa card holders get a discount along with AP holders and DVC members, or is it just the APs and DVC that get a discount?

To be honest, we have a friend who at the time worked in the Yacht Club and she hooked DH up.
Check with Disney Visa they may offer 10% discount.

 

[Master Yoda]

Unfortunately, we are not DVC members. We want to be, someday, but we will worry about that after we buy a house.

Do you know how your DH went about doing the custom cake? Was something mentioned at the time the reservation was made? Who did he have to contact? Was the cake on the boat waiting for you or did he have to pick it up before hand?

I would start here. Food and beverage items are available through Yacht Club Private Dining at 407-934-3160.

 

[DisneyJoe]

that we meet 30 minutes before IllumiNations begins

That's usually when it departs, so you'll want to be there about 10 minutes before that.

Also, the last time I did one, I was to meet at the Yacht Club marina, and we got there about 15 minutes early - good thing we did, because they had our boat waiting over at the Boardwalk for us, not sure why. It did make a great surprise though, as I had asked for the boat to be decorated for her birthday (extra cost, not sure if you can still do it or not) and seeing the boat come across Crescent Lake with streamers and balloons was quite a sight and really surprised my wife.

 

[coachwnh]

This is the view from just past the bridge near France. The first time we did it, we were able to move closer. Not the second time (too windy).


Illuminations Fireworks Cruise by coachwnh, on Flickr

 

[coachwnh]

And this is from the YC marina before we left this past February (with birthday decorations). We did the cruise from here twice, (both times with the birthday decorations) and we werent charged either time.


Illuminations cruise by coachwnh, on Flickr

As far as checking in, they will tell you when you call to be there 30 minutes before, but arrive an hour before. You will cruise to HS first, then slowly make your way to your spot. We didnt know this the first time. When we did the Wishes cruise in December, the CM who took us out said they dont know why they tell people 30 minutes before when you call to make the reservation. In fact, at the Contemporary, our captain said if we get there around 8:30 for a 10 pm show, they are usually set to go. We arrived at the YC last month a little more than an hour before and we were off soon after that.

If its a cold night, there will be blankets for you as well!