Subsonic Radio

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone has ever done the boat charter to see the Illuminations show at Epcot? This is the one that costs $120. for an 8-seat pontoon boat that takes you out into the lagoon to view the show..I was thinking of doing it as a surprise for my family on our next trip, but somehow remember hearing somewhere that you are almost too close to everything and that the smoke may be an issue--any thoughts/experiences??? Thanks!

I didn't know they were even doing that. I'd think that safety would be an issue what with the fireworks and such.

There's no info on that boat charter on the official WDW website. Try calling down there and asking a castmember. Best way to find out anything about it...

Too much money for me otherwise I would have done it.

All I can say is good luck trying to book it. I tried a couple years ago and couldn't book it. I was trying for the smaller boat for 2. I called 6 months to the day and it was sold out in like 15 minutes. I think the family style pontoon boats go last so you might have a shot. Call Disney to find out what day is the first day you can book the reservation, then call first thing in the morning, on that day. Hehe..its like trying to get concert tickets...

Good luck


Rich

Thanks for your input. I've been researching it, and they are actually private charters, but you can book via the WDW-TOUR number. I've heard just what was mentioned about the luck of getting booked. Most replies I've gotten from the Allears site say it's hit or miss, depending on the time of year, and to be on the phone at 6:58 exactly 90 days prior. Apparently, the boats sit by the bridge at International gateway, near France. I've only heard one negative about the charter regarding being down wind from the smoke-I guess that's luck of the draw, too! I agree, $140. a tad steep for the budget conscious

i would think safety would be a prob but o well, that would be cool, except for the smoke... but 140$???????????????!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!WAY TOO STEEP just for a quick boat ride on the lagoon???not worth it to me, just get to a good spot early and you can see it even better and make a quick getaway for the monorail as soon as the end is coming up!!!! plus, it is FREE to watch from the shore!hint hint cough FREE cough!

We LOVED this when we went in January, 2004, and will try to book again for our upcoming trip. It is difficult to get a ressie, though. We split the cost with another two families, so we had a total of nine people and the cost was approx. $18 pp including a tip for the captain. It is just as safe as any pontoon boat can be, but the captain really gave us a wonderful tour with tons of great information. The cost is rather high, but it really was one of the highlights of our trip!

mousefansmom

Welcome mousefansmom! I have only heard one negative about the boat charter regarding smoke. No one else seems to have experienced that. I guess the price is a bit high, but sounds like a pretty neat experience to me, too. We'll be travelling with a group of 7, and will likely split the cost between us to make it a little easier. Apparently, there are no real safety issues because the boats sit near the bridge by the international gateway--not terribly close to the action. How was your view of the show? Just curious...

I have heard nothing but positive experiences regarding this - we've never done it but we are doing a similar cruise over at the Magic Kingdom to watch Wishes on our upcoming trip in June. We were amazed we got the booking - steep in cost, but isn't everything at Disney?!

Of course! I've heard that's a really great boat charter, too. Lucky you!! Someone told me that you get a great cruise around 7 Seas lagoon before-hand-a sort of mini-tour, I guess you could say--pretty cool! It was really a toss up between doing that one or the Illuminations cruise for me. Since Illum. is my favorite show I decided to go with it. Now the biggest challenge will be getting the reservation. I'll be on hold at 6:58 90 days prior! I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed...I'd be curious to hear about your experience with the Wishes cruise when you return.

Well if Illuminations is your favorite show, I think you should go with it and try getting reservations. Because AKLRULZ (does that stand for Animal Kingdom Lodge? Because if so, that's my FAVORITE resort!!!) is right, everything at Disney World is expensive, so just take a chance, sit back, and enjoy the beautiful fireworks at the happiest place on earth. Good luck getting the reservations! =)

Siriuslydead - AKLRULZ does stand for Animal Kingdom Lodge rules! It's my fav resort of all time too! We've stayed at most of the Disney resorts and I can't imagine any place better, but we're trying the Beach Club for the first time this summer.

mickster68 you've got my best wishes on nailing down an Illuminations Cruise! It's a great show and a super cruise I hear - I'll let everyone know how the Wishes cruise is for us in June - we're actually going with another family who will be down there at the same time as us - can't wait! We are scheduled to launch at 9 pm from the Wilderness Lodge - one full hour prior to the Wishes show at the MK that night - should be great!

I <3 the Animal Kingdom Lodge! In November 2002, we were supposed to stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort, but they were renovating the part we were supposed to stay in, so they moved us over to Animal Kingdom Lodge, which was brand new then, for the same price as Caribbean Beach. And for the inconvience of moving us (which was not an inconvenience AT ALL), they gave us a PERFECT view of the savanna. It was amazing. I will never forget the times I had there. Here's a picture I took from our balcony facing the main part of the lodge at about 7:00 in the morning before we left for the parks. =)

Nice shot! Makes me want to be there now! 8)

Yeah, me too. I miss it sooo much =( When we went last time in November 2004, we stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort, and we got there around 2pm. We didn't want to hit the parks right away, because we had to wait for the people in our room to get out and we wanted to un-pack and stuff, so after we did all of that, me and my best friend Heather took the transportation bus to Magic Kingdom, and then switched to an Animal Kingdom Lodge bus and went there. I brought my video camera and we were crying because we were seeing everything we remembered from Zawadi Marketplace to the pool to The Mara to the lobby. Ahhh I want to go back!