New Year's Eve Epcot Fireworks Cruise?

[WDWFantasmicFan]

We are heading out to WDW in December 2018 for Christmas and New Year. Planning to spend the 30th at MK and 31st at Epcot. Thinking about booking a fireworks cruise if possible for the 31st, but have a few questions;
1) Is a fireworks cruise worth it? Any reviews would be much appreciated!
2) How many days in advance do I need to book it? Is it 180 days??
3) How much does it cost? What is included in the cost?

Any help, advice and info would be much appreciated! TIA

 

[MickeyReeds]

We have book the Illuminations cruise for January 2 for our upcoming trip. I started trying to book it 180 days out, but they hadn't loaded them into the system yet because of it being a new year I guess. I just kept trying and finally was able to book it. However, I would assume the NYE cruises would be available at 180 days and that they would book up fast. Maybe 12/30 would be a good option--same fireworks at MK.

We did the Illuminations cruise in March 2017 and loved it! It was $372 plus tip for the captain. Our boat was decorated for my DH's birthday. There were blankets for us to wrap up in, since it was very chilly that evening. We left from the Yacht Club marina. Included were soft drinks and packaged snacks (chips, cookies etc.). Because we were celebrating my DH's birthday, I ordered a custom cake from the Yacht Club private dining, which was an additional cost. It was display nicely on the boat when we arrived. The captain took us around the EPCOT resorts and over by HS and then back to EPCOT where we tied up with the other boats under the bridge by the International Gateway. The view was fantastic and we enjoyed the entire experience. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

We have book the Illuminations cruise for January 2 for our upcoming trip. I started trying to book it 180 days out, but they hadn't loaded them into the system yet because of it being a new year I guess. I just kept trying and finally was able to book it. However, I would assume the NYE cruises would be available at 180 days and that they would book up fast. Maybe 12/30 would be a good option--same fireworks at MK.

We did the Illuminations cruise in March 2017 and loved it! It was $372 plus tip for the captain. Our boat was decorated for my DH's birthday. There were blankets for us to wrap up in, since it was very chilly that evening. We left from the Yacht Club marina. Included were soft drinks and packaged snacks (chips, cookies etc.). Because we were celebrating my DH's birthday, I ordered a custom cake from the Yacht Club private dining, which was an additional cost. It was display nicely on the boat when we arrived. The captain took us around the EPCOT resorts and over by HS and then back to EPCOT where we tied up with the other boats under the bridge by the International Gateway. The view was fantastic and we enjoyed the entire experience. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
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Thanks for all the info! I will definitely try to NYE, but as you say, it will book up quickly! We are planning to go to MK on the 30th anyway, and then Epcot on the 31st. Was thinking that if I can get a cruise for Epcot on the 31st, we would be able to avoid some of the crowds and not have to camp out our spot for the fireworks hours ahead of time!

There will be 8 of us, so $372 + tip doesn't sound too bad. Do you know if we'd need to park at Epcot, or could we park at Yacht Club if it leaves from the resort marina? Great that some snacks and drinks are included, that'd be perfect for NYE as we are planning to eat at the Rose and Crown at around 6pm for the first showing of IllumiNations (I know, another hard to get reservation I imagine!). Sounds like a great experience!

A couple of other questions if you don't mind;
- How long did the cruise last? You say the captain took you around the resorts and over by HS. How long before the fireworks did you board the boat?
- Do you feel it was worth the cost?
- Did you have to phone up to book, or could it be done through MDE?

Thanks again!

 

[heidijanesmith]

We did an Illuminations cruise a few years ago, it was great. We went on a Saturday night during Food & Wine festival, WS was packed, not New Years Eve packed, but packed! It was a great way to enjoy Illuminations, a special treat!

Illuminations was at 10PM, so we met our captain at 8:45 at the YC marina. The cruise it's self lasted about 45-50min, I think. We went around the lake and up to DS and then back to EPCOT and tied up with the other boats.
I thought it was way worth the cost for a treat, it was DD's 16bday. She felt very special and loved being on the boat.
I called and booked the tour.

I am not sure about parking at YC, we do not drive at WDW.

 

[MickeyReeds]

We were able to park at the Yacht club. We ate at Beaches and Cream and were at the marina by 7:45 for the 9:00 fireworks. You would not want your car parked at EPCOT because the park will close after Illuminations and you won't be able to get back into the park to then get to the parking lot. Maybe NYE is different though with the park closing time. We did think it was a fun splurge! You do have to call to book this. Be persistent--when I called a few of the cast members were not familiar with what I was trying to book. Several times they tried to book me on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks cruise or the Ferrytale cruise. From the website: To reserve a cruise, please call (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529. It is part of the recreation department I believe.

 

[baler31]

Just FYI, but in years past the 30th and 31st cruises have been subject to holiday pricing and it was much higher. They used to just do the increase on the 31st but they must be wise to my strategy of booking the cruises for the 30th and increased that as well. We enjoy the cruises for any of the shows and around $400 plus tip find the value acceptable.

 

[Kaytie]

You would not want your car parked at EPCOT because the park will close after Illuminations and you won't be able to get back into the park to then get to the parking lot.

Guests parking at Epcot should be able to get back to their cars, but it requires walking to DHS after disembarking, then taking a bus from there to Epcot. And DHS to have been open within the last hour.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Just FYI, but in years past the 30th and 31st cruises have been subject to holiday pricing and it was much higher. They used to just do the increase on the 31st but they must be wise to my strategy of booking the cruises for the 30th and increased that as well. We enjoy the cruises for any of the shows and around $400 plus tip find the value acceptable.

Any ideas how much more the holiday pricing is? There'll be 8 of us sharing the boat, so don't mind paying a bit extra.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Guests parking at Epcot should be able to get back to their cars, but it requires walking to DHS after disembarking, then taking a bus from there to Epcot. And DHS to have been open within the last hour.

So on NYE, could I park at DHS and walk back to there? Or possibly at DAK, and walk to HS and bus it over to AK? (Only saying AK because we can use the DAK back roads to get back to where we are staying, rather than using the very busy World Drive...

 

[baler31]

Any ideas how much more the holiday pricing is? There'll be 8 of us sharing the boat, so don't mind paying a bit extra.

I believe in 2015(last time I got a quote for the 30th)that it was around $675. Actual NYE was even higher. As with anything Disney this is subject to change. Also, we always park at the resort where the dock we are departing is from.

 

[tinkerpea]

Any ideas how much more the holiday pricing is? There'll be 8 of us sharing the boat, so don't mind paying a bit extra.

I've paid just under £1000 for the new years eve illuminations cruise this yr.
Mk one was about 350 cheaper

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

I've paid just under £1000 for the new years eve illuminations cruise this yr.
Mk one was about 350 cheaper

That is about how much I was expecting for NYE IllumiNations cruise tbh, but I think it'd be worth it... Do let me know what you think of it and if you think it is worth doing for the cost, as i'll be there with 7 others for NYE 2018!