Booking the Illuminations Cruise is a fantastic way to view EPCOT's spectacular nightly fireworks and Laser show: Reflections of Earth

So what are these Illumination Cruises?
Disney call these 'Specialty Cruises' They are where you hire your own private boat with it's own pilot. You will be taken for a cruise along the waterways leading right into EPCOT. The boat will stop right on the edge of the World Showcase Lagoon where you will be in the prime viewing spot for Reflections of Earth.

When you rent a boat then it belongs to your party for the duration of the show, this means apart from the pilot everyone onboard is who you have invited.

What type of boats are available?
There are two types:

1. Breathless, a 6-7 person motor launch. This is a 24 foot ChrisCraft reproduction of a 1930's runabout that can reach speeds of upto 50mph. It has bench seats and is open top.


2. Pontoon Boat, these are more roomy, have a canopy and take a maximum of 12 (10 Adults)


How do you book an Illuminations Cruise?
You need to call (001) 407-939-7529 exactly 90 days before the date you want to reserve.

Since these cruises are extremely popular, start calling about 6:55 orlando time, 11:55am GMT .

If you get a recording that they are not open yet, disconnect and immediately hit redial.

If you get the recording thanking you for calling, hit #3 right away,

As soon as the second recording begins press #2,

When the third recording begins press either your reservation number or phone number and finish with the pound sign.

Then press #1, then #2. This will take you to a reservationist, if you have to hold do not disconnect or you go to the bottom of the queue.

When the reservationist answers do not make small talk, immediately tell him/her that you want to reserve the 8PM specialty cruise for such and such date.Do not ask to reserve an Illuminations cruise or you will waste time hearing that there is no such thing. After you get your reservation you can talk all you want, but these cruises are very difficult to reserve and seconds count when thousands of people are competing for only 5 boats.

When the reservationist indicates that you have obtained the reservation, tell him/her that you want to see Illuminations. He/she will then make arrangements for your cruise to depart the marina about 1/2 hour before Illuminations begins.

You will be told that they cannot guarantee that you will see Illuminations. They tell you this because, if Illuminations is delayed for any reason, your boat will still return to the marina at the end of your hour. So far, there have been no known instances where Illuminations was not seen.

If you have flexibility in your WDW itinerary, it is best to try to reserve a cruise for the first night you have available. That way, if you don't get the reservation, you can try the next day and the next, if necessary.

If you are unable to secure a reservation for an Illuminations cruise, do not give up. Cancellations happen every day. Keep calling and trying for that reservation, even when you are in WDW. I was told by a captain of one of these cruises that his boat has often sat idle because someone cancelled. You can snag a cancellation.