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 then just press 1 for "Boat Rentals" 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.

You must start the conversation by saying "I'd like to book a Speciality Cruise for Illuminations (or Wishes) for the {add your date)",

If you miss out the speciality bit, the operator will waste time telling you that there is no such thing as an 'Illuminations (or Wishes) cruise' - they do need to know which speciality cruise you are referring to

They will then ask how many in your party - If you get this far then you have probably been successful (if it's fully booked up they will say so at this point)

For Iluminations - they will tell you to be at the Yacht Club marine for 8pm and the cruise will leave at 8.30pm usually. There is only one time for these cruises and they will advise you of it. You have to pay on the night, so the early arrival is to gather your party and do this. The cruise will set off and do a brief cruise towards Swan and Dolphin, then Hollywood Studios, before turning around and heading to Epcot for the fireworks at 9pm. From start to finish is around 45-50 mins.

(for Wishes, they ask you which resort you wish to set off from as you have 4 options)

You need a credit card to secure the booking, but you can pay in cash on the night.

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.