When Walt Disney World reopens on July 11, 2020, private fireworks cruises will be suspended. Guests will need a reservation to enter a theme park and can only visit one per day. For more information on changes to Walt Disney World, please check out this post!
Everyone loves the nighttime fireworks at Walt Disney World. Seeing Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom or Epcot Forever (soon to be Harmonius) at Epcot is the perfect way to end a Disney day. But did you know there is a way to view the fireworks from a private boat? A fireworks cruise take fireworks viewing to a new level of luxury!
Fireworks cruises are the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or other celebration. Here is why we think a fireworks cruise is the perfect little bit of luxury to add to your Disney vacation!
How to Book A Fireworks Cruise
Disney actually refers to these cruises as “specialty cruises.” Cruises can be booked up to 180 days in advance by calling 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529). If you are staying in a Club Level room, the Concierge Staff will be happy to help book these cruises for you. Payment is made at the time of booking, and discounts such as Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club may be available.
Which Fireworks Do You Want to See?
You can choose between Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom, or Epcot Forever at Epcot. And one important thing to keep in mind is that the Epcot fireworks are typically shown at 9:00 pm nightly. The time for Happily Ever After varies according to the park hours at the Magic Kingdom. So if you have young children, you may want to stick with whichever show is earlier!
The Happily Ever After fireworks cruise allows guests to watch the show from the Seven Seas Lagoon, outside of the Magic Kingdom. The music is piped in to the boat. This means that you will miss the projections that are mapped onto Cinderella Castle. But the Epcot cruise actually sails under the International Gateway, giving guests an inside-the-park view of the show!
Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom
Which Boat Should You Choose?
All boats include a captain, and assorted snacks and soft drinks. Fireworks cruises begin an hour and 15 minutes prior to the scheduled fireworks. If you are celebrating something, a celebration banner and balloons can be requested at the time of booking for no additional charge!
If you have chosen an Illuminations cruise, the choice is simple – there is only one option! The 25-foot pontoon boat seats up to 10 guests, and starts at $349 plus tax. The boat leaves from the Marina at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort.
Pontoon boat at Epcot. Photo Courtesy of Disney
If you want to see Happily Ever After, there are multiple choices. Boats leave from the marinas at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground.
Guests can choose from a 21-foot pontoon boat that seats up to eight people (starting at $299 plus tax), the 25-foot pontoon boat that seats up to 10 people (starting at $349 plus tax), or if you really want to go all out, the Grand 1 Yacht that seats up to 18 guests (starting at $399 per hour plus tax). Please note – the Grand 1 Yacht is an hourly rate as opposed to the pontoon boats which are a set rate for each fireworks cruise.
The Grand 1 Yacht. Photo Courtesy of Disney
The pontoon boats at the Marina at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Add Private Dining to Your Fireworks Cruise
Are champagne and caviar more to your taste than the chips and soda? Private Dining to the rescue! You can order from Private Dining at the following resorts:
- Yacht and Beach Club (407-934-3105)
- Grand Floridian (407-824-2473)
- Polynesian Village (407-824-2165)
- Contemporary Resort (407-824-2955)
Something to keep in mind when ordering Private Dining for your fireworks cruise – the pontoon boats do not have full dining tables, only small cocktail tables. So resist the urge to order the four-course meal! The meal will be delivered to the Marina for you.
Who Should Not Book A Fireworks Cruise?
If you have never seen Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom, I do recommend seeing it in the park for your first time. It is a different experience in the park, with in-park projections and effects. So for your first time, see it in person!
But every time after that, we think a fireworks cruise is the way to go. Have you done a fireworks cruise? If not, is it something you would consider? Let us know in the comments!
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We are your Disney Park Princesses – Sara, Sharla & Heather! (From left to right) We are three friends who work together, travel together, and love to treat ourselves. We believe that everyone should get to feel like royalty on their Disney vacation. 