Photo Friday: Wishes from the water

 

Time again for another Photo Friday!

This week, I wanted to share a photo from one of the most incredible Disney experiences I've ever had -- an evening aboard the Grand 1 while watching Wishes from the Seven Seas Lagoon.

While it's expensive (really expensive), it's an incredible sight.  Wishes takes on an entirely difference scope when seen from the water.

If you can do it -- I highly recommend it!

Tip Tuesday: The Grand 1

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

Ever heard of the phrase, "a picture is worth a thousand words?" That's how this week's Tip Tuesday is going to work.

Why? Well, this week, we're going to take a trip aboard the Grand 1!

For those of you who don't know about the Grand 1, allow me to do a bit of explaining.

The Grand 1 is a boat... no, that doesn't do it justice. The Grand 1 is a 52-foot Sea Ray yacht based at the Grand Floridian Marina. When it comes to heading out onto the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake in style, the Grand 1 is as posh as it gets.

The yacht costs about $1.5 million, can accomodate up to 18 passengers and has three staterooms. The main cabin has satellite TV, special sound systems and all the comforts of home. The bridge features some of the latest marine technology. For an extra price, you can arrange for all sorts of dining options from dinner to dessert. Oh, and the Grand 1 can be a great alternative for an intimate wedding (it's been done before). It's also a very romantic place to pop the big question.

In short, this is an incredible way to travel on the water - and it comes at a pretty price. Feel like cruising aboard the Grand 1? Better get out your wallet, because the Grand 1 costs about $550 per hour (as of this post)! That sounds like a lot, but to be honest, it's not that much if you happen to spread the cost over ten guests.

The ultimate Grand 1 experience has to be watching Wishes from the Seven Seas Lagoon. That's just what my family and I did during the Biggest Disney Fan trip in March. We spent about an hour and a half on the yacht and had the chance to watch not only wishes, but also the Electrical Water Pageant from up close!

But back to Wishes... the view is spectacular from the bridge or the stern. Seeing the show from this vantage point is a photographer's dream! Check out some of the shots I was able to take.

To be honest, the photos don't do the show justice. Oh, and remember that great sound system? They also pipe in the music and it's perfectly timed to the fireworks -- what a show!!

If you're interested in booking the Grand 1, call 1-800-WDW-PLAY. Excursions can book up quickly, especially at night, so be sure to call well in advance of your trip.

The next time you're at Walt Disney World and are thinking about splurging on a bit of Disney luxury -- give the Grand 1 a try! It's an awesome experience.

Tip Tuesday: Wishes/Illuminations without a park ticket

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!

There's no better finish to a day at Walt Disney World than watching a nighttime spectacular. Sometimes, however, you might not want to use up a park ticket (or deal with the hustle and bustle inside the park) just to watch Wishes at the Magic Kingdom or Illuminations at Epcot.

The good news is you don't have to be in the park to enjoy these wonderful nighttime shows. With a little bit of planning (here I go again talking about planning), you can enjoy Wishes or Illuminations for as little as nothing.

That's right, nothing! I know nothing's really free at Walt Disney World, but this may be as free as things can get.

And there are some exclusive opportunities to enjoy these shows that do come at a cost, but offer very unique experiences that you will cherish for a long time.

So let's take a look at some of these alternatives, starting with the "free" options.

Wishes/Magic Kingdom Parties (Halloween/Christmas)

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom may be one of the best fireworks shows you'll see at Walt Disney World (and beyond). If you happen to be down during one of the party nights (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party), the fireworks shows are even more amazing. However, you don't have to be inside the park to see them.

I've enjoyed watching both Wishes and the Christmas Party fireworks from the docks at the Grand Floridian Resort. There was no cost whatsoever and Disney event pipes in the music outside of Narcoosee's. You also can get great views from the beaches at the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian Resort. In fact, the Poly offers a dead-on view of Wishes at a similar angle as you would see if you were on Main Street. Continuing around the Seven Seas Lagoon, the parking lot at the Contemporary Resort offers some stunning views, and if you can get to the observatory at the top of the tower, you can watch Wishes from one of the best vantage points of all. Here, too, Disney pipes in the music.

DVC members staying at the new Bay Lake Tower can watch Wishes from the new Top of the World club. Unfortunately, this is available only to DVC members staying at Bay Lake Tower.

You don't have to be a resort guest to enjoy many of these views, either. Just make your way to any of the Magic Kingdom area resorts and you'll get a wonderful view of Wishes. After the show, be sure to stay and take in the Electrical Water Pageant - a fixture at Walt Disney World since the park opened in 1971.

Now for some viewing options that do require some costs. One of the best and serene ways to watch Wishes is to be out on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Disney has several different options for renting boats and offers special cruises, including the granddaddy of them all, the Grand 1. If you're interesting in booking the Grand 1, which can cost up to $500 a night, call 407-WDW-PLAY.

Illuminations

The secret to watching Illuminations: Reflections of Earth for no cost is location, location, location. Disney's Boardwalk offers some wonderful views towards the World Showcase Lagoon. The downside with watching Illuminations outside Epcot is that you can't see any of the low-level effect (the globe, the water displays, the fire barge, etc.). This being said, you can still see (and hear) quite a good show. I have stayed at the Dolphin and watched Illuminations from the Boardwalk. Similarly, I have stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort and watched Illuminations from the Port Royal docks. In both cases, I could pick out the music (it wasn't piped in, but you could hear it in the distance).

Now if you'd like a more exclusive experience, you can book an Illuminations cruise or even Breathless II. These are boats that leave from the Yacht Club and park in the World Showcase lagoon during Illuminations. Like the Grand 1, these can get expensive. For rates and available times, call 407-WDW-PLAY.

If you really want to experience these nightitme spectaculars to their fullest extent, it's best to be in the park. However, if you're looking for a more relaxing, intimate or romantic option, than consider finding a quiet stretch of beach or a cruise. Have fun!