Since we didn’t want to get park tickets for our arrival day, we splurged on tickets to the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage. This unforgettable moonlit cruise of the 7 Seas Lagoon sets sail from the Contemporary Resort. We arrived early and dined at the Contempo Cafe, where the littles adored watching the monorails roll through, before checking in for the voyage.
The festivities kicked off at 8:45 and we checked in around 8:15. The littles immediately donned their pirate bandannas and posed for a photo with the pirate skeleton.
There were also coloring pages and a little game sheet to occupy the time.
Finally it was time for Patch and his “twin brother” Patch to escort us into the room for a hearty welcome of seafaring snacks and beverages, including cake, frozen treats, bags of popcorn, pretzels and cotton candy, chocolate doubloons, lemonade and tea.
Patch told the PCP to look for the freezer, to knock three times and then to open it for the biggest treat of all. We immediately sought it out and when the PCP opened it to find self serve MIckey bars, Mickey ice cream sandwiches and popsicles and exclaimed “noooooo waaaaaaaaay! It’s the best day of my liiiiiiiiife!!!!”
We’d not had the pleasure of meeting Hook or Smee on previous jaunts to Disney so this was quite a treat! They took time to joke around, sign books and pose for pictures with everyone in attendance.
(I obvi thought this was some sort of glamour shot based on that pose. Note to self: check ruffle on that dress before future photos.)
Patch and Patch called all sailors to board their boats. We were assigned to the Smee boat when we checked in and were absolutely giddy when our Patch called John up (this was predetermined and was a surprise to us) to bear the flag and escort our crew to sea!
Our Patch was hysterical and John and Whit were thrilled to walk with him to the dock.
As we settled into our seats and set sail, Captain Hook and bumbling Mr. Smee were on hand for the send off.
The rollicking voyage was filled with spirited sing-alongs, tall tales and Disney trivia games. Patch had just the right balance of keeping the adults in stitches and the littles entertained.
We stopped right in the middle of the lagoon for an up-close viewing of the Electrical Water Pagent! This twinkling nighttime tradition was one of my favorite Disney memories from our visits as a child. Of course, we’d never seen it from this perspective!
And after a leisurely and enjoyable cruise, we anchored on the water right in front of the Magical Kingdom. It was breathtaking and relaxing from this vantage point – no crowds or tired feet. Just twinkling lights, glittering water and the castle changing colors in the background.
And finally it was time for the main event! The Wishes Nighttime Spectacular! They piped the music into the boat for the kind of splendidly magical experience that Disney does so well.
As we cruised back, Patch began telling the story of Peter Pan. And much to our surprise and delight, he jumped straight up onto the dock as our boat was pulling in!
If you go:
- Parking is free at the Contemporary with a reservation for the cruise.
- Seats were already assigned when we arrived so arriving early didn’t necessarily get us anything. That being said, we did chat for a good long while with the cast member at the door and I’m pretty sure he’s the one that secured John’s flag carrying role.
- Odd numbered row assignments are front row for the fireworks. We lucked out with an odd numbered row and I have no idea if there is any way to request one but you might try.
- Don’t fret if you don’t win a prize in Pirate trivia. As you disembark the boat they will give you a little trinket if you wish. John got a sword and Whit got a pirate rubbery ducky.
- Have your snacks first and then get in line for pictures with Hook and Smee. There is plenty of time and everyone gets their picture made. The line was long at the beginning.
- There isn’t much to snack on outside of sugar. Be warned :-)
- There are no bathrooms on the boat so make sure to go when they announce last call for potty breaks.
- This makes for a very late night so you might consider planning it for a day when you don’t have to be up early the next morning. Is there such a thing in Disney?!?
This was one of those nights we won’t soon forget!!
xoxo
Might have been a late night but it looks like it was more than worth it!!!
Sounds super fun! Thanks for all the tips. Definitely helpful.
What an awesome adventure! Can't wait to see more!
just did a post on our trip to the disney hilton head resort that i thought you might enjoy…
http://www.thechickhouse.blogspot.com
Looks like lots of fun! Amanda, I've been a reader of your wonderful blog for about a year now, and am a bit embarrassed to ask, but when talking about your son John, what does the PCP stand for? Thank you for sharing your trip with us!
That looked like so much fun! Can't wait to see the posts from the rest of the trip! And don't be so hard on yourself in that picture. You looked precious as you always do in the pictures you post. I'm so glad you remember to take pictures with you and your boys. I take a ton with mine but until I started reading your blog I never remembered to take pics with me in them too. Now, because of you, I do! Thanks for that! And thanks for sharing your trip with us all!
Sounds like lots of fun! And the pictures are great! =)
Excellent review (not that I expected anything less from Dixie Delights) and now I have added this event to my Disney bucket list! I have seen others review this magical outside-the-parks extra but they didn't do it justice! Keep the magic coming!!! I love when your blog turns totally Disney, but I love it in general sooooo….
PCP = Precious Cutie Pie… one of those things that just stuck :-)
SO…between this and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, which would you pick. This seems pricy for the amount of time, but also seems like a pretty awesome opportunity! My boys will be 3.5 and 6 when we go in October. Decisions, decisions.
If you're only doing one, do MNSSHP. You'll get more bang for your buck. With that said, our family (esp my 16 year old daughter) LOVES the Fireworks Cruise. It is one of her favorite "extras." We've done it twice and will do it again on our next trip.
(I do want to add that the Contemporary provides blankets to passengers if it gets cold out. We did this once in December and it was quite chilly. I was worried about the cold until the cast members came out with warm blankets for everyone.)