Tiana's Riverboat Party Ice Cream Social and Parade Viewing Starts Nov. 29th

[tink too]

I would love to try this if there were a couple more characters and the focus was not made out to be "parade viewing".

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm in the minority, but I don't find the parade viewing that horrible. It's obviously not on the curb, in their faces kind of spot, but I really don't have a need to be that close. I do think that they should train the parade characters to acknowledge the people on the boat by looking and waving, that would go a long way in making those on the boat feel they are part of the experience and not just watching it from the fringes.

I love the overall theme and, although I understand concerns with closing an attraction for a few hours, I think it's a good use of a very under utilized attraction. I do agree that having them sign autographs would be better than handing out a card. I'm sure it's being done as a time savings thing and to ensure everybody gets an autograph, but it would be great to find a way to make getting an actual autograph work.

We are not a big princess loving family, but I would still consider this event. Snacks while riding the boat, with the parade in the background and some characters to meet sounds great to me.

 

[Boski]

I'm in the minority, but I don't find the parade viewing that horrible. It's obviously not on the curb, in their faces kind of spot, but I really don't have a need to be that close. I do think that they should train the parade characters to acknowledge the people on the boat by looking and waving, that would go a long way in making those on the boat feel they are part of the experience and not just watching it from the fringes.

I love the overall theme and, although I understand concerns with closing an attraction for a few hours, I think it's a good use of a very under utilized attraction. I do agree that having them sign autographs would be better than handing out a card. I'm sure it's being done as a time savings thing and to ensure everybody gets an autograph, but it would be great to find a way to make getting an actual autograph work.

We are not a big princess loving family, but I would still consider this event. Snacks while riding the boat, with the parade in the background and some characters to meet sounds great to me.

But it really that under utilized? Seems like the ride normally has a good amount of people who want to ride it.

 

[Disneylover99]

But it really that under utilized? Seems like the ride normally has a good amount of people who want to ride it.

It's underutilized in the morning when it first opens, but IMO, lots of people enjoy it mid day when it is now closed to the public. That was the prime time to ride it.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Went on the cruise today, and I really enjoyed it. It's definitely an event that will only be as good as you let it be.

Started on the dock with ice cream and cupcakes, Tiana and Naveen came on for pictures. Once we boarded the boat, T+N joined everyone for a few moments before heading off to the parade.
Parade viewing wasn't perfect, but not terrible if it's not your first/only time seeing it. The performers were great about waving up to the boat. I could see the ground performers, though obviously it's different from above.

After the parade passed and we redocked, T+N came back, and it was a little party. They paraded around a few laps and then we all mingled together. There were some people (who I'm pretty sure were ~undercover CMs) who didn't really interact, but those who wanted to had amazing interaction time. It was all very natural and fluid and so much fun.

I would absolutely do it again.

 

[yulilin3]

This experience is now available for same day booking until 2pm

 

[SureAsLiz]

It was pretty rainy today. The pre-parade party was in Columbia Harbour House. I didn't go inside to figure out where, but a side door was being used for check-in, and all the desserts were being wheeled in there.
The sun was back out for the parade, so they brought everyone over to the boat for the viewing/cruise. This was the first day it's rained since the party started, so not sure if this will be a normal occurrence, or what would happen if it rained throughout the parade

 

[HopperFan]

This experience is now available for same day booking until 2pm

Are they putting out a "sandwich" board advertising or something by the boat so folks will know about it and ability to book late?

 

[yulilin3]

Are they putting out a "sandwich" board advertising or something by the boat so folks will know about it and ability to book late?

I have no idea, but I would think so

 

[SureAsLiz]

Are they putting out a "sandwich" board advertising or something by the boat so folks will know about it and ability to book late?

On the check-in sign, there's a piece added that says reservations are available.
It's only available online until 2, but the sign stayed up until the parade started

 

[Boski]

Do they have a sign that states the Riverboat is reserved/unavailable during that time period? Just curious.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Do they have a sign that states the Riverboat is reserved/unavailable during that time period? Just curious.

At the dock where the hours of operation are listed, it now states [open]-1PM, 4PM-[close]

 

[WEDWDW]

Since BOG has set the precedent,they should make this "Tiana's Booze Cruise"!lol

Well,with all the recent reports,looks like this may not be that far-fetched!lol

 

[Micca]

Are they putting out a "sandwich" board

Is the sandwich board board a snack credit on DDP?

 

[virgo-queenxx]

I did this party on 12/12. I normally am pretty positive but I would not recommended this party unless you or your kids LOVE Tiana.

Positives: lots of snacks to take with you, good photo opp with Tiana and Naveen, not crowded even on a busy park day

Cons: the ice cream they gave us was completely melted (they handed it to us and said sorry it's melted. It wasn't a vey hot day for Florida), not organized, guests left their garbage everywhere even though there were trash cans, CMs weren't cleaning it up so every table was covered with trash, felt very rushed at the beginning (25 min to eat ice cream and desserts plus character meet)

Parade viewing was what I was expecting. Most kids were sitting on the floor on the boat eating the snacks instead of watching. A lot of kids were running around the boat after the parade.

You can get some good interaction with tiana and naveen but other than that you're paying for snacks and a break from the crowds.

 

[yulilin3]

I did this party on 12/12. I normally am pretty positive but I would not recommended this party unless you or your kids LOVE Tiana.

Positives: lots of snacks to take with you, good photo opp with Tiana and Naveen, not crowded even on a busy park day

Cons: the ice cream they gave us was completely melted (they handed it to us and said sorry it's melted. It wasn't a vey hot day for Florida), not organized, guests left their garbage everywhere even though there were trash cans, CMs weren't cleaning it up so every table was covered with trash, felt very rushed at the beginning (25 min to eat ice cream and desserts plus character meet)

Parade viewing was what I was expecting. Most kids were sitting on the floor on the boat eating the snacks instead of watching. A lot of kids were running around the boat after the parade.

You can get some good interaction with tiana and naveen but other than that you're paying for snacks and a break from the crowds.

Thank you for sharing

 

[evolady73]

So, is the the only place you can meet Princess Tiana?

 

[tink too]

So, is the the only place you can meet Princess Tiana?

No, she's still at Princess Fairytale Hall, but this is the only way to meet Prince Naveen.

 

[yulilin3]

My DD16 and I did this yesterday.
We have watched the parade many,many times so parade viewing wasn't a priority, but I agree, if it's the first time you are watching or you won't have another chance to watch from street level, don't do this.
I love characters, and Tiana is my favorite princess. We arrrived at 2:30pm and checked in, they opened the dock at 2:47pm, they were waiting on the cooler that brought the scooped ice cream. No probllem grabbing a table, had the chocolate ice cream, raspberry sorbet and the dessert trio. All very good, loved the sorbet. Tiana and Naveen arrived right around 2:50am and th eline stayed maybe only 2 groups deep. A lot of people were just concentrating on eating. I decided not to meet them here but waited for the boat pic.
Around 3:10 we boarded the boat, Tiana and Naveen stayed on the dock all by themselves, so my DD grabbed some pics from the boat.
Soon they left and we got positioned for the parade viewing. In all honesty: you cannot compare the pictures you have seen from the dock with real life human eyes, my DD took a pic I told her not to zoom in, and you can see it a lot better through your eyes.
A CM came around offering popcorn, pretzels, apple slices, cotton candy and bottled/can drinks. I have read that they basically came around a lot of times and was prepared with an empty bag to put the packed goodies in, I can tell you that my extended family are getting prepacked popcorn along with heir Christmas gifts today
Also photopass cm came over and took a couple of pic of my DD and I, including the magic shot with the frog kiss
The parade ended and we went back to the dock, Tiana and Naveen joined shortly and we were off, nice surprise they didn't play the regular boat spiel but played jazz music all thee time. T & N went to all three decks, stopping along the way for pictures. They both were amazing, kept dancing and talking too everyone, they waved at the people on BTMR and I'm sure that was an awesome surprise for the riders.
Like I said before, this was a treat for myself and DD, basically my Christmas gift to myself, I enjoyed it a lot/

these were the ones when we were on the boat and T&N were still on the dock

My DD was convinced they were a real couple, so I guess they sold it right

zoomed from the boat

not zoomed, it seriously doesn't look this far away

T & N rejoin us

 

[McMonsters]

The article mentions being docked at the beginning with food and drink offerings as people arrive, then leaving to dock at another location to watch the parade, then going back to pick up Tiana and Naveen, then going on the cruise. I don't think there is any opportunity to go to the washroom once you leave to see the parade. I'm guessing that's about an hour or so on the boat with all those drinks and ice cream and no washrooms. Too long IMO.

We really love Tiana but 3 small kids and limited bathroom access is not something we can do.