EMM vs. Pirates and Pals

[ericaseiler]

I posted a few months ago about doing a "special" extra on our January trip with our DD's (9 and 5). At the time DD5 was very much into Pirates, Jake, etc. so it was mostly an easy choice to book the Pirate and Pals cruise. I am coming up on my FP+60 date and am trying to finalize plans. DH and I think that while we would all enjoy the cruise experience (so long as it isn't too cold), we aren't sure if DD would love/be as into the Pirate's cruise as much now as she would have when we booked it months ago.
We are debating canceling it and booking an EMM instead. I never thought EMM was a great value but having read such wonderful things about the experience, we thought it would be nice. I have a PPO at Be Our Guest on an EMM morning at 8:20 that I could keep and hope to get on Mine Train a few minutes before park opening as we were able to do the one other time we had a PPO at BOG. However, not sure how the EMM crowds would affect that and also, we hated BOG for Bkfst. No one liked their bkfst and DH and I thought it was so expensive for the less than mediocre food. We could keep it and "share" bkfsts but that would still cost almost $50.
Thoughts? Any other 'special' things I am missing (besides La Nouba, saving that for a later trip)

 

[princessemsmom]

We did Pirates and Pals last May and my DD likes but does not love pirates. WE LOVED IT!! All of us - 4 adults and 1 child. We highly recommend. My DH even suggested again this May because we enjoyed - and he hates spending extra money! lol

 

[mshanson3121]

I would do Pirates & Pals, hands down. To me, being able to meet the three characters, watch the fireworks without being crushed by a crowd etc... Is worth more than riding the same 3 rides. Don't get me wrong, if I had the money, I would enjoy doing EMM for touring strategy (we travel in the summer so it's very busy, so it has an added perk). BUT, if it came down to the two, I would choose Pirates and Pals no question.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We did Pirates and Pals when DS was 6 and, while it was cute, it was quite late for him (he didn't even want to stay to meet Peter Pan at the end) and the view of the fireworks really isn't that great. It's a LOT of dessert as well. If you don't think your DD's will really enjoy the characters or the experience, I wouldn't do it.

Other ideas. If she still likes pirates, how about Pirates League appointments followed by the pirate adventure in Adventureland? One of the kid's pirate cruises out of GF or YC (my DS LOVES these).

Unless you want to ride PP, Pooh and 7DMT multiple times, I personally don't think EMM is worth it.

 

[Vickie1016]

We have done the Pirate & Pals cruise 2x when DD was 9 & 7 - both times in July. Both times DD dressed as a Pirate. When she was 7, we did Pirates League during the day and she stayed dressed while in the park then for the cruise. When she was 9, we were with a group of 3 families (two girls age 9 two girls age 7) - 3 pirates & 1 mermaid.

We loved the cruise - all aspects of it. Seeing the fireworks from the water was such a different experience. Meet & Greet with Captain Hook & Smee was fun, then meeting Peter Pan (for the girls) was an unexpected treat - both had Photopass Photographers. Mickey bars, cake, bags pretzels, chips & popcorn, sheet cake, juice, ice tea, water, hot coffee & tea.

I agree with the PP - if DD's are not into the characters, but still like pirates, maybe book Pirates League.

 

[Babs1975]

We did EMM yesterday and it was the best money ever spent! We had an awesome time. We did 7DMT 10 times in an hour, then PP and Pooh once each before 9. Breakfast was yummy too. Highly recommend. Don't keep your BOG though if you're gonna do EMM! That wouldn't make sense. Use the time to ride those rides, then do some other rides at actual rope drop and then have breakfast at 930 or 945. Worked perfectly.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Agreed, the cruise. You can do the rides anytime and many times. The P&P cruise is something truly unique. My daughter and her two kids as well as myself enjoyed the evening immensely.