End time for Pirates and Pals?

[freshstart19]

Has anyone does this fireworks cruise? Going on Saturday night. Have been told different times. Fireworks are at 8pm. When will we get back to the Contemporary? Have FP for the Electrical Parade and wondering if we have a shot at making it.

 

[lovethattink]

After you get back to dock, there is a surprise waiting for you. Assuming your group will want to get in line for that surprise, the timing will depend if you are in the front or back of the line. From the dock, it's about a 10 to 20 minute walk back to the MK depending on your walking speed.

 

[freshstart19]

Ok, so now I'm really curious. I promise I won't tell DD13 what the surprise is if you tell me

If I miss the FP time, do we have a shot at being able to see the parade when it arrives by the train station at the front entrance? Hate to rush over there and DD13 won't be able to see anything.

 

[ach222]

There's a 'surprise' Peter Pan meet when you return - if MSEP is at 9 I would think it would be super tight if you meet Peter (I would say no to making it back to the FP area) - there's a description of the cruise in my trip report in my sig if you're interested

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks! Happy New Year!

 

[freshstart19]

Are we going to be the oldest ones on the cruise? DD is 13. I was looking for a cruise so we could see the fireworks away from the crowds. Last August, we watched them from the beach at Poly but that was pretty far away. Figured this would be a good alternative.

 

[lovethattink]

Are we going to be the oldest ones on the cruise? DD is 13. I was looking for a cruise so we could see the fireworks away from the crowds. Last August, we watched them from the beach at Poly but that was pretty far away. Figured this would be a good alternative.

Depending what side of the boat you get assigned, you may or may not get a good view of fireworks. We were assigned the right side of the boat and our view wasn't very good.

But our Patch was the best and we had a great time on the boat! My son was picked to carry the Smee flag. So everyone in our boat followed him and our Patch. There was also a Patch for the other boat too. And they had their own flag carrier.

You can take some snacks from the reception at the Contemporary with you on the boat. Drinks in covered containers were also ok. But not open containers.

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for the additional info. Are the seat assignments done ahead of time? The whole point of the cruise for us is the see the fireworks.

 

[ach222]

Are we going to be the oldest ones on the cruise? DD is 13. I was looking for a cruise so we could see the fireworks away from the crowds. Last August, we watched them from the beach at Poly but that was pretty far away. Figured this would be a good alternative.

There were several adult only groups when we went. You won't be out of place. Seating is just luck as far as I know.

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks for the additional info. Are the seat assignments done ahead of time? The whole point of the cruise for us is the see the fireworks.

Yes, ahead of time. You'll get a paper when you check in that has your boat and row number.

 

[briggscreek]

We did the cruise last month and had a terrible view. I requested an odd numbered row when I booked and she said that while it wasn't guaranteed, I was the first to book and had a good chance of getting it. Instead, we were in the second row on the even side of the boat looking directly at the door of the boat which blocked our view the entire time. Every once in a while, the boat would drift a bit and we could see more, then the captain would promptly move it back where it was. I would never do it again, especially since my kids aren't into meet and greets.

 

[lovethattink]

Most people dressed up in pirate attire. You'll get a pirate bandana that you must wear (arm or head) that identifies you with the cruise.

Dressing as a pirate, meeting characters and the corner pirate jokes were a big hit for my son.

Pirates and Pals was his birthday present from a friend. Even though my dh and I were included in the gift, I'd pay to do it again!

But if you're going strictly to see fireworks, you may end up disappointed.

 

[disneymayz]

I'm glad I came across this because after reading this I will not do it. I would do it to see the fireworks and if I'm not guaranteed a view then doesn't seem worth the money.

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for all the additional information. I'm on the fence now. I'll need to call for sure today! Happy New Year!

 

[drea21]

Yikes, I booked this months ago for our Jan. trip and this is the first I'm seeing that you might not get a view of the fireworks?! Am I mistaken that this is called the Pirates and Pals "fireworks" cruise? Or is that not the official name and just what people refer to it as?

 

[lovethattink]

I read KTP's review before going. http://www.kennythepirate.com/2013/01/29/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/

So I knew I wasn't going to get any great pictures of fireworks. We were row 16.

 

[lovethattink]

The character interactions were great!! We loved the pirate theme and totally played along. We had so much fun and haven't laughed that hard in a long time. We had the same Patch as @kennythepirate and he was hysterical and we had a blast!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ok, so now I'm really curious. I promise I won't tell DD13 what the surprise is if you tell me

If I miss the FP time, do we have a shot at being able to see the parade when it arrives by the train station at the front entrance? Hate to rush over there and DD13 won't be able to see anything.

In case you don't know this, the FP viewing area for MSEP is around the flagpole in Town Square, it's not the FP area at the end of Main Street (that is Wishes FP viewing). Also I'm pretty sure MSEP usually starts AT Town Square, not the other way around, if I'm not mistaken. It's opposite of some of the other parades they do.

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for the info on the parade. I wound up cancelling that FP so we can go meet Cinderella after our boat ride. I called Disney and spoke to the guest services desk in the hotel to ask about not being able to se the fireworks from both sides of the boat. They acted like I had two heads. I will ask again when I check in tonight.

 

[JRatManda]

Thanks for the info on the parade. I wound up cancelling that FP so we can go meet Cinderella after our boat ride. I called Disney and spoke to the guest services desk in the hotel to ask about not being able to se the fireworks from both sides of the boat. They acted like I had two heads. I will ask again when I check in tonight.

We're doing this in March. Definitely interested to hear your thoughts! We'll keep the reservation either way since our 6yr old loves Captain Hook & Smee!