GF Kids activities

[houseofmouse]

Has anyone done the Grand Adventures in Cooking or the Pirates Cruise at the Grand Floridian
Are they worth the time and money?
TIA

 

[CarnotaurDad]

We did the cooking in November with our DD(4)......

It was well worth the money. She loves to help cook at home so this was a great treat for her. It was very well organized and she got to bring home her chef's hat and apron (which she still uses when she cooks).

Also, it was great to have a couple hours with my DW alone while our DD was at the event. We rode the monorail, walked through Polynesian and just, in general, relaxed. Great part of our trip!

 

[crisi]

Our two little pirates did the Pirate Cruise.

Worth the time? It will take half a day and its a matter of priorities. We are glad we did it because it gave us a morning without our kids where the hubby and I went and had breakfast at the Kona Cafe. But morning is also prime park time....we missed MGM almost completely this last trip, I would have liked to have spent more time at the MK, we missed a couple of things I would have liked to have done at Epcot and AK. We will be back in a couple years - and I'm glad we did the Pirate Cruise this time, but I wouldn't do it if I didn't know we were going back, or if the vacation had been a brief one (we were there for seven nights - had it been four nights I don't think the Pirate Cruise would have been worth the time).

Worth the money? Thirty bucks a kid for about two hours (but plan on the event taking four of your time - they are on the boat for a full two hours, but you need to get there, get there early, and pick them up). The kids get a sack of trinkets (mostly birthday party stuff - rings, spiders, superball eyes) and lunch. But what you are paying for is the experience. We thought it was well worth it, but I know $30 is pretty steep to a lot of budgets. Then again, its hard to say, my four and five year old have yet to give a coherent account of the event (I know most of what I know from people here posting accounts told by their older children), and they don't have any grasp on "was it worth the money" as money is still pretty meaningless to them.

 

[Magic2000]

My DD did the Pirate Cruise and she really enjoyed it! Her only complaint was that it was hot (she went in June). She still talks about how much fun they had.

However, when we went back in Oct, and she was given a choice - she picked doing the Tea Party (again - she's done the Alice In Wonderland Tea Party about 5 times now - she really LOVES it!!!) She also did the Cooking Class this time, and she had a great time! She also still has her hat and apron! They made the chocolate pudding and gummy worms!

I think all of the kids activities are worth it - because the kids really have a lot of fun!!! Enjoy!!

 

[Vavasmon]

My DD (7 at the time) did the Grand Advantures in Cooking this past April. She had a blast. Was it worth the money - yes for the great time she had. Would we do it again - already on the plan for April. She isn't interested in the Pirate Cruise.

The Apron and hat are still proudly worn from time to time (if the cooking will not be too messy).

We go for 10 days so did not really miss the morning in the park.

 

[summerrluvv]

My DS did the Pirate Cruise in October with my 3 nieces and nephews. They all loved it!! For his bday in January we are now having a pirate themed party (inspired by the cruise).

It was well worth the money and when the kids were doing the cruise, we rented mouse boats and cruised around the lake. It was a nice break for us adults.

 

[TandyR]

My older DD did the Adventures in Cooking during our first trip as a family in March 2001 (she was 4 years old then) she loved it...ever since then she has been talking about going with her younger sister (who was 13 months old during the first trip). Well the younger DD is finally old enough and the two of them are going together in Feburary. So I really believe it is well worth the time and money to have my older DD talk about it for years and really want to take her sister to it.

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

Our 2 sons did the PIrate Cruise for the first time last year and have requested to go again this year- so I would have to say they had a great time. They were really excited to ride the boat, get dressed as a pirate, search for treasure, have lunch and sing songs. I think they also enjoyed some time away from mom and dad (who went to the MK to ride Space Mt. since they were not tall enough). I also think it was a nice downtime activity for them- we often use swimming as downtime- but the way our kids are up and down the slide, and playing in the fountains I often think it is more exhauting than being in the parks!

The price is not too bad- considering there is a life guard, and 2 activities directors.