Has anyone had their child try the Pirate Cruise?

[douglisa]

How does it work? Did your child like it? What kinds of treasure do they find?

 

[Tricia1972]

Our DS (4 almost 5) did it in October of 2007.

We did the cruise out of the Grand Floridian. You meet at the Dock at the Grand Floridian. (NOTE: The parents should stay there until the kids leave! Our son's cruise was delayed because there wasn't great communication at the Docks, another child's parents took off and didn't know they needed to sign a release. The CM's couldn't get a hold of the parents and the cruise was held for 20 minutes before removing the two children.)

Anyway they take off and sail around the Lagoon. They get cute hats ($7-$8 value for the pirate hats with mouse ears alone) and they eat PBJ for lunch. Coming back they match the children with their parent and the kids leave the boat one at a time. As they leave the boat they're given a little treasure chest with beads, some trinket rings, a compass, and maybe a piece of candy too.

Our son loved it! The treasure was mostly junk - but you know how kids that age LOVE junk treasure!

 

[Disney Fool]

We did the Albatross cruise from the Yacht Club--they pair up the kids in a buddy system, and take off in a pontoon boat and sail down the waterway to the Hollywood Studios, and back and then into the Epcot Lagoon to search for buried treasure. they got beads, "jewel" (which a 5 year old thought was real) a pirate bandana and an eyepatch. when they come back, they're all singing "Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me." it lasts about 2 hours, from 10 am to noon. and they are fed lunch. they should have this for adults, too!

 

[Tricia1972]

... when they come back, they're all singing "Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me." it lasts about 2 hours, from 10 am to noon...

I can't believe i FORGOT about the Pirate Song. Our son (Austin) would only let him sing it "It's a pirates life for me" He wanted us all to sing it "It's a pirates life for Austin"

 

[douglisa]

Sounds totally worth it. Thanks!

 

[disnut8]

Just a few more notes. All the kids wear life jackets that are checked for the correct fit before they board the boat. You will sign a release and also be able to note any food allergies on the form. You will be given a receipt and a pager. You will need BOTH to get your child back.

I was surprised that a cruise was delayed. Our left exactly at 9:30. Some pirates showed up at 9:31 and they had to be taken out to the first stop. You will want your child to be there at least 15 minutes before cruise time. They will get their pre-cruise instructions about five minutes before departure.

 

[Tricia1972]

Just a few more notes. All the kids wear life jackets that are checked for the correct fit before they board the boat. You will sign a release and also be able to note any food allergies on the form. You will be given a receipt and a pager. You will need BOTH to get your child back.

I was surprised that a cruise was delayed. Our left exactly at 9:30. Some pirates showed up at 9:31 and they had to be taken out to the first stop. You will want your child to be there at least 15 minutes before cruise time. They will get their pre-cruise instructions about five minutes before departure.

Ours was delayed because the parents left before signing the wager. In October they didn't have pagers, so were trying to call them on the cell phone. The parents weren't answering and apparently the CM's were trying to figure out how handle the situation. Eventually they removed the children, waited to get a hold of the parents and then took the kids out to meet the boat.