Has anyone sent their child on the Pirate Cruise at the GF?

[frankiemom]

My son will be 5 and I was thinking about sending him to this but is he still too young? Can someone fill me in on their experiences? Thanks.

 

[jamsmom]

My son went when he was 10 and there were just as many younger boys/girls as older boys. My son LOVED it!

 

[vicb]

One year ago my DS age 6 and DD age 9 went on the cruise. They claim it was their favorite thing all week. It didn't look like much when we got to the dock but what we found out was the CMs made the trip! The kids buddied up (not with each other but similar aged kids!). They travel to 3 or 4 stops to search for treasure and find clues. Sounded like lots of corny jokes and slap stick humor, just the thing kids like! Poor Cap'n Drew got greedy with the treasure and was "abandonded". My kids were so glad they went. DH and I went over to MK and strolled Main st. and just relaxed and soaked up atmosphere.

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

Our grandchildren went on it this past December. Granddaughter, who had just turned 5 had no problems at all with going. Grandson, who was a month short of being 5 was a little concerned about it. All of the kids are given bandana's to wear on their head - he wouldn't put it on his head, so we tied it to his lifevest - which he was just fine with. He went on the pontoon & gave us a big 'thumbs up' sign when he sat down!! They both ended up having fun - when we look at pictures now they seem to have new storys about what went on. They give them a 'lunch' which consisted of a peanut butter jam sandwich, rice krispie bar, fruit snack & juice box. When they return to the Grand Floridian, they are each given a bag with the 'treasures' in it. The treasures were necklaces, rings, rubber bugs - etc. while they were gone, we wondered around the Grand Floridian & the Contemporary looking at all of the Christmas Decortations. By the way, if you can't get your son registered the first time you call - keep calling, we lucked out when someone had to cancel their reservation

 

[lizzie64]

Originally posted by K, P & J's Grandma
Our grandchildren went on it this past December. Granddaughter, who had just turned 5 had no problems at all with going. Grandson, who was a month short of being 5 was a little concerned about it. All of the kids are given bandana's to wear on their head - he wouldn't put it on his head, so we tied it to his lifevest - which he was just fine with. He went on the pontoon & gave us a big 'thumbs up' sign when he sat down!! They both ended up having fun - when we look at pictures now they seem to have new storys about what went on. They give them a 'lunch' which consisted of a peanut butter jam sandwich, rice krispie bar, fruit snack & juice box. When they return to the Grand Floridian, they are each given a bag with the 'treasures' in it. The treasures were necklaces, rings, rubber bugs - etc. while they were gone, we wondered around the Grand Floridian & the Contemporary looking at all of the Christmas Decortations. By the way, if you can't get your son registered the first time you call - keep calling, we lucked out when someone had to cancel their reservation

I have my son booked on the May 12 trip. He will be 4 1/2 and is very independent. I'm hoping he'll be fine when he realizes he's the only one of us going. He loves Captain Hook, Peter Pan and runs around all day with their hats and swords so I thought this would be perfect for him.

 

[Magic2000]

My DD was 6 when she did the Pirate Cruise and she loved it!!! She is also a little shy, but the CMs paired her up with a friend and she was fine. She loved searching for the "treasure"! Upon their return, all the kids looked like they had had a great time!

When we go in October, Allison will be trying the Adventures in Cooking for Kids at the Grand Floridian!

 

[mirlow]

My dd just turned 6 when she went on the cruise. She likes to stick close to mom and dad so I was worried. Some friends of ours were going to be at WDW the same time we were so she booked our dd's together. One thing I wouldn't do again is book the cruise on our first full day. We travel from the West and usually don't get to the resort until 6:00 pm and because of the all day travel and time change I now like to plan our first full day at WDW as a resort day. Anyway my dd was tired and a bit apprehensive, she even shed some tears, even though her friend was with her. The CM's who work the cruise did a great job of making her feel at ease and that they would take care of her. When we picked her up she was all smiles and she couldn't stop talking about how much fun she had.

 

[tbear]

Last visit to the world, we sent our kids (then DS7, DD5)on the Pirate cruise...and, we made a big mistake in time!!!!!I will explain!

Both I and my wife wanted a little time for ourselves, so we wisked the kids off on the cruise(which they loved...they are asking to go again!!)
Well, me and the wife walked around the GF, and totally forgot all time....OOOOOOPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! My wife asks,"what time do we need to get the kids??" I tell her the time, and.... WE"RE 1 HOUR LATE TO GET THEM!!!!!!!!

Well, there we are bouncing around the GF, looking for them, frantic!!!
We cant find anyone to ask....my wife is about to kill me for losing our kids to pirates, and, she heads over to a door near the entrance to the dock(the building that faces the dock...not sure which part of the GF this is, but the restaurant is there as well)
A CM opens the door, and theres my kids, with a frown on thier faces
"Awwwwwww...we were just having fun, can you come back and get us later???" both the kids say to us!!!
The CM's are absolutely understanding, and I guess we're not the first harried parents to have forgotten time at the GF, so, they provided our kids with an additional lunch, and both I and my wife are beyond embarrassed!
Why am I telling you this???To let you know, that even though we were late, and we were really losing it there for a few moments, everything was perfectly normal with the kids...they didnt know this wasn't part of the total experience, and never have I ever been so thankful to anyone as I was that day.
This is one of the main reasons I highly reccommend ANY of the kids programs that Disney offers....they really do care about your children(especially the CM's)and go out of thier way to ensure your kids a worry free environment.
Go ahead and let your son do this, and dont be surprised when he says he wants you to come back later because he wants to stay and have more fun with the CM's!!!!!!

 

[frankiemom]

Thank you all for your input. I booked the cruise for my son for May 14. Lizzie64 ---I thought for a minute they may be on the same day but I couldn't do the 12th---that would have been neat!

From what all of you have said it sounds like he will have a great time---thanks again!

 

[goofy4wdw59]

My DD just turned 4 and I was hoping all would go OK on the Pirate Cruise. Her 7 and 10 yo cousins were going too so I didn't think there would be a problem.
Well...the only hitch was getting her ON the pirate cruise. I was completely embarrassed when she balked at the last minute...the boat is loaded...the CM's are waiting, trying to get DD on the boat and she's resisting. I didn't want her to miss it and I didn't want to push her screaming on the boat either (well--maybe, HA ). Finally, she got on the boat and away they went.
I was worried how things would go?, but, no need--she had a great time after all and loved her bag of "loot"!

 

[frankiemom]

UGH!!!!!! Don't you just "love" when kids do that! That is always the case-they balk and then have a great time!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there...

My 8 year old went last august and had a great time... she wants to go again this summer when we are at DIsney.

There were mostly younger ones on her cruise 4/5/6 but she teamed up with a sweet 7 year old and off they went. They came home with a bag of treasure and had snacks of PB&J, rice krispie treat, gummy bears and a juice box.

I have some photos of the pirate cruise on my website link below
in the disney world section.

I'm sure your son would have a blast.

 

[frankiemom]

Thanks for the great pictures-she looks like she had a lot of fun! I am so excited for my son!

 

[lisareneeo]

My kids dd(4) and ds (6) just went in December and loved it! They had a great time and would love to go back. We had a nice time exploring the GF and hopping over to see the Poly. I am sure your son will have a lot of fun.

 

[kimlooman]

Our five year old son went on the pirate cruise in Sept. 2002 and just loved it! He paired up with a four year old boy who he became friends with and they email from Michigan to New York. Our son wants to go again this year when we return to Disney in December 2003. I am an elementary teacher and was very impressed with the organization, planning, and the tremendous effort the cast members gave all the kids involved on the cruise. I highly recommend it!

 

[jaysue]

Does anyone know what the minimum age is? Going "single" without Mom with our 3 1/2 year old (fairly mature)...

Thanks
Jason

 

[lizzie64]

They have to be 3.

 

[ceecee]

Our 6 year old DD went in October (it was the first we trusted her being out of our sight!) She loved it, she was one of the older ones and most were sibling groups, but she got paired up with a 9 year old girl who had to go with her little brother and they had a great time. She still plays with her "loot" and talks about it. Worth every penny in my opinion.

 

[Astrid]

I am so pleased to read this thread!

Only yesterday I was talking abut this to my kids. My daughter who's 7 is really keen to do this cruise when we are at WDW in May/June, however, she's a little concerned that she'll be on her own.

Her 10 year old brother isn't really keen on going - will he be too old for this do you think? If he's not how do you think I could 'sell' the idea to him?!!

I'll be on my own with them over there but would quite relish the idea of a couple of hours 'me' time!!

Lastly, how booked up do these get? How soon do I have to book?

Thanks a milllion

Astrid

 

[carriep1657]

My 4 year old DD went on this last November. She absolutely loved it. She didn't know anybody else on the cruise. Before the cruise left, I noticed another little girl and her mom waiting alone. We went and talked to them. Our DDs were partners for the rest of the trip.