Help!... bummed.. what to do about Pirates Cruise

[sters]

I have three kids, ages 3, 5 and 7 and had planned to book the older two, both boys, for the Pirates Cruise and figure out something to do with the 3yo. OK, so far so good. I tried to book today for Nov. 12 and they had only one slot left! I took the spot for my oldest, who by the way has no problem making friends and will have a blast with or without bro. And, I'm hoping I could get a cancellation for my other son when we get closer. But what if I can't?

Now what to do as a consolation prize for my 5yr old? I could try to get another day for him, but he would like it so much better with a friend or his brother. Any suggestions for an alternative (doesn't have to be the same day I guess) to make it less disappointing for my 5yo?

 

[3for Me]

I am sorry that I do not have another suggestion, but I will tell you to KEEP TRYING.

We have three children almost the same ages, except our youngest will have just turned four, so we needed three spots.

On my first two calls, I could not get any of the days I wanted , but I called again every few days and got my second choice (of dates that is) for ALL THREE!! You never know, so please do not give up!

 

[my3boys]

My cousin was trying to do the same with her daughter so that she could join our sons and had no success through the phone. She still showed up the morning of the pirate cruise and was able to get her daughter in then!

 

[cindy_k]

If you can't get your younger son in, I would take him into MK and let him ride Buzz Lightyear over and over.

Or Let him go play in the Ship playground in Toontown Fair.

Also, when you go to board the Monorail at GF to go to Magic Kingdom, ask to see if you can ride in the front of the Monorail. That is great fun. The kids love that. Heck I love that.
I have found its easier to get into the front from the resorts.

Maybe stop and get an Ice Cream on Main Street. I would cater to him a bit, this way he will feel special too.

You just have to be mindful of the time.

Have a Good Trip!!
Cindy in NY

 

[CindyAnn]

How about going to 1900 Park Fare for their character breakfast with the younger two, while you wait for the older one to return from his pirate cruise?

 

[vicb]

You mentioned trying another day for your younger son so I would keep calling and try to get them together on the same day. I have read posts of kids being turned away on the dock ( ) so I wouldn't try that... you could send an adult down to check if there were any last minute cancellations. The cruise is really fun, my kids loved doing it but I wouldn't have split them up... just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[webmomom]

Last Dec we were at WDW with both of our daughters, SIL's and grandchildren. We had three of the children booked for the Priates Cruise. Ages two five year old's and one six year old. The morning they were to take the crusie we recieved a call that the crusie had been cancelled. NO Reason. Weather was great no storms. I called to see if they could be re-booked for one of the remaining days we had left and was told they were all booked up. They keep apoligizing but that did not help telling the children no cruise. It was also to late to try and get them into Grand Adventures in Cooking or Alice Tea Party.

What we did was that them over to Port Orleans and let them fish in the ole Fishing hole. Of course the rest of the day we were extra nice yto all of them. Think they had ice cream a couple times that day.

 

[LoriZH]

I vote for the 1900 Park Fare breakfast!!! Or you could take him to Tom Sawyer's Island and go on his own adventure.

 

[kashkdz]

I feel your pain...I made the mistake of mentioning the Pirate Cruise to our DS9, DD5, DS4 and now I can't get it booked for October 27th. ARRRGGHH !!! My best (and only) bet is to keep trying from now til we leave and maybe a cancellation will open up. Also you can (and I plan on doing this--if I don't get it before we leave), call while you are in Disney, because there is a 24hr cancellation policy, and you never know. Also you may keep posting to these boards, in case someone is cancelling. Just keep trying, and have a great time no matter what.

 

[sters]

Thanks guys for all your suggestions and encouragement! Going into the theme parks isn't an option, since it's our day of departure. I hadn't thought to keep it a secret, but if it's cancelled...well, it will be a long flight home! I was thinking maybe I could try and get my younger son to go with his little sister to the tea party, if he doesn't sneer at the idea. He'll be 5 and if he's the only boy there, he'll balk for sure. But then, that would eat up a theme park day (FTP), so I'm so confused!!! What is this Grand Adventure in Cooking? Hadn't heard about that one.

 

[undertheradar]

Why not rent a pontoon boat and have your own cruise? You are not allowed to stop at the islands, but you could explore Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Get bandanas, patches, pack a lunch and explore the shoreline. You could all go and no feelings would be hurt.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I too would keep trying and i like fam of 5's idea. I don;t know that i would send one boy with out the other however. Even though I belive that kids need their own activities, this is so special that leaving one out might not be the best idea. Can you image your 5 year old when his big brother comes back smiling with a pirates hat and a bag of loot? Not pretty. Of course if you can talk him into the tea party instead, and he makes that choice, it might be ok. really there are so many neat things to do at WDW that missing this one would not make the fun any less special for them. Good luck in deciding.


jordan's mom

 

[nancyL]

I agree to keep trying- right up till the time of departure. Maybe they can squeeze one extra kid in?
Grand Adventures in Cooking is a program the Grand Floridian offers as well- I thought of having my kids do it b/c the age requirements are 3 and up (and I too have a 3 year old) but luckily I got both older ones into a cruise together. We're going to rent water mice w/ the 3 year old.
Anyway, Grand Adventures in cooking is supposed to be fun too- they create stuff along the lines of worms and dirt and then they serve it to people in the lobby- they get their own chefs hat and apron to take home.
Good luck!
NancyL

 

[sters]

They changed the minimum age to 4 and even though mine 3 1/2 year old is potty trained, they said they were very strict about the age.

And, I really like the idea of renting our own boat and doing the cruise as a family very much. I'll have to give that some thought. I'm sure I could spend $30 on bandananas, maps and cheap plastic toys. I saw on another thread lots of picutures of the cruise, so creating my own wouldn't be that difficult.

It was trying to find somethng for DS7 to do with peers, since he's a social butterfly type.

Any other suggestions? You guys are great!

 

[scottsalisbury2003]

I would rent a water mouse at the GF and cruise around with the 5 year old.

Scott