Pirate Adventure Cruise - Help me feel more comfortable with this.

[ColoradoLime]

DD just turned 7. I know she would absolutely love to do this, but I'm a little uneasy dropping her off and leaving her for several hours. I don't know why, probably because it's in a new environment and with people I don't know. I feel like if I let her do this, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my time alone because I'd be worried about her the whole time.

Anyone done this with their young children?

 

[mickeymaker2003]

She will be supervised by people who do this with her age group of child every day. She will enjoy it and you can have some time to yourself. Send a disposable camera with her and she will have a great time.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I was worried too when i sent my 4 and 5 year olds, but they have 2 wenches and the captain to supervis. They buddy up the kids. They give you a pager in case they need to reach you. I was confident when i got there, that they would be fine. They had a ball. They came singing songs and with some treasure. It was a great experience for all of us.

 

[brendaziz]

All of the cms are also lifeguards.
They'll letcha know if anything at all is not going well.

 

[momtwo4]

My kids 9, 9 and 5 went in Nov and had a great time! All the kids will be fitted with lifejackets before getting on the boat. My kids loved it, and wanted to go back the next day!
At 7 your DD will not be the youngest child either, I believe they start at 4 or 5yrs.
I bet she will have a great time

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

I sent my six year old autistic child on the pirate adventure and I was worried every second he was gone. I was certain that he would go off the side and drown or get lost. It was my husband who said he would be fine and wanted him to go. I fretted and paced while he was gone, unable to go far from the marina.

When they came back I was sure he was going to be tramutized. He got off the boat and the CM's said he did great! The smile on my sons face was such a special moment for me and my husband. It was a great experience for both of us, after that I started loosing up and letting him explore more.

This September, we are going back and he will be once again taking to the high seas (argh! on a pirate adventure) and joining him will be his brother and his cousin who also has autism. I know the boys will have a great time and be well cared for.

 

[mom2meiko]

i wanted to sign my godson up for this - he will be 9 at our next trip - but his parents won't even consider it. now reading your posts i want him to go even more! i know he would love it!!!

 

[GEM]

My little guy has done this several times (as well as some of the other kids cruises) and they are always the highlight of his trip! He was 4 the first time he went on the Grand Floridian Pirate Adventure. Here are a few pictures. Maybe they'll help ease your mind.

 

[bonybroad]

My youngest went on his 4th birthday, older son was 5 (almost 6)
The next year, I asked if they wanted to do it again, and they were shocked! They thought it was just part of Disney.
So they did it again (5 and 7 this time)
Now we are going in Dec with extended family, and they cannot wait to take their cousins.
(We are going in June, too, but won't be doing the cruise this time)
I hope you make the decision best for you - but I am confident she will be safe and have a wonderful time!

 

[rluey29]

Where are these pirate cruises and how much are they?

 

[Goseethemouse]

I was thinking of signing my two boys, 4.5 and 7 up for one of the cruises (preferably the one at CBR as we will be staying there). Can anyone tell me where I can find the schedule (I believe the cruises are once or twice a week?) and how far in advance you can sign up for it?

 

[jngwright]

You can call 407-WDW-PLAY OR 407-WDW-DINE to sign up 90 days in advance. It is around $30 per child and includes lunch.

I sent 3 kids who had just turned 4 years old on it and they had a blast. They were well supervised as all PP's have said. You can see from the pictures that it is a pontoon type boat with walls all the way around.

That said, if you are so uncomfortable sending your child, to the point that you will be stressed out the whole time, then don't do it. Your child will sense your anxiety, wonder why you are so anxious and afraid, and probably feel or act the same. The Pirate Cruise is meant to be a fun, enjoyable activity.

JMO-but maybe there are other activities that might be better for all of you.

 

[NotUrsula]

DS did it every year from the time he was 4 until he was 9, at which point he felt he was becoming too old for it. (Most of the solo kids tend to be younger, the older kids that are there tend to be accompanying younger siblings.)

FTR, DS has Asperger's, and he always did just fine. The CM's are absolutely religious about boating safety rules, and they have the kids use the buddy system at all times.

DD is now just short of 2, and I'm sure she'll be tying on her pirate scarf as soon as she turns 4.

 

[NU2WDW]

Is this the one at the GF? Is it open only to resort guests or can "off-siters" do it too?

 

[Miss Ang]

My kids are 10 and (almost) 14 now; I would have never been able to let them go off on something like this without dh or I. Yeah, I know lots and lots of people do it every day, but it just isn't for our family. Not judging those who do, I'm just saying it isn't for us.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

My kids are 10 and (almost) 14 now; I would have never been able to let them go off on something like this without dh or I. Yeah, I know lots and lots of people do it every day, but it just isn't for our family. Not judging those who do, I'm just saying it isn't for us.

Even at ages 10 and 14?? Just curious...

 

[Miss Ang]

Even at ages 10 and 14?? Just curious...

My kids wouldn't enjoy going off and doing something like this with strangers. If they had a friend with them, they would go off without us, but no, my kids would not want to go off alone in a strange place. Now at home, in an enviorment that they are comfortable and familiar with they do things on their own all the time. But far away from home, with complete strangers, no.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

DS 9 did it last week and he loved it. Had a smile from ear to ear and still has his loot bag and plays with it.

He did the one out of CBR on a Tuesday morning and he was NOT the youngest child.

When DD turns 4 she can go too. I will probably be nervous but she will most likely go with DS so they will be togheter.

They were really good with the kids. DS had a blast!

Here is some info:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/piratecruise.htm

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I keep going back and forth with it and I don't think we will do it. Only because the only time it would fit into our schedule would probably be on our "off" day and I think the kids would want to use that day as a pool and just kicking back day - and so would we! Off to us means sleeping in, leisurely breakfast, pool and drinks, lunch in food court, then off to one of the parks for dinner and shows/fireworks.

But hey, ask me 3-4 months from now and that could all change!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I keep going back and forth with it and I don't think we will do it. Only because the only time it would fit into our schedule would probably be on our "off" day and I think the kids would want to use that day as a pool and just kicking back day - and so would we! Off to us means sleeping in, leisurely breakfast, pool and drinks, lunch in food court, then off to one of the parks for dinner and shows/fireworks.

But hey, ask me 3-4 months from now and that could all change!

We did it on our off day. He got off at about 11:30 and then we did pool time and made it to our dinner ADR.