Pirate and Princess Party with Disabilites..

[Kirlinale]

We extended our trip by one night and it just so happen that night they have a Pirate and Princess Party at MK. I see that is it is a separate FEE event but looked interesting. The first negative for me is the time (7ish to midnight) so it is unlikely that we will do it, but, if the mood strikes then I would love to have some information on what it is like. I see from the pictures and gather that there are Fireworks, a Parade, Character interaction, a Treasure hunt and limited rides. From descriptions I see it as a mass of kids in costume RUNNING around MK at night. So I am not sure that my child would get anything out of it since she could not possible keep up, could not manage to push her way through seas of kids and would not want to remain in her wheelchair if there was Fun to be had.. so I see major Skinned Knees since her balance center is way off and there is no way she would be that great after being at the park during the day. With all the excitement we'd also have major seizure triggers, and meltdowns. She is also only 5 so the late night would be also rough on her. My two other children however would probably love this , they are 9 and 10, it would be hard to let them go and not take the youngest.

So while it looks like I have talked myself out of it (also the 150.00+ price tag for the 5 of us at the END of our vacation) if it is not as crazy as I think it to be, if it is tempting and managble to stay put in her wheelchair and still be able to participate, if the shows and parades offer handicapped viewing so she could have the space and visibility, it might be worth it to take them out and wear them out before our 8 hour drive home in the morning...

So any thoughts!!!
TIA
Nicole

 

[livndisney]

I took my dd last year when she was 5. She did enjoy it for the most part. She was given a treasure map to look for treasure. (The lines for the treasure were orderly, I did not see much pushing and shoving). One thing she really enjoyed was the dance party with Flounder. There were several characters on the floor and the kids were having a ball dancing with them all.

Cinderella's carriage was out and you could pose for a picture in front of it. Sadly just as it was my DD turn for her picture the fireworks went off. It was LOUD!!!!! They had fireworks from all around the park (sounded like we were under attack) and they went on for several minutes. Scared my DD really bad. I admit I was shaking a little. We left right after that. The party will be going on again this year while we are there, but we are not going.

If your DD does not like loud noise, I would say make sure your are inside when the fireworks go off.

 

[Michigan]

We went in Feb. I like going to the extra events because the crowds are so low because of the limit of tickets.

There is no wait for any ride and for us it just seems to work out that the wheelchair car is right there when we get to the front which never happens during regular park times.

Also the parades for special ticket events are better then regular parades.

Cindy

 

[jayandstacey]

While I can't help with the money aspect, as has been pointed out the real benefit is in the much reduced crowd levels. Kids running? Maybe, but much less than would be the case earlier in the day.

And the dance parties sound really cool. I used to be a DJ and played for kids with various challenges - they all seemed to have a GREAT time, and this is a unique thing in Disney. I think they set up 3 or more dance areas throughout the various lands.

You mentioned the money - with your ticket, you can get in as early as about 4:30 in the afternoon. And the rides that won't stay open for the party will begin to shut down around 7ish. Our plan is to sleep in and be there at 4:30 - on the ticket, not on one of our 'standard' days, and ride some of the rides that will shut down later. Point is - you can get a fullish evening at the park for only a little more than the day would have cost anyway - and with reduced lines and extra fun stuff, maybe its worth it.

But I don't think you have to worry about increased "mayhem" in the parks, if anything, i suspect the opposite!

 

[Kirlinale]

The money was an issue because we are staying 8 days now and have Hopper Passes so we already paid and it would add another 175.00 to our expenses which, while having a quiet time at MK would be awesome and worth it, they only have this even on our last night, and we are driving home early in the morning so I have mixed feelings.. When they said a Scavenger Hunt and Dance Party I envisioned a mass of people running amuk around the Kingdom, I didn't know they limited the tickets and such.. Great to know! Aslo, the Fireworks thing could be hard... I will play it by ear.. It sounds like fun .. but with the timiing and the added expense not sure..

Thanks for the information , I will keep that in mind.. Maybe I will just take my older two and let DH and my youngest (Handicapped child) rest .. and I can sleep in the car for the first part of the ride.. We will see.

TKS!
Nicole

 

[Talking Hands]

I went earlier in the year with a child with mobility issue who uses a wheelchair. At the dance party she got lots of attention from the characters. She can come out of the chair and dance some and the were very attentive and careful. She had a wonderful time.

 

[dzorn]

We are trying it this year, but we are not going to the park earlier in the day. Just relaxing aroung the resort then heading to the park around 4 then dinner before everything starts.

Denise in MI

 

[Mason7AK]

We went to this in February with two children in wheelchairs (both age 6). OMGosh it was the BEST night of our trip! We slept in that day and relaxed at the resort and then went to a late lunch in Epcot, after which we made our way by monorail to the Magic Kingdom. We got there about 6 pm. People were leaving by the hordes and once the crowds thinned out just after 7 pm, the place was practically deserted!! I have pictures of us and our children at the pirate parade on main street and there are NO OTHER PEOPLE in the pictures! Still incredible to think about - when have you ever been to a parade at Magic Kingdom and not had wall to wall people on the curb at Main Street!? We did not try to do a lot of rides, just the few favorites that our kids have (Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, etc) and were able to very easily walk right on them. The line for meeting Captain Jack Sparrow was the longest (about a 45 minute wait), but a wonderful cast member came along and saw us waiting with the two children and took us around the back and we were able to go right in to see Captain Jack - it was just wonderful for the kids! They got lots of attention from both characters and cast members and enjoyed the parade, shows and fireworks. My daughter normally doesn't like fireworks, but for some reason (maybe it was the pirate music which she loves) she didn't mind these at all. She smiled and laughed all the way through it. Both my daughter and my friend's son are severely disabled, but they both enjoyed this night thoroughly! Their smiles that night made the whole trip that much more magical!
Angela