Pirate Cruise - all booked - DS is bummed

[Jennifer S]

I just recently found out about the Pirate cruise so I called and of course it's all booked up. Darn it. Anyway my DS is really disappointed. What do you think of just showing up and see if anyone cancelled or didn't show? Is it worth trying? I was going to call when we get there too (Friday).

My biggested concern is if we show up and there is still no room my son will really be sad. What do you think? Any suggestions?

 

[kenneyjo]

Pirate Cruise???

Excuse our ignorance but what is the Pirate Cruise?

 

[Jennifer S]

It's a cruise for kids only that leaves from the Grand Floridian. They wear bandanas on their heads and look for treasure. Sounds really neat.

 

[FFerret]

wow--just keep calling each and every day.

Maybe more than once a day
Someone just may cancel.

I'd hate to show up and not be able to go...

 

[turnlisa]

I think they charge credit cards the day before you go. I don't think I would just show up since the ladies that run it just have a list. I would call the day ahead and see if there are any openings. That might be your best shot.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'd definitely call each day and if you already have the time set aside, I don't think it would hurt to show up and see if there were any last minute cancellations. If there are no openings, perhaps you could consider taking him for a spin around the lake in one of the GF speedboats. It doesn't look like you have much time to plan it, but you could always rent your own pontoon boat and create your very own pirate adventure. Here's a link to the GF's recreation info http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/grandflrecreation.htm

Tammi

 

[mareed]

Well, don't feel too bad about not knowing about it, because I tried to book this last year at exactly 90 days out and was still unable to get it. I think it's only available 3-4 days a week, and only about 12 kids each day. I think it's harder to get than CRT because we were able to go there on that trip!

I'm pretty sure it's pre-paid or at least there's a no-show penalty, so I would not just show up and see if there's an open spot as I don't think there's any chance of that happening. Definitely call and see if someone has cancelled.

 

[kilee]

I would keep calling right up until that morning. However, I don't think I'd just show up. That would be really setting DS up for a huge disappointment, especially if he's already upset. I would also call and find out what the cancellation policy is for this. Might give you an idea of when to call as well.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

If you are a Grand Gathering, with at least 8 people in your party, you are eligible to book a Magical Fireworks Voyage. This is a pirate themed boat cruise to see Wishes at MK. There is even a surprise visit from Peter Pan!

 

[Traveliz]

It's not prepaid - I had to tell them how I wanted to pay and handle that when I checked in with my nephew last month but you do have to leave a credit card and there is a penalty for not cancelling.

The boat holds about 20-24.

I would keep calling for cancellations but wouldn't just show up.

Liz

 

[Jennifer S]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I just keep calling every day. I think my best bet is probably calling the day before. I would think there might be a chance that someone in the course of a week will cancel. They only take 10 kids and it doesn't even run every day. Maybe disney will add more in the future. It's great for boys (girls too but they already have a lot).

Wish me luck

PS - DS knows there are so many great things at Disney that he won't let it ruin his trip. He may even forget about it.

 

[Stimpy]

I wanted to wish you good luck!

When we called last week for our trip in December, they did take our credit card number and charged us already. We have a "confirmed reservation" for it and we will still be charged for it if we don't show. They said there is only 10 spots available. I think we have to cancel 24 hours before, so definately try calling the day before to see if anyone cancels.

 

[pandamom]

Don't feel bad -- I got thru 8:30 exactly 90 days in advance and they only had 1 opening left and I needed 2. I was going to book the one slot but the cm was horrified -- she was sure the child I didn't book for would be traumatized for life. I explained I was hoping another slot would open up if I kept calling back -- she said she didn't think there would be any chance of that happening and actually talked me out of booking the open slot. I ended up regretting not booking the 1 slot and called back later in the day but it was already gone. I've been calling every few days without any luck but I haven't given up hope yet!

Good luck and remember it never hurts to call and check!

 

[erikthewise]

This happened to me also. I called and called but was never able to get it. The next year I give it the CRT treatment (call at 6:59 exactly 90 days out) and was able to get it; our oldest was 10 that year.

Hopefully your DS is not yet 10 and will have another chance next year. In the meanwhile don't give up hope and follow the advice others have given.

 

[Traveliz]

Ok if they only take 10 kids then either they save alot of places for concierge (that is how I made my reservation) or for those who book when they get there. My nephew went on July 22 ....and getting out the scrapbook to count the kids now ...there are definitely 20 kids on this boat.

Liz

 

[Traveliz]

Oh also I know I did not pay in advance but left a credit card...I am thinking now though that since they have the new payment policy of prepay for all dinner meals and shows; the pirate cruise probably falls under that category.

My niece did the Princess Tea at the same time (the $200.00 one) and we had to take time to pay for that also when we arrived. I really like the idea of having the things paid for and then just checking in.

Liz

 

[webmomom]

Now I am not telling you to do this, but this is what happened in June when my grandkids were booked to go on the cruise.

we were there and all signed in. Up comes this father and tells his kids to go over where they get there hats while he stood in line to pay. they got their priates hats and when he went to pay he did not have a resservation. his story was he was told/understood it was first come first serve. Now he was one of the last to arrive, so what part was first come.first serve. Now they explain to him you must have a ressi. He tells them how much his kids wanted to do this cruise, and had been looking forward to it, as none of ours did. So they told him to wait and see if there was a cancellation. He stayed and sure enough he got his kids on the cruise.

I would never to this to our kids. I could not walk away with the kids in hand and watch the boot leave without them. I just wanted to left you know this is your decision but they did let the kids go on the cruise. I really thought it was wrong as well as others. We all asked why we had gotten up early in the morning to make the ressi, when someone could walk up and get their kids on. We really did not get answer, but Iam sure they did not want any distrubance, and he did seem to be that kind of man.

 

[Jennifer S]

webmomom- I could never do that. If I showed up I would be nice about it and not pushy but I have decided anyhow that if the kids couldn't get on and we were standing there they would be crushed. Out of sight out of mind. If we are having a great time (I'm sure we will) they may not even remember it. I'm not talking about it at all. I'll just secretly call every day when down there to see if there is a cancellation.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed

Thanks again for all the great responses!!

 

[webmomom]

Originally posted by Jennifer S
webmomom- I could never do that. If I showed up I would be nice about it and not pushy but I have decided anyhow that if the kids couldn't get on and we were standing there they would be crushed. Out of sight out of mind. If we are having a great time (I'm sure we will) they may not even remember it. I'm not talking about it at all. I'll just secretly call every day when down there to see if there is a cancellation.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed

Thanks again for all the great responses!!

As I stated I could never either do this to my kids. but just wanted to let you know it is a option that has happened. Also as I mentioned he seemed to be the type of person who would have made a distrubance if his kids were not allowed to go on the cruise. All of us standing there knew what was going on. He made sure we all heard him. He was they type he just push through. He went to get the life preservers and went to the bin for adults and would not listen there was a bin for the children size. Then started to make a fuss that they did not have the right size for the children, until one of the fathers tapped him on the shoulder and just pointed to the correct bin and then he shut up.

 

[gigi1313]

every time you think of it and you are near a phone, CALL! i did this for our trip and was able to snag one ressie... kept trying (i have two kids) and was able to snag another for a different day (took that one too)... continued to try and finally got a second ressie on a day i already had one, so hooray, two kids, two ressies... then hurricane frances showed up and it was cancelled... but the moral of my story is that perseverance pays off, so just keep calling!

and, to make that calling a little easier on your phone bill, here are the toll-free disney numbers...
877-939-3732 (this only works in the United States) and 800-828-0228

GOOD LUCK!