Pirate Cruise at GF????

[fun & fancy free]

What is this Pirate Cruise I keep hearing about? I figure it must be something at the GF. Do you have to be a resort guest? Is it an eating activity? As you can see I know nothing about it.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My kids did the Pirate Cruise last July and loved it so much they are going to do it again this year. It's an activity for kids ages 4-11. Its run by the GF and leaves from their marina but it's open to all resort guests. You make reservations 90 days out, just as you do your PS. I believe there is a credit card deposit. It's two hours where the kids sail around the lagoon looking for pirate treasure. They wear these cute mickey ears bandanas, end up with a bag of "treasure". They are served lunch. I believe it was a pb&J uncrustable sandwich, fruit box and a cookie. THey sing pirate songs and have a ball. It is strictly for kids (no parents allowed). They give you a beeper and you have two hours to yourselves! My kids also told me when they were either at the Poly beach or near the Poly beach a boat load of characters came by to wave at the pirates.

 

[232271]

sometimes you get just plain red badanas when they run out of mickey ears, my kids were really dissapointed!!! and for what we paid I thought we should have gotten mickey ears.

 

[cujochurch]

This past may my 2 nieces did it. The 9 year old had a blast. The 6 year old hated it. She was terrified that Pirates were going to get her. At one of the stops she was crying and wanted to just wait on the boat. The CM's wouldn't let her. Her older sister asked them to page me and they would not. No one stepped out of character to talk to her and let her know it was all pretend and their were no real pirates.

Upon hearing this I immediatley wanted to talk to someone in charge. However she begged me not to because she was embarrased. So when we got home I wrote a letter explaining what happened and my disappointment that they did not page me to come get her or that no one tried to calm her fears. It ruined the rest of the day for her. I recieved a call from some executive office (can't remember who exactly) apologizing and promising they would retrain the CM's. She asked the girls favorite character and the next week they received an 8 X 10 signed photo.

Just wanted to give you a well rounded picture. There was also another young child you cried the whole time. I would say that if your kids are young and they can't separate what is real and what is pretend it may be too scary. I never thought they would get scared. I thought I was doing something really great for them...Oh well.

 

[fun & fancy free]

How much does the pirate ship cost?

 

[PigletFan05]

How much does the pirate ship cost?

It is $28.17 I just booked DS6 for the pirate cruise in May.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

It all depends on the child. My kids were 7,5 and 4 and they loved it. There weren't any kids crying on their trip and there were quite a few 4 and 5 year olds. My 5 year old dd is quite a "scardy cat" (even afraid of the SNow White ride) and she loved it too.

 

[Janet2k]

Cujochurch, thank you for sharing your story. It's important that people hear all sides. I'm sorry your one niece did not have a good time, but I'm happy that your other niece did. I hope that if your nieces choose to experience it again, they both have a fun time.

My daughter has been attending the Pirates Cruise since she was legally old enough to (well, according to Disney's rules she was legal). My daughter is very outgoing and has no fear about experiencing anything new or by herself (she is the polar opposite of her brother, the more cautious child).

I wrote about my daughter's experience in one of my trip reports: click here to read it (just look for the post on that page entitled, "Grand Floridian Day Three, Part 1"). I do have a bunch of photos to share of the event: click here.

 

[bjakmom]

Janet - thanks for posting the pics and review for the pirates cruise - I think this will be a great treat for my DNeph(7) in october - he can't wait for MNSSHP and already has his Peter Pan costume ready ! The GF sounds like a perfect place to ship off from - they get to cover such a large area and make so many stops. I had heard that there would be a Pirates Cruise starting over at BC, but I'm thinking it would have to cover a smaller area, and make stops at all the resorts he is already very familiar with. Might be worth the trip over to GF so he can experience more of an 'adventure' to new places - and maybe my sis and I can sneak off to the pool or, better yet, the spa!! Can't wait to show him your pics !

 

[bengalbelle]

Cujochurch, thank you for sharing your story. It's important that people hear all sides. I'm sorry your one niece did not have a good time, but I'm happy that your other niece did. I hope that if your nieces choose to experience it again, they both have a fun time.

My daughter has been attending the Pirates Cruise since she was legally old enough to (well, according to Disney's rules she was legal). My daughter is very outgoing and has no fear about experiencing anything new or by herself (she is the polar opposite of her brother, the more cautious child).

I wrote about my daughter's experience in one of my trip reports: click here to read it (just look for the post on that page entitled, "Grand Floridian Day Three, Part 1"). I do have a bunch of photos to share of the event: click here.

Thanks for posting the pictures! I loved that your daughter took her own pics. I think we are going to have to change our arrival date if I can get this booked!

 

[riu girl]

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures. It looks fabulous. Do you book it like any other PS (90 days out with wdw dining)?
Thanks
Suzy

 

[kimmbagley]

We are booked as a grand gathering with kids 9,10,11,13. Do you think they would let the 13 yr old go? If she wants to that is. She is 13 going on 17!
Thanks