Pirate night is lame now

[jetskigrl]

Exactly. In other cruises, we always had a movie for pirate night instead of a show.

Darn, so much for wishful thinking I was hoping that was the reason and it was temporary. I guess I will find out in October if that is the new norm for the pirate show/fireworks.

 

[cheribelle]

Darn, so much for wishful thinking I was hoping that was the reason and it was temporary. I guess I will find out in October if that is the new norm for the pirate show/fireworks.

I was prepared for the new show as I read somewhere (not sure if it were these boards or somewhere else) that the Fantasy was having rehearsals for the new pirate show. I haven’t read anywhere that it was happening on other ships. So I’m assuming it’s only the Fantasy for now with the new show.
I was not prepared for the new times however. Hopefully it was just a test and others can fill us in after they sail. Our servers did say this was the first sailing for these times.

 

[eva2015]

We were on Fantasy last January and liked the earlier fireworks. The Mickey show was around 5pm before main dinner seating then the Capt Jack pirate show was at 7:30 followed by fireworks. After we went to the lobby and saw Peter Pan and Tinkerbell etc. We have young kids but would still prefer earlier time. I don't know how we would fill the time after dinner if we had to wait until 10pm.

We were on Magic March 2017 and also had the fireworks between dinner seatings.

 

[MomOTwins]

As a mom who was stuck in her cabin with her sleeping 2 year old while DH and the older kids watched the fireworks, I'd probably prefer an earlier show too. That said, I'm not sure why they would cancel the pirate party and buffet when they could easily make that part of the evening entertainment after the second dinner seating.

 

[1lilspark]

Between hearing this and the cutback of shows really looking forward to my October trip less and less on the bright side I’ll save $ not booking another placeholder if I’m underwhelmed

 

[mrswillson]

My husband and I didn't care for it. The novelty of it piqued our interest, but not enough to participate more than a few minutes. We specifically booked our Palo dinner on Pirate Night to avoid the crowds and food (which I've heard is sub-par and packed because it's buffet style), and the few minutes we experienced of it once we finished left us highly unimpressed. The fireworks were not noteworthy in the slightest, and the entertainment was tailored only to children. (Before you jump on that I understand it's a Disney cruise - but you can incorporate SOME songs and jokes for all ages with some creativity.)

Bottom line is that if we sail DCL again, we will make sure Pirate Night is once again booked with other activities so that we're not disappointed a second time.

 

[kiford]

This thread would be easier to follow if everyone stated which ship (I know a few did) they are speaking of.

Definitely. We sailed Wonder/Magic several times before the Dream and it was a totally different type of pirate show. Cap'n Mickey on Wonder/Magic and Jack Sparrow on the Dream. I assumed they'd changed the show completely but then sailed the Magic again and it was back to Mickey. I realized then that there were different shows between the two classes of ship. I know that the show changes a bit each time but it seems like there are still two entirely different types of shows between the classes and I'm not nearly as fond of the Captain Sparrow version.

We specifically booked our Palo dinner on Pirate Night to avoid the crowds and food (which I've heard is sub-par and packed because it's buffet style)

Dinner in the MDR is normal table service (unless it's changed in the last two years). The pirate buffet occurs after dinner if they have it; it isn't always offered. I've no idea what the rationale is for when they do or don't offer it. And yes, it is packed. We forgo dessert at dinner and get the crepes with chocolate and fruit at the buffet just for a change of pace.

 

[Michele DeVisser]

Seriously, one of the best parts of DCL was pirate night, we didn’t even like pirates going into our first cruise and it became the highlight of our cruises after that.

Now they’ve really killed it.

8:00? Cool, guess we don’t get fireworks or club pirate if we are the half of the ship that has second seating.

No more pirate feast in cabanas. Not that I was hungry after dinner, but the different fare and environment was cool. Saved room for a snack.

Concept is blown. Weird being saved from the pirates that took over the ship and then our waiter is still a pirate. Guess captain jack didn’t care about saving us second seat people.



Oh, and the new show? Horrible, cheesey (and I’m a dad that tells dad jokes and I found it too corny)

They didn’t go Disney on it, they went what Chinese knockoffs think is Disney on it. Half the deck is closed so everyone is fighting for a place to sit now, more than before. Really sing songy (literally too)

Oh, and because its wedged in there you can’t do a 5:15 movie or show, and pools close at 4 so there’s that... guess we do nothing but wait around.


Honestly, we nearly ended our Disney Cruise streak because of this. We got a placeholder instead of booking a future cruise. Maybe we will try Star Wars day at seas cruise before they ruin that too.

Very Disappointing! We are sailing on the Fantasy Sept 29th and was looking forward to this!

 

[Shanti]

We liked the pirate show on the Magic in 2015 much better than the one on the Dream in 2017. I'm not sure if the difference was due to the ship or to the later date, though.

 

[southerngirl528]

Guess I'll be finding out about the Pirate Show soon as we sail on the Fantasy in 8 days. I loved the old Pirate show (on the Classics) where the pirates took over the ship and then swashbuckler Mickey swooped in to save the day! And the ship!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Guess I'll be finding out about the Pirate Show soon as we sail on the Fantasy in 8 days. I loved the old Pirate show (on the Classics) where the pirates took over the ship and then swashbuckler Mickey swooped in to save the day! And the ship!

Please do report back.

 

[hcox31]

I didn't read the whole thread, but we were on the Dream Aug 20-24. We had the mickey pirate show/singalong thing in between dinner seatings, then at 10:00 was the Jack Sparrow show followed by fireworks at almost 10:30. If I knew where my navigator was I'd post it.

Edited to add: There was also a pirate buffet at 10:30-11:15 or so
Edited again to add: the jack sparrow show was different than the first time we saw it. More of the decks were closed off as they go out into the audience more.

 

[southerngirl528]

Please do report back.

Will do!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I like that better! (7:30pm Fireworks)
We don’t like how long they make it take for dinner and would definitely be at that fireworks show. We eat dinner quick and are out of there so no issue being out in time for the fireworks. Also late seating can see it too before they go to dinner. Win Win!

I think I may like it too. We are generally early to bed since we have a toddler who likes to get up before coffee is made in cabanas so I usually find myself taking the 2 boys (school age) up to see the show in my pajamas. I barely make it staying awake waiting for it to be show time after our early dinner seating. I think I may like this change, but I see why others won't.

 

[Starwind]

I doubt this for multiple reasons... mainly because without the need for a launch charge these things are probably less charged than a standard flare gun charge. But also because if Disney has enough pull with the international community on maritime law to change the color of lifeboats to match Mickey Mouse’s shoes, they probably have enough pull to make sure their fireworks aren’t considered weapons of war.

Btw, Disney is pretty tight lipped about their air launch system, I’d love to learn more about it. You Can be 100% certain it’s a fixed system so they just reload shells though. Without tubes, bases, or launch charges the shells for one show would probably fit in a carryon bag.

The fireworks look impressive on the ship but aren’t any bigger than your backyard show. It’s all about viewing space, and since you’re captive on the center of the ship, real easy to make small shells look big.

I’ll put it this way, if you were on an island watching the ship launch the fireworks, you’d be rather unimpressed

There is, however international maritime law/regulations regarding the maximum amount of explosives and certain other hazardous materials, in kg, that a passenger vessel is allowed to have on board. The various countries, such as the US and Canada, have then codified that into their domestic law/regulations.

As for pirate night, we enjoy the fireworks from deck 12 and try to avoid the pirate show as much as possible as we aren't really into the pirate theme.

We always enjoy playing "spot the other ships" and counting how many other ships have come close enough to enjoy the fireworks show too.

SW

 

[WannaBeImagineer]

In December 17 on board the Wonder, the pirate deck party was at 7:45. We had time to watch Coco at 5:30, then hightail it up to the party and find a place to stand, then hightail it to dinner. It was a little rushed, but fine.

No pirate buffet, though.

We were on the same cruise. I thought this was the way all ships were moving to, early Pirate deck party and fireworks between dinner seatings. We actually liked the time because the kids could easily stay up for the fireworks.

I missed the pirate buffet though.

WBI

 

[EvilQueenLairen]

I didn't read the whole thread, but we were on the Dream Aug 20-24. We had the mickey pirate show/singalong thing in between dinner seatings, then at 10:00 was the Jack Sparrow show followed by fireworks at almost 10:30. If I knew where my navigator was I'd post it.

Edited to add: There was also a pirate buffet at 10:30-11:15 or so
Edited again to add: the jack sparrow show was different than the first time we saw it. More of the decks were closed off as they go out into the audience more.

OH THANK GOODNESS. I mentioned this thread to my husband and he was very displeased - I will admit, I was too (mostly because of the late night buffet, but we like staying up into the wee hours of the morning). So glad to hear that it was 'normal' on your cruise - gives me hope for our 9/24 cruise on Dream!

 

[cheribelle]

Seems others posting on another site about the 8/18 Fantasy. Show and Fireworks were early between seatings and no pirate buffet. Seems to be a Fantasy thing?

 

[Pens Fan]

I would think shooting off fireworks so early is dependent on it being dark enough at 8 PM to actually see them (one would hope so anyway). Maybe the reason it's only on the Fantasy right now is it's location on Pirate Night vs the Dream's. I know it's still pretty light at our house at that time, but then we don't live in the middle of the ocean.

 

[Numtini]

I really enjoyed the pirate show and the fireworks, but our 7yo daughter, who loves fireworks, seriously disliked the show. She thought it was too loud and she didn't really follow what was going on. She ended up going to the club for the SWDAS fireworks because she so disliked the first one. I've also seen plenty of complaints about staying up late as well. So I'm not surprised they're trying something different even though this sounds like a dud and I can't see how it's dark enough at 730 for fireworks other than in the winter.