Pirate Night ~ Why so disliked?

[dreadpiraterose]

I love pirate night. I realllly don't like the menu. But I still go to the MDR. I love the atmosphere and seeing everyone dressed up.

 

[Jennifer777]

I still like pirate night but I can see how it would get old for those who have been there, done that 5+ times, and there are lots of folks on these boards who are veteran cruisers. Our son doesn't like crowds so he prefers to abstain and my husband is all too happy to stay back with him now that he's done it a couple times. He's an early riser too so it does get late for him. We actually missed it on our last cruise, it was around 10pm on our first two cruises and this last one it was moved up to 7 or 7:30. We didn't hear any announcements and weren't getting navigators in our room so we just assumed it would be the usual 10 pm until we heard fireworks. My daughter and I were bummed to have missed it. We were in costume and looking forward to it but the boys could not have cared less. I wouldn't be sad if they switched it up and had some other deck party once and a while though.

 

[Sytrace]

My son and I go and check out the fireworks and buffet and then hang out until the Pirates of the Caribbean movie on funnel vision.
My husband and daughter went once and might come up for the buffet, although that is quite rare. We don't dress up anymore but we love seeing other folks and their outfits.
The dinner menu is not a problem for us as we don't eat much at dinner so we can eat at the buffet and there is always Luigis for pizza. Or room service.

All in all, I don't HATE pirate night, but it would not bother me if they changed it up a bit and kept the fireworks and buffet.

 

[darnheather]

For me it was all personal things. I was really tired and kind of done with people that day. I tried to dress up but didn't like the outfit I put together. My 10 year old and I are early to bed so we had a nap between dinner and the party which meant we were both grumpy. It was so freaking packed. Adults were very rude to my daughter and me. I think I'll just watch some You Tube videos of the party next time and skip it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never noticed that many people saying they don't like it. And I would think I would notice, since we don't like it.

And it's not being jaded because we didn't like it from the first time we experienced it, which was on our first Disney cruise (DS's first cruise unless you could him being a "group of rapidly dividing cells" on our honeymoon cruise LOL).

Our town has better fireworks. The show was awful. They have you *sit down* on the deck which has got to be the worst crowd-control situation EVER. We avoid it entirely. I think DH and DS walked through the buffet once on the way to/from the arcade and they said it looked awful. (we're vegetarian)

The menu (vegetarian) is horrible as well. It's basically a huge waste of an evening and a theme for us.

I don't dislike it, but if it was cancelled I wouldn't be upset. I know it's all in fun (and POTC is one of my favorite rides), but I find the idea of celebrating people who were thieves, murderers, rapists, arsonists, and generally very bad, if not evil, just doesn't sit well with me. However, I spent a number of years monitoring modern day pirates off Africa and Asia so I have a slightly different perspective on pirates than most people.

I like you.

We have long conversations in my household when watching POTC about who the good guys actually are. In #2 of course Beckett is supposed to be awful, but he is on the side of law and order and the pirates *are not*. Doesn't matter how adorable Jack Sparrow is. And Norrington going over to the pirate side is awful. etc.

the show is horrible. I mean, really, really horrible.

Yes.

And IMO so are the fireworks. And I have no sense of being impressed that they are the only ones at sea with fireworks. Being the first to do something doesn't impress me when it comes to marketing. But I'm spoiled by fireworks. I got to see the DC 7/4 fireworks back in the later 90s, and THAT was amazing. My town does a very good job. I'm not sure about the current Disneyland fireworks show, but they have traditionally had AMAZING fireworks, and their Halloween fireworks when I saw them (before they went to the parties) were so incredible.

It takes a LOT to impress me with fireworks. And DCL doesn't come anywhere near those experiences.

 

[jetskigrl]

We like it but are past the trying to be up close to see the show part. We just go on the upper deck and listen to things and then watch the fireworks. We do dress up and think the menu is fine too. It is a sentimental thing for me and I would miss it if it were gone.

But on the other hand, I have not even seen the frozen deck party and I have no intention of being anywhere near the deck if they are still doing that one when we cruise to Alaska next year. Funny that I can see the pirates stuff over and over again and I'm fine with it. But even though I liked the movie OK when it came out, I am now so sick of everything Frozen that I will avoid it at all costs, LOL.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Well, it seems disliked. Perhaps another word would be better?

Just a lot of talk on the DIS, plus the Princess & Frozen M&G "sold out" on our pirate night (EBPC) ... and lack of Palo reservations on the same date.

So, why the pirate night ... aversion? Is it mostly because it's been on every cruise and many cruisers are jaded with it?
I've also heard people don't really like the menu, just based on discussion here on the DIS.

I'm just curious No need to say one opinion is better than the other.

My curiosity is because I rather enjoy pirate night I'm not a huge fan of pirates but the whole day is just kind of fun. The menu? One of my favorite ^_^ The only thing I DON"T like is the fact that we enjoy second seating and the party is so soon after. Can't fill up on the yummy buffet food
Perhaps we can ask our servers to be as fast as they can possibly be, so as to let our tummies settle?

Ha anywho, please go ahead and give your opinions and why you dislike/jaded or enjoy pirate night

Like others, I like Pirate night (even after 11 cruises). We always bring along our Pirate gear and dress up. I also like the Pirate menu (love those BBQ ribs). Also, like some, we've moved on from actually watching the show, and generally show up on deck just to catch the fireworks. Yes, they're not as long, or as big as most Disney firework displays, but I appreciate the show.

As with most things (whether it's Pirate night, a specific show, or a certain food), I always say "if it's your first cruise, give it a try". Otherwise, how do you know whether YOU will like it or not. Relying on others to make the decision for you as to whether it's "good" or "bad" isn't the best idea, IMO.

Once you've made your decision, be happy with it. And, when others ask for your opinion, you can give it with the disclaimer, that while you like (or dislike) something, there are others who have the opposite view. All opinions are valid.

 

[dsdeleon]

YDS and I dressed up as first time cruisers. Now he prefers to do his own thing and not dress up so I book Palo that night with DH and then we stay seated up away from the crowds in the adult section and watch the fireworks.

 

[MUN]

For me it was all personal things. I was really tired and kind of done with people that day. I tried to dress up but didn't like the outfit I put together. My 10 year old and I are early to bed so we had a nap between dinner and the party which meant we were both grumpy. It was so freaking packed. Adults were very rude to my daughter and me. I think I'll just watch some You Tube videos of the party next time and skip it.

How were adults very rude to you and your daughter?

 

[Jennifer777]

(DS's first cruise unless you could him being a "group of rapidly dividing cells" on our honeymoon cruise LOL).

This made me LOL...mostly because, unbeknownst to us, we had a group of rapidly dividing cells stow away on our honeymoon too. If you ask our son, it counts! He has Hawaii crossed off his travel map.

 

[FigmentSpark]

lol - now if only DCL would count it towards his Castaway Club points!

 

[tinkerone]

I to am in the 'I don't dislike it, but if it was cancelled I wouldn't be upset' camp. The fireworks are just okay so I would not rush up to see them. I don't mind the menu at all, some of the meals are very rich so its nice to have a more everyday simple type meal which is how I would classify it.

I agree with Shmoo, if its your first cruise give it a try. You may be in the category that enjoys it and it would be a shame if this was true and you missed it because someone had a different opinion.

 

[dcassetta]

The menu is not my favorite, and I don't dress up but I do enjoy other people who have creative costumes. I don't go to the show anymore, but I do enjoy the fireworks. Actually, probably my favorite part is looking at all the other ships there around us enjoying the Disney fireworks.

I agree with the others that it's a good idea to try everything on the cruise and see what you like. I thought the Tangled show was just delightful, but I know some people are not fans. I don't go to Toy Story, didn't like the first time don't like it now. I have no desire to see anything related to Frozen, but I get that I'm in the minority on that one!

 

[MrToadsWildCruise]

Well, it seems disliked. Perhaps another word would be better?

Just a lot of talk on the DIS, plus the Princess & Frozen M&G "sold out" on our pirate night (EBPC) ... and lack of Palo reservations on the same date.

So, why the pirate night ... aversion? Is it mostly because it's been on every cruise and many cruisers are jaded with it?
I've also heard people don't really like the menu, just based on discussion here on the DIS.

I'm just curious No need to say one opinion is better than the other.

My curiosity is because I rather enjoy pirate night I'm not a huge fan of pirates but the whole day is just kind of fun. The menu? One of my favorite ^_^ The only thing I DON"T like is the fact that we enjoy second seating and the party is so soon after. Can't fill up on the yummy buffet food
Perhaps we can ask our servers to be as fast as they can possibly be, so as to let our tummies settle?

Ha anywho, please go ahead and give your opinions and why you dislike/jaded or enjoy pirate night

Have done one pirate night. Thought it was fun. Aargh!

 

[tink1970]

I'm one of those who really dislike it, but think hey, to each his own.
Why don't I like it:

Don't like the glamorization of pirates overall.

Don't like dressing up (yes, I hate Halloween too).

Don't like the menu.

I'm not actually the killjoy the list implies, but OP asked why. So those are my reasons.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm one of those who really dislike it, but think hey, to each his own.
Why don't I like it:

Don't like the glamorization of pirates overall.

Don't like dressing up (yes, I hate Halloween too).

Don't like the menu.

I'm not actually the killjoy the list implies, but OP asked why. So those are my reasons.

And absolutely valid opinions. There's no right or wrong answer here.

 

[tinker&belle]

I was concerned about Pirate night from what I had read on here. We LOVED it. My DH even wanted to put together a pirate ensemble with some of the stuff I brought and the included bandana. I am so glad we did it; my kids danced a ton and got chosen to do one of the bits on stage. If it is your first trip you should try it for sure.

 

[psac]

The menu is the least appealing to us, so that's why we do Palo that night. I wear my pirate tie to join the fun. Also Jack Sparrow is a great meet and greet for adults. He can get a little bawdy.

 

[dcassetta]

The menu is the least appealing to us, so that's why we do Palo that night. I wear my pirate tie to join the fun. Also Jack Sparrow is a great meet and greet for adults. He can get a little bawdy.

Completely agree about Jack Sparrow. Last fall on Castaway Cay I swear he flirted with everything on the beach at serenity bay – women, men, Seaweed, rocks, starfish…

 

[Amunet]

I'm truly enjoying everyone's responses! Keep it coming! It's nice to see those that do enjoy pirate night menu as well I think it also depends on who you're with? My previous cruise partner wasn't as into pirates (neither am I), but I did dress up like smee (female version), but my current cruising partner very much enjoys pirates. He's a huge fan of Jack Sparrow and wants to dress up as hook! lol

Also, to clarify, I have been on 2 Disney cruises before, both with the pirate night I'm not new, BUT my current sailing partner is ^_^ So I completely agree ... try everything once!