Pirate Treasure Hunt Cruise

[grandfloridian]

My son will be turning 5 during our October trip to WDW (his 3rd trip!!). We are staying at GF and I was thinking about the Treasure Hunt Cruise. Has anyone done it, and is 5 too young? I have a daughter that will be 6 as well. I couldn't find a thread that discussed this and I was planning to call April 14th for my reservations.
Thanks!! Even though I have been to WDW 30 times, I have found this site to be so helpful!! Thanks to all that take the time to reply.

 

[disnut8]

All I can say it do it. For both kids. My granddaughter did this (she had her choice between the cruise and the princess tea) and absolutely loved it. Five is not too young. The whole cruise is done on the buddy system so your kids will probably be paired with each other. Call right as soon as you can because the spots go fast.

Since you are staying at the Grand Floridian and don't have transportation issues, I'd recommend you get to the marina a bit before 9:15. You'll have to check the kids in, get your receipt and pager (need both to get the kids back), and fit the kids with life jackets. We got there right at 9:00 when the marina opened and it was kind of nice because we got everything taken care of before most of the rest of the kids showed up and had plenty of time for photo opportunies (at the Magic Kingdom edge of the dock, you can get a great shot of your pirates with the castle behind them).

At 9:25, your kids become pirates. Simple as that. They are pirates. You can't see it but they do. You'll be able to see them board the pirate ship (a pontoon boat with a Jolly Roger flag on the back) and then when they take off. When they come back (be at the dock no later than 11:20 for the arrival), you'll have to show your receipt and pager and the kids will be let off the boat only when an adult is there to claim them.

It's great for the kids.

One crucial piece of advice - make sure your kids go to the bathroom before the cruise. We almost had a disaster when we realized our granddaughter hadn't gone that morning. Full bladder + being on the water = not a great idea.

 

[sleeping beauty 2]

My son - 7 & daughter 6 did it last year and loved it. They could have paired with one another - but wanted to make new friends. It is definately worth it and don't forget your camera for pictures going and coming back. My husband, myself and my 2 year old enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at GF cafe. It was a much needed alternative to a morning at the park.

 

[grandfloridian]

Thank you both for the great details! I have decided to book it. I spoke with reservations today (though I can't make ressies until 4/14) to find out the cost. It is $28.17/child and is from 9:30 - 11:30. They do it on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. I think our only hesitation was leaving our kids with strangers on a boat, but I know they would absolutely love it. I have to let go a little I suppose.

 

[maidenfairy]

I tried to book for June and all were sold out My TA advised I Call when we get to the resort and see if there are any openings. I keep telling my husband you have to book things early. Good luck and I'm sure they will love it.

 

[disnut8]

I think our only hesitation was leaving our kids with strangers on a boat, but I know they would absolutely love it. I have to let go a little I suppose.

My daughter-in-law had the same issues. Thinking about seeing her one and only (at that time) going off with strangers and to somewhere she couldn't go. This is a woman who, if her children sneeze twice in one week, will be on the phone to the doctor. When the kids were on the boat and pulling out, my daughter-in-law turned to me and said (honestly), "What the hell was I worried about?"

 

[larklynn]

Did you try the albtross cruise , or the the other one. They also have mad hatter tea which my ds and dd enjoyed and the grand cooking adventure. My children have done all but the newest pirate cruise and although they liked the one at gf my dd liked the albtross one more. I have heard the newest one is themed after pirates of the caribean.

 

[TruBlu]

I tried to book for June and all were sold out My TA advised I Call when we get to the resort and see if there are any openings. I keep telling my husband you have to book things early. Good luck and I'm sure they will love it.

Don't wait until you get there. Call every day!!! I did, and got my boys in for June!!! It took about a week of calling every day though.

Also, it helps if you are willing to consider other cruises. They have a Jester one that sounds really good too.

Good luck!

 

[larklynn]

Do you have any info on the jester one.

 

[TruBlu]

Do you have any info on the jester one.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/piratecruise.htm

It leaves from Port Orleans. Kids learn the way of the Jester and look for treasure. They try to find it before Jester does. They even get to meet him at the end. DS5 thought it sounded really fun!

Also there is more than one Pirate Cruise. Make sure they check them all for you.

 

[mom2aandj]

My DS, age 6, did the Albatross cruise out of the BC&YC dock. It was wonderful, and my goodness, I think it has to be one of the best deals in WDW! I think all the cruises sound fun, but I really liked the Albatross because the kids got to go into Epcot and look for clues on their treasure hunt in the countries (my DS said they looked in Canada and Mexico.)

 

[larklynn]

Sounds cool maybe I will try it for ds 7th birthday and send dd 9with him

 

[crisi]

My kids have done the one out of the Y&BC and the one out of the GF. They were both very nice. Five or six is about the perfect age - my son at seven was not nearly as enchanted as he's been at five - but that may have been that they'd done it before and it wasn't as cool the second time.

 

[JustUsGirls]

i booked my twins 4 yrs old for it in early october. we are staying at GF..9:30 on oct 4th--hope to see you there!!!!! from everythingi have read-they will love it--i did quite a bit of research!

 

[MBELSANTI]

So you think an almost 10 year old boy would be bored?

 

[crisi]

So you think an almost 10 year old boy would be bored?

How sensative is he to "everyone else is under seven" - my son had just turned seven, there was one obviously older child on the cruise with her little brother - and everyone else was noticably younger. The first time we went (when my kids were younger) the age distribution was about the same.

Now this sort of thing doesn't bother my daughter at all - she loves hanging with little kids....but its very noticable to my son - and he doesn't like it.

Its also possible - probable even - that my kids have been on two cruises that have skewed young.

 

[MBELSANTI]

Hmmm I didn't realize the kids were alot younger on these cruises. I am like the OP in that I wouldn't have ever let my son go on this. I am having hard time letting him go at this age as it is LOL!

 

[larklynn]

My ds went at 11 with his younger brother and sister and it didn't bother him but it may just depend on the child

 

[grandfloridian]

i booked my twins 4 yrs old for it in early october. we are staying at GF..9:30 on oct 4th--hope to see you there!!!!! from everythingi have read-they will love it--i did quite a bit of research!

I can't call until this Saturday for any of my reservations. Did you have trouble getting reservations?
We will be arriving on the 11th at GF for 10 days and we are not telling the kids. It is taking every effort for me to not talk about it with them!!
Hope to see you at the pool!!

 

[JustUsGirls]

we may miss you-arriving the 2nd and leaving GF the 6th..anyway-i called 180 days out and it was easy..no problems making any ressies..good luck!!!!