Pirate Treasure Hunt

[lindajo]

As part of our next trip to WDW in October, we are thinking of taking the boys (ages 4 & 6) to the Pirate Treasure Hunt Cruise at the Grand Floridian. A bit pricey,($30/each-yikes!) so I would like to know if it's worth it. Also, since my kids can't swim, can I go along as a chapperone?( And would they have the nerve to charge me?) It sounds like a really neat thing for them to do, I just wouldn't want them to go out on the water without me.(Do they put life jackets on them while they are on the boat?) How many cast members are attending all these kids? (I think I read 15 per group.) Thanks for any info..

 

[SeeDisney]

I read this too. I noticed the Grand Floridian also does the Alice Wonderland Tea party for little girls only. does any one know if this is held at the SAME TIME as the Pirate Cruise. I obviously have one of each gender. Thanks.

 

[dutton]

My 3 boys went on this in 2002 and loved it!! They were 4, 7, and 9 years old. I think that there were at least 3 CM's who went. They go to the GF and the Polynesian to do treasure hunts. I don't remember alot of the details, but your kids will really enjoy it! I hope my kids can do it again in October. Oh, my sister's 4 year old went also and his dad is a police detective and thought it was great safety wise and yes they do have to wear life jackets.

 

[summerrluvv]

My son (five) went on this last October. Sorry, no parents are allowed though and there are no exceptions to that rule. There are two chaperones and 12-15 kids. The kids must put their life jackets on before boarding the boat, and they wear them the entire time.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

I don't believe they allow parent chaperones. My daughter went when she was five, and she could not swim, but I never felt insecure in anyway about sending her. The CM's seemed to totally control the kids, and yes they wore life preservers. To the poster who had one child of each gender, when my daughter went, it was at least 1/3 girls! So it is not just for boys only. It was one of the highlights of my daughter's trip that year. I asked her if she wanted to do it when we go in June, but she is 8 now, and feels she is too old for it! (They grow up toooooo fast!) But anyway, your daughter might enjoy doing this with her brother (just a thought).

 

[bmr12]

The other posters have it right--you can put the lifevests on your little one, however. I think my daughter's cruise had 3 or 4 total employees (counting the boat driver) to twenty-some kids. She had a great time--still remembers it five months later. Today, we were talking about going on a cruise for our next vacation, and she said, "Like the one where I got the sticky eyeball?" "Would I have to go by myself again?"

 

[Jo-Jo21]

Here is a link to a thread recently posted with additional info on the Pirate Cruise. My DS loves it! Have fun!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=515171

 

[Grumpy37]

Argh!!!!

We finally got a pirate cruise booked for my DS5 (soon to be 6)!

Similar to breakfast at Cindy's Castle, you really need to be on top of the "90 days in advance" reservation for this because it can and does tend to fill up on the very first day that reservations become available. Maybe not the first 5 minutes like Cindy's, but definitely by the first day.

PS Calculator

Edit: BTW, the link to the WDWInfo.com Pirate Cruise page from the PS Calculator page points to the Tea Party, here is the correct link:

Pirate Cruise

 

[lindajo]

Thanks for the tip, Grumpy37! Although we do not plan on going until October, that 90-day advance reservation would have snuck right past me. Another question, if you know. Is there a charge to cancel a reservation? I read there is a $10 no-show charge, but if you cancel far enough in advance is there a charge? Thanks for the info!

 

[ceroarty]

I would definetly let your kid go. I am 31 and went many, many years ago and it is still one of my fondest memories of Disney. I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to go.
Colleen

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by lindajo
As part of our next trip to WDW in October, we are thinking of taking the boys (ages 4 & 6) to the Pirate Treasure Hunt Cruise at the Grand Floridian. ...I would like to know if it's worth it...

My daughter loves the Pirates Cruise. I posted her recent experiences with it in my trip report -- click here to read about the Pirates Cruise (look for the post on that page entitled "Grand Floridian Day Three, Part 1").

My daughter will be attending all three of the GF's wonderful children's activities during our upcoming vacation. It wouldn't be a WDW vacation if my daughter didn't do that -- it has become a treasured tradition for her. I hope that if your children get to attend the Pirates Cruise, it will become a vacation tradition for them.

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by ceroarty
I am 31 and went many, many years ago and it is still one of my fondest memories of Disney.

Colleen, I am so jealous of you!

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by lindajo
Is there a charge to cancel a reservation?

There is no charge if you cancel the reservation more than 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than that, you will be charged. I apologize for not remembering if the charge is a full charge now (for some reason I think it is). My daughter's current Pirates Cruise reservation costs $28.17 (plus tax).

 

[Steffy]

My DGD can't wait to go on the pirate cruise when we go in December. She loved it. They stopped at FW and looked for "pirate's gold". She had big fun. My DD and I ate at the Grand Floridian Cafe during her cruise.

I'm really concerned because wea re going in December the week before Christmas and they will only have the cruise 3 days while we are there. I'm hoping everyone who calls is looking for CRT ressies that day, so I can get her pirate cruise.

 

[lindajo]

Originally posted by Janet2k
My daughter loves the Pirates Cruise. I posted her recent experiences with it in my trip report -- click here to read about the Pirates Cruise (look for the post on that page entitled "Grand Floridian Day Three, Part 1").

My daughter will be attending all three of the GF's wonderful children's activities during our upcoming vacation. It wouldn't be a WDW vacation if my daughter didn't do that -- it has become a treasured tradition for her. I hope that if your children get to attend the Pirates Cruise, it will become a vacation tradition for them.

Oh yes, your pictures are beautiful!! It looks like so much fun, I wish they had a grown-up version! I am sure that this will be something my boys will remember more than any other part of their trip (even better than Wes Palm knowing their names at AK!) I can't wait for our trip-I will be wishing our entire summer away for October! Thank you for sharing your pics!

P.S. Great idea sending a "spy" camera with your daughter! I say "spy" because no adults have ever seen what goes on out on the "high seas". Quite an insight! You are too clever...