Pirates and Pals fireworks voyage

[calypso_nz]

We're seriously considering the Pirates and Pals fireworks voyage for our first trip to Disney World in early September. Our daughter will be almost 4 and is currently crazy about Peter Pan (and The Pirate Fairy). When she plays, she likes to be the villain, so she's invariably Hook - I think she'd genuinely enjoy meeting him and Smee.

I have read a lot of reviews, so before I go ahead and book I have a couple of questions for people who may have done the cruise:
1. Should we do the cruise on a park day or not? We have three rest days scheduled, two at the water parks and a resort day. There is also the possibility of going on our first night.
2. Is there a way, when I book, to ensure we end up on the side of the boat facing Magic Kingdom?
3. After the cruise, how should we plan to return to our resort (POR). Do we rely on Disney buses and walk back to MK, or should we just plan on a taxi?

 

[smitch425]

1. Sounds like a great way to end a rest day.
2. Nope
3. Walk to MK

 

[MermaidMommy]

The odd numbered rows are the ones on the MK side. When you make your reservation, you can ask for them to request that you be seated in an odd row. They won't guarantee it, of course, but it's worked twice for us.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

You will meet Captain Hook and Mr. Smee at the dessert party prior to the sail. Peter Pan is a "surprise" guest when you come back to the dock. My little one fell asleep once we set sailed, and didn't meet Peter Pan. I think an extra long nap is a good idea if 10:30pm is way past your child's bedtime.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Im excited to take my to-be-three year olds in september. We booked it on our water park rest day, and when I was booking the pirates and pals I asked about cabana rentals... so we ended up reserving a beachcomber shack at TL the day of the cruise. I figure that way we can just relax and even have them nap there if it's a nice day. One thing I wasnt sure about was dinner... I was think 1900 PF but is that overkill on the food with the dessert party? Maybe a very early reservation?

 

[mshanson3121]

I would not do it on a rest day, instead I would do it after a park day and schedule the rest day the following day. It's an extremely late night, by the time fireworks are done, you get back, meet Peter pan it'll be around 11. Then by the time you get back to your resort and into bed probably near midnight.

 

[4under4]

I would not do it on a rest day, instead I would do it after a park day and schedule the rest day the following day. It's an extremely late night, by the time fireworks are done, you get back, meet Peter pan it'll be around 11. Then by the time you get back to your resort and into bed probably near midnight.

I agree with this. Not only is it really late, it includes a lot of sugar. Your little one is going to CRASH!

One thing I wasnt sure about was dinner... I was think 1900 PF but is that overkill on the food with the dessert party? Maybe a very early reservation?

I wouldn't to a big dinner beforehand, even if it is early. Unless you're on a monorail resort, killing time between dinner and the 8:00 check in time could be tough.

 

[sweetnjmom]

I would not do it on a rest day, instead I would do it after a park day and schedule the rest day the following day. It's an extremely late night, by the time fireworks are done, you get back, meet Peter pan it'll be around 11. Then by the time you get back to your resort and into bed probably near midnight.

We are going for the first time on our first day next month as my 5 year old son LOVES Captain Hook and was dressed as him for Halloween (bringing the costume). We know it will be a crazy long day (and night) so we have nothing planned until mid afternoon the next day (EPCOT arrival around 3 PM). My son won't sleep in or nap, despite a late night, so we figured we'll stay at our resort, hang at the pool etc. the next day and then spend a few hours at a "quieter' park for us--just walking around the World Showcase mostly.

 

[smitch425]

In regards to the rest day vs a park day, if your 4 year old can handle a full day in the parks PLUS a long night out, then go for it. My suggestion of doing it on a rest day was with the thinking of the 4 year old getting in a mid day nap, thus allowing a later night to be a non issue.

 

[calypso_nz]

Thanks for all your advice. I think I'm leaning towards doing it the night before a rest day after reading people's thoughts. Wishes is scheduled for 10pm on September 1st. Even with a nap, which are currently only 45-60 min long, I think my daughter would do better with a rest the day after.

This will be our first MK day (we're doing AK first the day before). I think the cruise may be a great way to round the day out. For everyone. Although my husband and I have been to Disneyland multiple times, we've never actually stayed in the park long enough for the fireworks (jet lag after flying from New Zealand - not an issue now as we live in OH), so I'm excited to see both Wishes and Illuminations while we're at WDW.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We did this last year. My son was 7 and loved everything Peter Pan and and Pirates. It was a TON of fun. The only reason we did this though was bc we were staying at the Contemporary. They have the snacks and stuff while you wait for the boats and while you meet Hook and Mr Smee. Once you are ready to head to your boats you walk down with Hook and Mr Smee. My son was so excited bc he got to hold Hook's hand all the way to the boats. Once you are on the boats they sing songs and tell jokes and have so much fun. Then once the fireworks start the music chimes in from Wishes and they turn the lights out on the boat. Then after Wishes they head back to the docks and tell everyone to close their eyes and when you open them Peter Pan is waiting on the docks to surprise you. They you meet Peter Pan and he will sign autographs. Peter Pan and my son really hit it off they talked for like 5 minutes! My son was so excited. But by the time we got back up to the room it was 11:00PM. It was extremely late I don't know how late people would get back to their hotels if they were staying at a resort in a different area than Magic Kingdom and had to take a bus home. I would definitely do this on the night before a rest day. Maybe try for the night before you are doing your resort day. That way everyone has a chance to sleep in and get some rest.