Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage - opinions please?

[kelly3927]

We're hoping to do this in November. I've read some places that it runs every day from November to January; that it only runs on non-MVMCP days; that it only runs Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon, regardless of hard ticket events; that it runs specifically on hard ticket days. I've called a couple of times, but my connection keeps getting dropped while I'm on hold. Had anyone had any success booking for November 2014? Is there a schedule out there somewhere? And does it make sense to do Chef Mickey's for dinner before-hand?

I have heard all different things about when it runs as well. I called on Wednesday and they told me that November was not available for booking yet and to keep checking. Someone else told me that it should be available at 180 days.

We have an ADR for Chef Mickeys for dinner but now I am rethinking it due to the previous posters comments. I just don't know where else I would fit in CM if I don't go that day!

 

[Jekyllcat]

I have heard all different things about when it runs as well. I called on Wednesday and they told me that November was not available for booking yet and to keep checking. Someone else told me that it should be available at 180 days.

We have an ADR for Chef Mickeys for dinner but now I am rethinking it due to the previous posters comments. I just don't know where else I would fit in CM if I don't go that day!

We are in much the same boat (though I haven't hit my 180-day mark for making ADRs yet) - if we don't do CM the same night as the cruise, when do we fit it in? Or do I pick one over the other?

The WDW site lists the cruise as running Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon, so I had planned to book for a Monday. But now that Monday is one of the MVMCP days, and there are no Wishes fireworks scheduled. Does that mean no cruise? No one seems to know.

It seems like the Pirates & Pals cruise is a relatively big deal. You'd think it would be easier to find out available dates and times!

 

[Kerrimc74]

I managed to book a few weeks ago for late October. But the dates had just been released. I have a feeling they might be released inline with mnsshp etc but could be wrong. They told me it doesn't run a wed or thurs xx

 

[jennilouwho]

Ours is booked for a Tuesday in September during MNSSHP. Do you think we'll get to see the Water Pageant or will we miss it with 9:30 fireworks?

 

[jvorhis]

We did it in October of 2012 and we all loved it (4 adults 2 kids ages 9-3). We did dinner before at the Wave and then went upstairs for the meet and greet in the ballroom. My older DD was chosen to hold the flag and lead everyone to our boat which was a highlight of our trip. I assume they assign seating in the order you book (we were in the first row of the boat.) We had a great time watching the fireworks and on the way back they play trivia and give out small prizes. Peter Pan was waiting for us once we got off the boat to take pics and sign autographs.

 

[terri33inne]

I just booked yesterday for a Monday in late August... I got right through (no hold time), and booked no problem, for myself & my daughter.

I'm hoping we're on the good side of the boat for the fireworks. You can also cancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Keep in mind both sides of the boat provide good fireworks' views.

 

[Auntrosie]

Sept 2012
5 adults
2 children, 7 and 11 girl boy respectively
We liked it very much
It topped off a day of fantasy makeovers at Mk
The 7 year old in her princess dress and Bobbidi Boutique mark up and hair
The 11 year, his Uncle Bob and his Dad in full on pirate make up and costume.
(We have lots of photos of the three of them with Hook and Smee. Very cute)

The kids were trilled to run around with the other kids and play pirates, tag and who knows what else. They laughed the entire time. They may have been getting a bit bored with just us adults all day.

From the boat it's a great view of wishes in its entirety. You realized how much you don't see when your in MK underneath that fireworks show. We had more of a guide with us then a Captain, I thought. He was funny and the children enjoyed the trivia game.

It was worth doing. It's not that we wouldn't do this again but there are many other things we want to try that we didn't try last trip.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[MartDM]

Fun activity and a great value for the money. We all had a great time.

The pre-cruise reception with Hook & Smee has abundant snacks and drinks and a nice photo op with them. The "pirates" who hosted our cruise (there were two boats that night), were both quite entertaining. The cruise is nice, fireworks view can't be beat, and you play fun on the way back. Peter Pan met us for another photo op at the end.

The boat has about 10 rows with a bench seating 3-4 people on each side of the boat. Very comfortable.

 

[esmom]

We did this a couple of years ago. It was me, DH, DD (3) and DD(5). I too was nervous about the crowds at Mk but wanted to see the fireworks with the girls.
They were both very into Peter Pan so this was an easy choice for us. We enjoyed the snacks. We got great family pictures with Hook and Smee. We had a wonderful view of the fireworks and they piped in the Wishes music. We also caught the electric water parade as it returned home.

I wasn't sure about leaving because as I said, we were trying to avoid crowds. We decided to take a taxi back to our hotel. I was going to ask someone at the desk to call but they had cabs waiting right outside. I can't recall how much it cost but it wasn't a huge expense and it was a quick ride home.

 

[kelly3927]

I called again today and November is still not available for booking. Ugh I'm getting impatient!

 

[Jekyllcat]

I called today (Tuesday). Still nothing. Not convinced the cast member knew what I was talking about, though.

Fingers crossed for an update to the dates by the end of the week!

 

[mcd531]

Will they have the cruise on the same night as MVMCP?

 

[Jekyllcat]

The November dates and hours have been released!

You can see them on the calendar at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...ary-resort/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/

Happy booking

 

[kelly3927]

The November dates and hours have been released! You can see them on the calendar at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/contemporary-resort/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/ Happy booking

Thank you! I have been checking everyday for the past 2 weeks and the one day I don't check they release it! Calling now.

 

[mummabear]

We loved it. We would totally do it again. Highly recommend it.
Loved the view, love how clearly the music was piped (I heard it better than ever before in the park). Hook was awesome.
Peter was a bit of a douche (Shame he was my DD's favorite)

 

[Tashinwdw]

We did it Sept 2012, not sure if it was the heat, or the big days or just jet lag but my kids then dd13, dd12 and ds9 were really tired so not sure if that effected their response to the night. We did enjoy it, there was heaps to snack on - which my kids loved. The only downside was the seating, there didnt seem to be enough seating for everyone, we ended up sitting on the floor.

The weather was beautiful out on the lake, the CMs were friendly, funny and entertaining. We had the row to ourselves for seating. The views were not to good for us, I was in the isle seat and there always seemed to be someone's head in the way when I was trying to watch the fireworks and the water parade. I found that really frustrating. It was still a nice evening and glad that we did it, I would recommend it due to the fact that it is something different. My kids did ask to do it again for our upcoming trip but I would rather do something that we have not yet experienced.

 

[kelly3927]

After an hour wait on the phone last night we are booked for Nov 1st!!

 

[Jekyllcat]

After an hour wait on the phone last night we are booked for Nov 1st!!

We're not booked until the 18th. If you have a chance, come back and post a review!

 

[kelly3927]

We're not booked until the 18th. If you have a chance, come back and post a review!

Of course I'll be back with a review!