Pirates & Pals vs. MNSSHP

[Christysbakedbliss]

I realize P&P and MNSSHP are two totally separate experiences, but if you could choose ONE, which would it be? Taking our first WDW trip in September with 4 kids (10, 7, 6, and 4) and would like to do both, but trying to be realistic and budgeting in one of those for now. Of the two, in terms of value and overall fun, which would you choose and why? Thanks!

 

[juliebug1997]

I would do the Halloween party, mainly because I haven't done it yet. I really hope that I get to see the Headless Horseman gallop down the paths of the MK some day before I leave this planet.

We've done Pirates and Pals and it was a lot of fun! In fact, it might end up being cheaper than the party for your group. You get some snacks, pictures with Mr. Smee and Cap'n Hook, you get to see the fireworks and the water pageant, which is a lot of fun too and then there's a surprise guest when you arrive back to the dock. So much fun!

There's a way you could do both. Normally (and this won't officially be known until the first party to see how Disney handles it) you can get into the MK with your party ticket at 4 PM. You could not get a ticket for that day, spend some time at DTD or at your resort, sleeping in and swimming, and then head out to the MK mid afternoon. The cost of the party is cheaper than a full day's ticket, so it is something to consider and see how it impacts your budget. Good luck!

 

[laceyinwonderland]

I haven't actually done either, so my opinion isn't worth much, but ive been thinking of the same thing as you. We'd eventually like to do both, but from what ive heard, I think you'd get more bang for your buck at mnSSHP. I hope more people with actual experiences will chime in!

 

[DWillowBay]

Suggestion: This past year, we did Pirates & Pals on a MNSSHP night. The pirate cruise was SO good…abundance of snacks, Hook, Smee, and fun on the cruise….plus, we were able to see the MNSSHP fireworks (which are amazing) from the ship. So…characters, better snacks than MNSSHP, less expensive and the great fireworks. Like I said, just a suggestion.

 

[jimandami]

I would do the Halloween party, mainly because I haven't done it yet. I really hope that I get to see the Headless Horseman gallop down the paths of the MK some day before I leave this planet.

We've done Pirates and Pals and it was a lot of fun! In fact, it might end up being cheaper than the party for your group. You get some snacks, pictures with Mr. Smee and Cap'n Hook, you get to see the fireworks and the water pageant, which is a lot of fun too and then there's a surprise guest when you arrive back to the dock. So much fun!

There's a way you could do both. Normally (and this won't officially be known until the first party to see how Disney handles it) you can get into the MK with your party ticket at 4 PM. You could not get a ticket for that day, spend some time at DTD or at your resort, sleeping in and swimming, and then head out to the MK mid afternoon. The cost of the party is cheaper than a full day's ticket, so it is something to consider and see how it impacts your budget. Good luck!

While I agree that tickets for MNSSHP are cheaper than a full day's ticket, that is only the case if you are buying 2-3 day tickets. Once you get to 4 days, it becomes much, much cheaper to just add a day to your tickets. As far as the OPs question, we have done both and I think it depends on what you want to get out of the party. If you want to spend the party time riding rides with short waits, it may be worth it. However, if you want to meet the party specific characters, trick or treat, etc....I have found the parties to be more and more crowded and not worth the extra money for what you end up getting to do. I think you get more bang for your buck with the Fireworks voyage...and I second the poster who said to try to reserve it on a party night.

 

[cel_disney]

We have been to the party a few times and its a must do for us....the parade is THE best Disney has to offer ANYWHERE EVER....am the fireworks and music are fantastic....the crowd is really more fun than normal because of all of the Halloween costumes that guests wear (we always do something low key - Hawaiian shirts, each a different color polo and lining up like a rainbow, or all in superhero tshirts etc) - as some really go all out - you will see families dressed on Star Wars or incredible a gear, etc....there are exclusive character greets and of course trick or treating (which really means you get plenty of junk to solve all snack cravings for weeks!).

We have not done P&P yet but we have read some reviews of it that suggest it would also be a fun night if pirates are your families thing! Right now my daughter (3) is still to paranoid of Captain Hook for anyone in our party to enjoy outselves so we will be waiting atleast another year...but we stay at Bay Lake Tower and have seen the electric water parade many times and think you would enjoy that alot! Have you read the reviews on this yet? I think either Kenny the pirate or easywdw have written one that is really helpful!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I did both.....and I would pick MNSSHP. The parade and fireworks are amazing!!! Now if it was an option between MVMCP and Pirates & Pals then I would pick the cruise for sure.

 

[Christysbakedbliss]

Thanks for all of your input! I really like the party idea, b/c that would give us extra time at MK on one of our "down days", but, P&P sounds fun too...and I really liked the above suggestion to do P&P on a MNSSHP night! Thankfully I still have time to ponder, but thank you all!

 

[rt2dz]

I've done both--each more than once. And, I can't really argue with this:

Suggestion: This past year, we did Pirates & Pals on a MNSSHP night. The pirate cruise was SO good…abundance of snacks, Hook, Smee, and fun on the cruise….plus, we were able to see the MNSSHP fireworks (which are amazing) from the ship. So…characters, better snacks than MNSSHP, less expensive and the great fireworks. Like I said, just a suggestion.

The only thing you'd miss is the parade--and it IS the best parade ever, anywhere. Other than that, I don't think the rest of the party is *that* big of a deal. Over the years, the value (what you get for what you pay) has declined with the party. Also, we went end of September one year, and it was really hard to get "into" the party so far from Halloween. Trick or treating seemed weird, costumes felt awkward, etc. Still had fun, but if I had to choose between the two at that time of year, the timing comes into play.

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[rt2dz]

Keep in kind, you aren't actually on a cruise with the characters. They come out prior to the cruise for a meet n greet line, and then after you get to meet Peter Pan.

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[williamscm3]

We did both on our last trip and I would totally go with MNSSHP! The fireworks voyage was fun but getting to see the parade, meeting all the rare characters, and having almost every ride be a walk on was totally worth the price. Dressing up was a lot of fun too!

 

[cel_disney]

I did both.....and I would pick MNSSHP. The parade and fireworks are amazing!!! Now if it was an option between MVMCP and Pirates & Pals then I would pick the cruise for sure.

Hahaha - I almost included something about MVMCP surely beating the cruise in mY post too!! And I haven't done the cruise - I just KNOW that it would be better!

 

[drlaurafsu]

Have done both...including Pirates & Pals on a MNSSHP night. The Halloween party is fantastic and should be a priority - try for a Sun-Wed evening for lower crowds (Tuesday is ideal if available the week you are there). Pirates & Pals is fun and definitely worth doing, but I'd say get the Halloween party done first.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We've done Pirates and Pals and it was a lot of fun! In fact, it might end up being cheaper than the party for your group. You get some snacks, pictures with Mr. Smee and Cap'n Hook, you get to see the fireworks and the water pageant, which is a lot of fun too and then there's a surprise guest when you arrive back to the dock. So much fun!

I've been thinking about booking this for our family on our upcoming trip in May. My girls will be 10 and 13 at the time of the trip and love Captain Hook and Smee (well they love any characters to be honest ) and I know they would get a kick out of watching the fireworks from a boat. I'm just curious if this is more for the younger set or is it for any age group?

 

[rt2dz]

I've been thinking about booking this for our family on our upcoming trip in May. My girls will be 10 and 13 at the time of the trip and love Captain Hook and Smee (well they love any characters to be honest ) and I know they would get a kick out of watching the fireworks from a boat. I'm just curious if this is more for the younger set or is it for any age group?

Any age group. In a nut shell: You meet in a room with snacks and a photo OP with Hook & Smee. After some time, you go out onto a boat with a pirate captain filed with corny jokes (so stupid you laugh) and trivia. You watch the electrical pageant and fireworks. You come back for a photo OP with Peter Pan. It's fun and cute.

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[wiigirl]

We did both on our last trip and I would totally go with MNSSHP! The fireworks voyage was fun but getting to see the parade, meeting all the rare characters, and having almost every ride be a walk on was totally worth the price. Dressing up was a lot of fun too!

 

[PoohsFan1]

Any age group. In a nut shell: You meet in a room with snacks and a photo OP with Hook & Smee. After some time, you go out onto a boat with a pirate captain filed with corny jokes (so stupid you laugh) and trivia. You watch the electrical pageant and fireworks. You come back for a photo OP with Peter Pan. It's fun and cute.

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Thank you for the info, this really sounds like something my whole family would enjoy, I just didn't want my kids to feel out of place because of their ages. I have been looking into doing something different on our next trip (we've already done the Family Magic Tour) since this will be my kids 11th trip to the World....I try to look for a couple of things that are new and fresh for each trip (including new restaurants and resort stays) and this may just be it .

 

[jlm196]

We booked pirates & pals for our May trip! It is a surprise for our DS5, who loves all things pirate from Jake to Jack Sparrow. Can't wait to see the look on his face.