Pirates & Princesses Party - Don't bother!!

[danielle782001]

We went on 1/29. We arrived at 4PM so no problem fighting crowds. The park was pretty empty during the party with no lines on rides to speak of. We were very happy that we were there with no crowds. The parade was okay, short (nothing special). The fireworks were really, very good. We did not have a park ticket for that day because we arrived at Disney World on that day. Our treasure bags broke in the park (so cheap) and we really did not like the cheap treasure offerings. The kids did enjoy looking for the X marks the spot and at first they enjoyed the treasure. But it got old quick. My sons remember all the yummy candy they got at those spots during the Halloween Party and began asking for candy. Of course there was none. So we got some treats for when we were waiting for the parade to begin. I also agree that the decorations are nothing to speak of. The park did not have the festive feel that you get from other parties.

We got out of it what we wanted... half price ticket for a half day in the park (give or take a few bucks). Otherwise we would have been upset. It was not really special (except for the fireworks).

We have been to the Christmas and Halloween Parties... We LOVED the Christmas Party and really enjoyed the Halloween Party. We do either of them again in a heart beat. We do not feel that way about the P&PP. It was a "class C" party for sure. We would ONLY go back if we did the same thing... had no other park ticket for that day.. otherwise we would not waste the money.

 

[GinnyFavers]

Wow I can't believe people are saying the parade wasn't much. It's the first time a face character Tinkerbell has EVER appeared in the parks, there's that awesome ship with Capt Sparrow and the pirates leaping around.

The fireworks show features more shells than Disney ever normally uses, and is one of the best designed and technically intricate fireworks displays I've ever seen.

There were loads of characters that I'd never seen before, like Capt Sparrow, the wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters from Cinderella, and other Pirates of the Caribbean characters.

I just don't get how a Disney fan wouldn't be wowed by all that?

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good time! We went twice at the end of January. Being completely honest I have to say that I was a bit disappointed but I still loved it anyway.

After seeing many pictures from the parties I was expecting to see characters every where and was expecting to find the princesses with their princes. It wasn't anything like I was expecting. That is my major gripe though, just the lack of characters.

I looked everywhere and asked around about where to find the princesses with the princes. No luck finding them. I finally spotted them as they were walking back inside and waving bye to the crowd. SIGH! I ran up and asked a castmember walking with them when they would be back out. She told me they wouldn't be. It was only 10. So that was it? I was really bummed.

So at the next party I asked and ONE person told me they would be out at the carousel at 9pm. I asked others just to be sure and no one else seemed to know if they were coming out or not. Well, sure enough they all came out at 9pm. We were right there and my girls were THRILLED!! Because we were there waiting for them we were didn't have to wait in any lines to see them because not many people were around. Again they left just before 10. That's not much time to be out for a Princess party. We did see princesses in the toon town tent but without their princes and it was a one hour wait.

We did find the fab 5 (minus minnie) in their pirate gear and that was really cool!! Minnie and Daisy were in the Tent with their princess stuff on. That was cool too. Jack Sparrow's line was only 15 minutes wait but we didn't go in because one of our dd's was asleep in the stroller and they wouldn't let us take it in with us.

I agree that the treasure left a lot to be desired. We skipped most of them. We did love the parade. Seeing Tinkerbell was awesome! The kids loved the dance parties, I think they would have danced all night if we had let them. Most of all we loved being able to just walk on any ride we wanted.

 

[AnnaTink]

Wow I can't believe people are saying the parade wasn't much. It's the first time a face character Tinkerbell has EVER appeared in the parks, there's that awesome ship with Capt Sparrow and the pirates leaping around.

The fireworks show features more shells than Disney ever normally uses, and is one of the best designed and technically intricate fireworks displays I've ever seen.

There were loads of characters that I'd never seen before, like Capt Sparrow, the wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters from Cinderella, and other Pirates of the Caribbean characters.

I just don't get how a Disney fan wouldn't be wowed by all that?

I totally agree - I loved the parade it was great to see all the gang from Pirates

I have seen a face character Tinkerbell before - she is in the 50th parade in Disneyland but I got VERY excited at seeing her again though lol as I wasn't expecting it!!!

 

[Vickie46]

We were there on 1/26 and we did see all the princesses and Mickey fab 5.. but we made it a point to do so.. we didn't ride much... the princesses were really done up .. ... they were near Fantasyland and had a background and everything set up... sorry you missed them!

 

[beattyfamily]

I certainly don't blame those who have gone last year and then went this year only to find out there's no more candy and only ONE parade showing.

I also don't blame you for being annoyed at how many non-party guests were still there at 7:30p.

All that would bother me too!

 

[red1der1]

I am sorry you were disappointed but I have to disagree with you. I feel it was just the opposite. I was at the 2/9 party. I got there at exactly at 7. main street had a line a cast members down the center. As you entered, you stayed to the right of the street. Those leaving were on the left. The cast members tried to help keep it this way and I think they did a great job. No one got in my way. I did not have to wait for not one ride while there. I walked on everything. Ok, sorry, I waited a whole 5 minutes for Space Mountain. The only lines I even waited in was for a meet n greet or picture with a prop. I think I waited for 10 minutes to have my pic taken in front of Cinderella's Coach. I felt like we almost had the whole park to ourselves. No there wasn't many decorations, but I didn't expect any. It's not Christmas time after all. The goodies they gave away were fine to me. So what, no candy. I don't need all the sugar anyway. At least I can keep the beads as a souvinier. Can't say that about candy. I loved the party. My only regret was not getting there earlier. But I definitly would go again.

 

[Fantasmik]

The Pirates and Princesses Party that we attened on 2/9 was a big let down and in my opinion a BIG WASTE OF $$$.

Sorry for your experience, but I have to completely and absolutely disagree. The Pirate and Princess party was equally as fun as MNSSHP and MVMCP, but with better fireworks and more characters. Anyone looking for a fantastic time with no attraction waits, great character interaction, and amazing fireworks and parade will almost certainly enjoy the Pirate and Princess Party.

 

[BelleEdenMom]

I can be in the park from 4 o'clock til midnight for $45, enough said

 

[danielle782001]

I can be in the park from 4 o'clock til midnight for $45, enough said

This was my take on it!

 

[fratmom]

We were at the 1/26 party and loved it. Granted, it was our first hard ticket event so we had nothing to compare it to, but it was the highlight of a great 6 day trip. My hubby and boys are still talking about it. There were no lines at all and we waited only 15 minutes for Jack Sparrow.

We did feel it was more pirat than princess, which was good for us, as we have all pirates, but I can see where you might feel slighted on the princess end. All said, we loved it and would go again in a heartbeat. We all dresses up, we have great pictures, had the park almost to ourselves (at least it felt like that), and for the cost vs. time in park with a 4 o'clock entry, we felt it was a great value.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. I was there February 2nd and went to two P&PPs last March so I guess I knew what it was all about as far as decorations and such. The only thing I was disappointed in was no more candy being handed out, but then again I can just go to Target if I want candy. For me it was more about the experience and I had a great one. The fireworks were excellent and I found all the characters I wanted to. I didn't wait in any ride line that night over 10 minutes.
I'd return to another P&PP soon if I could.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We went on Saturday, Jan 26th and had a great time. We arrived at the park at 5 p.m. - no trouble getting in. We had dinner in the castle and then went to Fantasyland. I worried about a Saturday night party, but it wasn't crowded at all (it did drizzle a bit). The only lines were for characters, which we had done during the day. We rode all the rides in Fantasyland with little or no wait. The dance parties were awesome for the kids - my son danced with Flounder.

We didn't bother with the treat bags because I thought it was wasted time in line. Turned out a CM walked up to us in Fantasyland and handed my daughter a handful of the plastic jewels. She is still playing with them and loves them. I actually wish I could get more.

The best part was the fireworks. We were in Fantasyland and they were going off over our heads. The REALLY best part - we were standing with no one around us, jammed together like we often are for Wishes. Very magical.

The parties can get crowded depending on the day, but I will continue to do them.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

Im not flaming the OP but IMO

I think these events are great. I have not yet been to a & Party but 4/23 will be my first, We have been to MVMCP. Previous poster was right you need to be educated & and have some sort of a plan, you are able to go into the park at 4pm, someone like us that goes to WDW 2 or 3 times a year I think 8 hours in MK is plenty of time to have fun, and your not paying full ticket price.........I think thats a plus, not to mention all the little perks you get from these events (can't wait to see mickey in his pirate costum) I actually extended my vacation 1 day just so we can attend the party, Im sure it cant be bad experience, if anything it will be fun experience, they cant take away from the park that already there if anything anything extra imo is exactly that EXTRA......right

Now as for decorations like I said I have never been to & Party but I cant imagine disney not making it special.

Does anyone have any pic of the decorations that are around for this event I would love to see.

 

[danielle782001]

Im not flaming the OP but IMO

I think these events are great. I have not yet been to a & Party but 4/23 will be my first, We have been to MVMCP. Previous poster was right you need to be educated & and have some sort of

a plan, you are able to go into the park at 4pm, someone like us that goes to WDW 2 or 3 times a year I think 8 hours in MK is plenty of time to have fun, and your not paying full ticket price.........I think thats a plus, not to mention all the little perks you get from these events (can't wait to see mickey in his pirate costum) I actually extended my vacation 1 day just so we can attend the party, Im sure it cant be bad experience, if anything it will be fun experience, they cant take away from the park that already there if anything anything extra imo is exactly that EXTRA......right

Now as for decorations like I said I have never been to & Party but I cant imagine disney not making it special.

Does anyone have any pic of the decorations that are around for this event I would love to see.

There are no decorations at the park AT ALL! The only thing they have is a Mickey Dressed as a pirate and Minnie dressed as a princess by the entrance. Oh and some treasure by WTC. That is it!! Very different than the other ticket events.

I have pics of the Mickey and Minnie but I have yet to figure out how to post them Clearly, I am missing something easy... Any tips?

 

[DisneyGirlie]

On Main Street there are some lights that move along the top of the buildings, like a pirate hat, a pirate ship, and a crown I think.
But, I didn't get a picture of that.
And as a PP said, there are Mickey & Minnie topiaries outside of the enterance to the MK.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Mmmmmm, we went 2/5 and LOVED it. We arrived at 4pm, so no crowds at the enterance and we literally walked on to every ride except Peter Pan with no wait at all. Peter Pan was only 5 minutes. They even let us ride Pirates twice in a row without getting out of our boat. We saw Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, Princess Minnie, Pirate Mickey and Pirate Goofy. We arrived at the Capt. Jack meet at 6:45pm and they had just opened, I think we waited maybe 10 mins. The lines for him were long after that, but from 6:45pm to 7:30pm it was just a 30 minute wait.

I loved the party and would do it again in a minute. We had no trouble getting good seats for the parade or the fireworks and rode tons of rides.

Yea, maybe the candy thing was a little disappointing, but we just stopped doing the treasure spots after we filled one bag.

Decorations...yea, I expected a little more, but considering they have to run around and put them up the same day and then take them down again, they were fine. It isn't like Christmas decorations they leave up for over a month.

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

We went to the P&PP last year and again earlier this month (2/2). I think it's a blast.

It's one of the few times adults can go in in costume to WDW. It also has some great activities for the little ones.

The lines are much shorter than during the day, and get shorter and shorter as the night goes on.

As for the decorations, I'm impressed that they are able to do anything considering how quick the transition is. I admit that the "treasure" is not expensive, but her excitement when we found another treasure spot was priceless.

I agree Adults and children in costumes was special.

The lines at the 2/9 PARTY WAS NOT SHORTER.

The treasure and the "extras" was just plain tacky and a waste of time. A Disney distraction.

The decorations can be experienced before the party.

Overall VALUE for P&P: F

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

I guess a little light reading on these boards could have helped you. They start letting you in for the party at 4:00 so you didn't need to fight any crowds leaving. We did this last year for MNSSHP and there were very few people at the rides and characters at 7:00. There were long lines trying to get their bracelets at 7:00

There are typically princesses in the princess room in Toontown - this include but are not limited to Cinderella, Snow White, and Aurora with their princess. Also, Ariel (at least last year) was in her grotto with her prince. In Toontown, you can also get Daisy and Minnie in their princess garb. Behind the Christmas Shoppe, you can find Pocahontas with John Smith. Jack Sparrow - you found. You can get Jasmine by the Magic carpets.

Sorry you had an unpleasant experience. Disney with a plan and a little education goes a long way.

As for the admission time, I may agree with you if you don't have tickets already. However, I was a WDW Resort Guest and could of entered early anyways.

As for the characters we got them at the dinners (except for Pochontas) but this would have been nice to know if Disney posted ahead of time.

We bought the tickets mainly for the decorations and "extras" which my wife was extremely disappointed about.

I spent about $300 for this event for 6 of us. I thought the value was pretty low (especially with LONG waits for characters and rides) since the next day we hit the same things with EMH.

I guess the lesson is if you are a WDW resort guest... SKIP this event!

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

There are no decorations at the park AT ALL! The only thing they have is a Mickey Dressed as a pirate and Minnie dressed as a princess by the entrance. Oh and some treasure by WTC. That is it!! Very different than the other ticket events.

I have pics of the Mickey and Minnie but I have yet to figure out how to post them Clearly, I am missing something easy... Any tips?

I agree!!!

Decorations are terrible... there is some fog when you enter MK on the 2/9 party... Nothing to make this "feel special"

Disney needs to do a better job!

Overall Value for Party: F