Private Wishes Cruise or Pirate and Pals

[Tigger1221]

We are going to WDW for My step-dads 70th birthday and my daughters 4th birthday (they share a birthday). Since we will be there on their actual birthday my mom wants to do something really special for them (mainly me step-dad, just being at Disney is great for my daughter). It will be 5 adults a 4 year old and an 11 month old. That morning we are eating at Crystal Palace and spending the day in the MK. We were looking at the Wishes Fireworks Cruise and Pirate and Pals fireworks cruise. Which is better?

 

[DaisyFoote]

I've never done the Wishes cruise but we did the Pirates and Pals voyage this past December. It was really fun. You have a party first where it's all you can eat at this special room in the Contemporary. It's popcorn, nachos, cupcakes, Mickey ice cream bars, bags of chips and cotton candy. You only have about 30 minutes so people are stuffing their face like crazy - lol. (Now, I have been to the Tomorrowland Dessert Party and they definitely have better desserts at that. I guess the Pirates and Pal is more kid friendly.) You also get to meet Captain Hook and Mr. Smee which they are fun. They have 2 boat captains - Patch and Patch. They are super funny. On the way out to the fireworks spot our captain called out every family's name and others cheered for them. They then played Disney movie Trivia games where all the kids were able to win something. The fireworks spot was great. At first we weren't hearing the sound track which was disappointing - but it just took them a couple of minutes to fix. When we got back to dock, Peter Pan was there for us to meet. It was a great experience and I'm glad we did it.

 

[TeamSy]

I would say a private wishes cruise. Pirates and pals sounds great but I think there's something special about it just being your family, especially given its a special occasion!

 

[bruinred]

We did the private Wishes Cruise in 2010. I am a Disneyland lover. I am a 3rd generation former Disneyland Cast Member. I love the personal experiences that are to be had in the Disney theme parks. On our Wishes Cruise they served canned soda and there was a basket of chips (think Frito's) and cookies (think Oreos). So the food was not the attraction. But it was the 5 of us and my niece who was traveling with us. We cruised around near the Contemporary at first and even saw the electrical water pageant (which has been running since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971). Then we made our way over to in front of the Magic Kingdom's Main Entrance for the fireworks. It was just our family (and our captain) on the boat, we are allowed to sit on the benches of the boat all snuggled together watching the fireworks, they even piped the soundtrack into the boat. I LOVED it. I thought it was wonderful. If I were planning an event like you are planning, I would call and see if you could bring your own cake on the boat, or cupcakes (because they wouldn't require a knife). I have never done the pirate party. So I can't speak to that unfortunately. But the private cruise was a GREAT experience. If it weren't so expensive, I'd repeat it, which is why it is perfect for a special occasion. Have fun!

 

[tseitel]

I would say a private wishes cruise. Pirates and pals sounds great but I think there's something special about it just being your family, especially given its a special occasion!

I second the private cruise. It's a really nice outing. They provide sodas, bottled water and snacks, but you can order extra things like chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, cheese tray, etc. Even a birthday cake (all of this extra $ ). They even have a celebration addition you can order, & they will decorate the pontoon boat w/ balloons & streamers. They "park" the boat so you are facing the castle, and the music is piped into the boat. Prior to the fireworks, you will go along Bay Lake, and your captain usually will have some fun anecdotes and stories to tell. You can choose to leave from the Poly or the Contemporary.
I would book at your 180 days if possible, as they don't have a lot of these available.
Also, just as an FYI, when we do this, we take a taxi back to the resort we are staying at. Otherwise you will need to leave the Poly or the Cont, take a bus to MK, then get on the bus to your resort ( this is if you are staying onsite, and don't have a car, of course )
I also bring along some glow necklaces for the kids to wear.
It's really a nice, relaxing way to see the fireworks and be with your family.
Hope this helps ! Have fun!

 

[KangaFan]

I third--is that grammatically correct? the vote for a private cruise. I've done both and if I were to do it again, we'd do the private cruise--but it depends on your family. We found the private cruise to be peaceful and liked that it was just our group so we were able to relax and talk. The captain took us around and gave us some great background on the lagoon and the fireworks.

We preferred this, but some families might like the singing, jokes and non-stop talking that the pirate guide does on the Pirates & Pals. Just a side note--in order to guarantee the music with a private cruise, you have to book the boat that seats 10--we were told that the 8 seaters did not guarantee fireworks music. If itnhelps, here's a pic of the boat our group had last December (it was an incredibly chilly night, but we still had a blast).

By the way, if you want something more festive than soda & chips, you can order food from private dining (including birthday cake) to enjoy on your private cruise.

Either way, I'm sure you'll have fun! Enjoy!

 

[cgattis]

All the boats, whether they seat 8 or 10, now have the music (and have for about 3 years). I fourth the private cruise

 

[KangaFan]

All the boats, whether they seat 8 or 10, now have the music (and have for about 3 years). I fourth the private cruise

I'm so glad to hear that--when I called last December (2014), they said they said that only some of the 8 seaters had them--great news for our fall trip, thanks!

 

[bluezy]

I'll jump on the bandwagon and recommend the private cruise. While we've never done the Wishes cruise, we have done the Illuminations one (and are doing it again in June). We really enjoy that cruise -- it's nice and relaxed and a wonderful way to view the fireworks without having to stake out the perfect spot an hour ahead of time.

 

[Baklava]

We want to do the private at some point but the Pirates and Pals was truly wonderful and our 5 year old was the perfect age. 4 would be great too and all the adults enjoyed it as well.

 

[lucifie]

I'd never heard of the Pirates and Pals cruise until today. It sounds like fun, but I haven't been able to figure out how to book it. Do I have to call?

 

[Tigger1221]

Yes you have to call. We went with the Private cruise. Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'd never heard of the Pirates and Pals cruise until today. It sounds like fun, but I haven't been able to figure out how to book it. Do I have to call?

A good information source here.

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2013/01/29/pirates-and-pals-fireworks-voyage/

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