Recent Pirates & Pals cruise?

[Jays2013]

Hi folks! I'm planning to book the Pirates & Pals fireworks cruise (that departs from the Contemporary) within the next few days for our trip in late April. It's a surprise treat for my Hook-loving 4-year-old. I was very much looking forward to taking him on it.

Now, I've seen some wonderful reviews from across the Internet ... but not much very recently. And one thing I just saw (just a comment on an older review) seemed to indicate that there's now almost no snacks for the snack buffet and that it's declined in the past few years it's been running.

Has anyone done this recently? What did you think?

 

[quinnc19]

We were there last Friday. I thought there was a nice selection of treats (bagged pretzels and Smartfood popcorn, ice cream novelties and frozen fruit bars, cake, chocolate coins, cotton candy, and pieces of fruit). They also had a coffee and tea service. We had a good time!

 

[clairemolly]

We just did this on the 13th of October and it was worth every penny. We had a party of 8, ranging in age from 2 to 80. The 3 kids had a blast...they met Hook and Mr. Smee, and once everyone was finished gettig autographs and photos, Hook and Smee played the Limbo and did some dancing with the kids.

As for snacks, I am not sure what was there before, but we were very pleased with the selection. There were 4 or so different packaged ice cream treats, cake, gold coins (we brought a bunch home), Smartfood popcorn, pretzels, oranges, apples, cotton candy, etc. There was also lemonade, water, iced tea and coffee.

The cruise itself was very entertaining. All of us had a great time and I would book it again in a heartbeat. Peter Pan spent a good bit of time with each family at the end as well.

For reference, the kids were 2 (DS), almost 5 (DD) and 9 (DD).

 

[Ktharee]

We did this back in May and had a blast. PLENTY of snacks/drinks beforehand and great photo ops. Lots of fun (and prizes) on the cruise too! We had kids ages 2, 5 & 8 with us.

 

[haPevraftr]

Ditto the above. It was DS5 (and my) favorite part of our trip. Gotta also mention that the had my fav treat....chocolate covered rice crispie Mickey ears!

 

[Jays2013]

Oh, that sounds just like I was expecting! Good to read. I'm booking this weekend at 180 days. DS2 is going to love it!

OK, I am too. Thank you all.

 

[cmh314]

We're booking the Pirates and Pals for April too. Our 180 day mark was last week, and I tried to book, but the April dates still haven't opened for booking yet. They told me to keep trying back each week because they're not sure when they'll be able to start booking for April. I've been able to book restaurant ADRs, kids pirate cruise from the beach club and BBB, its just Pirate's and Pals that doesn't seem to be in the system yet for April. I'll keep trying. It sounds like so much fun, I know the kids will love it.

 

[Jays2013]

Huh. Thanks for the warning! The WDW Moms Panel told me 180 days out. I guess we'll see. I'll call every day if I have to!

 

[cmh314]

Huh. Thanks for the warning! The WDW Moms Panel told me 180 days out. I guess we'll see. I'll call every day if I have to!

I'll be calling right there with you! Even though they said call every week, I've called 3 times already. I read a thread about it this morning from over the summer where there were a bunch of people calling every day and reservations finally opened up for it almost a month after their 180 day marks have passed. I'm anxious to get it booked since its the last outstanding thing I have to make a reservation for. Good luck and have fun on your pirate cruise!

 

[Jays2013]

Thanks again! You too!

 

[motogp]

We did it a few weeks ago and had a wonderful time! FYI---there is photopass! We had been told it would not be available. The character interaction was wonderful! Definitely recommend.......

 

[ghtx]

Now I wish that I would have done this on our trip last week!

 

[Jays2013]

We did it a few weeks ago and had a wonderful time! FYI---there is photopass! We had been told it would not be available. The character interaction was wonderful! Definitely recommend.......

Awesome! Oh, that's great. I've decided to prepay for the basic Photopass because I'd actually like to be in some photos this time, and this would be the icing on the cake! My 4-year-old will be SO excited!

 

[TJDisneymama]

I wonder if you have to have PP Plus for this vs. the regular PP?

 

[Jays2013]

Good question! I think I'll ask when I call to book it.

With or without PP, we still want to do it.

 

[mommy2jack]

We're booking the Pirates and Pals for April too. Our 180 day mark was last week, and I tried to book, but the April dates still haven't opened for booking yet. They told me to keep trying back each week because they're not sure when they'll be able to start booking for April. I've been able to book restaurant ADRs, kids pirate cruise from the beach club and BBB, its just Pirate's and Pals that doesn't seem to be in the system yet for April. I'll keep trying. It sounds like so much fun, I know the kids will love it.

What is the kids pirate cruise from the beach club??

We are considering this for our May trip. My son will be 4.5 and I think he'll love it! Glad to hear it's worth the money!!

 

[TJDisneymama]

Good question! I think I'll ask when I call to book it.

With or without PP, we still want to do it.

I'm only wondering b/c when we did it this past April, there was no PP photog there at all. So now that there is a photog. there, it makes me wonder if it was rolled out as part of the PP Plus

 

[Bellabully]

What is the kids pirate cruise from the beach club??

We are considering this for our May trip. My son will be 4.5 and I think he'll love it! Glad to hear it's worth the money!!

This is a pirate cruise around Cresent lake that stops at Epcot and the kids search for treasure. Very cute, dd was 8 and she enjoyed it. Cute hat, eye patch, goody pirate bag with loot (coins, sword). I think your ds would enjoy it.
Have a great trip!

 

[cmh314]

What is the kids pirate cruise from the beach club??

We are considering this for our May trip. My son will be 4.5 and I think he'll love it! Glad to hear it's worth the money!!

Here's the link with all the info. With tax the total cost came to around $36.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/piratecruise.htm

 

[mommy2jack]

Here's the link with all the info. With tax the total cost came to around $36.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/just_for_kids/piratecruise.htm

Thanks!!

We're thinking about staying at POR so maybe we'll check out the one there.
They all sound so fun!