Sail Away Party

[Kanga1]

Hey everybody! This will be our first Disney Cruise and I have a few questions about the Sail Away party. It will be me, DH and DD who will be 10 at the time.

1) Is the party a lot of fun? Is there somewhere else you'd rather be at that time?

2) Where is your favorite place to watch it?

3) If you want to get right down in front with the characters, what time do you need to get there before it starts? Is it REALLY crowded and hard to see (if you're short) down by the stage?


Thanks a bunch!

 

[kcashner]

There is essentially nothing else happening at this time, so you're not missing something else. I'm a bit jaded after so many cruises; the Sail Away party is a nice way to celebrate the beginning of the cruise for a few minutes.

You really can't get there early as it starts right after the safety drill and you must go to the drill. If you do the drill and go up as soon as you have returned your life vests to your cabin, you'll be fine. The area around the stage is always crowded, but that's the best place to be if you want to dance, etc. If you just want to watch, I prefer deck 10.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

There is no bad place on the ship. As long as you are on Deck 9 or 10 you will have a great view. Actually not even that hard to get down front. All you have to do is go on the outter edge and go right there. The characters are actually up on stage, so not any real interaction. The front gives you an up-close and personal look at the characters costumes; which you will get a 100 times on the cruise anyway. So not a big deal to be down front. Do note than being down front, you do not see the jumbo screen or the entire stage. The party really is just a show. They are dancing and singing and ask you to dance along (them on stage and you on deck). They give you little ribbons to wave. It truly is what you make of it. I am a very outgoing person, so we dance, sing and what the heck nearly 80's break dance. Just puts me in the no worries mode. Most just watch and video tape from the back. SInce we have that on tape from many previous cruises, we leave the cameras in the room and just shake our tail feathers... It is nice to be up on deck in the sun and breeze, watching the ship pull off and hearing the horn. Other than watching them, not much else to it unless you are grabing a couple of Bon Voyages ( yummm) in each hand and start the party rolling... There really is not anything else going on during this time, so unless you are napping, getting ready for dinner, exploring the ship, unpacking or getting reservations final; there is not anywhere else to be. I think deck 10 is a great place to take it all in. Deck 9 is the place if you want to dance. Up front, maybe after your 1st cruise. If you do go there, you will miss the "big picture". Even though the Tink kids have been banned from the front after DS sprayed pink silly string all over Mickey and his white sailor outfit at the sailaway party. We went down front because they have been to many sail away parties, we did not need to see everything and mom was chasing down the Bon Voyage guy..... For all of my friends... you know I was just collecting cups of all the colors right??? It had nothing to do with the drink.
Have a blast of a cruise. It is right after the Life Boat Drill BTW.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

We love the Sail Away party and wouldn't miss it!!! But, I really enjoy the music and dancing with my kids. I usually order my first drink of the day and really enjoy it!!! I just love the atmosphere. And, then as the ship starts moving, there's a lot of oohing and ahhhing. I wouldn't miss it!!!

My dh got pulled up on stage to be the Indian in the YMCA number in January. It was HILARIOUS!!!!!

 

[cindy18]

Agree! We really love the sail-away party. We've been really near the stage (my DH got called up to dance and was mortified, but it was a highlight for our DDs) and we've also been on Deck 10. The camera sweeps across both decks, so you get the chance to wave for the big screen no matter where you are. There is more dancing down on Deck 9 than on Deck 10, but on Deck 10 you get a great sense of the whole party. Also, after the party ended, we stayed out for a bit and watched the CMs from the cruise terminal come out to wave goodbye to us with the Mickey hands. That felt good. I always get emotional during the sail away party. It just feels like the real beginning of an amazing vacation!

 

[Kanga1]

OP here. Wow, this sounds like so much fun. I can feel this excitement even through all of your posts! So let me get this straight...if you're on Deck 9, you can't really "see" the ship departing from the port, right? Does the ship actually "sail away" during the party or after? I really would like to see us pulling away from the port.

 

[tinkmom2]

Our first cruise we were on the balcony overlooking the pool. I am not sure what deck that is. We were supposed to meet some fellow Disers that never showed up lol!

Our second cruise we stayed at the party for about 10 minutes and were close to the stage but it was too crazy for my little one. We retreated to our stateroom and stood out on the verandah and watched the ship leave port. It starts to move during the sail away party. Our first time we looked out the porthole in the atrium and saw we were moving

So if it's your first time. Enjoy the party! But since it will be our third coming up we might skip it.

 

[dvc deernut]

WE HAVE DONE A FEW REGULAR CRUISES AND A FEW DVC MEMBER CRUISES WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN REGULAR CRUISE GOING AWAY PARTY. SINCE YOUR WITH YOUR 10 YEAR OLD STAND NEAR THE FRONT YOU NEVER KNOW, DH MAY GET HAULED UP ON STAGE FOR YMCA NUMBER. DW AND I USUALLY HAVE OUR DRINK OF THE DAY IN OUR HAND AND HEAD FOR THE CENTRE OF THE TOP DECK INFRONT OF SMOKE STACK. YOU WILL BE WATCHING THE SHOW AND NOT REALIZE YOUR MOVING IT DOESNT LAST LONG. THEN YOU CAN WALK AROUND THE SHIP GO SWIMMING OR GET READY FOR THE DINNER OR THE SHOW DEPENDING ON IF YOU HAVE EARLY OR LATE SEATING. YOU WONT MISS ANYTHING.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Since someone asked.... The Bon Voyage is the drink of the day of the sail away party. It is red and white with a little zip to it... LOL... We always get souviner cups and they come in different colors.
To the OP.... You Tube DCL sailaway party you will get many hits.

 

[cindy18]

To TinkMom2, the balcony overlooking the pool is Deck 10.

 

[abubu919]

We love the sail away party...tons of fun! Also either deck 9 or 10 is awesome..it tends to get pretty crowded.

 

[lisare]

It's called the sail-away drink. Half pinacolada half strawberry daiquiri. YUMMO!!!!! It's a must have. Can't wait to have one. Come on June get here.

 

[Angelhalo]

We don't have kids so we don't feel the need to watch the sail away party anymore. We did it once and it was cute but that was enough. Now we go all the way to the front of the ship so we can get a great spot at the railing on deck 10 and watch as we leave the port and head out to sea. We like to wave at the folks at Jetty Park as they wave at us. Its kind of sentimental to me and I enjoy it more than the Sail Away party.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

There is no bad place on the ship. As long as you are on Deck 9 or 10 you will have a great view. Actually not even that hard to get down front. All you have to do is go on the outter edge and go right there. The characters are actually up on stage, so not any real interaction. The front gives you an up-close and personal look at the characters costumes; which you will get a 100 times on the cruise anyway. So not a big deal to be down front. Do note than being down front, you do not see the jumbo screen or the entire stage. The party really is just a show. They are dancing and singing and ask you to dance along (them on stage and you on deck). They give you little ribbons to wave. It truly is what you make of it. I am a very outgoing person, so we dance, sing and what the heck nearly 80's break dance. Just puts me in the no worries mode. Most just watch and video tape from the back. SInce we have that on tape from many previous cruises, we leave the cameras in the room and just shake our tail feathers... It is nice to be up on deck in the sun and breeze, watching the ship pull off and hearing the horn. Other than watching them, not much else to it unless you are grabing a couple of Bon Voyages ( yummm) in each hand and start the party rolling... There really is not anything else going on during this time, so unless you are napping, getting ready for dinner, exploring the ship, unpacking or getting reservations final; there is not anywhere else to be. I think deck 10 is a great place to take it all in. Deck 9 is the place if you want to dance. Up front, maybe after your 1st cruise. If you do go there, you will miss the "big picture". Even though the Tink kids have been banned from the front after DS sprayed pink silly string all over Mickey and his white sailor outfit at the sailaway party. We went down front because they have been to many sail away parties, we did not need to see everything and mom was chasing down the Bon Voyage guy..... For all of my friends... you know I was just collecting cups of all the colors right??? It had nothing to do with the drink.
Have a blast of a cruise. It is right after the Life Boat Drill BTW.

What, no bubbles


Exactly as above, its what you make of it, we go to deck ten, then down to do some boogying by the stage, I love it, would never miss it.

 

[disneydreamer82]

Agreed about loving the sail away party! DH and I are always on deck 10 and we even though we don't have children the party is a BLAST I wouldn't miss it for anything!

And OMG Cindy18 I get emotional too!! I don't know what it is! The horn, the people waving, Mickey and all his friends dancing....... It gets to me everytime! And you're so right it does feel like the beginning of something Magical!

OP don't miss it for your first cruise! You'll love it and so will your DD!!!! And I'm sure your DH will have a great time too Trust me it's not just for kids!

Have a fantastic cruise!

 

[Disney Magic Girl]

The sail away party is NOT TO MISS. It Really gets you excited about your cruise and all of the characters are there!!!!!!!

 

[atinkerbellmom]

What, no bubbles


Exactly as above, its what you make of it, we go to deck ten, then down to do some boogying by the stage, I love it, would never miss it.

You are too funny... It is nice when we remember past threads together.

To the OP...... Yes leave the bubbles at home. Thanks to the Tink children leave the silly string too. Just bring yourself and your ability to shake it like this and shake it like that as you wish upon a star to the tune of "Heah Baby... Ooh Ah... & Want to know how to be Mickey's Girl." (This past line will make sense after your cruise.... So come back to it when you return...) Happy cruise....

 

[Angelhalo]

Agreed about loving the sail away party! DH and I are always on deck 10 and we even though we don't have children the party is a BLAST I wouldn't miss it for anything!

And OMG Cindy18 I get emotional too!! I don't know what it is! The horn, the people waving, Mickey and all his friends dancing....... It gets to me everytime! And you're so right it does feel like the beginning of something Magical!

OP don't miss it for your first cruise! You'll love it and so will your DD!!!! And I'm sure your DH will have a great time too Trust me it's not just for kids!

Have a fantastic cruise!

I didn't say it was just for kids. I just said we don't have kids. We did it once and it was enough for us. I think it is different for everyone. I'm already amped up and for me personally going to the front to see us leaving the port is more exciting. So for me the sail away party doesn't fit in the "not to be missed"category unless it is your first cruise. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Dizzyworld]

We haven't miss one. We love it. We often listen to the music in the van to either get us in the mood or just for happy memories.

Our last party was inside due to rain. We watched that one a little inside but ran outside for the horn and to watch pulling away.

And of course we love those waving Mickey hands from the CMs at the terminal. You know the fun is just beginning.

 

[LisaWalkerC21]

Looooooooove the Sail Away Party! On our last cruise we went with 6 other families from our neighborhood and one of the Dads got called up on stage to participate in the YMCA number. I never laughed so hard and will always remember how much fun we all had that day. We will never miss it!