Calling All Pirates....
So, you want to be a Pira...er....your little one wants to be a Pirate....well, you might be wantin' to consider joinin' the crew of the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage...which sets sail from the Contemporary Hotel.
Your adventure begins as you meet other Pirate Crew members at the Contemporary Hotel. Just look for the signage (or ask at the front desk). They'll direct you to the current meeting location. Once there, you check in and are given a bandana for each member of the crew in your party. When they're ready, they'll escort you into a meeting room, where you will be allowed to pick up snacks (healthy and otherwise) and water for your voyage. Make sure you grab a bottle for everyone in your party.
Your little pirates will also have the opportunity to meet with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. You'll be given time to get photos before you set sail. This is a great opportunity to get those pics, without a super long line to wait in...which is well worth it to me.
Next, the crew is escorted out to the dock, where you will board your "ship". You'll set sail out to the middle of the Seven Seas Lagoon, where your Captain, Patch, will regale you with stories, jokes, and more. Don't be afraid to interact with Patch...he loves to play along with the little ones, and the not so little ones (see pics).
Then, the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular Fireworks begins, and you get a great vantage point to see the fireworks from a totally different perspective. You might even be lucky enough to see the Electrical Water Pageant float by you (we were lucky enough). If you really want to take pics, I suggest boarding as quickly and safely as possible, so that you can get near the front of your "ship". That way the canopy doesn't get in the way of your fireworks shots.
Captain Patch will also start a trivia game. As incentive, he does have prizes for the little ones, and the not-so-little ones. Make sure you brush up on your 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Peter Pan lore.
As your ship sets sail back to port, Capt. Patch will tell the tale of Peter Pan. As you return to dock, you'll notice that Tinkerbell is waiting for your crew. As you disembark and head back to the hotel, you'll find none other than Peter Pan himself. Have those cameras ready!!
Bear in mind that weather can affect this event, so be aware. We were delayed in our launch (so we had more time with Capt. Hook and Smee), due to the fireworks being delayed, due to rain. But once the weather cleared up, we got the "All's Clear" signal, and away we went.
There are other restrictions, etc. so check with your Travel Agent for more information.
Cost:
Child - $ 34.00
Adult - $ 59.00
Frank grew up in South Florida, and as such, has been to WDW many times as a child. The trips stopped when he went to college in Texas (his current residence). He visited Disneyland in Cali while living there for a few years. Fast forward to 2005, when he was once again living in TX, and decided that it was past time to return. Since then he’s been to the parks approximately every 12-18 months, including Disneyland. He has recently decided to join the Snapshot Getaways team as an affiliate agent, and enjoys assisting families plan their magical memories. He can be reached at: frank@osomagical.com
