A few years ago, we took our oldest son (who is now 12), on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage. It was an absolutely magical night. The character interactions were wonderful, the Electric Water Pageant was great, and watching Wishes from the water was perfect. It was one of those unforgettable Disney nights that we still talk about, years later.
This year, when we decided to celebrate our youngest son’s fourth birthday at Walt Disney World, we knew that this would be a perfect way to celebrate! We booked our tickets, got the birthday boy a Captain Jake costume, and we were all set to sail!
The Pre-Party
The adventure begins at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. We arrived early and were checked in by Cast Members and then given a scavenger hunt to complete in the lobby of the resort while we waited for the event room to open. Once completed, our little buccaneer got to pick out a small prize. At this point, we were given our pirate bandanas and allowed to enter the party.
There were lots of food and drinks to choose from – ice cream bars (Mickey’s ice cream sandwiches and popsicles – I was disappointed that there were no Mickey bars!), fruit (bananas, oranges, and apple slices), small bags of pretzels and popcorn, chips and salsa, and two kinds of cake. There were also chocolate doubloons and cotton candy, which many people were taking to snack on later. The drink selection included lemonade, punch, coffee, and tea. I wasn’t super excited about any of these options – I would’ve loved a soda!
Captain Hook and Smee soon made their appearance! They posed for pictures with a backdrop (and there was a PhotoPass photographer), then roamed around the room, interacting with the kids. Everyone had ample opportunity to take pictures and get silly with the pirates. The first time we attended, I remember the characters playing games with the kids, but this time, they just walked around and interacted.
After about 30 minutes, the guests were rounded up and prepped for heading out to the boat. Our pirate guide, Patch, was excellent! They chose a couple of kids to carry flags and the characters led us outside. After a quick group photo with all of the kids, we arrived at our boat!
The Cruise
Each family was assigned a row on the boat. I have no idea how the assignments were made, but I would strongly suggest trying to request a seat on the left-hand side of the boat when you call to make your reservation! The view on that side was much better.
It was just approaching twilight, and it was absolutely beautiful out on the water! While we cruised toward our destination, Patch entertained us with Disney trivia, a sing-along, and lots of jokes. He made sure everyone was laughing – it was a festive party atmosphere! It was so cool to see familiar landmarks from a new perspective!
We reached our destination just a few minutes before the fireworks began. This was my first time (but certainly not my last!) seeing Happily Ever After. The music was played on the boat, and we had a spectacularly unique view!
The only negative thing I can say about the entire experience is that there were times when our view was blocked by railings on the boat. The people seated on the left hand side wouldn’t have had this issue, but we still had a really cool view! I found myself leaning up and almost sitting on my knees to get a view above the railings.
Once the show was over, we headed back to shore for one more surprise. We didn’t get to see the Electric Water Pageant this time, so I’m guessing that doesn’t always coincide with the time of the cruise. But, even better, Peter Pan was waiting for us on the dock! He led us to a spot at the end of the dock where he took time to meet everyone and take pictures. It was a great ending to a fun night!
The cost of the fireworks cruise is currently around $72 for adults and $43 for children under 10. It’s a pricey adventure, but if you’re looking for a special way to celebrate a special occasion or just add a little extra magic to your trip, I think this is a great way to do it. You get fireworks, desserts, characters, and a boat ride – this seems like a better value than just going to a dessert party. It’s an evening that can be enjoyed by the entire family, and one that I would definitely do again.