Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage: Disney World Fireworks Viewing Locations

The highlight of any trip to Walt Disney World, in my opinion, is watching the nightly fireworks, Wishes, at the Magic Kingdom. There are lots of places to enjoy the show, from Main Street USA to the different resorts surrounding the park, but one of my most favorite spots is from a boat in the middle of Bay Lake. That’s right, while at Walt Disney World you can take a voyage with your friends and family and a seaworthy Captain on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise.

What to Expect

Your voyage begins at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, where, upon checking in with the crew, you will be given a large bandana that you must wear at all times. There’s also all kinds of fun crafts for the young buckaroos to do while you wait for your Captain. In the meantime  you can also partake of lots of yummy “booty” from popcorn, pretzels and cotton candy to cookies and cake. There’s also my personal favorite Disney snack…Ice Cream! All of the goodies can be washed down with lemonade, sodas, hot coffee and tea. And make sure to grab a handful of the gold doubloons scattered around the room in various treasure chests! (P.S. They’re chocolate)  Don’t forget to bring your autograph books because you’ll be given a chance to meet the greatest Captain to ever sail  to Neverland, and one of my favorite characters, Captain Hook! He is joined by his ever loyal First Mate, Mr. Smee. I must admit I was a bit giddy to meet them both!

Soon, you will be joined by two able pirates who will take you on your voyage. They will separate the new recruits into two different “crews.” One of the youngest members of the bunch will then get to carry the flag down to the vessels and you will hop on board  your assigned boat. Once there you will head out onto Bay Lake to a prime viewing location. As you sail, your pirates will regale you with lots of tales and jokes. You’ll also get the chance to win some awesome pirate prizes by answering Disney trivia!

Electrical Water Pageant

Along the way to your destination you will get the chance to see something that some Disney visitors may not even know about….Electrical Water Pageant. The Pageant is a floating parade made up of barges with colored lights in the shape of things like an octopus, dolphins, a sea monster and King Triton. There are also lots of patriotic themed “floats” as well. It’s a nice little bit of history that began in 1971 and continues today.

Once you’ve seen the Pageant your skipper will take you a little bit farther to a great spot to see the main event… Wishes! The lights on the boats will be turned off and the music  will be piped in so that you won’t miss out on the goose bump inducing tunes that play along with the fireworks. It truly is a great way to witness the show. You will even be able to spot Tinkerbell as she makes her pre fireworks flight.

Peter Pan

After the show the Pirates will head back to the Contemporary to disembark. The littlest crew members who did not win a prize will be given a souvenir as they leave the boat.  AND it’s not over yet! Once you arrive on the dock a special visitor will be waiting for you… the one and only Peter Pan! Truly, our interaction with Peter is one of my top 10 meet and greets. He made such a big deal of my son’s red hair and how they were both gingers  that it made my kiddo smile like you wouldn’t believe and warmed this Mama’s heart.  I’m fairly certain I cried, but then I cry at Disney a lot!

I can honestly say that the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise is a memory that my family will never forget!

Tip

It is recommended that you check in 10 minutes prior to the event time which typically takes place an hour before the fireworks.

Have you ever taken the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise?  If so, let us know if you loved it below in the comments section.  If you have questions or want to talk more about this unique offering,

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Picking the Best Spot

Have you ever stood on Main Street waiting for the fireworks to begin and had the sudden itch to run away? I always swear that I am going to brave the crowds, pick out my spot early, and watch Wishes from the perfect view on Main Street. And then the crowds begin to amass and Monty Python’s skit “Run Away” starts running through my head and I find myself with the uncontrollable urge to bolt. Now don’t get me wrong, I know Disney World is crowded and I am well prepared for it most of the time. However, after a long day during a busy period I have a tough time managing my anxiety around such large groups of people. So what do I do when the crowds are just too much, but I still want to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks? I head straight out the exit and hop on a ferry or Friendship boat, that’s what!

The Ferry is the Answer

Most people don’t realize it, but you don’t have to be surrounded by thousands of people just to get a good view of the fireworks. If you just want to get away, hopping on one of the ferries is the best way to view the show without tons of people crowding you. Watching the fireworks from the ferry is also great on those nights when it feels super hot or humid outside. It’s hard to beat watching the fireworks on a slow moving boat with the wind stirring a gentle breeze to cool you off after a long day in the park. Have I mentioned that you can sit and watch the fireworks too? I know, shut the front door! If you take the TTC ferry they will even let you ride it back and forth until the show is over. Just let the attendants know before you hop on the ferry and they will be happy to let you enjoy the ride for as long as you like.

Or Take a Resort Cruiser or Launch

If you don’t mind a slightly more obstructed view of the fireworks, you can also take one of the boats to one of the resorts. There are four different resort launches and you can choose to go to the Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridian/Polynesian, or Ford Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary Resort. If you have strollers, wheelchairs, or ECVs in your party you will need to board one of the cruisers, like the one pictured. Please note that the route to Grand Floridian/Polynesian Village does not allow you to roll a wheelchair, ECV, or stroller onto the vehicle. Everyone in your group must be able to transfer out of their chair and into the boat. The boat has a couple of steps that each person must navigate as well on that route, which can be tricky holding a stroller or for those with mobility concerns. Our family aways waited for the cruiser because we could often leave the stroller open. It’s important to note that you will still need to move the child from the stroller as it’s against safety regulations.

Sweetening the Deal

The best part about taking the Cruisers and Launches to a resort is that you can watch the fireworks while you are on your way and then hop off to enjoy the resort. My family has enjoyed a boat ride to the Polynesian Village Resort and a late meal at ‘Ohana. We have also just headed over for a drink at the Tambu Tambu lounge in the same resort when we didn’t want tons of dining reservations. I highly recommend the Lapu Lapu (you can get it at both ‘Ohana and Tambu Tambu with or without the alcohol), but good luck pronouncing it correctly. If you prefer a longer boat ride, I recommend taking one of the boats over to Wilderness Lodge. That ride takes about 12 minutes or so and you will arrive at one of the most relaxing and beautiful resorts around. Definitely walk around and enjoy the scenery and stop in for a wind down and some of the best appetizers at any bar in the Territory Lounge.

Now that you have heard all about my strategies to avoid the crowds and still enjoy the fireworks, tell us about your favorite way to escape the crowds.  Sound off in the comments section or join us at Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

photo credit: Hallowishes via photopin (license)
photo credit: Pure Magic via photopin (license)

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Main Street, U.S.A

When you walk into Magic Kingdom, you are filled with sights and smells that scream Disney! There is just something magical about being in that park. When the lights dim and the music starts for Wishes Nighttime Spectacular fireworks show, there is no other place I had rather be than on Main Street, USA. There are many other great locations to view the Wishes fireworks but for me and my family, there is something special about watching it on Main Street.

Main Street is everything Disney was meant to be; the architecture of the buildings, the view as you look toward Cinderella’s Castle, the wonderful smells coming from Main Street Bakery; they all epitomize the ideal Walt had when he began planning to build both Disneyland and Disney World. By day, it is full of the hustle and bustle of getting of people getting to their must-do attractions. By night, it is full of guests anxiously awaiting the lights to dim and the show to begin. I truly believe when imagineers envisioned guests watching Wishes, it was the view from Main Street they intended.

Expectations

Magic Kingdom has two events that occur right before Wishes; Main Street Electrical Parade and Celebrate The Magic castle show. These three are all must-dos for my family, so we will grab our spot early and catch them all. To make sure you sit exactly where you want, I suggest getting there about an hour before Main Street Electrical Parade’s starting time. If you plan ahead and make sure everyone has something to keep them busy, the wait shouldn’t be a problem. Even with young kids, there are things to bring along to pass the time; an iPad, an electronic handheld game, or something as simple as playing eye-spy as a family. As with anything you do while on a vacation, planning is key!

My family’s favorite spot is just outside of Casey’s Corner quick service restaurant. We will get dinner from Casey’s and sit on the curb to people watch while we wait for the shows to begin. If we have time after we have finished eating, one of us will grab some ice cream at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor for dessert. Traditions at Disney are important to my family, and this is one we truly enjoy keeping!

Saying Main Street is extremely crowded during Wishes is probably an understatement. I am sure there are better, more accurate words to use. As odd as it sounds to a lot of people, the crowd is one reason I love watching from Main Street. What’s not to love about watching a spectacular fireworks show with thousands of other Disney fans?

Favorite Tip

If your party is only interested in watching Wishes and sitting and saving a spot is not something you want to do, I have a tip that just might be your best bet to have a great view without the wait. In between each show; Main Street Electrical Parade, Celebrate The Magic, and Wishes, Cast Members will rope off the intersection at Casey’s Corner so guests are able to come and go through the area. If you time things just right and arrive a few minutes before the lights dim, you are able squeeze right in and have an excellent view.

Once the fireworks are over, there is no need to rush to the exit of the park with the masses. You will end up standing in the bus, ferry or monorail line for quite some time. The shops on Main Street will stay open up to an hour after the park’s official closing time which gives you the opportunity to browse for souvenirs. It is also a great time to get some pictures on Main Street with less people in the background. An added perk to staying in the park a little longer is a “Kiss Goodnight”. About 30 minutes after closing, set to magical music, a beautiful light show will display on Cinderella’s Castle. During the light show, Roy Disney’s dedication speech for the Magic Kingdom can be heard throughout the park. This makes for a great ending to a wonderful day at the Magic Kingdom.

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

photo credit: Happy 42nd Anniversary via photopin (license)
photo credit: WDW-275 via photopin (license)

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The first time I went with my family to Epcot at Walt Disney World, I was an adult with a shy two year old. My husband and I knew she would love Walt Disney World, but we were not sure how she would handle the loud fireworks. She had been frightened in the past by the “pow pows” as she called them, but we did not want to miss out on all the great night time shows. Epcot’s version of night time fireworks is knows as Illuminations: Reflections of Earth and many of my friends told me that it was not to be missed and could be very emotional.

After hearing those recommendations, I set out to find a way to see these fireworks without scaring my two year old.  My travel planner at the time recommended getting a dinner reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel-a table service restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion. La Hacienda de San Angel sits near the water of the World Showcase Lagoon next to where Illuminations takes place and she suggested an inside table that would be at the same time as Illuminations. The hope was that being inside would keep our daughter from getting scared of the loud noises, but allow us all to enjoy the beautiful display that is Illuminations.

Cocktails and Fireworks

We had made an advance dining reservation to La Hacienda for a little after 8:00, because Illuminations started at 9:00.  When we checked in at the reservations desk, we asked for a table that would give us a good view of the fireworks. We were seated with plenty of time before the show, so we spent a little time perusing the menu, which consists of Mexican cuisine and a pretty nice list of cocktails including several margaritas.  Our cocktails and even our food was delivered promptly and when it was time for the show, we were enjoying family time over our cocktails and our daughter was happily eating her dinner. Our table was located so that we were sitting by the window near the water and we had a very nice view and I was anxious to see how my daughter would respond. The restaurant dimmed the lights, piped in the music, and we enjoyed a front row seat with a spectacular view. My daughter was not scared of the noises and she and I were in awe of the show and the fireworks. My husband especially liked having his drink inside without all the crowds outside.

Get Away From the Crowds

That experience at La Hacienda went much better than I expected and really was a highlight of our trip.  Even though my daughter is older now and is not afraid of fireworks anymore, we still have dinner during Illuminations at La Hacienda de San Angel every time we go. There are always new things to do each time we visit Epcot and there are so many excellent dinner choices in The World Showcase, but we stay true to this tradition for Illuminations because it was such a fantastic experience for our whole family.

If you are looking for a way to get away from the crowds, have a bite to eat, and still get to see Illuminations, I highly recommend this reservation to any guests visiting Epcot that would like a front row inside view of this spectacular show.  Don’t forget to make your advance dining reservations way in advance, because the later times usually fill up with other guests who also want to view the fireworks from inside instead of outside with the masses.

Have you been to La Hacienda de San Angel during Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth fireworks? What did you think?

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics.

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This is by far my family’s favorite place to watch the “Wishes” fireworks for many different reasons. During fireworks, like all other shows and experience at the Magic Kingdom, the best viewing areas can get quite crowded way before they even start. Not a fan of basically standing around for up to an hour waiting for something to start? With the “Wishes Dessert Party” many people can stay at their assigned table to enjoy the show. If your table is located more at the back of the terrace, no problem because once the show is about to begin you can make your way to the front and have a nice, un-crowded railing to lean against with just as good a view of the people who stayed in their seat. Plus you have the benefit of not having to stand and reserve your spot for up to an hour before show-time. The entire terrace offers breathtaking views of both Cinderella’s Castle during the pre-show as well as surrounding areas where the fireworks are shot off.

Nestled outside under a nice overhang with a direct view of Cinderella’s Castle, “Wishes Dessert Party” is a great way for people of all ages to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. When you first arrive and after you check in and enter the terrace, each member of your group is greeted with a glass of sparkling cider served in a plastic champagne flute and you are escorted to your reserved table where you are seated and told about the various goodies and beverages for you to enjoy throughout the party.

When I say there is literally something for everyone, I mean something for everyone! For the sweeter options there are mini rice crispy treats, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate truffles, soft serve ice cream, cupcakes, tarts, and various pastries! Don’t feel like indulging in all of those sweets? That’s quite all right because the dessert party also offers a wide variety of fresh seasonal fruits, as well as a nice selection of cheeses. Also for the offering is a beverage counter offering a choosing of milk, lemonade, various juices, coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, and water. The best part about the spread of all of the tasty treats and snacks is that it’s all you care to eat so this is a great opportunity to opt for an early dinner and then go and indulge in lots of tasty treats without worrying about being too full either from dinner or before you go to dinner.

Basically if you want to enjoy the “Wishes Fireworks” without being overcrowded or having to stay around to long while you get to enjoy tasty treats then the “Wishes Dessert Party” would be a good idea for you. It is pretty quick to book up so I do suggest that as soon as you reach your 180 days before travel mark that you make reservations for the party because it does book up fast.  The price point is $49 for adults, and $29 for children (including tax). Reservations for this experience are available to book on the Walt Disney World website or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

Join the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and many other Disney related topics. Have you had the pleasure of experiencing this awesome Dessert Party? Tell us about it!

~Rob Klemm

Check out more in this series:

Fireworks Viewing Locations That Will Knock Your Sock Off: The Polynesian Village Beach

Fireworks Viewing Locations That Will Knock Your Socks Off: Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise

photo credit: Pure Magic via photopin (license)

photo credit: Happy HalloWishes via photopin (license)

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