Most Recent Reviews
Review of Pirate Adventure from Grand Floridian
Reviewed by Alhio Review Date: 02/18/2016
Rating: (7) Recommended
Children in my family took part in the Pirate Cruise from the Grand Floridian one Saturday in February of 2016. The cost was $37/child.
After attempting to research the Pirate Cruises offered online at both official and fan sites, as well as in travel books such as Passporter and Fodor’s [there’s not a whole lot out there about them], and here on allears.net, I called the reservation hotline and made reservations around 90 days ahead of our vacation.
We were staying at Port Orleans – French Quarter, and although they offer a cruise from Port Orleans – Riverside, they were not having one that particular Saturday morning, and so they suggested the Grand Floridian location.
This was dismaying, because of the loss of convenience that would have been departing in the morning from the resort to which we could get quick travel (via boat on the Sassagoula or Internal Resort Shuttle).
<B>Travel to</B>
To get to the Grand Floridian before 9:30am, we had to leave in time to catch a bus to the Magic Kingdom (without entering the park), walk to get the resort monorail line, and ride it through stops at the Contemporary, Ticketing and Transportation Center, and the Polynesian before coming to our stop at the Grand Floridian.
This proved less trouble than I worried it might be, but it was still not as convenient as attending one at Riverside.
According to my research, each cruise is meant to be specific to the surrounding area it involves (for example, Port Orleans cruises from Riverside, titled by Disney as “Bayou Pirate Adventureâ€, talk about real pirate Jean Lafitte). Disney’s Pirate Adventure from The Grand Floridian uses Gasparilla (real name: Jose Gaspar) as their pirate.
<B>Ages</B>
When I reserved for my children, I asked to reserve for my three-year-old, who would turn four within ten days of the sailing and was toilet-trained (listed as non-negotiable).
After being put on various holds I was told that would not be possible. The cruises are for 4-12 year olds.
When we arrived on property, I thought to try and secure him a reservation again using a face-to-face with the concierge at our hotel.
After explaining how very close he was to being four, she worked the system and secured him a reservation. “For the purpose of the cruise, he is four,†she told me.
We arrived that morning to the Grand Floridian and asked at the Front Desk were we were to go for the cruise. And were startled to find out that the Cast Member behind the desk we had approached had no idea about the cruise or where it left from.
She asked around until she found an answer and was able to direct us to the correct dock, giving us a resort map (helpful, because we were not staying there and were not at all familiar with its geography beyond the main building and its shops and restaurants.
We proceeded to the shed that rents boats, etc. They gave me a legal release to sign for my children. It asked for their names, ages, and birthdates.
I filled it out truthfully, for several reasons. First, I’m not a liar. I had assumed the concierge had managed the situation in a way that would not require me to deceive Disney, or lie on a legal document. Secondly, as we were resort guests, my children have MagicBands, and so Disney is already aware of what I have listed as their true birthdays (I am sure it would have only taken a few key strokes for them to call this up).
The Cast Member at the rental shed looked over my form and noted that my child was not yet four. I explained his imminent birthday, she attempted to contact a supervisor, telling me this never really happened (younger children being allowed to book the cruise). Though it was unnecessary (I wasn’t going to throw a fit) the supervisor came to the rental shed to meet with me and tell me my three-year-old could not attend due to legal issues.
Which was disappointing, but of course I always had known this was a possibility.
My two children got their wristband and lifevests (cannon-proof vests, I believe they were called. They were black). My third was sad not to go, but manageably so.
A second family came with the other two children who had reservations.
(I will note that we were fifteen minutes early for the 9:30am start time, and they were ten or more late. I do not know if the cruise is meant to depart at the immediate start time or not, but here it could not, as not everyone had arrived.)
Their daughter, who was to turn four in two months had also been given an advance reservation (by someone different from the concierge I dealt with), and yet had to be turned away. This child was more upset by this than was mine. The Cast Members told us this was not a situation that usually happened, and they could not believe they had run into it twice in one cruise.
I feel sure there may have been reprimands and re-trainings for those granting reservations after this.
And I feel sorry for the concierge who helped me, because she was only trying to manage what I asked of her.
<B>In short: The ages are 4-12. Non-negotiable.</B>
<B>Cruise</B>
Three boys attended this cruise (since the two other children booked for it were disqualified by age). They were given paper black wristbands (meant to show I had completed the legal paperwork—and probably needed to keep track of things on cruises with lots more kids to wrangle), and then got black lifevests, which they were told were cannon-proof vests.
The cruise left the dock at the Grand Floridian a few minutes before 10am, with two Cast Members (both female) who wore red vests and one had a striped sash around her waist (they looked only vaguely piratical). The boat they took was a standard open (no roof) pontoon party boat. It was not decorated in any way. None of the flags I have seen in pictures of the cruises online, and my children did not received scarfs (as also has been reported online).
I tried to get my middle child to take his camcorder with him to take pictures (not the least of which was because I was very curious about what he was about to do), but he said he would rather not.
Parents were expected to return at 11:30am to pick-up their pirates, with a valid photo ID. The legal documents that were filled out had required the names of people permitted to collect your children.
At 11:30am-ish we returned, the cruise docked, and we were told they were still searching for the treasure. [A Cast Member told me that they were going to find the treasure here so the two under-4 children they had had to turn away could take part in finding it. So I don’t know if the final treasure is always found here or not.] The three-year-old girl had not been brought back by her family to pick-up her brother, but I had my rejected child with me, and his was pleased to see his siblings and run after the Cast Members as they searched.
A large chest was found among the landscaping just outside one of the Grand Floridian buildings, and opened to show a treasure hoard of plastic doubloons, plastic gemstones of several colors and sizes, multiple shiny silver skull and crossbones rings and what we would think of as Mardi Gras beads (necklaces). A Cast Member took out little pirate-themed bags and packed each of them with treasure for the three that went on the cruise and one for each sibling that had been turned away.
The rest of the treasure, she said, would be left so the Grand Floridian pirates (the Cast Members) could buy another ship. (Apparently they were meant to have been without a ship, and the boat they took off in earlier they were meant to have borrowed/stolen).
There was no swordfight among pirates (I had read in more than one place that this was the stylish capper of pirate cruises at Disney, one poster even going so far as to say not to miss it—but nothing like this happened at our cruise).
<B>In my kid’s words</B>
According to my kids, they sailed to about four locations beside the Grand Floridian, including what they believed to be an island. The Cast Members told “bad†pirate jokes, as well as the story of the pirate Gasparilla (of whom one of them claimed to be descended).
They saw a shipwreck, received pirate nicknames (the first letter of which corresponded with your name, so “Matey Michael†for example).
They visited horses and ponies (which I reckon were at the Wilderness Lodge) and spoke with someone in the stables there. They played pirate games near what they describe as a large Tiki. They were on a white sand beach with palm trees (the Polynesian), they were given a snack of water and Disney’s version of goldfish crackers.
They were taken on a step-by-step hunt for items they needed, such as a key to open the final treasure chest.
My two children are: one closer to the upper end of the age for this cruise, and one firmly in the middle.
The older one told me his favorite thing about it was simply being in that boat out on the water of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake (I cannot argue against him, there).
<B>My own feelings about the cruise</B>
For me, this seemed a nice time, a way to let my kids have a unique experience while at Walt Disney World on a day we were not going to the parks (we were flying home later that day).
I say nice, because I don’t think it clocked in as ‘great’. Neither for them nor for me.
And that comes down to the Disney touch, which I felt was largely absent from it. Just down to the pontoon boat, which wasn’t at all decorated or even as charming as the launches to the Magic Kingdom you can take from that resort. It had no personality or uniqueness at all. They received nothing (such as a bandana or other piratical keepsake, though the official Disney website for the cruises references that they’ll wear pirate bandanas) that I could not have bought at my local party store or from Oriental Trading, the snack was uninspired. The Cast Members’ costumes for the event were barely there. The energy-level with regard to the event (by Cast Members) was low, almost sleepy.
The Cast Members did a fine job, but certainly (that I was party-to) nothing that rose above the level of your average babysitter.
That said, I don’t know if our experience during an off-peak time, few children having reserved it, it being the Grand Floridian Disney Pirate Adventure cruise rather than a cruise from another resort—I don’t know enough to know if these things had a bearing on it.
On a 10-scale, I think I’d give it a 6 or 7.
But I certainly don’t see myself reserving this particular adventure again.
<B>About the length</B>
I wrote this review at this length because trying to learn about this event online proved very frustrating; there is really not more than a paragraph or so of information available about these Pirate Cruises that I could find. And what there is to find is not at all recent.
Pros:
Kids-only experience treasure hunting on Disney propertyCons:
Not as unique as expected from DisneyReview of Casey's Corner
Reviewed by mishawnam Review Date: 02/18/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
My first time eating here. Basically ate here for the convenience of its location. Loved the theming and atmosphere, really cute. Ordered the basic chili dog with fries and cotton candy. After ordering we headed out and got a seat. Loved our view of Main St. and the castle. My chili dog was so good. My daughter enjoyed the fries and watching the castle show as we ate. The cotton candy was so good. You could easily share your meal here. It was great for a quick bite to eat. But I wouldn't want to do the rides after this heavy meal.
Pros:
Food, seating, cotton candyCons:
—Review of Blue Bayou Lunch
Reviewed by cjsljs624 Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We ate here during our June 2012 visit. Got there for an early lunch and we were seated quickly. Service was great. I had the Monte Cristo, hubby had crab cakes, and daughter had ribs. All were wonderul. Wait staff noticed my birthday button on a bag and broght me a dessert without us ever mentioning it. I have noticed the reviews with bad service mentioned. We were there for the week that Carsland opened and still had wonderful service.
Pros:
the atmosphere and foodCons:
bright light from lobbyReview of Raglan Road
Reviewed by lovingeire Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Ended up with extra dining credits and a free night so we ate here at the recommendation of a friend from Ireland, I wasn't sure what to eat, but the food was nothing short of amazing! I had the heavenly ham and it was heavenly indeed. Like the ham suppers I had in Ireland with a kick! DH had Braised be Beef I believe and my 12 year old had its not bleeding chowder. Both enjoyed their meals. Bread pudding for dessert was AMAZING!
Irish dancers were fun. My two year old was clapping along with the music. We were seated with a clear view to the stage, but also had the little "solo" stage next to our table. Great experience!
Best part of the dinner might have been my pint of Magners (Bulmers in Ireland). It was about as perfect as could be! We will be returning on our next trip!
Pros:
Food, atmosphere, entertainment, beer selectionCons:
—Review of Chef Mickey's Breakfast
Reviewed by lovingeire Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We dined at Chef Mickey's for breakfast for the first time on Dec 11, 2012. My kids were super excited to eat with Mickey! We were early for our reservation and our pager went off while we were about to have our picture taken with the Mickey statue. (My husband had enough time to take the toddler to change him while we waited)
We we seated and our waitress was fabulous! Very friendly and attentive. It felt like we'd known her forever! She figured out somehow that my husband was in the military and brought him a cupcake and had the restaurant thank him. (I was unfortunately in the restroom for this, but it was so sweet!)
Characters were great! They spent a good deal of time with each table, I thought. Really allowed for kids to get their fill and parents to get their pictures. Mickey and Goofy even pushed my youngest's high chair in!
The only issue we had was the food. My husband loves a good buffet but the eggs were horrible! They were so runny they really weren't edible! A lot of the other savory breakfast items were just mediocre. Mickey waffles and French toast were good, but the food was not as good as our visit to Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
Overall we'd return to Chef Mickeys again because of the festive atmosphere, great character interaction and great service. I just would hope the food improves!
Pros:
Character interaction, wait staffCons:
Food qualityReviewed by cjsljs624 Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Getting to meet the pricesses without having to wait forever was totally worth it. The food was average and typical for Disney. Will do as long as our daughter wants to keep meeting the princesses. The decor was beautiful and the pricesses were very sweet. Some of the best we have had from either DL or WDW.
Pros:
the charactersCons:
—Review of Plaza Inn Minnie and Friends Breakfast
Reviewed by cjsljs624 Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were here during our June 2012 visit. We have been to WDW and had character breakfast there also and this is one of the best we have ever had at either park. Food was good and the picture was great. I think the different characters made it worth it. We will do this one again on our next visit.
Pros:
great food and lots of charactersCons:
—Review of Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
Reviewed by MWS Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
Ate here Dec 2012, went to the first bay, chicken, since the lines were the shortest. Ordered quickly but had quite a wait to receive the food. Had the grilled chicken, was cooked correctly but not much in the way of taste. Other family members went through the burger line, which took much longer. Hard to find a seat and it was hard to get near the condiment station. The kids got a kick out of Sunny Eclipse. The 3 different bays for food seem to streamline the ordering process but if you have kids that want different types of food it could be difficult ordering for everyone.
Pros:
Range of menu itemsCons:
can get very crowdedReview of Tangierine Cafe
Reviewed by MWS Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
Wanted to try something different so we decided to eat at the café. There was only one line open and we were told they were trying out a new ordering system and it took about 15 minutes to order and there were only 2 people in front of us. Once we ordered, we received our food in no time. Ordered the chicken platter, the hummus and couscous were some of the best I’ve ever had. The small salad was also tasty, the only issue was the chicken itself, didn’t like it, but husband thought it was just fine.
Pros:
Good valueCons:
—Review of 50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Fitzboyzmom Review Date: 01/01/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We had such a good time at this restaurant. We have come several times before, but this was just the most fun. Our server (I cannot remember her name), was awsome and made the whole experience...we laughed so hard at her antics with my younger son...really great. The food was all wonderful. Can't wait to go back.
