Advertisement
Disney's Pirate and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom
This new event runs 13 nights between January 22 and March 8, 2007. Tickets carry a base price of $42.95 plus tax (ages 10 and up) and $35.95 plus tax (ages 3-9), though some discounts are available.
Pirates conduct a sword fight in Town Square. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Here's a rundown on what's going on during the brand new Disney's Pirate and Princess Party in 2007:
- Schedule
- Pricing and Discounts
- General information
- Treasure Hunting
- Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks
- Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade
- Special shows and character appearances
- Other Stuff
Schedule
The event takes place on January 22, 29, February 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 23, 26, March 2, 5, and 8. The Party begins at 7:30 p.m., one half-hour after the park closes, and runs until 12:30 a.m. Resort transportation runs until well after the event ends in order to get everybody safely back to their hotel rooms.
The clearing of day guests should go more smoothly than during the Halloween and Christmas parties last year, as there will be 30 minutes between park closing and the beginning of the party, instead of the two occurring simultaneously, as with the other events. Each land will be "swept" of those without wristbands before a final sweep down Main Street by guest control cast members walking down the street in a line clearing out everyone who should not be there.
If you're planning to attend the party, make sure that your wristband is visible and that you retain your park ticket to make it easier for you and quicker for the cast members.
The Riverboat Roulettes, who look rather Notorious (wink wink) perform at the party. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Pricing and Discounts
Discounted advance purchase pricing is $36.95 for adults and $29.95 for children. For all tickets bought the day of the event (if available), the pricing will be $42.95 per adult and $35.95 per child. Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can buy tickets for $32.95 per adult and $25.95 per child for the parties on January 22, 26 and 29 and February 1 and 5. Those additional discounts must be picked up at will-call and will require valid passholder or DVC member identification.
All prices listed above include tax. Child ticket prices are for ages 3-9, adult prices for ages 10 and up. Tickets went on sale in late 2006. For more ticket information, call 407-W-DISNEY (407-9347693) or go to the event's page on the Walt Disney World Web site (link).
The venerable three-party princess float appears in the Enchanted Adventures parade. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
General information
Disney's Pirate and Princess Party is likely to become a popular event as the nights go on, with attendance capped at 25,000 people per night. Many guests (not just children) wear costumes to the party, both pirates and princesses (not to mention pirate princesses!). Weekend dates are usually the most crowded, as locals bring their children to those events.
A new, two-story-tall pirate ship float debuts in the new parade. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Treasure Hunting
One of the most popular events at the Party is searching for loot at "treasure spots." Those entering the park for the party receive a wristband and a velvety black cloth drawstring bag with the event logo printed on it in gold. There are 14 treasure spots throughout the park, marked by large illuminated globes with a large "X" on it. (After all, X marks the spot.) Each location holds either plastic bead necklaces or a choice of chocolate (Hershey Treasures, Kisses and Palmer doubloons) or raisins.
Treasure spots are easy to find by looking for these lit globes, where "X marks the spot." Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks Spectacular
The Magic, Music & Mayhem fireworks show was created for this new party, and it is a fabulous show, running once nightly at 9:45. The highlight of the show is arguably the battle over the castle, where pirates launch fireworks toward the castle from both sides in an attempt to take it over, eventually culminating in explosions on the castle itself. A close second is likely the battle between the fairies from Sleeping Beauty fighting over whether the castle should be lit in blue or pink. While the show can be seen from anywhere in the park, the effects are obviously best when the castle effects are visible. Try to position yourself anywhere from the end of Main Street up to the Hub area.
Pirates "blow up" the castle during the Magic, Music & Mayhem fireworks show. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade
The parade runs twice nightly, at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., running from Frontierland to Town Square. For a much easier chance to see the parade, watch the second running. The parade features both two brand new floats (a pirate ship and a Peter Pan treasure chest) and one of the most-used floats in Disney history (the castle float). The Peter Pan float features Tinker Bell, the first time that she has appeared in a parade at Walt Disney World. Snow White and her prince appear in a horse-drawn carriage and Aladdin and Jasmine appear on horseback.
This marks the first time that Tinker Bell appears in a parade at Walt Disney World. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Special shows and character appearances
Along with the fireworks and parade, there is other special entertainment, grouped into Pirate Coves and Princess Courts. There are three dance parties, which take place in the open plaza in Tomorrowland, at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe and under the tent in front of Ariel's Grotto. There are also special Disney character meet-and-greets, for all princesses, the wicked stepmother and stepsisters from Cinderella, as well as Captain Jack Sparrow. The Liberty Belle Riverboat features a special narration spiel by the ghost of Jolly Roger. Other entertainment includes training in becoming a pirate or a member of Princess Jasmine's royal guard, live music, and breakdancing ExtraTerrestrial Pirates. There are also three performances of the standard Dream Along With Mickey castle forecourt show at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:30.
The often-reused castle float has gotten a minor makeover for this parade. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.
Other stuff
While some go to the party for the smaller crowds, and hence the ability to ride attractions with a shorter wait (most, but not all attractions are open during the party), the real attraction is the special events. Make sure to get the special Party guide map as you enter the park, as it will tell you the location of the various treasure spots, entertainment, meet-and-greets and so forth, as well as confirm the time of all events.
Breakdancing "ExtraTerrestrial Pirates" perform in Tomorrowland during the party. Photo by Mark Goldhaber.