A Pirate's Life for Me!

Maggie Ballantyne7.7.20Does someone in your family love Pirates? That would be me! And because I think I share that love with many of you, I have researched and outlined some of my ways to incorporate the Disney Pirate Life into many of my trips!Walt Disney World Parks and ResortsI think I will start with the obvious of the attractions, Pirates of the Caribbean. This classic ride is actually what inspired the movie (not the other way around) and takes you on a journey through a town invaded by pirates, past the Black Pearl, and you may see a few familiar faces along the way. During the special ticketed event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this ride comes to life with some real live pirates incorporated throughout the ride! This attraction is located in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom and has a pirate-themed gift shop attached. If you are a pressed penny collector, there are some good ones here!Also located in Adventureland is Tortuga Taverns, where you and your family can enjoy a Quick Service meal of a Jerk-Smoked Brisket Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, All-Beef Hot Dog topped with your choice of Jerk-Smoked Brisket or Ropa Vieja, Rum Cake, and more!If you want to meet a pirate, during special ticketed event such as the Halloween and Christmas parties, Captain Jack Sparrow will be available for meet and greets.Are you ready for your own pirate adventure? A Pirate's Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas is a new, FREE, interactive treasure hunt throughout Adventureland for you to enjoy! Start by picking up your first clue at the Crow’s Nest in Adventureland.As for one of Disney’s other favorite pirates, Captain Hook, can be seen with his ship and faithful first mate Smee in the Festival of Fantasy Parade. You will see him as you take flight on Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland as well. Happily Ever After also pays a small homage to Disney’s pirates during the middle of the show.If you are looking to stay on Disney property and have a pirate fan in the family, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has pirate-themed rooms. This room comes with two twin size beds in the shape of pirate ships. The pools at this resort also fit the themes with a ship in the middle. Not only does it have cool theming, but as of late 2019, this resort is also on the Disney Skyliner adding a new adventure to your traveling party. You will be sailing over the Disney property just as Hook does over Neverland.Over at Disney’s Beach Club, you can sign your children ages 4-12 up to be part of Captain Hooks Pirate Crew! Your child will receive his or her pirates name and then learn everything it takes to be a pirate from learning the language, to the songs, to swabbing the deck! Your kids will be guided through a treasure hunt and they better believe that Captain Hook will stop by to see if they have what it takes! After they find the hidden treasure, they will be brought over to the Pirate Hideaway for a special dinner. Parents, please take this as an opportunity for some adult time on your family vacation! Your Concierge Agent can get you signed up and the Disney Cast Members have your kiddos covered!Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers a special pirates-themed viewing of the Happily Ever After Show with the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage. Your evening will start at the resort with a party full of snacks, desserts, drinks, and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee. Head down to the dock and board a boat as it takes you around the Seven Seas Lagoon until you drop your anchor to watch Happily Ever After from the boat. After the show you will head back to the Contemporary where a surprise will be waiting for you! Who do you think it will be?!DisneylandThe obvious place to start again is with the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. This is the true original attraction that Walt Disney himself worked on. It is different than the ride in Orlando, and I actually prefer this one.I really love that this attraction works its way through the Blue Bayou restaurant. As you dine, you will see guests in boats pass by. I enjoyed this ride and a meal here on my last trip. This is the best meal I have ever experienced in the park from the theming to the food to the experience overall.Captain Jack Sparrow roams Adventureland and you never know when you will run into him! I was walking around with my black Minnie ears with a red sequence bow when all of a sudden someone walked up behind me and yelled, “GIVE ME THE RUBBIES.” *Swoon* It was Jack.If you prefer Captain Hook to Captain Jack, he can often be found at Plaza Inn Breakfast with Minnie and Friends or wandering around Fantasyland. I have seen him in both places, and it is always a great surprise! You will never know what you will find in the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island either!Disney Cruise LineThe Pirate fans will love this one… one most Disney sailings, there is an entire day and night dedicated to Pirates! Pirate Night is a fan favorite and one thing that Disney Cruise Line is known for in regards to extra entertainment. The morning of Pirate’s Night I was walking up the stairs to Deck 3 and when I turned a corner, there was Hook himself! Later in the evening, Mickey and his friends including Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale, Stitch, and Daisy were all dressed for the theme. The most anticipated meet and greet of the night is Captain Jack Sparrow. Again *swoon* I was second in line to meet him and we discussed ways to take over the Disney Dream so we can fight for the Black Pearl back. But not until he finds his hat of course!At dinner, no matter where you are eating on your rotational dining schedule, your waitstaff will be dressed as Pirates and you will receive a special treasure map menu. Most desserts come with an X incorporated into them as well.Tip: Just about every guest I saw dresses up for Pirate night. Some go all out in full costumes, some just add accessories. Have as much fun with it as you like! If you need accessories, the gift shops sell special merch on this night to fit the theme as well and this will include accessories. You may even have a surprise in your stateroom before dinner as well.After dinner, the fun does not stop. There is a full deck party with pirate songs, videos, special food and treats, and Fireworks at Sea. Disney has the only fleet that sets off fireworks in the middle of the ocean!Pirate night is not the only night to meet Jack. On your visit to Castaway Cay on the Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries, Jack meets outside the ship for some photo ops in the morning. We hear Smee and Hook might be walking around as well!One of my favorite things about being a Concierge Agent is learning about the special likes you and someone in your party may have, researching them, and then showing you all of the ways we can incorporate those magical moments into your custom itinerary.If you are interested in receiving a custom itinerary for your vacation, please contact me at Maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com and follow my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie