Ferrytale Sparkling Dessert Cruise

Maggie Ballantyne5.26.20I always like to sprinkle my own personal travel itineraries with a few new experiences on each trip to Walt Disney World. It is one reason I love to go back: no two trips are ever the same. In November 2019, my mom and I decided to try the Ferrytale Sparkling Dessert Cruise for a special Happily Ever After viewing. This simple reservation blew our expectations out of the water.I will admit, I did not do as much research as I normally do before booking a magical extra. This was something I had heard of, wanted to try, and the price didn’t terrify me for some reason. It cost $99 for adults and $69 for children.The evening starts at the Ticket and Transportation Center. You will see a sign to check-in and a roped off waiting area. I really was not looking forward to hanging out at the TTC prior to the boat ride because I would rather be spending my time in the parks, but I never should have doubted Disney. Upon arrival, you will receive a light up necklace and special glasses for later in the evening. Then you will be directed to a table full of appetizers for you to enjoy prior to boarding, veggies, chips, hummus, and a few more were all included. There was a table of children’s activities, a magician, and music playing. I thought water and iced tea would be the only drinks, but soon enough waitresses started walking around passing out sparkling cider and champagne to all of the guests. This was included too! What a great surprise!Disney even made boarding the ferry fun! You had the option to walk right on or you could make a stop at a Photopass Photographer and have your photo taken in front of the boat. Here is another example of why it is great to have Memory Maker purchased prior to your vacation. You just never know when it will come in handy.The ferry is the same boat that you would take if you were going over to the Magic Kingdom in the morning. With very limited ticket sales, it was not overcrowded at all and there was plenty of room to find a spot to sit or walk around.When you board the ferry, you are guided to the right to an open bar with two mixed cocktails, wine, beer, soft drink, and water options. These are all included with your ticket and there is no limit to how much you can have (within reason of course). The dessert buffet was really fun and, of course, all fit the fireworks theme. There were: Red White and Boom Cupcakes, Firework Cheesecake Tarts, Roman Candle Assorted Eclairs, Sparkling Night Sky Blue Velvet Whoopie Pies, No Sugar Added Mango Panna Cotta Pizazz, Cherry Bomb Pie Tarts, and Sky Rocket Sugar Cookies. In addition, there was a special Brownie Barrage station: Warm S’more Brownie Skillet with Carmel Sauce.This was just the main deck. The upper deck had an additional dessert buffet and seating area. It was much less crowded upstairs and it seemed more adults stayed up here. Downstairs there was an additional scavenger hunt going on for the kids.The ferry made its way around the Seven Seas Lagoon a few times taking more scenic loops before stopping in one spot with a perfect view of the castle. While the boat was making its laps, music was playing, everyone was socializing and enjoying sweets and drinks, and those PhotoPass Photographers from the beginning of the evening were on the upper deck taking more photos of families with the Magic Kingdom in the background.Just by checking the time and watching the people around you, you will know when to start making your way to the railing for the main event. However, an announcement is made as well. Mom and I each got a spot on the railing without even trying. I love that we were able to relax and didn’t have to spend our time holding a spot like we would if we were on Main Street.The soundtrack to Happily Ever After plays on the boat in perfectly sync with the show. I thought I wouldn’t be able to see the projections on the castle, but I was wrong. They were so clear, and the fireworks were gorgeous! At one point I took a step back to take in my surroundings and no one was pushing for a spot, leaning over each other, no kids on shoulders… everyone had a perfect view!If the first two PhotoPass options weren’t enough, during the fireworks they set up again and will take your picture with the fireworks lighting up the sky! These photographers are the best of the best and time it perfectly! And remember those fireworks glasses I said we received in the beginning? This was the time to use them! If you wore them while looking at the fireworks, each light became Mickey shaped!After the big finale, the ferry will start to make its way to the dock. Mom and I couldn’t believe how much we enjoyed this experience. As we neared the dock we started to remember that we needed to get back to the resort, which would mean getting back on the monorail to get back to the Magic Kingdom to go back to the bus terminal. WRONG! Have I not learned my lesson about doubting Disney?! As we got off the boat, everyone was handed a free treat to go AND everyone received private bus transportation back to their resorts! I think I was just as excited for this as I was for the open bar and dessert buffet! They grouped guests based on resort locations and off we went!This experience was the ending to a perfect day and a great way to close out a 9-day mother daughter trip! For our money we received:

• Appetizers and Entertainment
• Unlimited Desserts
• Unlimited Open Bar
• Special treats to go
• Private Transportation
• PhotoPass Opportunities

However, we also received memories and an experience we can talk about and share with others. I would definitely recommend this experience to people of all ages because there really is something for everyone.If you want more information about magical extras such as dessert parties, contact me today at maggie@wishesfamilytravel.com or follow my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wishesfamilytravelmaggie