PTR: Magic Kingdom's Pirates and Princesses Party, 3/8/07

[BarryH]

Yes, this PTR is a few months late, but better late than never. Read on...

 

The Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort has a variety of hard-ticketed events -- Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This year, a new hard-ticketed event started -- the Pirates and Princesses Party.

 

I hadn't heard about the Pirates and Princesses Party until I read a few photo trip reports on Theme Park Review. The event looked very interesting and fun after seeing those reports, so it was time for me to venture onto Disney property and experience the party myself. I decided to attend the Pirates and Princesses Party on March 8, 2007. That date happened to be the last night of the event.

 

I bought my tickets from Disney's website for about $37. Usually for these hard-ticketed events, I had to bring my confirmation number and pick up my tickets at any Disney theme park booth. This year, Disney was experimenting with print at home tickets. I printed out my ticket from my computer's printer. Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Universal have had much success with print and home tickets. I wondered how successful Disney would be with this ticket method.

 

I arrived at the Magic Kingdom at around 4:45 pm. After taking the parking tram and the monrail to the front gates of the Magic Kingdom, it was around 5:15 pm. I had my print at home ticket in hand and I was ready to test Disney's system. The Cast Member first said that I had to pick up my tickets at Will Call, but another Cast Member said that he could just scan it. The Cast Member scanned the barcode on the top and on the side of the paper, but nothing happened. There were no beeps or no message saying, "Have a magical day." The Cast Member just looked at the date on the ticket to make sure it was for tonight and they let me in. Obviously, Disney's experiment didn't work. I don't think they'll use print at home tickets again.

 

As I entered the Magic Kingdom, Cast Members were giving Pirates and Princesses Party guests armbands (to weed them out from the normal day guests) and a small bag to hold candy. I took a Pirates and Princesses Party map, but I also got a day show schedule. To my surprise, the Wishes fireworks party was playing that night at 7:00 pm. This was a double treat -- there would be a fireworks show before and during the party! I had to find things to occupy my time first, though.

 

I decided to walk to Adventureland and do the Jungle Cruise, since I hadn't experienced it in a while. I was almost turned away by the 30-minute wait (Fast Passes were long gone), but I decided to stand in line anyway. It wasn't like I had anything else to do! I'm glad I waited in line because I had one of the best Jungle Cruise skippers, Harmoni. She made a lot of the old jokes fresh and funny. She said things I hadn't heard any other skipper say. It was a good ride.

 

It was approaching 6:30 pm. I should have staked out a space for Wishes, but I decided to ride something else. It was time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The posted time was 20 minutes, but I walked right on. I even got to stay on for a second ride.

 

Now it was around 6:50 pm and it was time to find a spot to watch Wishes. I didn't think it would be dark enough for fireworks, but it got pretty dark. I had only seen Wishes once before. That was after rushing from Epcot after Illuminations and making it to the 10 pm Wishes show. During that time, I made it to Wishes with 5 minutes to spare. You can watch Illuminations and Wishes in one day, but I wouldn't recommend doing it. This time, I was able to appreciate Wishes a lot more. Previously, I was gasping for air from dashing and going "Ohh, ahh" at the fireworks. It was more like "Ohh, pant, pant, Ahh, huff, huff." It's a good thing I don't smoke or I would have passed out for sure!

 

After Wishes, the day guests started leaving and the party guests started moving further into the park. Most people were going to Tomorrowland and I followed the herd. A gate blocked off most of the sidewalk to Tomorrowland, leaving a small gap for the day guests to exit and party guests to enter. I had to suck in my gut to enter the small space! A Cast Member was manning the entrance/exit. She said that they would be checking armbands for the next hour.

 

I walked into Tomorrowland and saw the sign for the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor attraction, but it wasn’t open. I wanted to eat, but decided to ride Space Mountain first. The wait time was around 5 minutes. One side was used to clear out day guests and the other side was for party guests. I had a good ride, but the end scenes could use some touching up. It’s seen better days.

 

A ride on Space Mountain sure made me hungry, so it was time to eat. I headed to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café for a bite. I don’t know why, but I usually end up eating here during the Magic Kingdom’s hard-ticketed events. I had the ½ Rotisserie Chicken. The menu said it came with “mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable,” although I never knew carrots were a “seasonal vegetable.” As I was getting my napkins and utensils at the fixin’s bar, I saw a Cast Member chat with a young girl. He asked her when she was from and she said, “Kissimmee.” He replied, “You have a long trip, didn’t you?”

 

As I was eating, the stage where Sunny Eclipse usually sits how had a DJ. The front of the stage had a small dance floor where kids were dancing around with Stitch. After eating, I walked around Tomorrowland and saw another DJ booth near the Carousel of Progress. Two guys in stilts were hopping and dancing around. The Carousel of Progress had a candy area. The Cast Members filled up bags with candy and they had a tub full of bags of raisins. Ohh, more raisins! I didn’t get enough from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, so it’s time to stock up!

 

After getting my fill of raisins, I decided to ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Spin. This is one ride that could use some TLC. The queue and the ride cutouts looked beaten up and old. I thought this was Disney, not Six Flags! I don’t recall my score, but it was unimpressive. Maybe that’s why I don’t remember it.

 

Next up was the Astro Orbitors. I hadn’t ridden this ride in years due to the long lines. In fact, every Disney park that I’ve visited, I usually skip it because the lines are generally long. I didn’t ride the versions at Disneyland or Disneyland Paris. The wait for Astro Orbiters tonight was really short – a whole 5 minutes! I decided to take a spin. The ride shouldn’t be scary, but it is! You’re all the way up there and just flying around with the wind in your face. It felt like I was going to fly out, even though I was held in place by a leather strap. I hung on tight, that’s for sure!

 

It was time to leave Tomorrowland and head into Fantasyland. I decided to ride Mad Tea Party, since I hadn’t ridden it in a long time. The last Mad Tea Party I rode was at Disneyland Paris in June 2006. The wait for this ride was less than 5 minutes. It’s hard to spin the cup if you’re the only one sitting in it, but I managed to spin it around to get myself at least a little dizzy.

 

I walked through Fantasyland. It should have been renamed “Breakdownland” from what I saw. I was about to get in line for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, but it broke down. Then I passed by Snow White’s Scary Adventures. Guests were in line, but the cars didn’t move. Another ride down! I didn’t want to see Philharmagic. I was distracted by the candy area in Fantasyland and got some more. Fantasyland had another DJ booth around the entrance to Ariel’s Grotto. Characters from The Little Mermaid danced around with kids.

 

I went to Peter Pan’s Flight, but most of the queue was filled and it looked like a 30-minute wait! Against my better intentions, I decided to ride It’s a Small World. It had a 5-minute wait. Yes, make all the jokes you want about this ride, but you know, I kind of like it. I’ve learned to zone out the song so I don’t have it stuck in my head. Come on, I could have rode It’s a Small World for 10 minutes or sit on a bench for 10 minutes. I know some of you would have chosen the bench.

 

After experiencing the “Happiest Voyage on Earth,” I headed into Liberty Square. It was close to the 9:45 pm showing of Magic, Music, and Mayhem Fireworks Spectacular show. I decided to ride one more thing before seeing the fireworks. I dropped by a candy area in Liberty Square for a fill and then headed to the Haunted Mansion for a ride. The wait was less than 5 minutes. The Haunted Mansion must have to coldest AC in all of the Magic Kingdom. I guess that keeps with the spooky theme of the ride. I think the Hall of Presidents has colder AC. I guess the cold AC makes people sleepy in that attraction too!

 

It was time for the fireworks. I found a nice spot on Main Street, USA for the spectacle and no one was going to take my space! The fireworks lasted for about 15 minutes. The first half of the fireworks show were the various Disney princesses and royalty, like King Triton from The Little Mermaid. The second half was the pirate attack on the Disney royalty kingdoms. Tinkerbell saved the kingdoms in a Deus ex Tinkerbell moment. The fireworks during the second half weren’t as good as the first half, but still, Disney knows how to do a slam bang fireworks show.

 

Disney’s Enchanted Adventures Parade was starting at 10:30 pm. It was time to find a place to view it. For hard-ticketed events, I usually find a place in Frontierland to see the parade. Frontierland seemed to be well lit so I can get some good video. I once filmed the parade at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in front of the castle and the video came out dark! I picked a spot in front of the Country Bears show area.

 

When the parade started, I almost thought it was Mickey's Boo to You Parade from Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. I was humming "Boo to you and you and you and you and you....Happy Halloween!" Suffice to say, I was at the wrong holiday. The parade was similar to the fireworks. It started out with royality and the Disney Princesses (although I don't recall seeing Mulan). The second part was the pirates. Unlike the fireworks, the Pirates and the Princesses didn't duke it out. Tinkerbell was in the parade and she looked kind of Asian.

 

I must have been temporarily confused after the Enchanted Adventures Parade because I thought that the last Dream Along with Mickey show was at 11:00 pm. I stopped to watch the Amazing Agrabats. The group of tumblers show ended right around 11:00 pm. I raced through Adventureland to the front of Cindrella's castle for the Dream Along with Mickey show. When I arrived at the castle steps, the stage was dark and a few guests were standing in front of the stage. I looked at the map and showtime was at 11:30 pm, not 11:00!

 

As I didn't want to wait in front of the castle for 30 minutes, I decided to ride something else. Adventureland was close by and the Pirates of Caribbean ride had a short wait. As you know, the ride has two sides -- a left and right side. Guests should be using both sides, but unless a Cast Member is out front directing, guests usually take the right side. One time, the right side line was all the way to the door and the left side was empty. I took the left-hand line and I walked right onto the ride! That night, the right side line wasn't as long, but it looked to be about a 15-minute wait. I took the left side again and again, I walked right onto a boat! I must have had a look on my face that said, "What row should I take?" The Cast Member at the loading area pointed at the empty boat and said, "Surprise me." I sat down and I had the boat to myself. Boo-yah! The ride had the recent additions of Jack Sparrow. Unlike some Disney rides (cough, Journey Into Your Imagination, cough), Jack Sparrow's appearances added something new to the attraction, but it didn't take away what we loved about it in the first place. Pirates of the Caribbean also seemed to be better lit than before. Usually, I'd have to use Nightshot on my camcorder to see anything. The scenes were lit enough so I didn't have to enagage that feature.

 

Now it was close to the Dream Along with Mickey show, so I headed back to the stage in from of the castle for a spot. The show started. Mickey, Goofy, Donald, the skipper, Maryann, and the rest of the dancers moved and sang along. Then five minutes later, the whole show shut down due to technical difficulties! I'm glad I didn't stand in front of the stage for 30 minutes, waiting for the show. I could have pointed at those guests who did hang around for a while and gone, "Ha ha!" but that would be rude.

 

I decided to ride a few more things before leaving. I headed into Adventureland. I stopped by the walkway by the Tom Sawyer's Island raft loading dock. Cast Members were handing out candy. The Cast Member filled her hands with candy and stuffed my bag full. I guess being the last night of the event, the Cast Members wanted to dispose of the remaining candy. I suppose they could have used the leftover sweets for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. The raisins seem to hold up well in storage. Why not candy?

 

I decided to ride Splash Mountain. The entire queue was empty. Yes, it was deserted! Not a single soul was there, except for the Cast Members at the loading dock. They were sending empty boat after empty boat. I had a boat to myself. Boo-yah again!

 

I headed out of the Magic Kingdom, but I saw that the Magic Carpets of Aladdin was empty and was a walk-on, so I decided to ride. I think the ride had a total of five guests on it. Much like Astro Orbitors, I hadn't ridden the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in a long time. mainly because the lines tend to be long. It was getting close to 1:00 am and the park was closing, so it was time to leave.

 

The Pirates and Princesses Party was like a spring Mickey's Not So Scary Hallowen Party. They both had many of the same experiences: rides were open and generally had short wait times, Cast Members passed out candy, and there was a fireworks show and parade. I didn't have a chance to ride as much as I do at the Halloween event, though. Although I had a sense of deja vu at certain times during the event, I had fun at the Pirates and Princesses Party and I'd return. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to experience the Magic Kingdom in a different way and anyone who wants to stock up on raisins.

 

Check out my video of the event: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34217&highlight=pirates+party

 

Now onto the photos...

Whee!

Onto Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Elephants with their trunks on.

The backside of water!

Hi James!

Lots o' water

Why did it have to be snakes?

Harmoni, our skipper for the next 10 minutes.

Time to ride the Jungle Cruise!

Just in case you forgot what event you were at.

The red carpet treatment!

Welcome!

Come on in...

...and Princesses Party!

The Pirates...

Here's where I parked.

Headed into parking...

Disney's eTicket experiment 8675309, which didn't work.

The magical TPR hoodie...I wore it a few times during the night because it was kind of chilly. It didn't take me to Castles N Coasters, though.

Look, I'm a walking ad for TPR!

[BarryH]

More photos!

Wishes

Time for Wishes! I know, the photo is kind of crooked.

1!

2...

Finale in 3...

Wow!

Not really crooked here

Here we go

Still more Wishes

To the right...

To the left...

Wishes continues

Ahhh!

Ohhh!

More Wishes

[BarryH]

Even more photos!

DJ booth and dancing area set up on the Sunny Eclipse stage

No, it can't be over! We need to ride again and again forevers and evers!

"...It's a Small World After All!"

"...um, something, something, something..."

"...it's a world of fun..."

"It's a world of laughter..."

You know the words, so sing along!

Now onto your favorite ride...It's a Small World!

Sebastian (probably would taste good with butter!)

How about this one?

What is this character's name?

DJ booth and dance area in Fantasyland

More POV!

Teacups POV!

Invasion of the dressed-up Cast Members

More POV

POV of the Astro Orbitors!

[BarryH]

Fireworks photos!

Cool!

Fireworks!

The end!

Close to the end

Nearing the end

Deus ex Tinkerbell

Pirates fireworks

Pirates attack

Pretty!

No more jokes, please

Insert your ball joke here

[BarryH]

Guess what? More photos!

Goofy!

Minnie Mouse waved at me! *swoon*

The big finale float

The Princesses are back!

Tinkerbell, who looked kind of Asian

Wendy and Peter Pan, the peanut butter guy

"Argh!"

Pirate float

Lazy pirate day

Pirate ship float

The pirates are coming, the pirates are coming! They're not even from Pittsburgh!

Aladdin and Jasmine. They never looked my way, so I never got a good shot of them!

You know what they say about guys with big swords...

Random parade stuff

Prince Charming waved at me! *swoon*

Extreme close-up

Doctor doctor, can't you see I'm burning burning?

Snow White needs her ride pimped

Parade

[BarryH]

Last batch of photos!

Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride POV

 

That's all the photos...I hope you enjoyed them!

Brer Bear got back!

Are any of these Audio-Animatronics left over from America Sings?

Brer Rabbit is in trouble!

Brer Bear's butt

Splash Mountain

Then the show ended early

Dream Along with Mickey show

Jack Sparrow in the flesh

Sword fight!

I've never seen these camels before

Jailbirds

Jack Sparrow!

"We want the redhead, we want the readhead!"

Davy Jones (not the Monkees guy)

Limbo, limbo, limbo!

Acrobats in Adventureland

[DATman]

That's strange, Disneyland's print at home tickets workd for me. I got a Park Hooper, and it worked out great! They scan the ticket, and give you a normal one at the gate as you walk into the park. It went smoothly and efficiently.