Yo ho, yo ho…a pirates life for me…
Adventures await you when you embark on a pirate-themed tour of the Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. Fly to Neverland, witness a battle at sea, and even get a chance to become a pirate yourself! Here is my guide to plan a perfect Disney pirate vacation that will make Captain Jack Sparrow proud.
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Resorts
Your adventure begins the moment you step into your room when you book a Pirate Room at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. One of Disney’s “Story Rooms”, these rooms put you in the action amidst ship mast beds and Jolly Roger details. Looking for something different? Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will also fit the overall theme of your trip, and offer deluxe accommodations. No matter which resort you choose, you can coordinate with Disney Floral and Gifts to prepare a celebration fit for a captain. Choose from pirate-themed gift baskets or an in-room celebration to fully deck out your room in pirate garb. The magic never sleeps at a Disney Resort.
Special Resort Rooms:
– Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
– Me Pirate In-Room Celebration
– Pirate Gifts from Disney Floral and Gifts
Attractions
There is no better place to find adventurous attractions than at Magic Kingdom. Visit Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland, where you can chase Jack Sparrow and witness the pirate festivities as they search for treasure. Or rescue Wendy, John, and Michael from the clutches of Captain Hook on Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland. You’ll be singing “A Pirate’s Life for Me” the rest of the day!
Attractions:
– Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
– Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
Entertainment
Famous pirates can be found in several live shows and parades at Walt Disney World. Disney Junior: Live on Stage, located in Hollywood Studios, includes appearances from Jake and the Never Land Pirates and is great for preschoolers. Captain Hook appears with Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tick Tock Croc in the Festival of Fantasy Parade down Main Street. Want to join in the fun yourself? Take part in Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial, occurring several times daily in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. You’ll be taught how to be a real pirate!
Entertainment:
– Disney Junior: Live on Stage (Hollywood Studios)
– Festival of Fantasy Parade (Magic Kingdom)
– Captain Jack Sparrow Pirate Tutorial (Magic Kingdom)
Characters
There are several places you can meet a pirate pal, although some only greet guests at special events. During the day you can find Peter Pan in Magic Kingdom and Jake in Hollywood Studios. Captain Hook and Smee will join you before the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage. When he’s not stealing gold in Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow often makes appearances at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to take photos with guests.
Characters:
– Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates (Hollywood Studios)
– Captain Hook and Smee (Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage)
– Peter Pan (Magic Kingdom)
– Jack Sparrow (MNSSHP, MVMCP)
Dining & Shopping
The only place on site you can dine with a pirate is at the Disney Junior Dine at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios, where Jake will be among the favorite Disney Junior characters available to visit. You can also check out several great spots in Adventureland for meals and snacks, including Tortuga Tavern (open seasonally). If you’re in the market for some pirate souvenirs, you can shop at Plaza Del Sol Bazaar and The Pirates League (located with Plaza Del Sol Bazaar and Pirates of the Caribbean). Every pirate needs a hat, right?
Dining & Shopping:
– Tortuga Tavern (Magic Kingdom)
– Disney Junior Dine at Hollywood & Vine (Hollywood Studios)
– Plaza Del Sol Bazaar (Magic Kingdom)
Activities & Experiences
Want to enhance your adventure? Look no further than The Pirates League, which will transform your child into a pirate (or mermaid), complete with an official pirate name, temporary tattoos, and their very own sword. Guests must be age 3 or older to participate (note: this means Mom and Dad can join in too!). You’ll even get a commemorative PhotoPass photo once your makeover is complete.
If you’re looking for some free fun, check out A Pirates Adventure – Treasures of the Seven Seas. Search for treasure around Adventureland in this interactive game.
Perhaps you’re ready to set sail? Children ages 4-12 can join a Pirate Adventure Cruise at one of the following resorts: Disney’s Pirate Adventure at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Islands of the Caribbean Pirate Cruise at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Albatross Treasure Cruise at Disney’s Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts, and Bayou Pirate Adventure at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.
If the whole family would like to join, sign up for the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage. Here you will dine on seafaring party snacks and refreshing non-alcoholic beverages, learn Disney trivia, meet Captain Hook himself, and get an incredible view of the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular from Seven Seas Lagoon.
Finally, if you’re searching for that elusive Captain Jack Sparrow, he can usually be found at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Activities & Experiences:
– Pirates League
– A Pirates Adventure – Treasures of the Seven Seas
– Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
– Pirate Adventure Cruise
– Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
– Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disneyland Resort
Disney Resorts
If you’re looking for the ultimate pirate vacation, look no further than the Pirates of the Caribbean Signature Suite at Disneyland Hotel. This beautiful suite is one of the best you can find at any Disney property and every detail puts you in the spirit of a Caribbean explorer. Like all of the Signature Suites, this one-of-a-kind suite was designed by Disney Imagineers. You can check out photos of the suite here. If that is out of your budget, it’s always a treat to stay in a normal room at the Disneyland Hotel, so you can make a request for Adventure Tower.
Special Resort Rooms:
– Pirates of the Caribbean Signature Suite at Disneyland Hotel
Attractions
Disneyland shares some of its most famous attractions with it’s East Coast counterpart, so you’ll find both Pirates of the Caribbean and Peter Pan’s Flight here as well. Remember, attractions have subtle differences in each park so even if you’d ridden them before they’re worth checking out again. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland is located in New Orleans Square instead of Adventureland. You can also board Sailing Ship Columbia in Frontierland, which will take you on a tour around Tom Sawyer’s Island. Get a good look at this ship – it’ll look familiar during Fantasmic! Speaking of Tom Sawyer, you can explore the Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. It’s a great place for the kids to burn off some energy before dinner.
Attractions:
– Pirates of the Caribbean (Disneyland)
– Peter Pan’s Flight (Disneyland)
– Sailing Ship Columbia (Disneyland)
– Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (Disneyland)
Entertainment
Several shows at Disneyland Resort feature segments with pirates and are great shows overall. Watch Peter Pan fight Captain Hook during Fantasmic, featuring some incredible stunts along the way. Head over to Disney California Adventure for Disney Junior: Live on Stage, where Jake joins the cast of other Disney Junior favorites. End your day with World of Color, an amazing water spectacular which showcases “He’s a Pirate” in a way you’ve never seen before.
Entertainment:
– Fantasmic! (Disneyland)
– World of Color (California Adventure)
– Disney Junior: Live on Stage (California Adventure)
Characters
Once again, Peter Pan is easy to find around Fantasyland, but you’ll have to look a bit harder to find Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow. Captain Hook can sometimes be found roaming Disneyland (he once jumped out at me from behind a wooden fence), but typically makes an appearance at Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park at The Plaza Inn. Jake can be found at Disney California Adventure in Hollywood Land. And again, Jack Sparrow usually only appears at Mickey’s Halloween Party and Mickey’s Christmas Party.
Characters:
– Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates (California Adventure)
– Captain Hook (Roaming, Minnie’s Breakfast in the Park)
– Peter Pan (Magic Kingdom)
– Jack Sparrow (Mickey’s Halloween Party, Mickey’s Christmas Party)
Dining & Shopping
There are two great options for dining pirate-style at Disneyland. The first is one of my favorites: Blue Bayou. This restaurant is actually located INSIDE Pirates of the Caribbean and features New Orleans-style cuisine as you dine in a starlit bayou. Watch the boats coast by as you enjoy a delicious meal of Monte Cristos, gumbo, and beignets. You can also enjoy a Disney character buffet at the Plaza Inn with Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park, featuring Captain Hook among other famous Disney characters. For pirate souvenirs, check out Pieces of Eight near Pirates of the Caribbean.
Dining:
– Blue Bayou (Disneyland)
– Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park (Disneyland)
– Pieces of Eight (Disneyland)
Activities & Experiences
Disneyland doesn’t offer additional pirate experiences, but a great addition to your holiday celebrations is always one of the two parties Mickey throws annually. Just like on the East Coast, Captain Jack Sparrow prefers to visit during Mickey’s Halloween and Christmas Parties.
Activities & Experiences:
– Mickey’s Halloween Party
– Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney Cruise Line
Every good pirate needs a ship. Disney Cruise Line provides one in a way no other cruise line can, with a night devoted entirely to a pirate takeover! Enjoy a pirate-themed dinner (complete with a treasure map menu), get your own bandana, join in a “Pirates in the Caribbean” deck party, and watch fireworks at sea. Even Mickey and his pals join in on the fun! You can even get a pirate makeover at The Pirates League on-board the ship (don’t forget your pirate oath). Pirate Night is available on all ship on select itineraries, so work with an experienced vacation planner to find the perfect pirate cruise for your family.
So if you have an adventurous pirate in your party, be sure to check out some of these incredible offerings at the Disney Parks and aboard Disney Cruise Line. Off to Neverland!
Ready for your next Disney trip? Let me help design your dream Disney vacation! I offer stress-free vacation planning, personalized itineraries, concierge services, and more at no cost to you. Request a free, no-obligation quote through my web form, email me at jtullino@themouseexperts.com, or call me at (321) 222-DSNY. I’d love to help your plan your most memorable vacation yet!
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