4. Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage

Ages: Any

Price: $41.00/child, $69.00/adult

For pirate and fireworks lovers of any age, there is the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage, a pirate themed event that takes guests on the Seven Seas Lagoon to watch Wishes.  First, guests meet their pirate guides in a ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort where they are given a special bandana.  Inside the ball room are snacks and drinks (including cake and ice cream), along with treasure chests of pirate themed tokens.  Captain Hook and Mr. Smee join in, meeting guests, signing autographs, and participating in pirate games. 

After all the pirate guests have met the characters, they go out to the Contemporary Resort docks to get on their pirate ship.  The boat goes to the center of the Seven Seas Lagoon so everyone gets a great view of the Magic Kingdom and the fireworks.  As the boat sails to and from the Contemporary, the pirate guide keeps the guests entertained with trivia questions, stories, jokes, and prizes.  Once the boat arrives back at the Contemporary, Peter Pan is there to greet guests and sign autographs.

The entire event doesn’t last that long (about two hours), but Disney does its best to keep everyone thoroughly entertained the entire time.  There is a limit on the amount of guests in the event so every family gets attention from the characters and cast members.  There are also PhotoPass Photographers standing by to get pictures of guests with Captain Hook, Smee, and Peter Pan.  All together, it’s a great way to meet characters, have fun, and see Wishes from an amazing location. 

5.  Dessert Parties

Image: Disney

Ages: any

Prices: $29/child, $49/adults

For princes and princesses who love fireworks and sweets, the dessert parties around Walt Disney World are perfect splurge for the night.  There two events, one in Magic Kingdom and one in Epcot.  The Magic Kingdom party, Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party, is located on the covered patio by the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and features cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, ice cream, and hot and cold beverages, including sparkling cider.  The Epcot party, IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party, is similar but is not in a covered location and does not include seating.  However, the desserts served represent some of the international pavilions around World Showcase, like baklava from Morocco and cannolis from Italy.  Both parties start an hour before the fireworks begin and have excellent views of the night shows, plus delicious, unlimited desserts. 

6. Magical Makeovers

Image: Disney

Ages: 3-12

Price: Varies

Neither Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique nor the Pirates League are a secret – in fact, they are so popular it can be hard to get a reservation.  However, they are both great ways to spoil your princess, knight, or pirate.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has various packages that turn little girls into Disney princesses.  The basic package is $59.95 and includes a choice of hair style, makeup, nail polish, a sash, and a tote bag.  The most expensive package, which is $194.95, includes everything, plus costumes, accessories, and a photo package.  There are also Frozen themed packages to transform girls into Anna or Elsa, plus various holiday packages depending on the time of the year.  There is also a “knight” package for boys that include a gel hair style, a sword, and a shield.

The Pirates League is a slightly cheaper, but just as immersive experience.  The most basic package, at $29.95, is themed around the Disney Junior show Jake and the Never Land Pirates, where pirates in training can get a Jake bandana with fake hair, plus makeup, a sword, a necklace, and a Pirates League bag.  There are also various packages for boys and girls to make them look like pirates, ghosts, zombies, and mermaids, all with makeup, jewelry, and temporary tattoos.  Like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, the more expensive packages include costumes and can go up to $79.95.  The only big difference between the two is that Pirate League kids get a pirate name, a personalized pirate oath, and an invitation to take part in the daily Adventureland Pirate Parade.

While short, both experiences make each princess, knight, or pirate feel special by giving them one-on-one attention with a cast member.  Each child walks away feeling like they are a real fairy tale character.