A Proper Party!

Disney are well versed in their special evening ‘party’ events which add a whole new style and enjoyment to experiencing the various attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the festive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are both well-established events, but we have just seen the debut of a brand new evening experience, the Pirate & Princess Party.

This ran for 13 separate nights from January 22 to March 8, and there is good reason to think this will become a regular annual event. This year’s event was very much an experimental outing, the first of its kind outside the more traditional Halloween and Christmas offerings. But the feedback from the public has been almost unreservedly positive, and our own experience would certainly back that up.

We were a little skeptical of the idea at first. Disney seem to have bombarded us with the Princess theme in the last couple of years and the pirates motif, while not quite as all-pervading, is also on the increase thanks, largely, to the success of the Pirates films. We were therefore expecting something that might be on the twee and rather juvenile side. We need not have worried.

This turned out to be a genuine fun fiesta of all things good about the Magic Kingdom – great live entertainment, a spectacular parade, even better fireworks, treats for all, and the chance to ride most of the rides without the usual long queues!

Many people also dress up (which is a real Halloween tradition but came as something if a surrise here) and there were plenty of ‘pirates’ wherever you looked, including one very good Captain Jack Sparrow lookalike! There was also plenty of atmosphere, right from the start where you entered through a fog-filled passageway, having been given an official ‘treasure bag’ in which to gather various princess and pirate booty.

The different ‘lands’ were also re-themed into more characterised regions, as befitting the theme. There was Jasmine’s Court and New Tortuga in Adventureland, Riverboat Riviera (Liberty Square), Ariel’s Court (Fantasyland), Princess Pavilion (Mickey’s Toontown Fair) and Solaris’ System (Tomorrowland), as well as the usual Main Street and Frontierland. Virtually all the rides were open (with the exception of Jungle Cruise) but only a handful of the food and beverage outlets (although Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and Liberty Tree Tavern were open).

There were 14 ‘Treasure Spots’ around the park, handing out either chocolates or beads, and you could easily visit them all in the course of the evening. In between, you could ride the rides (many were complete walk-ons by around 11pm), take in the shows (which included three outings of Dream Along With Mickey on the Castle Forecourt stage and Captain Jack’s Pirate Tutorial, but also several live shows just for the event, plus two Dance Party’s with DJs, live music and dancing for the younger visitors) and enjoy one of the park’s best parades (twice in the course of the evening and nowhere near as crowded as you’d expect), The Enchanted Adventures Parade, complete with three novel Pirate floats, which really caught the eye.

Among the more novel offerings were the Rusty Cutlass Pirate Band, the Amazing Agrabats and the ETPs (’break-dancers from beyond’!). We also enjoyed Princess Jasmine’s Royal Guard recruitment show (great for the kids), with a special guest ‘appearance’ by Jafar. The Libert Belle Riverboat was also re-themed to the Legend of the Jolly Roger, with all-new commentary (although no real difference otherwise, apart from some dry ice). The six themed character meat-and-greets were also popular, and extremely well staged, notably with the characters from Pocahontas and the inevitable Captain Jack (with VERY long queues!).

The evening fireworks show, The Magic, Music & Mayhem Spectacular, was another notable one-off, and was beautifully choreographed to the special soundtrack, including a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ section which really captured the fun, lively essence of the Johnny Depp films. Pure Disney magic.

We were still happily visiting the Treasure Spots and riding Space Mountain at a quarter past midnight (!), so you are pretty sure by then that the event has been a success. And, at a price of just $36.95 for adults and $29.95 for kids 3-9 (in advance), we think it represents pretty good value, too.

So, if you are thinking of going in the first few months next year, keep a special eye out for the Pirate & Princess Party. It’s guaranteed to give you a whole new Magic Kingdom experience. The only question from Disney’s point of view is: Is it a money-maker? Hopefully, we’ll find out quite soon and start planning a repeat visit in 2008!