let the Fun Begin!
I had the amazing chance to embark on a new adventure with my friends this past trip. Enjoying A Magical Extra – A Private Fireworks Cruise, at the Magic Kingdom. Our cruise took place on a Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Night! Our fireworks were the Disney’s Not-So-Scary Spooky Spectacular!
Cruise Departure
Our cruise was set to depart out of the Contemporary Resort Marina (Book Nook Marina). My girls and I were all so excited as we walked down to board the pontoon boat for departure. Most of us had never been on a private cruise and we all had huge smiles on our faces as we boarded the boat! The boat was very comfortable and there were so many snacks, Mickey Rice Crispy treats and drinks for us on the boat to enjoy! As our cruise departed and we pulled away from the dock, the views of the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Towers were stunning.
Legend of the Bay Lake Shoe Tree
We cruised on Bay Lake and near Fort Wilderness Campground to the Shoe Tree. Legend has it that once a recreation team member is moving on, they take a pontoon boat out to the Lake. And as a reminder of the time they spent, they toss their shoes onto the tree as a symbol of the time they spent together.
Discovery Island (Treasure Island)
Next we cruised by Discovery Island, previously named Treasure Island, which was open to visitors from April 8, 1974 to April 8, 1999. There were birds, turtles and other wildlife. This building is the only remnants left of the dock that used to welcome guests.
Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998. They named the center piece of the park Discovery Island, with trails all around the Tree of Life. You’ll find a White Stork, Galapagos Tortoise, flamingos, and the cutest little otters here and more I love that they named it after this original little Island. They closed the original Discovery Island due to the cost of upkeep and lack of attendance since Animal Kingdom opened.
Electrical Water Pageant
After a leisurely cruise around Bay Lake we took a spot on the water, in front of The Wilderness Lodge, on Bay Lake, to view the Electrical Water Pageant. There were so many pontoon boats lined up to see the water pageant.
The Electrical Water Pageant opened on October 25, 1971. The show is fifteen minutes long. You can view the Pageant from the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon from The Polynesian and Grand Floridian. You can also view it on Bay Lake from The Contemporary, Fort Wilderness and The Wilderness Lodge. This show is adorable and set to music, it has been a favorite of ours for years. In the past we’ve viewed it from the resorts, but seeing it on the water from the boat was an unforgettable experience! We had a front row seat for the performance.
The Sweetest Ending to our Fireworks Cruise
After enjoying the Electrical Water Pageant we cruised over to find a spot for the evening fireworks on the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon. We were literally right in front the Train Station and could see the Castle perfectly to the right!
Little did we know, the highlight of the night- an unforgettable fireworks display-was still ahead. The pontoon boat allows an unobstructed view of the entire fireworks show! Watching from this vantage point had me feeling very spoiled. You don’t have to arrive and stake out a spot in the park and have a long wait. You can simply board the pontoon, have snacks and enjoy the local lore, while soaking in the view of the resorts from the water.
After the fireworks ended we leisurely cruised back to the Contemporary Marina! The exit was one of the most convenient parts: no crowds, and definitely no rushing to catch a bus or the monorail. Well, this was definitely a Disney Bucket list item for me and I was so lucky to be able to cruise with other content creator friends. I was so happy to have this magical experience and share all the details so you can decide if this is a must-do for you too!
reservations
*Jeneice’s Tip* Gather a group of ten friends or a few families and split the cost of this amazing experience. By now, I know you are totally excited and ready to book the fireworks cruise! You can book the Private Fireworks Cruise 60 days in advance. Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort can book for the length of stay once your booking window opens and I highly recommend! The cost for the Fireworks Cruise is currently $449 plus tax and can vary by the date of the cruise. Boats can seat up to 10 guests. Reserve this Magical Extra on the My Disney Experience App or by calling 1-(407) WDW-PLAY or (407)939-7529.
Looking for another special excursion during your trip or for a holiday gift? Two adventure options you can read more about are The Wild Africa Trek or Fort Wilderness Archery Experience great gifts for your family where you can create life long memories!
