Williams Family: Ferrytale Fireworks Sparkling Dessert Cruise

When planning for our summer 2018 Walt Disney World vacation, we wanted to try something new.  The Ferrytale Fireworks Sparkling Dessert Cruise was just the ticket!

Guests for the Ferrytale Fireworks Sparkling Dessert Cruise gather at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) located across the Seven Seas Lagaoon from the Magic Kingdom.  Guest who drive and park at the Magic Kingdom know this area well.  Since we stay at Walt Disney World Resorts, the only time we head to the TTC is to transfer from the Resort Monorail to the EPCOT Monorail.

We had dinner at The Wave at The Contemporary Resort and rode the monorail to the TTC.  We were ahead of schedule and our plan was to ride the entire monorail circle before getting off, but as our monorail pulled out of The Contemporary there was a very loud and very close-by strike of lightening.  As the monorail pulled into the TTC it became evident that the lightening had taken out the monorail switch so our monorail wasn't going anywhere and neither were any other monorails, so we exited.

Soon Cast Members were setting up including putting ropes around areas of the Ferry landing and a covered location to the right of the bathrooms at the TTC.

Upon check-in, guests were given a lanyard, that lights up.  Also, when you look through the Mickey ears at lights or fireworks, you can see little Mickey's!  The lanyard were also a way to designate which guests were a part of the party.

I immediately recognized one of the Cast Members from our Highway in the Sky Dine Around that we enjoyed during our March 2018 trip.  I couldn't resist taking a photo!  Click here to read about Highway in the Sky Dine Around.

Guests gathered in the covered area and enjoyed snacks, water, and adult beverages--with ID--of beer and wine.  There are standing tables and seats around the perimeter of the location.

When the sun began to set, it was time to make our way to the General Joe Potter, one of the three ferry boats that serve the Magic Kingdom.  There was a Photopass photographer on the pier with a life preserver decorated to commemorate the occasion.  We scanned our MagicBand and voila, the photos were in our Photopass account.

Once on board, guests either found spots upstairs or downstairs.  We opted for upstairs.  There were some tables with chairs, but mostly standing tables and bench seating near the railings.  Centerpieces on the tables were designed for the event!

Dessert offerings were on both floors of ferry with adult beverages downstairs.  The husband made sure we both had our fill.

While I didn't get a photo, a magician made his way to our table while we enjoyed desserts.  He performed some great card tricks.

The Photopass photographer continued to make their rounds throughout the cruise.  They captured a proposal happening just on the other side of the ferry.

I was able to snap a few photos of the Magic Kingdom as dusk fell and the ferry continued to make its way around Seven Seas Lagoon.  There was an informational track playing on the speakers about the resorts we were passing, but it was difficult to hear.

Our lanyards all lit up!

As the time for Happily Ever After fireworks came nearer, the guests made their way to one side of the ferry, which caused the ferry to tip enough that water began to roll off the roof.  The music was piped in over the speakers and we enjoyed the fireworks show.  

The photo above is a fireworks selfie.  The photo below is one the Photopass photographer took as fireworks were in the background.

When the fireworks were over, the ferry pulled back to the pier at the TTC.  A Cast Member was waiting with balloons for the little ones.  We were directed to a line of buses that were just for us!  We told the Cast Member our resort, we were directed to one of the buses, and we were back at our resort in minutes, without having to navigate the exiting crowds at the Magic Kingdom!  This feature was a surprise as we had wondered how we would get back to our resort and all scenarios included returning to the Magic Kingdom and taking our resort bus.  

Cost:  $99 per person  for adults and $69 for children ages 3-9.  It is recommended to make reservations ahead of time as capacity is limited.  Click here to go to the official Walt Disney World website.

Some hints/tips:

• Bathrooms are at the TTC and on the bottom level of the Ferry.  The bathrooms on the ferry are primitive.  Not as bad as a KYBO, but pretty close.  
• It can get chilly out on the water, so bring a jacket or sweater.
• The desserts and drinks disappear as soon as the fireworks begin, so know this and plan accordingly.
• Be ready to stand at a table or sit without a table.
• Strollers, wheelchairs, scooters were all allowed on the bottom level of the ferry.
• There wasn't a bad view of the fireworks, so don't worry about staking out a spot early in the fireworks cruise.
• The ferry sets sail 50 minutes prior to fireworks start time, so plan accordingly.

All of us enjoyed the Ferrytale Fireworks Sparkling Dessert Cruise.  It was nice to experience the Magic Kingdom fireworks from another vantage point and highly recommend the experience.

Related Posts About Fireworks Viewing You Might Also Enjoy:

Williams Family Does Highway in the Sky Dine Around--Yes, there are fireworks!

Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage--We've now done this twice and yes, there are fireworks!

Magic Kingdom Dessert Party--our favorite now is the Plaza Garden View--which is less expensive!

I Had Two Photo Goals For Our Trip--Nailed Them Both!

One a previous post, I wrote about having two photo goals for our most recent trip to the Walt Disney World Resort.

One, was a wave photo.  We had a wave photo taken in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon during our trip in July of 2014--see photo below--and I wanted another one!  Click here to read more.

July 2014

Luck had it that upon our timely arrival at Typhoon Lagoon, a Photopass Photographer told us that there was a photographer in the wave pool--Kristen or Kristie. We headed off and found her!  We asked her for a wave photo and the waves that were coming in were the giant, 5 foot, crashing kind--just what we wanted.  The photographer positioned us and we listened for the "whoosh" and the squeals as the water rushed in behind us.  She got a great photo and different than the one we had before.

2016

The next photo goal was for a fireworks photo.  Again, it had been since July 2014.  Click here to read more about how we pulled off this feat.

July 2014

We had attempted this shot during our February trip, but alas, a crane was positioned near the Castle, so no fireworks during the Castle Forecourt Stage Show.  This time when we arrived at the Magic Kingdom, there was no crane, an element in our favor, but there was also a different show in front of the Castle.  Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire had just opened the week prior.  I had watched it on-line to determine if there were fireworks--there were.  And, when during the show were there fireworks--in the last 90 seconds.  Okay.  Got it!

Next I needed a Times Guide with the show times listed for the new show.  I grabbed one at the gate.  Then, I planned our touring to coincide with with times as the show is performed multiple times throughout the day.  We were headed to the hub to find a Photopass Photographer, but the Times guide said the show would begin at 1:15 pm and it was several minutes past that and no show.  We hovered near the Ole Christmas Shoppe as we would be able to hear the show.  It started after a few moments.  The 22 minute show gave us some time to find a Photophass Photographer who would be willing to take the photo.

Finding the photographer took some doing!  We found 3 different ones, but only one was willing to give it a try. The show was so new that the photographers were not very familiar with it and felt they wouldn't be able to time it right.  The photographer willing to take the risk had me stand aside while he photographed other families.  I got in his line when I thought it was about right, and sure enough.  He took a few regular shots and then timed his photographs to capture the fireworks.  Yeah!

2016

There was a family waiting next in line to have their photos taken, they realized what we were doing and smiled at our adventure.

I was feeling very grateful that we had nailed the two photo goals for the trip due to great Photopass Photographers.  All of the rest of the photos would be "icing on the cake" so to speak.  Now. . . what might the quest be for the next trip. . .

I Did Get A Fireworks Photos--Just Not The One I Expected

Fireworks Photo at Magic Kingdom July 2014

It is customary prior to a visit to the magical place on earth that we determine and share our goals/priorities for the trip.  One of my goals was a fireworks photo at the Magic Kingdom.  It has been one of our traditions to find a Photopass Photographer somewhere in front of the Castle when the Dream Along With Mickey show is going on and inquire as to whether or not they could take a fireworks photos.  We haven't been told no as of yet. . . well, not until our most recent trip. (Click here to read about fireworks photos as a "must do.")  Here's what happened:

The timing was right on. . . we were exiting Crystal Palace and could hear the Dream Along With Mickey stage show happening and we began to approach photographers.  The husband went one way and I went another with the boy somewhere in between, each of us waiting for the chance to ask the Photopass Photographer.  There were lines of guests queued up behind the photographers so we had to wait even to ask if they could get the photo.  Time was ticking. . . the fireworks have 3 blasts towards the end of the show.

My photographer opened up first and I asked if she could take a fireworks photo.  She said "Yes."  I told her I would be right back as I stepped away to get the husband and the boy.  They both came running when I called for them!

We positioned ourselves in front of the photographer and asked how much longer until the fireworks.  That's when we got the news.  "There are no fireworks during the show."  You see, there was a large crane positioned near the Castle for some sort of repair/prep work and due to safety reasons there were no fireworks blasts during the Dream Along With Mickey stage show.

The photographer apologized, and so did we.  There were moments of disappointment.

Yes, we'll have another trip.  But Dream Along With Mickey is coming to an end.  Will the new stage show in front of the Castle that begins in May have fireworks?

When downloading our Photopass photos I realized that there was indeed a fireworks photos. . . at the Magic Kingdom.  It was when we had opened the park and the photographer taking the photos captured the moment!  It wasn't the fireworks photo I was hoping for but it WAS a fireworks photo!

Opening Magic Kingdom March 1, 2016

Oh, and for our next trip. . . fireworks photo AND wave photo at Typhoon Lagoon are on the list!  Less than 90 days!

A Fireworks Photo is a "Must Do"

3rd in a series of 4 photos

You have seen and heard of various touring plans for Walt Disney World.  Guests are advised to create their “must do” list prior to visiting the parks.  Most of those lists include rides, attractions, shows, and even dining.  Our lists are similar yet include an addition. . . photos.  Specifically, a fireworks photo in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom.  It is a “must do” for our family.  And as one person looking at a fireworks photo from our most recent trip said, “Did that just happen or did you make it happen?”  Well, the fireworks are all in Disney’s court, but we made the photo opportunity happen.  Here’s how. . .

The 4th photo

On the Park Times Guide, the Dream Along With Mickey show, which happens on the stage in front of the Castle, is listed with specific times.  Similar to this:

Dream Along With Mickey
It’s a dreams-inspired party and Mickey Mouse and the gang have invited everyone to join in the music and dancing. The power of everyone’s dreams even thwarts the evil Maleficent from spoiling the fun.
Daily at 10:35 & 11:40am, 1:15, 2:15, 4:15 & 5:15pm
Length of show: 20 minutes

CASTLE FORECOURT STAGE

We know that four fireworks blasts are going to happen about 18 minutes into the show.  So, we flag down a Photopass Photographer somewhere near the hub or on Main Street—one with a camera they are holding, not on a tripod-- about 15 minutes into the show and ask for a fireworks photo.  They position us and we listen for the song.   When Mickey’s voice rejoins the song, that is when the blasts occur—four of them.  The photographer will snap 4 photos in succession to capture the shots.  Typically the third shot is the best, but that is just my opinion.

shot and missed

It is not a perfect science; things can and do go wrong.  The photographer can miss the shot or if traveling with young children or distracted spouses, they want to turn around and see the fireworks rather than look at the camera the opposite direction.  The boy is now well versed in the routine, but did I say distracted spouses?

Got this one--sort of

We have never had a Photopass photographer tell us that they couldn’t take the shot.  We have had one refer us to a nearby photographer, which we readily agreed to.  And, the photographers have never been surprised when we have asked for the shot.

Both of these are from the first blast.

What is intriguing are the other guests who witness our endeavor while walking by.  Inevitably, they are walking towards the Castle and the show as the music is inviting, a crowd has gathered, and at the time, we look like any other family posing for an iconic shot in front of the Castle.  Then the blasts happen behind us and the other guests realize that we just got a photo with fireworks in the background.  Everyone smiles!

Photo above and below are with the 2nd blast.

Since there are multiple shows throughout the day and a plethora of Photopass Photographers (unless it is raining), opportunities abound for guests to get the photo.