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!

Williams Family Does The Highway In The Sky Dine Around

Two years ago, Highway in the Sky Dine Around debuted.  We were intrigued and had attempted to book this progressive dinner option ever since but the timing was off.  During March 2018, the event was available, so were we, and there was room in the budget.  We were all set!

Know that as of this post, the event is offered on select nights Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  The cost is $170 per person plus tax regardless of age.  If memory serves, there was an Annual Passholder discount.  Guests must be 21 to consume alcohol and the minimum age is 12. Note that Valet Parking at The Contemporary is included with the price of the event.  Just provide confirmation number at the security gate. Click here to be taken to the official Walt Disney World page to read more about Highway in the Sky Dine Around.

First stop was The Wave of American Flavors restaurant at The Contemporary Resort.  The Wave is located on the ground floor or first floor of The Contemporary.  We had finished a tour at the Magic Kingdom, so chose to walk.  Our time to check-in was shortly before 6:00 pm.  The times may vary depending on Magic Kingdom fireworks times. 

Upon check-in we were given special lanyards that indicated we were on the tour along with name tags.

Within a few minutes of checking in, we each received a drink--pictured above, along with a small cup of soup. We were greeted by The Wave's manager and chef and learned about a steak that they cook that can be cut with a fork.  We're testing that theory on our next trip! (The boy was offered a selection of beverages including soda.)

In our group of less than 40 guests, we made our way up the escalator and through the security check prior to the monorail.  Once all the guests were through security, the monorail stopped and we were allowed to bypass guests and load a car that was reserved just for us.  Note that this was the only time we had to go through monorail security.  The resort monorail stopped at the TTC, but our car doors did not open.  There were three Cast Members that went with us and stayed with us throughout the entire night.

Our next stop was the Polynesian Village Resort.  There was a group of tables ready for us just to the right of the entrance from the monorail.  Had we walked further, we would have entered Moana's store.

The tables had flower leis for the guests and we were treated to live music.  Most of the tables were standing tables, although there was one table with chairs. 

Maitais for the adults and the boy had a non alcoholic pina colada.    He didn't like it so got soda instead.  We got a refill on the maitai!

Appetizers were on the menu.  What I do remember is that the purple substance on the bottom on the right was a yam appetizer that was yummy! 

Since we were on a time schedule--fireworks were the finale--we were given a signal to indicate that we had 5 minutes before making our way to the monorail.  We passed security and made our way past the other guests to a car reserved just for us.  Other doors to the monorail did not open until we were secure and it was the same when we were dropped off. 

Citricos at the Grand Floridian was our next stop and it was time for the main course.  Citricos is located on the second floor of the Grand Floridian.  It is to the far left for anyone exiting the monorail.  We were seated with other guests and enjoyed the meal.

Adults could choose between a red wine and a white moscato.  I asked to taste both and decided that the moscato was the favorite.

When our main course was done, we left Citricos and headed downstairs to the Garden View Tea Room.

At the Garden View Tea Room, we were treated to champagne and an assortment of cheeses and other treats.

After the champagne course, we made our way back upstairs at the Grand Floridian.  We did have a few moments to enjoy the lobby and listen to the live band.  It was time for us to take the monorail again.  While the resort monorail stopped at the Magic Kingdom, we stayed on!

Our final stop was The Contemporary, specifically the fourth floor viewing deck.  There were chairs, a great view, and the monorail track just above us.

A variety of desserts were available as were dessert drinks including various coffers, Bailey's, etc.  Since it was a chillier night, blankets were available for us! 

We watched the Happily Ever After fireworks show from our warm, cozy, and uncrowded location!  Other guests, not on the tour with us, attempted to use the viewing area and were not allowed to join us.  

We all got special chocolates to take with us as we said good-by to our hosts.

For us to get back to our resort--Coronado Springs--we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and then a bus back to our resort.  We could have walked to the Magic Kingdom, too. 

We all give this a two thumbs up.  We enjoyed the new foods and the new experience. This is something we would do again.

It is helpful to know that there is a dress code.  We were wearing collared shirts and the guys had on dress shorts while I was wearing capris.  We didn't feel under dressed although there were other guests in dresses and dress pants.

What I find humorous is that I had the idea for this adventure in 2011.  I had just read Mousejunkies.  The author had suggested turning a monorail car into a dining car and I took that idea and made it a progressive meal.  Click here if you want to read my idea.