This Disney World fireworks cruise is one extra magic opportunity you won’t want to miss while on your Disney World vacation!
You know that Disney picture we’ve all seen, the magical commercial with fireworks behind Magic Kingdom’s train station, Cinderella’s castle popping up in the background and the monorail perfectly traveling in front of it all?? The Disney vacation commercial that makes us say “I want that” vacation experience?
I’m here to tell you HOW to have that tv commercial like experience at Walt Disney World.
I try so many things at Disney and the majority of them I really enjoy. They’re all fun! And nearly all of them give me that pinch-me moment of “is this real life? How did I get lucky enough to call Disney my weekly playground? But this one experience tops so many of the other Disney World experiences I’ve had! It’s one you don’t want to miss. If you’re looking for extra magic… this is the one!
Disney Fireworks Cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon
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You must watch Happily Ever After, the Magic Kingdom fireworks show, from a boat on Seven Seas Lagoon. And no, not any boat will do. Hopping on the ferry or other boat transportation isn’t what I’m talking about! And truthfully as much fun as Pirates and Pals is fun, I’m not talking about it either! What I’m talking about it chartering your own private boat with Disney!
Why it was so amazing!
Watching Happily Ever After fireworks on a Disney fireworks cruise on Seven Seas Lagoon was the best viewing I’ve ever experienced! Yes, even better than the reserved seating with the fireworks dessert party. (It was pretty awesome too!) The view was stunning, completely picturesque and best of all, I didn’t have to fight for a place to stand! In fact, I sat and relaxed the whole time! It was like our own private viewing of Happily Ever After! No heads in the way, no tired feet and completely uninterrupted music as it played over the boat speakers! It’s an experience everyone should have if they love Disney and fireworks!
Here’s how it works! And it’s less expensive than you would think!
Disney owns approximately 27 pontoon boats and 1 very fancy Grand Yacht that can be chartered by guests each evening for the fireworks show.
To book your chartered boat ask your travel agent to call 407-WDW-PLAY or visit Disney’s Speciality cruise page. Ideally, you would make your reservation at 180 days prior to arrival but honestly, unless it’s a very popular time, think holidays, you’re ok to call in closer to your vacation. In fact, we booked our cruise only a month in advance for a weeknight sailing in September.
You will have the option to charter the Grand Yacht or a pontoon boat. They have two size pontoon boats that hold 8 to 10 people.
The yacht is really pricey at a mere $800 per hour whereas the pontoon boats are much more affordable. We chartered a 10 person pontoon boat for $375.00 for the evening from 7:15-9 ish for an 8 pm fireworks show. The price does vary by season and rates are much higher for holiday nights.
Where to board your Disney fireworks cruise boat
When you schedule your fireworks specialty cruise you will choose to meet your boat at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge. We chose Disney’s Polynesian Resort because we wanted to have dinner at their quick-service restaurant, Captain Cooks (one of my most fav quick service places to eat all over Disney World), prior to sailing.
When you arrive at the resort you’ll head to the marina where you’ll meet up with your boat driver. The boat is pristinely clean and waiting complete with soda, water, and a few light snacks.
Once you’re aboard snap a picture and then it’s time to head out on the water!
What’s included
- Seating for 8-10 people
- Life jackets
- Light snacks
- Water/Soda
- 2 ish hours of boat your time
- Front row seating to Magic Kingdom fireworks
- Happily Ever After Fireworks music played inside the boat
- Boat ride around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake
- Snacks – chips, cookies, soda, and water
- Decorations for special events like birthdays, anniversaries or honeymoons.
Bonus!
After the fireworks, our boat driver took us on a nighttime boat ride across Seven Seas Lagoon and over onto Bay Lake! On the Bay Lake side, he showed us a few things that are “no longer” at Disney World. One of them being the old water park, River Country that closed in over 13 years ago! The slides here were never torn down and are now just overgrown and there are signs posted for guests to keep out! It’s a really interesting piece of Disney history complete with all the rumors that go with something like it! This picture is not great but certainly worth sharing just for the fun of seeing past Disney history! If you visited River Country as a kid (or adult kid) make sure you email me your pictures! I’d love to see them! (RUMOR confirmed! In October 2018 Disney announced they would be building a new resort in between Disney’s Fort Wilderness and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This space is exactly where the River Country Water Park is!)
