Have you heard of the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise? We are BIG fans of the Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties that you can book inside the park and we honestly had high hopes for this one, too. Alas, let’s just say… it didn’t exactly meet the mark.
But before we get too far into our honest review, let’s go over everything you need to know about the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise, including pricing, what’s included, and what you can expect to be served. After that, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty, and we’ll tell you our thoughts on whether or not the Ferrytale Fireworks cruise is worth it.
Let’s get into it…
What is the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise and where is it located?
Like other Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties, the Ferrytale Fireworks dessert cruise allows you to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks while dining on a range of desserts and beverages (both non-alcoholic and alcoholic).
But, unlike the parties that happen inside the park, this one takes place on a ferryboat that sails on the Seven Seas Lagoon just outside the entrance of Magic Kingdom. While it sounds enchanting, it doesn’t quite capture the grandeur you’d experience land-side. Reflections on the lagoon and distant firework sounds are a different experience, and not necessarily the magical one you might expect.
How much does the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise cost?
This dessert party is not cheap.
The Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise costs (tax and gratuity is included):
- $130 per adult
- $80 per child (ages 3 to 9)
In comparison, the ones inside the park range from $99 – $109 per adult and $59 per child up for a reserved standing location, to $119 – $129 for adults and $75 per child for a reserved seated location.
Of course, you’d have to have a park ticket to book one of the parties inside Magic Kingdom, but you’d also get a much, much better view of the fireworks.
What is included?
Lanyards & Mickey Vision glasses
Upon check in, all guests are given a lanyard that lights up with “Mickey Vision” glasses. You simply hold them up (if you’d like) and any type of lighting will be transformed into Mickeys!
The lanyards are a cute addition and the kids seemed to like them. However, the lights were really bright and we kept ours turned off.
Scavenger hunt
On the ship, there is also a little scavenger hunt for kids (and adults).
It helped to pass the time while we were waiting for the show to start and was a cute little addition to the trip.
Electrical Water Pageant Viewing
On nights when the Electrical Water Pageant‘s schedule overlaps with the Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise, as long as the waters are safe, you’ll be positioned in a great spot to watch it before the fireworks begin.
Desserts and Drinks
Now for the important part: the drinks and desserts!
Before we dive in, it’s important to note that if you or anyone in your party has any dietary restrictions, you should indicate so when booking online. In addition, be sure to notify a Cast Member, server, chef, or manager on duty of any dietary restrictions when arriving.
Of course, menu items can change, but you can expect a selection to include similar offerings to what we had.
Drinks
- Pre-cruise beverage (both with and without alcohol options available)
- Water
- Coffee and Hot Tea
- Punch
- Watermelon mojito
- Watermelon margarita
- Assorted beer
- Assorted wine (both white and red)
Snacks
- Donuts and donut toppings bar (with an assortment of sauces and toppings like Dole Whip and Churro)
- Passionfruit panna cotta
- Rainbow popcorn
- Brownie bites
- Strawberry pops
- Cherry cream puff
- Orange cheesecake
- Key lime macaron
- Assorted cheeses
- Assorted nuts
- Fruit
How do you book it?
You can begin booking the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise online or in the My Disney Experience app 60 days in advance.
Important: This particular dessert party cruise is only available on select Wednesday and Saturday nights, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. Same-day reservations can be made before 5 p.m. on a limited basis and are subject to availability.
Full payment is due at the time of booking. There is a one-day cancellation policy, meaning the full price will be charged/forfeited if you don’t cancel within one-day or are a “no-show.”
How does check in work?
To board the ferryboat, you will need to check in for the dessert cruise at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to the left of the Ferryboat launch.
The TTC is the transportation hub for all of Walt Disney World. This is where you park if you drive to Magic Kingdom. It is also the only place you can catch (or transfer to) the monorail to Epcot. If you plan to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to Magic Kingdom, this is the official drop-off spot for that, as well as being the place where some of the offsite buses drop off guests for Magic Kingdom.
The boat sets sail 50 minutes before the fireworks, and there will be no further boarding at that time. You need to make sure you arrive on time or else the boat will leave you.
When you arrive, look for the signs to the left of the walkway down to the boats.
You’ll check in and get your lanyard, which not only lights up, but also has your “Mickey View” goggles attached to it.
The holding area is covered and has some bench seating. Plus, while you wait, they give you a drink (options both with and without alcohol are available).
How is the view from Seven Seas Lagoon?
Now the tricky part – the view.
The view of the castle from the water isn’t bad. You’ll be able to see all the fireworks from this vantage point.
The boat has 2 levels, and the view from the top was definitely the best (and where we recommend you view the fireworks). Not only are the windows more wide open, the extra height helps you clear any trees that might be in the way:
Compare that to the view from the bottom, where the window openings are a lot smaller:
As you can see in the pictures, the projections aren’t really visible. You can see that they are there, you just can’t really SEE them (if that makes sense).
During the show, you are welcome to move around if you need to. Our cruise was only partially full so there was plenty of room upstairs for everyone to watch the show.
And yes – the music is piped in onto the boat. BUT, on our cruise, the sound cut out a few times (which was annoying).
Is the Ferrytale Fireworks cruise accessible?
Yes, those using wheelchairs and ECVs can be accommodated. Strollers are also permitted.
Is the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise worth it?
Now the hard part – is the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise worth it?
Unfortunately, we don’t think so and here are the 2 main reasons why:
- Value for Money: Firstly, as lovely as the desserts were, we don’t think the overall experience justifies the cost. For that price, we could have had a top-tier meal at some of Disney’s best restaurants – including California Grill, where we could have had an equally good view of the fireworks from their observation deck.
Read more about other places to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from outside the park. - View: Even though the fireworks are the main attraction, we felt the views from the boat were somewhat obstructed. It didn’t feel as magical as standing right in front of the castle or on Main Street. You can’t really see Tink or the projections. It was a good view – but it wasn’t GREAT.
But, while the Ferrytale Fireworks Dessert Cruise wasn’t a great fit for us, there are some people who might like it:
- People who love the fireworks, but hate the crowds. Our boat was not crowded at all, which would be perfect for anybody who prefers to have space.
- People who are sensitive to the sounds of the fireworks. Disney fireworks aren’t super loud, but things are even quietier out on the water.
- Groups who want to see the fireworks but don’t have a park ticket. Although we think you’d be better served spending your money on a dinner at a Magic Kingdom area restaurant, if you can’t get a reservation or just prefer the idea of being on a boat, then this dessert party might be for you.
Other important details
What happens if there is bad weather?
The Ferrytale Fireworks cruise will still occur in inclement weather, but may be modified or canceled due to extreme weather conditions.
Fireworks at Magic Kingdom may be changed or canceled without prior notice due to inclement weather.
Are restrooms on board?
Yes, there are restrooms for event guests to utilize. But – they are “marine” restrooms, and our experience with them was not great. If people read the instructions, they probably are fine in a pinch, but we’d recommend using the bathroom right next to the check-in location before boarding.
Do you need theme park tickets?
No, theme park admission is not required for this experience.
Have you tried one of the Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise? Tell us how you liked it in the comments below.
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