Disney World Map Special Edition: Mickey's Pirate and Princess Party

I'll admit it …. In my collection of Disney World maps, the Pirate and Princess Party map of the Magic Kingdom has a special place. I was very excited to see that Disney is adding more party dates this spring. Well, technically, it's really late winter, but the beautiful Florida weather makes it feel like spring already.

So exactly what is the Pirate and Princess Party? Basically, Disney closes the Magic Kingdom early, then re-opens for admission with a separate ticket for a few more hours. Only the most popular attractions are open, with dining available at a few popular locations. What makes the Pirates and Princess Party special are the extra activities that combine rowdiness and elegance…

First is the special parade … Seeing the pirate ship with Captain Jack Sparrow surrounded by dancing pirate is devilishly fun. The princesses and their princes make striking figures on dramatic floats. Even Tinker Bell makes an appearance down at ground level, rather than flying overhead.

There's a special version of Wishes, the Magic Kingdom's nightly fireworks display. Broader and wilder than the regular version of Wishes, (title)

The treasure spots around the park are a nice treat, even if I'd prefer more beads and baubles rather than candy. Interactive shows and activities are located in each land… Learn how to be a pirate or dance with the royal court.

Because it is a separate ticket and NOT included with your Magic Your Way ticket, the crowds are typically much smaller. The party typically runs till midnight, which affects how you can get the most out of your trip.

If you have little ones, plan ahead by going back to your hotel room for a long afternoon nap. Return for the evening party well rested, and plan to sleep in the next morning. In other words, don't plan an early morning breakfast on the morning after the party.

For anyone else, my suggestion is to arrive later or chill out during the first hour or two of the party. If the park is crowded, the odds are good that it will become less crowded as families who didn't plan ahead (and didn't have naps) head home when their kids get tired. You'll find the lines typically get shorter as the hour gets later.

When you enter the park, be sure to pick up the special Pirate and Princess Party version of the Magic Kingdom map and check the schedule. It's definitely a map that you will treasure!