Disney's Pirate and Princess Party

As dusk falls on the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on select nights throughout the winter and spring, rascally pirates and elegant princesses begin their promenade down Main Street USA. Black pirate hats sporting the Jolly Roger compete with glittering tiaras sparkling in the shop lights. A pirate stops to pillage a hot dog while a princess delicately sips on a lemonade. What fantastic event could bring out all manner of A List celebrities like Captain Jack Sparrow and Cinderella?

Why, the Magic Kingdom Pirate and Princess Party of course!

A relatively new and very popular hard ticketed event, the Pirate and Princess Party appeals to anyone who has ever dreamed of being a mischievous pirate or a glamorous princess. It is a night filled with exclusive shows, fireworks and a parade designed especially for this party. Treasure and jewels are abundant throughout the park, and guests of all ages and backgrounds can leave their worries at the gate, and walk the red carpet to all the magic that awaits them.

So what is a can't miss for the pirate in your family? The most popular event is the Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial held during the evening in Adventureland outside the classic ride, "Pirates of the Caribbean". Captain Sparrow and his sidekick Mack assemble together all the pirate wannabes who are ready and willing to sign up for a career aboard Captain Sparrow's ship. There are instructions in swordplay and pirate-y distraction and in the end each child takes their oath of loyalty and walks away with a scroll designating them as one of Captain Jack's crew.

Not to be outdone by the swashbuckling pirates, there is also the opportunity to join Princess Jasmine's Royal Guard, stationed outside the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Here, onlookers are treated to learning about how to become part of the Arabian Court.

And for the princess? Belle from Beauty and the Beast holds court in Fantasyland to share her story with guests, and to mingle amongst the assorted princesses who come to network with the original "Beauty". And near Ariel's grotto, her friend Sebastian is there to host a dance party for all the princesses to visit with other characters and show off their own moves.

For everyone, there are designated areas throughout the park where "X" marks the spot for treasure! Duck into one of these out of the way locations and come away with necklaces, gold coins and jewels to tuck away in the velvet drawstring bag that is handed to all at the entrance of the park.

Other evening events include a night time showing of "Dream Along with Mickey", a live show on Cinderella Castle's forecourt steps. Following the show, there is there is the Enchanted Adventure Parade. This parade, exclusively designed for the Pirate and Princess Party is a unique look at much beloved Disney classic characters at their best. Countless floats go by, each glittering with princesses, princes and jewels. Princess Minnie and Pirate Mickey host the event that also features the rest of the Disney Entourage. Princess Jasmine's Royal Court is there, swinging their cutlasses in rhythm, and several pirate ships sail by, with Jack Sparrow continuing to recruit young pirates from one, while the others ships support pirates swinging across the masts. Tinkerbell is also featured on her own float, sitting atop the largest collection of Pirate Treasure seen outside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride!

Yet it is not until the end of the evening that the true "jewel " of the party explodes in the sky. The special Pirate and Princess fireworks show "Magic, Music and Mayhem" bursts over the castle with good battling evil, all supported by an inspiring musical score.

The Pirate and Princess Party is a chance for guests to live out their own fantasies of being a rebellious scallywag or Disney royalty. In addition to the special events available for the party, nearly all rides throughout the park remain open and guests have the luxury of enjoying the Magic Kingdom with a limited number of other people. There are places to grab a snack or a meal, areas to sit and relax to soak up the atmosphere, and plenty of locations where guests can meet characters, dance with other pirates and princesses, and just have a wonderful night at Walt Disney World.

As the fireworks ends and the tired and happy guests turn to walk back up Main Street to the exits, banners proudly proclaim the chance to "Become a Princess!" or "Become a Pirate!" And many is the sleepy child who smiles and knows that for just one night...that is exactly what they were.