Pirates, princesses work weekends
Princesses and pirates are commingling in new ways at Gaylord Palms. The Kissimmee resort’s new Pirate and Princess Weekends are available to hotel guests and the general public.
Among the activities are shows called “Pirate Outpost Invasion” and “Princess Academy,” both of which have original stories and songs in unusual theatrical settings. There’s also an emphasis on the Florida angle. How else to explain a character named Princess Orangeblossom? And a pirate named Sunshine?
The “Invasion” begins with a one-pirate show built around an extremely wordy song where more and more seafaring duties are added. (Think “Twelve Days of Christmas” but with choreography and eye patches.) Kids will literally go through motions representing hoisting, digging, battening, searching the Seven Seas and so forth. There’s also slightly naughty nods to the adults: “Point to your booty.”
In the next room/scene, visitors meet Princess Orangeblossom in a bright gown and full storytelling mode with two other actors supporting the action, which includes songs and a sword fight with a slow-motion stretch.
Her majesty “has stored her treasure away from the pirates, and she thinks she’s safe and she’s outsmarted the pirate crew,” said Niko Nickolaou, creative director. “Well, lo and behold, guess what happens? They invade the outpost.”
(Side note: The princess’ face covering is striking and matches the gown just right, which is a roundabout way of mentioning that all the performers are masked up at Gaylord, and the productions have limited capacity and designated, spaced-out seating. Parts of a resort restaurant have been taken over for the shows.)
Princess Orangeblossom’s strategy involves a treasure map. A large version on the wall shows off sites such as the wreck of the Santa Margarita, Scoundrel’s Beach and Captain Hornswoggle’s Stronghold, which is the next stop of the mobile production. Individual groups go to meet the captain in another room, where things get even more interactive. I was nicknamed Dewayne the Dumbwaiter but was still allowed to take the pirate oath.
In “Princess Academy,” there’s more choreographed sword fighting and a storyline twist involving a lost locket. It all culminates with a three-step musical version of how to be a princess, which includes dignity, kindness (including the blowing of kisses) and singing proudly.
Near both of these shows is the new Pirate Speakeasy, which serves up themed adult beverages, such as the Bottom of the Barrel (a bourbon drink that’s
literally smoking) and the Starlight Princess — which comes with edible glitter sprayed onto the raspberry vodka-cranberry juice concoction.
Other weekend activities include a pirate pool party at Gaylord Palms’ Cypress Springs Water Park and a new production of “Adventure Kids,” which includes a pink, eye-patched, costumed character named Ava the Alligator.
Audience members there pledge to learn,
imagine, discover and explore. (Ava is a reformed plundering pirate who was set on the right path, figuratively and literally, by a moral compass, as the story goes.)
Daily activities include the Princess’ Shiny Stash Treasure Hunt throughout the resort’s gardens and the nightly Pirate & Princess Light Display above the St. Augustine Atrium.
“All our experiences throughout the year are tied to themed experiences,” Nickolaou said. “We want to create incredible memories that you and your family can come out to and experience.”
Pirate and Princess Weekends run through March 7. Gaylord Palms offers themed room packages for the event starting at $189. Nonguests can pay per activity. Times and dates vary. For more information or reservations, go to gaylordpalms.com.
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