We are going to the after party on December 5 too. I haven’t heard any reports of running out of food before this. I know I will definitely go to guest services if that is the case.
 
Several who have done the after party have said that the CMs encouraged then to wait a little for the crowds to clear and then go to the terrace for the desserts. Hopefully it was just an off night if the food ran out that quickly, as others haven't reported this.
Well I didn’t want to stand around for 30 minutes during an EMH night just to ge5 over to Tomorrowland Terrance.
 
I don't think anyone has said anything about having to wait for a half hour for crowds to clear. Many guests will leave after HEA, and if you hang tight in the plaza viewing area for just 5-10 minutes, the crowds leaving will thin appreciably, making it easier to get to the terrace.
 


I just saw that there was an option for the party after the fireworks. We're going to be there January 15th, the park closes at 8, and I'm only seeing a party time available for 7pm. Does anyone know if that means that there is no party offered afterward? I wasn't sure whether I should keep checking to see if a spot opens up for the party after the 8pm fireworks. Thanks!
 
I just saw that there was an option for the party after the fireworks. We're going to be there January 15th, the park closes at 8, and I'm only seeing a party time available for 7pm. Does anyone know if that means that there is no party offered afterward? I wasn't sure whether I should keep checking to see if a spot opens up for the party after the 8pm fireworks. Thanks!
That is the after party. Check in is an hour before fireworks time.
 


I just booked in to the before party on an EMH night... for May 1. (In my 180+ window). Anyone have any experience on EMH nights? We considered the 'after' party but we want to start with rides immediately after fireworks, doesn't make sense to have EMH and then spend time having dessert. As far as I'm concerned I'm just happy that we have a special area to go to where we don't have to line up for a long time for a good view... we will be chill for where we actually get to stand, so the before-party and after-party entering at the same time isn't going to worry me.

Start time is 8pm as of right now and EMH set for 9-11 but guessing they move this to 10-midnight and fireworks at 10/party at 9... either way works for us.
 
I don't think anyone has said anything about having to wait for a half hour for crowds to clear. Many guests will leave after HEA, and if you hang tight in the plaza viewing area for just 5-10 minutes, the crowds leaving will thin appreciably, making it easier to get to the terrace.
I hope it isn’t 30 minutes but we’ve been a few days before Xmas a few years back and we didn’t move for 5-10 mins after the show then it was still a slow crawl from the hub until we hit Main Street. I’m just doubting my plans.
 
We probably wouldn’t do the “after fireworks” party again ! The walk back to the terrace after the fireworks ended was just a nightmare! There MUST BE A BETTER WAY ! The desserts were plentiful but for a very short time! By the time we wanted refills, the cheeseburger rolls were gone and desserts already being consolidated and removed. This was still very early in the party! We’ve been to the before party several times and never felt that way.

If I were you I'd email wdw guest communications email. this is BEYOND unacceptable.

I know that MOST of us book this thing for the fireworks view, but Disney's take on it is the exact opposite. If fireworks are canceled they will not issue a refund and they even note that the fireworks are NOT a guaranteed part of this experience... but the food definitely should be. I'd be asking for a refund if there was no food, and I'm not even really "that type" of a person (most stuff I am understanding and I live with). If they won't guarantee the fireworks, which admittedly they have control over, the very least they can promise is to control the food for the $69 a person. I would not just let this go.
 
I just booked in to the before party on an EMH night... for May 1. (In my 180+ window). Anyone have any experience on EMH nights? We considered the 'after' party but we want to start with rides immediately after fireworks, doesn't make sense to have EMH and then spend time having dessert. As far as I'm concerned I'm just happy that we have a special area to go to where we don't have to line up for a long time for a good view... we will be chill for where we actually get to stand, so the before-party and after-party entering at the same time isn't going to worry me.

Start time is 8pm as of right now and EMH set for 9-11 but guessing they move this to 10-midnight and fireworks at 10/party at 9... either way works for us.

In my experience they do NOT move the fireworks time even if they expand hours. I kind of expected that to happen for me when I booked the plaza party last year during President's week/Princess Half Marathon Weekend. The parks were PACKED and hours were extended to midnight or something, but not until the last moment... at the time of booking it was an 8pm HEA with 8pm close time... the previous year it was 9pm fireworks... but the fireworks stayed at 8 as originally scheduled even with a 3 or 4 hour later closing time (NOT EMH just regular saturday night closing time). I would plan on the fireworks staying as scheduled. While they DO request that people re-check the schedule before showing up, it would be a complete logistical nightmare for them to change it and then contact everyone.
 
Thanks for the clarification! I assumed that the party afterward would have a later time. That makes sense now about the checking in.
you can check in up to an hour before and get a spot for the fireworks, then the food comes after. some people show up more like 15 minutes before and are fine. check in is 90 minutes before fireworks for the before parties.
 
Just got back from WDW and we did the After Fireworks Dessert Party last Saturday. Thought I’d share my experience.

It was just DH and I and we checked in around 8:20 and were led over to the grassy viewing area. Mostly everyone was seated and I’d say it was about 90% full. We did find two plots of grass to sit down on, but it got crowded closer to 9pm when HEA started. We could only sit Indian style on the grass and had no room to move to lean back or put our legs out. Once HEA started, most people stood up and rushed to the fence. We were behind the crowd and could still see pretty well, but did have a partially obstructed view of the castle. My advice would be to get to the viewing area early and grab a spot along the front railing. Then you’ll be in the front of the crowd.

Once it was over, we walked up to the Tomorrowland Terrace. We didn't wait for the CM with the sign or for the crowds to clear out, and were the first ones in. Yes, it was a crowded walk and we were walking against the traffic, but we had to walk maybe 50 yards so it was manageable.

The after party only filled maybe half the tables in the upper area of the Terrace, not crowded at all. Clearly the bulk of the people from the viewing area had done the before party. The desserts and apps were good. The ooey gooey toffee cake was a nice touch. We sampled several of the items, but many of the desserts were very sweet so we didn’t eat as much as we planned. We didn't notice any food offerings depleted or not available, everything was as expected. Perhaps this is because we were literally the first ones to walk through the buffet and we only went back once, maybe they had issues near the end of the party? I don't know, but it was not an issue for us.

Overall, I’m glad we did it because it was a very crowded night in the MK and it was wall to wall people everywhere else. I’m not sure it’s worth the price tag and I’m not sure we’d do it again. The benefits for us were having to wait 40 minutes in a spot rather than 60+ and to be able to watch the fireworks with some elbow room, rather than in a hoard of strangers at my sides. Again, not sure that’s worth the $160+ we spent on it but it may be to some people.

Happy to answer any questions!
 
In my experience they do NOT move the fireworks time even if they expand hours. I kind of expected that to happen for me when I booked the plaza party last year during President's week/Princess Half Marathon Weekend. The parks were PACKED and hours were extended to midnight or something, but not until the last moment... at the time of booking it was an 8pm HEA with 8pm close time... the previous year it was 9pm fireworks... but the fireworks stayed at 8 as originally scheduled even with a 3 or 4 hour later closing time (NOT EMH just regular saturday night closing time). I would plan on the fireworks staying as scheduled. While they DO request that people re-check the schedule before showing up, it would be a complete logistical nightmare for them to change it and then contact everyone.

Thanks so much for this, we will see what happens to the hours but expect the same party/fireworks. We'll be in the park from 7pm onward that night and it's in the middle of our stay so we'll just go with the flow. (Sleep in plans apply for the next AM, I remember how long it takes to get back to the resort after evening EMH but it's worth it... haha)
 
We also attended the 10/27 After Party. We got our wrist bands at 7:30 and made our way over to the garden at 8. We chose to sit all the way in the back against the fence. There was plenty of room there right until the show stared. A darling family with little girls entertained us with their tumbling on the grass. We felt the view from the back was exceptional. Everyone stood but we could rest against the fence, no obstructions. First time for us seeing HEA and we loved it. We waited a hot minute for the crowd to clear, maybe 5. Made it through the crowd to the terrace not easily but not crazy either.
We loved the dessert offerings. I do agree that many are too sweet, but the fruit cheese and egg rolls offset that well. Loved the s'mores action station. Too chilly for ice cream for me but hubby had some. It really was not crowded at all. We left after about 35 minutes so 1015 ish??? There was still plenty of everything but they had consolidated the buffet down to 1 side. Overall we were very happy with the experience. I hate waiting in crowds so this was a perfect way for us to see the show .
 
We got our wrist bands at 7:30 and made our way over to the garden at 8.

Were they handing them out early? I swore our confirmation for the After Party said we could check-in at 8pm. We didn't end up checking in until about 8:15 anyway, but if we ever do this again, I'd go as early as possible for the best spot.

We chose to sit all the way in the back against the fence. There was plenty of room there right until the show stared.

We were there the Saturday prior (10/20) and when we arrived to the area around 8:20, the back fence rail was mostly full. I read here that it was a good spot to watch from, but we couldn't find a place to perch without encroaching on others and being uncomfortably close.
 
We were on our way to Buzz about 7:25 and saw the line up and asked if we could get our wrist bands early. They began seating Terrace guests and handing out after wrist bands right at 7:30. We then left, rode Buzz with FP and went to the garden at 8. We were the only ones in the back until at least 8:30.
 
We were on our way to Buzz about 7:25 and saw the line up and asked if we could get our wrist bands early. They began seating Terrace guests and handing out after wrist bands right at 7:30. We then left, rode Buzz with FP and went to the garden at 8. We were the only ones in the back until at least 8:30.
We also attended the 10/27 After Party. We got our wrist bands at 7:30 and made our way over to the garden at 8. We chose to sit all the way in the back against the fence. There was plenty of room there right until the show stared. A darling family with little girls entertained us with their tumbling on the grass. We felt the view from the back was exceptional. Everyone stood but we could rest against the fence, no obstructions. First time for us seeing HEA and we loved it. We waited a hot minute for the crowd to clear, maybe 5. Made it through the crowd to the terrace not easily but not crazy either.
We loved the dessert offerings. I do agree that many are too sweet, but the fruit cheese and egg rolls offset that well. Loved the s'mores action station. Too chilly for ice cream for me but hubby had some. It really was not crowded at all. We left after about 35 minutes so 1015 ish??? There was still plenty of everything but they had consolidated the buffet down to 1 side. Overall we were very happy with the experience. I hate waiting in crowds so this was a perfect way for us to see the show .

Thmacs1

I think we were the darling family with the little girls that sat next to you. Thank you so much for helping us keep our little space!! The girls had a great time and the back row was the way to go. It was nice being able to lean back against the rail and we could prop up the girls on the rail next to us. We stayed in the garden area for the Once upon a time projection show and it was great. The girls kept running and tumbling around as the garden almost completely cleared out. We didn't leave til after 10 and the walk out was much more pleasant than leaving right after the fireworks
 
Experiences from the 10/22 "Before" Party, with the Garden viewing:

(For context: We were at the parks from 10/22-10/26. HEA was only available on 10/22 and 10/24 during our visit.)

We arrived at 7:45PM to check in and receive wristbands. We were escorted to our seats by a cast member and shown the lay of the land. All very well explained, and easy to understand. It was a busy evening, but I never felt cramped or as if we didn't have enough room to be comfortable. We remained at our table for roughly 45 minutes, when DD10 decided she'd had enough snacks. We made our way to the garden at 8:30PM, flashed our wristbands at the Cast Member and was allowed access.

Most people were sitting, of course. We found room along the back rail, near the center where the fence curves back into the garden. There was a opening near that indentation. We had room to comfortably join, but I joking asked the family right next to us, "is it alright if we hang out here with you here on the rail?" They obliged and even made a little extra space for us, and we had a great conversation about our trips as we waited for 9PM. We made some extra space for a father whose young child was having a little trouble seeing, and everyone squeezed in just fine. Since HEA was limited to three of the seven nights that entire week due to MNSSHP, the hub was PACKED. I have nothing personally to go off of for comparison, but common sense told me it was a busy night. Maybe off-holiday season, when the seasonal parties aren't occurring, the hub might be less crowded.

So, to get things in the open, although as always, YMMV...

No, you won't have enough room to lay down, sprawling out during HEA. Someone will likely be nearby you, and like anything...you may have to adjust your spot slightly for an optimum view. Yes, it will be less crowded than you will experience out in the hub, especially during seasonal party times.
Yes, there are a couple of "obstructions" (light poles, etc.) No, these really don't hinder your view of anything to the point where it's a true problem.
Yes, the desserts are tasty. No, it's not gourmet exquisite dessert dining.

Was it worth it to us? Yes. Would we do it again? Probably. It's a signature event of the park and I'd like to experience it as best as possible. But our trip budgets and expectations about things likely vary. Obviously if you're a family of five, six, etc., the package becomes a considerable cost. Happy Happily Ever After, everyone.::MickeyMo
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top