MK "Happily Ever After" Dessert Party (Parties) Discussion

[Jocelynaus]

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[Disney & ME]

I am so disappointed by this news since we are going in September and I was hoping to use the viewing area in front of Casey's to watch HEA instead of doing a dessert party. Now I feel I am going to have to book a dessert party in order to get a good viewing area. This is so expensive for our group of 6 that it really isn't an option.

 

[Dan Murphy]

So that would definitely raise the $864 I stated above! wow!

I come out to $969, if doing 20% tip.

 

[SinCityMMAFan]

I'm seeing some differing opinions on this but I'm going to ask anyway.
Does Disney mind if I take some of the treats in a ziplock or small box to go? My husband can put away some treats and I know he'd enjoy some during the fireworks and/or later in the room.

Last year I brought a zip lock and took a few things will be doing the same when I attend next week. Enjoy the event! Once you attend this event you will want to do it again and again. It's great not having to worry about finding a good spot for the fireworks and also not being shoulder to shoulder with the person next to you. Worth the cost IMO.

 

[leeannf]

I am vegan (medical) and this is what they brought. The chef who brought it said it was all vegan and I *think* I remember him also saying it was gluten free, but don't quote me on that. He brought a similar plate to others around the seating area. It was a lot, and I didn't finish it all. They wouldn't provide me with anything to take it to the viewing area so I had to venture out to find a container. This was July 4 and it was a madhouse walking out and about before the fireworks to get something to take the remaining food. I eventually made it to Cosmic Ray's where they gave me take-out boxes and a bag. (Not sure if the gummies had gelatin, most of the bags of gummies they sell in the parks do, and I've seen chefs overlook that on their vegan watch list, but luckily gelatin doesn't cause me issues)

Getting back, well, that was a whole different story. They closed some pathways and others were only one-way AWAY from the hub so I had to work my way around the top of the hub back into the dessert party, a very long ordeal. So I would suggest bringing your own containers if you don't think you'll eat a lot.

All in all, definitely worth the roomy viewing area for July 4, and even though we had a rain delay, it was a fantastic time.View attachment 335739

Loved your review for 4th of July- After Dessert Party Night! We just scored our reservations for July 4th this year as I have been checking daily. About what time did you finish up to leave the park? I imagine it will still be a crazy night to get out of MGK? Thank you!

 

[Jocelynaus]

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[sandystx]

I did the Dessert party years ago before Garden Viewing was an option. Please explain how it works now - do reserved Terrace guests and Garden guests use the same dessert area and then are escorted to the appropriate location for seating? There are not 2 different dessert areas, correct? thank you.

 

[123SA]

I did the Dessert party years ago before Garden Viewing was an option. Please explain how it works now - do reserved Terrace guests and Garden guests use the same dessert area and then are escorted to the appropriate location for seating? There are not 2 different dessert areas, correct? thank you.

There are two different dessert areas. Same offerings at both. As you enter the terrace area, the terraces dessert party is to your left. You will eat and stay there for viewing. The garden party dessert area is to the right. You eat there and then move out to the garden viewing area

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

We did the garden viewing party last night. We arrived for a late check-in around 8:15, because we wanted to squeeze a few more rides in before fireworks. It was a little confusing when we arrived at Tomorrowland Terrace because of people just standing at the entrance, but a CM directed us up the ramp and to the right to our party. The dessert offerings were the same as I have seen on the forums, with cheeseburger egg rolls, spinach dip and crackers, fruit and cheese for those who want something other than the sweet stuff. The huge, chocolate-dipped strawberries were my favorite. They were serving the sparkling cider, and the drink station had several juices, water, coffee, etc. to choose. The offering was smaller than I thought it would be. I was picturing something much larger scale, but it was plenty for our kids and us to snack on prior to fireworks. Our server escorted us to our table, placed the reserved sign on our table and we were free to dine. We grabbed a plate and did not go back for seconds. The sweets really do fill you up quickly, especially in the heat. After we were done, we grabbed amazing seats on the “grass” in the garden, which was already fast filling up. The PhotoPass photographer was in the garden while we were waiting for the show, so we took several photos of the family. They have a prop you can hold that says Happily Ever After on it for your photo. The show was gorgeous. If you have little ones, you may want to scoot out a bit earlier to grab seats closer to the fence rail. Closer to the rail will allow them to see more, since the taller folks are not standing in front of them. DH, DD, and I could see every projection and firework, as we were nearly perfectly centered with the castle. However, poor DS had to be held on my hip for the majority of the show, otherwise he would not have been able to see most of the projections. The show was gorgeous, and DH got some great footage with the camera. After the fireworks ended, we let the crowd clear a bit, and made our way back into the park to ride one more ride before heading out. Overall, the dessert party with designated viewing allowed us to focus on riding, and not have to worry about scouting a spot for fireworks. This alone made it 100% worth it to me. The desserts were just a nice little extra.

 

[jaysmom4285]

Re: the CRT package people using the west plaza area in front of Casey's - I'm not sure they would take up the whole area. Admittedly this is total speculation on my part, but that area is very large. My daughter and I viewed HEA from there in early April. There was a front section of it roped off for some sort of reserved viewing, but the rest of the area was open to anyone. I wonder if that's what they might do for the CRT package people, depending on how many there are, of course.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with the dessert party with an ECV? I haven't booked yet, still trying to decide for our trip next month. My husband will have the ECV. How early do you think we would need to arrive to be able to have a spot where he could see?

 

[toocherie]

I used an ECV for the after-fireworks party. It was no problem--I was there early and got a spot on the left at the front by the low fence. Another lady in a wheelchair joined me later along with some people that could not sit on the ground because of bad back issues (they were as far left as possible). After it was very easy to get to the terrace location for the dessert offerings and they seated me as close to the buffet as possible. And by "early I think I was checked in at 7:45, got my wristband and went to viewing area--I was the first one there).

 

[TheSpooph]

Hi everyone! This thread has been so helpful - and fun! - as I plan our whirlwind day at MK.

Our group will be kind of large (7) with 3 kids. Is the best viewing spot for them toward the front fence? Or, would it be easy to see the projections from the back of the garden area?

The last few reviews sound like to get the front fence, we would need to leave the party early to claim a spot in the garden. The back fence, however, sounds a little it stays available a little longer.

I am not sure how long we’ll stay in the dessert area but I’d like not to rush the kids through.... a buffet of just dessert items sounds like a dream come true for them!

Would love some thoughts/advice!! Thanks!

 

[cakebaker]

My latest experience at the after party garden view dessert buffet- Dessert portion was just about the same as every other time. They’re ok desserts, nothing amazing, but good enough. It’s the viewing area experience that was different for us. We always stand towards the middle of the area by one of the round fenced areas. For the first time, directly in front of us and within seconds of the show starting, 3 people put their kids on their shoulders, making it impossible for my 7 yr old grandson to see any of the castle at all. To make it even better, the kid most directly in front of us also had two huge glow wands she was waving in the air above her head while mom stood next to them with her iPad in the air recording not the show, but the kid waving the wands.

This is where the advantage of the garden viewing is- there’s room to move. Directly in front of the wand waver was just enough space for us to move right in front of them, giving us a great view.

We’ve done the dessert buffet many times and it’s still worth it for us.

 

[Cluelyss]

Hi everyone! This thread has been so helpful - and fun! - as I plan our whirlwind day at MK.

Our group will be kind of large (7) with 3 kids. Is the best viewing spot for them toward the front fence? Or, would it be easy to see the projections from the back of the garden area?

The last few reviews sound like to get the front fence, we would need to leave the party early to claim a spot in the garden. The back fence, however, sounds a little it stays available a little longer.

I am not sure how long we’ll stay in the dessert area but I’d like not to rush the kids through.... a buffet of just dessert items sounds like a dream come true for them!

Would love some thoughts/advice!! Thanks!

I mush prefer the back fence, and I’m a shorty. Never had an issue seeing the protections back there as most folks tend to all crowd forward once the show starts. Also, even at the front of the garden, you still run the risk of people stopping along the walkway to watch, then you have to wait for a CM to come shoo them along.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I mush prefer the back fence, and I’m a shorty. Never had an issue seeing the protections back there as most folks tend to all crowd forward once the show starts. Also, even at the front of the garden, you still run the risk of people stopping along the walkway to watch, then you have to wait for a CM to come shoo them along.

Shhhhhhhh, don't give away the best kept secret of that viewing area.

 

[TheSpooph]

I mush prefer the back fence, and I’m a shorty. Never had an issue seeing the protections back there as most folks tend to all crowd forward once the show starts. Also, even at the front of the garden, you still run the risk of people stopping along the walkway to watch, then you have to wait for a CM to come shoo them along.

Shhhhhhhh, don't give away the best kept secret of that viewing area.

Thank you both!! I had planned the back of the garden but wanted to make sure the little ones would be able to see.

About how early do you think we should head that way to find a spot?

 

[Cluelyss]

Thank you both!! I had planned the back of the garden but wanted to make sure the little ones would be able to see.

About how early do you think we should head that way to find a spot?

I used to go out about 30 minutes prior when there was only one party, 45 minutes would be better these days if you want your pick of spots.

 

[RachaelA]

We did the after party Monday night. I was shocked by the sheer number of people. There was basically no sitting room before the fireworks started. Granted it was so much better then being in the non reserved area, but so crazy crowded compared to when we did it before with just the before fireworks dessert party.

Desserts were fine. I loved edible cookie dough.

 

[Shellbells]

How bad does the weather have to be before they cancel? We go next week and it's pretty much supposed to rain off and on all week.