Universal Christmas dessert party review-was it worth it?

Monykalyn

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 11, 2014
Since this is a review of a party and not a trip report really-will try to keep it short and sweet.

Background:
Family of 4 traveling Christmas 2018 from SWMO. Kind of a last minute planned trip (ie less than 6 months out LOL). My husbands oldest daughter invited us to spend Christmas with them in Jacksonville, and since we had purchased premier AP to Universal, we added on days in Orlando.

We stayed offsite at Hyatt House across from Universal in a 1 bedroom suite (loved this place) Dec 26-30.
We knew crowds would be crazy, so as we were driving down to Florida I was browsing the sites and saw the Christmas dessert offering. We have the AP with the Express after 4, so we were planning mostly later days anyway.
I didn't pull the trigger until 12/24 for the 12/27 party. $49.99 each, plus tax, no AP discount.

For the first part-parade viewing area-was outside the theater where the Hollywood makeup show was.
It was uncrowded and offered good viewing as the parade came out of the gates.
DP1.JPG
DP3.JPG
The performers would come right up to our roped off sections.

While waiting for the parade to start we had a couple "private" character meet and greets
character2DP.JPG
Character DP.JPG
Plus drinks: soda, water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate (my pics are blurry) but it was as much as you wanted. We all enjoyed the beverages. After the parade we had some time until our reserved area dessert party for the Cinematic Spectacular showing.
We did a few more rides and then wandered into the dessert party area.
food1DP.jpg Just one side example
foodDP3.JPG so cute! and good too
Plenty of tables and good view of the show
CSDP1.jpg
There were TM's replenishing drinks (soda, sparkling wine for over 21) and taking pictures. I know this was dark but it is more to show the table than us (he took one with a flash too that is much better lol)
There was plenty of room for everyone to fully stretch out and watch the show unobstructed.

Was it worth it? For us yes. It was nice to have reserved areas for parade and evening show with crazy crowds. My two complaints: for the parade viewing-we caught the parade another night, from the park area by the Macy's building (next to Mummy) and it snows there! Our party night it was also too windy for the balloons (why we tried to catch some of it another night). We never felt rushed out of the viewing area after the show, and indeed-the kids took full advantage in eating more! I felt the price was reasonable. Number two-would be nice to add some savory items even if fruit and cheese. For comparison we have done Star wars dessert party (back during SWW) and a terrace dessert party at MK on Dec 30th. I'm not a huge fan of dessert parties but with high crowds it is nice to have space!
 
You got me with Scooby Doo!!! ::yes::

Glad you gave us a review, not too many were talking about it.......it does look good and love the minion cake!!

Yes, it was lovely being where it snowed down by the Mummy, shame they didn’t have it there where the viewing area was.....but, yes space is good!!!

Nice pics too........:)
 
Many thanks for sharing your holiday dessert review !

You presented it in a way that made me want to try this type of event in the future

Pricing you listed for it is affordable for families
Glad you included those details
 
Hi Thanks for sharing. We got into desert parties at Disney and enjoyed them very much. I did one at Universal a few years ago and we enjoyed it. I never get tired of character meet and greets they are awesome. Nice pics!!
 


the character meets were a surprise! Scooby spent quite a while out there with guests.
Mac-I did feel this was a reasonably priced party. I am not a big fan of upcharge events but there are times when it is worth it-the two Disney parties and this one were all well worth the money with the crowds!
 
Thanks for sharing! I am pretty sure that I want to do the Mardi Gras one now. My TA found out that one does have a discount; however, I called and you have to book it in person to get the AP discount. Now I am worried it will sell out before I get there, but you only booked 3 days ahead, so maybe there is hope for me (I would book 4-5 days ahead)!
 
Does anyone know when they usually release the Christmas Dessert party dates/tickets?
 


Does anyone know when they usually release the Christmas Dessert party dates/tickets?
The 2019 Christmas Dessert party tickets have been on sale for a few weeks now. It includes reserved area for parade, al the same drinks and desserts as above and the mannheim steamroller concert with reserved seating area next to stage.
 
The 2019 Christmas Dessert party tickets have been on sale for a few weeks now. It includes reserved area for parade, al the same drinks and desserts as above and the mannheim steamroller concert with reserved seating area next to stage.

Just ordered ours for November 16th (the first night they are doing it)! Can't wait. We will have hubby and I, plus 2 of his cousins from Ireland that are joining us this trip.
 
Just adding a 2018 video


Please note this included the parade and Cinematic (Water show & firework) Celebration viewing.
 
Last edited:
The 2019 Christmas Dessert party tickets have been on sale for a few weeks now. It includes reserved area for parade, al the same drinks and desserts as above and the mannheim steamroller concert with reserved seating area next to stage.

Do we have to call or is it available online. I've been searching and not sleeping! :scared:
 
Just adding

Holiday Dinners & Activities for the following Resorts:

447302

And includes dinning options for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and more....
LINK
 
Thank you! I think I'll call to confirm about the food being offered. Last years description is the same as the current offer “seasonal desserts, savory bites,...." but on the video I posted the guy said it was all desserts as well as OP. To me savory bites are non dessert items.
I think last year was all dessert for Christmas. They must have listened to feedback and added the "savory bites" because they had them at Mardi Gras. For us, it was ranch and blue cheese, crudite (carrot, celery, broccoli, cauliflower), 3 kinds of crackers, sharp cheddar cheese cubes, swiss cheese cubes, and grapes.
 
I think last year was all dessert for Christmas. They must have listened to feedback and added the "savory bites" because they had them at Mardi Gras. For us, it was ranch and blue cheese, crudite (carrot, celery, broccoli, cauliflower), 3 kinds of crackers, sharp cheddar cheese cubes, swiss cheese cubes, and grapes.

Excellent! Thank you so much for sharing!
 
Yes, it was lovely being where it snowed down by the Mummy, shame they didn’t have it there where the viewing area was.....but, yes space is good!!!

Do you remember what time you arrived at this viewing location and was it crowded? When did you go last year?
 
Do you remember what time you arrived at this viewing location and was it crowded? When did you go last year?

We were there last year from Nov 29th for 10 nights. Around the same time previous year too.....

No, it wasn’t crowded at all. We were in the park for a while before to do rides and such, and we only stood in that area for the parade a short time before it began. Crowds aren’t 10 deep, so you do get a good view wherever you are.

We’ll probably go to the same area this year again.
 

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