Are Dessert Parties worth the money?

[staceychev]

We are going to MK for one day on Easter Sunday. We've got reservations at 3:50 at Skipper Canteen, but other than that, we're just going to grab and go as far as food is concerned. I just learned about the dessert parties, though, and I'm wondering if they're worth the money. It would definitely be a splurge for us, but I might be able to pull it off, financially. We're a family of four, two daughters (just turning 10 and 14), and husband and daughters all have wicked sweet tooths. We haven't been to Disney since the younger one was 5-1/2, and we haven't seen Happily Ever After.

Any "been there, done that" opinions on whether it is worth the splurge, and which one to choose if it is?

Thanks!

 

[Chaitali]

I found it worth it for the reserved viewing area. The food was an added bonus but the food alone wouldn't be worth the cost. If you hate crowds and don't want to get there early to get a spot for the show, it might be worth it. But on the day we have a dessert party, we wouldn't also spend money on a sit down meal. It would just be quick service and/or snacks. That helps with the cost for that particular day.

 

[cincystamper]

"Worth" is super subjective, but for us, yes it is, totally. We do the the "after fireworks" garden view party. Which means we check in, get our wrist band, then head to the garden in the hub to just relax for a bit. It's when the show is about to start and you look out past the fence line to see the massive crushing crowd that you realized what you really paid for! LOL After the show, we get escorted back to the terrace where we can sit and fill up on desserts & drinks while we watch the crowds fight to exit. By the time we're ready to leave, the majority of the lines at the bus stops have dwindled and it's an easy ride home.

So yes, definitely worth it for us just to not fight the crowds!

 

[minthorne]

For me? No.

 

[starry_solo]

My family enjoyed it!

 

[rangerxenos]

IMO, no. They used to be worth it when they were reasonably priced.

 

[alliecat523]

Expensive but we enjoyed it

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For us, yes, the Plaza Garden dessert party is worth it to see HEA. It means being away from the crowds both before and after the show and being guaranteed a great viewing spot.

 

[kylenne]

"Worth it" is incredibly subjective and there is no correct answer for everyone. I can tell you that we enjoy the dessert parties because it's worth it for us to have a guaranteed spot away from the crowds in the Hub. The desserts are pretty much irrelevant to us, they're basically grocery store spread lol. But we enjoy them for what they are. We only have two people to pay for instead of a family of four, so our math is a lot different and we find value in it to take the stress out of the equation. That value also goes up exponentially during Halloween and Xmas party season, when HEA crowds in the Hub are absolutely obscene. We did it in Oct 2018 and plan on doing it again at the end of our May trip even though we'll be CL and can watch from the Poly lounge. We want to experience the projections once.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We are going to MK for one day on Easter Sunday. We've got reservations at 3:50 at Skipper Canteen, but other than that, we're just going to grab and go as far as food is concerned. I just learned about the dessert parties, though, and I'm wondering if they're worth the money. It would definitely be a splurge for us, but I might be able to pull it off, financially. We're a family of four, two daughters (just turning 10 and 14), and husband and daughters all have wicked sweet tooths. We haven't been to Disney since the younger one was 5-1/2, and we haven't seen Happily Ever After.

Any "been there, done that" opinions on whether it is worth the splurge, and which one to choose if it is?

Thanks!

I have attended the dessert party at least 5 times. We always go during busy times and having a nice relaxing spot to watch HEA is wonderful. Now I am partied out, but I say go and do it. It is the perfect splurge for dessert lovers who have not seen the show yet.

 

[stace1214]

For us, yes it's so worth it. Definitely a big splurge, but it was so nice to not have to stake out a spot an hour in advance. We do the before fireworks party since we have little ones, but when they're older, I like the idea of the after party better.

 

[saraheliz]

For the desserts? No. For the space to watch the fireworks? For us, absolutely yes. Looking out onto everyone crammed onto Main Street makes my anxiety skyrocket. It's been our big splurge the last couple of trips and even with the price increases we'll probably do it next year, as well. The deserts are a nice bonus.

 

[floridadream]

For us it was one and done. I'm really glad we did it, and like others said, the best part was the viewing location. The food was just OK. I'm glad that we got to experience Happily Ever After like that once, but probably won't do it again. It was a nice treat!

 

[elgerber]

I have a major sweet tooth, and I love dessert. They are very spendy, and no doubt very overpriced for the treats you get. HOWEVER, on Easter Sunday, to have a reserved viewing area, I absolutely think it's worth the price.

 

[ducky100]

Hi - can I ask a silly question approx what is the cost? Also how do I go about booking in advance?

thanks

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

For me it depends on when you go.... We'll be in Disney over Christmas/New Years and we will do a MK dessert party, probably the Epcot one, and maybe the AK one (since we actually enjoyed that one the most.) The days we'll be there are expected to have very high crowd levels -- 10's on the crowd calendars. Those days we'll pay to have a quiet place with somewhere to stand/sit to enjoy the show, without waiting for hours before the show to get a good spot, all the while enjoying good food/drink. For the amount we pay for the trip (air, car, hotel, tickets, meals, etc...) we'll pay a little extra to remove some of the crowds/stress.

Would we pay when crowds are low? Not likely --- just not the value there for that though...

 

[Deb & Bill]

When they charged $25 per adult, yes. Now that they charge many times more than that, no.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Hi - can I ask a silly question approx what is the cost? Also how do I go about booking in advance?

thanks

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...d-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party-plaza-view/

 

[randumb0]

It's a personal opinion but I don't feel that the value is there

 

[MarkS2112]

We did the Star Wars one at HS a few ears ago and it was $69 at the time. The food was okay but not great. To get your moneys worth you need to drink the alcoholic beverages. The parties now cost much more. If parks are not busy and getting a viewing area that is not crowded is not a priority I would not waste the money. You can drop more than a good sit down meal on small bite sized deserts or larger treats in the parks. So I would spend my money elsewhere to get more bang for the buck.