Dessert Parties...convince me which is best :)

[AliceInJerseyLand]

I am considering either doing a Frozen dessert party or a Garden Plaza/Tomorrowland Terrace during MVMCP. I want aaaaalllll the PROs and CONs...what has your experience been? Thank you! We have a 6 and a 2 year old....both girls who like Frozen, but also like MK just as much.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I've only ever done the Frozen party, so I am perhaps a little biased, but it was awesome!

Pros:
-Several savory food options like cheese fondue with bread cubes, broccoli, and flatbread, trail mix, fruit
-Unique sweet options like smores pudding and cottage pudding
-Nitrogen-infused popcorn
-All you can drink alcohol
-Cool fireworks glasses
-SEATING!!!
-Great view of Illuminations
-Photopass photographer
-Frozen ride

Cons:
-If it rains, the food part is inside at large tables (more likely to be seated with strangers), people have reported the ambiance isn't as cool, and you'll then be escorted out to stand for the fireworks
-It usually isn't hard to find a good spot to view Illuminations without the dessert party like it can be for the other parks' fireworks shows
- FEA ride sometimes goes down, in which case they'll take people on a different ride. This happened when we went and they took everyone over to Soarin instead. Since my toddler couldn't ride that, we asked for and received a FP for another day for FEA. If the party falls on your last Epcot day and FEA is down, you're kind of out of luck riding it.

We went on a night where the party was outside and it was fantastic. The alcohol alone made it worth the price for us. It was really nice to be able to sit down and relax with some snacks and drinks while waiting for the fireworks after walking around Epcot all day. Seriously, just being able to sit and relax was absolutely amazing! DH, who was initially unhappy about the cost, said that it was well worth it and he wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I considered the HEA dessert party, but the one with seats doesn't give the best view and the other one leaves you either sitting or standing on the ground. The food offerings didn't seem that interesting and it sucks that there's no alcohol. Plus there's nothing additional for the price like the FEA ride or a souvenir like the Star Wars party has. Overall, the offerings just don't justify the price for the HEA dessert parties, especially in comparison with the FEA party, at least in my opinion.

 

[DCLPrincess]

I've done Illuminations and HEA. I haven't done it during MVMCP because you only get limited time at the party that I don't want to spend time doing a dessert party. But Illuminations was better.

Illuminations had a better variety of food and drinks/alcohol but HEA had better desserts. Illuminations you got to ride frozen. And Illuminations had better seating. Everyone sat vs HEA where people stood in front of us. But I certainly enjoyed both.

 

[AliceInJerseyLand]

I've only ever done the Frozen party, so I am perhaps a little biased, but it was awesome!

Pros:
-Several savory food options like cheese fondue with bread cubes, broccoli, and flatbread, trail mix, fruit
-Unique sweet options like smores pudding and cottage pudding
-Nitrogen-infused popcorn
-All you can drink alcohol
-Cool fireworks glasses
-SEATING!!!
-Great view of Illuminations
-Photopass photographer
-Frozen ride

Cons:
-If it rains, the food part is inside at large tables (more likely to be seated with strangers), people have reported the ambiance isn't as cool, and you'll then be escorted out to stand for the fireworks
-It usually isn't hard to find a good spot to view Illuminations without the dessert party like it can be for the other parks' fireworks shows
- FEA ride sometimes goes down, in which case they'll take people on a different ride. This happened when we went and they took everyone over to Soarin instead. Since my toddler couldn't ride that, we asked for and received a FP for another day for FEA. If the party falls on your last Epcot day and FEA is down, you're kind of out of luck riding it.

We went on a night where the party was outside and it was fantastic. The alcohol alone made it worth the price for us. It was really nice to be able to sit down and relax with some snacks and drinks while waiting for the fireworks after walking around Epcot all day. Seriously, just being able to sit and relax was absolutely amazing! DH, who was initially unhappy about the cost, said that it was well worth it and he wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I considered the HEA dessert party, but the one with seats doesn't give the best view and the other one leaves you either sitting or standing on the ground. The food offerings didn't seem that interesting and it sucks that there's no alcohol. Plus there's nothing additional for the price like the FEA ride or a souvenir like the Star Wars party has. Overall, the offerings just don't justify the price for the HEA dessert parties, especially in comparison with the FEA party, at least in my opinion.

Thank you, that was so helpful!!

 

[AliceInJerseyLand]

And now I just heard about the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM option....decisions, decisions.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

HEA for sure. You can easily get a good spot to watch illuminations for free. Finding the perfect spot for HEA is much harder, and the convenience factor of having the reserved watching area is much greater with HEA. Its worth it just to avoid the stress of finding a spot (sometimes to be told to move and you lose your spot) and to avoid the crush of humanity around you. It’s wonderful to have a little bit of space around you as you watch HEA (and cry...) the desserts are just a bonus!

 

[Crystal824]

I've not done the Frozen dessert party yet. We are actually doing it in a few weeks. I've done HEA and Star Wars. HEA was not worth it IMO. The desserts were ok, but not great. I felt rushed to get out to the viewing area because people were leaving to go get a spot as soon as we were seated. We arrived 5 min. before they told us to arrive according to the reservation. Once we got there, it was difficult to find a spot to accommodate us all. We are a larger party of 6 and my mom is on a scooter so we needed more than the average amount of space.

We did Star Wars the night after HEA and it was so so much better that HEA seemed lackluster. There is no comparison really. The desserts were much better. The atmosphere was better. It seemed more like a party with great lighting and more of ambiance. HEA was just tables at the MK. We were walked out to the viewing area all together at SW. I didn't feel rushed at all. While I understand you are not considering Star Wars, I read on here that Frozen dessert party is similar to the Star Wars one. Of course, alcohol is included at the Frozen party and not at HEA. I don't drink much so that wasn't really a consideration for me. The only benefit to HEA is there are tables and chairs, which they do not have at the Frozen party. I would do the SW party again. I will not do HEA again.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I read on here that Frozen dessert party is similar to the Star Wars one.

Yes, the Frozen and Star Wars parties are put on by the same group. HEA party is done by a different group.

The only benefit to HEA is there are tables and chairs, which they do not have at the Frozen party. I would do the SW party again. I will not do HEA again.

The Frozen party does have assigned tables and chairs. If the party is outdoors (normal), you'll be at tables of 5, all with a great view and you can stay there for the dessert and fireworks portion. If it's raining, the party is inside in a loft in the Norway pavilion. There are tables of 10 where you sit at for the dessert portion, before you are escorted outside to stand for the fireworks in the viewing area.

 

[Crystal824]

Yes, the Frozen and Star Wars parties are put on by the same group. HEA party is done by a different group.



The Frozen party does have assigned tables and chairs. If the party is outdoors (normal), you'll be at tables of 5, all with a great view and you can stay there for the dessert and fireworks portion. If it's raining, the party is inside in a loft in the Norway pavilion. There are tables of 10 where you sit at for the dessert portion, before you are escorted outside to stand for the fireworks in the viewing area.

Awesome. I had read that Frozen had high tables and no chairs like SW party. As I said, we are doing the Frozen party in a few weeks for my 4 year old's birthday. Chairs makes it even better as that was my one complaint about SW. It is logistically hard for kids to eat at high tables with no chairs.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Awesome. I had read that Frozen had high tables and no chairs like SW party. As I said, we are doing the Frozen party in a few weeks for my 4 year old's birthday. Chairs makes it even better as that was my one complaint about SW. It is logistically hard for kids to eat at high tables with no chairs.

Absolutely! The chairs and regular height tables were one of the reasons I chose the Frozen party over Star Wars. I didn't want to be holding my toddler the whole time so he could eat.

 

[AliceInJerseyLand]

Absolutely! The chairs and regular height tables were one of the reasons I chose the Frozen party over Star Wars. I didn't want to be holding my toddler the whole time so he could eat.

Good point that I hadn't even considered.

 

[AliceInJerseyLand]

Good point that I hadn't even considered.

Do they let you bring in a stroller?

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

For the Frozen party, we were asked to leave our stroller just outside of the roped off entrance for the party. I've heard that you can't have strollers at the other parties either, but can't speak from experience on those.

 

[3gr8boys]

Good point that I hadn't even considered.

The Star Wars dessert party now has seating for the indoor dessert portion....perhaps will be the case for the JBJB too.

 

[SanderMC]

I have done all 3 that you have mentioned - Jingle, Jingle Bam (outside), Frozen (both inside and outside), and I have done the garden view in MK (although for HEA, not for Holiday Wishes).

I have had a stroller for all 3. For Jingle, Jingle Bam parking was outside the party. For HEA you brought it inside the covered party area but outside where the tables are (if that makes sense). You then picked your stroller up and brought it with you when you went outside to the gardens. Frozen the answer depends on if the party is inside, or outside. If it is outside, then similar to HEA, you bring your stroller in the roped off party area but it is placed to the side away from the tables. You then grab your stroller after Illuminations and will park it outside the Frozen attraction while you are on the ride. If the party is inside, then you find a spot to park it somewhere in Norway. You probably could theoretically leave it there until after you ride Frozen but what all of us seemed to do was grab our strollers after eating as we were heading to the roped off Illuminations area. We kept them with us while watching Illuminations and then parked them in front of the Frozen ride while we rode.

Out of the 3 parties I enjoyed HEA the least and wouldn't even begin to consider it during MVMCP. Now while I did do HEA fairly recently (May) the food offerings changed (last month I believe) so I can't really comment on the current food. I know many people were complaining that the desserts weren't anything to write home about. I didn't think they were bad. My daughter, who is 5, loved that she got to drink champagne (sparkling apple juice in plastic champagne type glasses). There is no alcohol during the HEA party. When we arrived we were brought to a table. I didn't quite understand if they were actually assigned or if they just randomly placed people when they arrived. After eating/drinking you will be escorted over to the gardens. I did enjoy the space we had while being out in the gardens. There was enough of room that my daughter made friends and they were playing tag and toss the stuffed animal. You are really close to Tinkerbell if she flies. However, I personally did not like the view for HEA. Now I'm not someone that normally gets a spot for HEA really early and I still manage to get a better view than what we had during the dessert party. If it was only fireworks then the spot would have been great, but since HEA is also heavy projections on the castle that's where the view falls short. There are trees and light poles that partially obstruct your view. I actually found that the further back in the gardens you go the better the view. Since I normally see HEA multiple times when we visit Disney I may do the party again since I know one of the other nights I'll have a better view but honestly I wouldn't upset if I never did the party again. That being said, I wouldn't even consider it during MVMCP. There is soo much going on during the party that it is not worth the time it takes to do the party. As well as you have already spent a lot of money on party tickets, I can't see spending more on a lackluster party.

I enjoyed the Jingle, Jingle Bam party. Since I was outside, the seating was right outside the Chinese Theatre. There is alcohol. The food was great. There is assigned seating for the food portion so no worry about the time you arrive. There was a surprise guest (Goofy Santa) that you get to meet and he does have a photopass photographer. The party is smart when it comes to meeting Goofy. In order to maximize your party time, you are actually given a slip of paper with a time to meet Goofy. That way you only have max 2 groups in front of you so the wait is minimal. There was something about that party that really put me in the holiday spirit. You are given holiday themed fireworks glasses and a souvenir ornament. When you are done you will be escorted to the reserved space to watch Jingle Jingle Bam. You need to stand in that viewing area. The only negative for this party is the viewing area is rather close. The best viewing (to try and see everything that is happening on the the Chinese Theatre) is if you go to the back of the viewing area. If I had known that I probably would have gotten there a little earlier. Overall, I would do the party again.

The Frozen party is my favorite party. I definitely enjoy it more when the weather cooperates and it can be held outside but inside wasn't bad at all. Food and alcohol are great. You are given special fireworks glasses (I've received 2 different ones). I have NOT had a photopass photographer at either party. There is assigned seating. If you are outside tables are small (5 people) and if you are inside the tables are larger. You definitely will have to share inside. Outside it depends on the number of people attending. We lucked out that our part of 3 was by ourselves when we were outside but that doesn't always happen. If you are outside you will stay seated at your tables to watch Illuminations. What I really enjoyed is you can continue to eat and drink until Illuminations ends. If the dessert potion is inside then you will be escorted to the same viewing area where the outside party would have taken place. However there will not be any tables and you will stand at the rail to watch Illuminations. Since the inside party takes place only during inclement weather (or too cold), for this party you are basically all moved at once. Then of course after Illuminations your guides wait until the mass of people have passed and they escort you back to the Frozen attraction. At that point the only people in line for it are those that attended the party so the wait is really short. The upside for me is that is one attraction that I don't need to worry about a FP for. While this hasn't happened to me, there is a potential con.... I have read reports of people that did the party and the Frozen ride was down. Instead they were given a FP to either Soarin' or TT (I can't remember which). The big complaints are that both of those have a 40" height limit so that doesn't work with little ones. That's also not ideal if it's your last night at Epcot. I haven't heard of this happening in quite a while but be aware it's possible it could occur. As one last point, while I know there is tons of places to watch Illuminations with a good view, there is something about the reserved party spot that I felt it was one of the best views I've had of Illuminations.

 

[AliceInJerseyLand]

I have done all 3 that you have mentioned - Jingle, Jingle Bam (outside), Frozen (both inside and outside), and I have done the garden view in MK (although for HEA, not for Holiday Wishes).

I have had a stroller for all 3. For Jingle, Jingle Bam parking was outside the party. For HEA you brought it inside the covered party area but outside where the tables are (if that makes sense). You then picked your stroller up and brought it with you when you went outside to the gardens. Frozen the answer depends on if the party is inside, or outside. If it is outside, then similar to HEA, you bring your stroller in the roped off party area but it is placed to the side away from the tables. You then grab your stroller after Illuminations and will park it outside the Frozen attraction while you are on the ride. If the party is inside, then you find a spot to park it somewhere in Norway. You probably could theoretically leave it there until after you ride Frozen but what all of us seemed to do was grab our strollers after eating as we were heading to the roped off Illuminations area. We kept them with us while watching Illuminations and then parked them in front of the Frozen ride while we rode.

Out of the 3 parties I enjoyed HEA the least and wouldn't even begin to consider it during MVMCP. Now while I did do HEA fairly recently (May) the food offerings changed (last month I believe) so I can't really comment on the current food. I know many people were complaining that the desserts weren't anything to write home about. I didn't think they were bad. My daughter, who is 5, loved that she got to drink champagne (sparkling apple juice in plastic champagne type glasses). There is no alcohol during the HEA party. When we arrived we were brought to a table. I didn't quite understand if they were actually assigned or if they just randomly placed people when they arrived. After eating/drinking you will be escorted over to the gardens. I did enjoy the space we had while being out in the gardens. There was enough of room that my daughter made friends and they were playing tag and toss the stuffed animal. You are really close to Tinkerbell if she flies. However, I personally did not like the view for HEA. Now I'm not someone that normally gets a spot for HEA really early and I still manage to get a better view than what we had during the dessert party. If it was only fireworks then the spot would have been great, but since HEA is also heavy projections on the castle that's where the view falls short. There are trees and light poles that partially obstruct your view. I actually found that the further back in the gardens you go the better the view. Since I normally see HEA multiple times when we visit Disney I may do the party again since I know one of the other nights I'll have a better view but honestly I wouldn't upset if I never did the party again. That being said, I wouldn't even consider it during MVMCP. There is soo much going on during the party that it is not worth the time it takes to do the party. As well as you have already spent a lot of money on party tickets, I can't see spending more on a lackluster party.

I enjoyed the Jingle, Jingle Bam party. Since I was outside, the seating was right outside the Chinese Theatre. There is alcohol. The food was great. There is assigned seating for the food portion so no worry about the time you arrive. There was a surprise guest (Goofy Santa) that you get to meet and he does have a photopass photographer. The party is smart when it comes to meeting Goofy. In order to maximize your party time, you are actually given a slip of paper with a time to meet Goofy. That way you only have max 2 groups in front of you so the wait is minimal. There was something about that party that really put me in the holiday spirit. You are given holiday themed fireworks glasses and a souvenir ornament. When you are done you will be escorted to the reserved space to watch Jingle Jingle Bam. You need to stand in that viewing area. The only negative for this party is the viewing area is rather close. The best viewing (to try and see everything that is happening on the the Chinese Theatre) is if you go to the back of the viewing area. If I had known that I probably would have gotten there a little earlier. Overall, I would do the party again.

The Frozen party is my favorite party. I definitely enjoy it more when the weather cooperates and it can be held outside but inside wasn't bad at all. Food and alcohol are great. You are given special fireworks glasses (I've received 2 different ones). I have NOT had a photopass photographer at either party. There is assigned seating. If you are outside tables are small (5 people) and if you are inside the tables are larger. You definitely will have to share inside. Outside it depends on the number of people attending. We lucked out that our part of 3 was by ourselves when we were outside but that doesn't always happen. If you are outside you will stay seated at your tables to watch Illuminations. What I really enjoyed is you can continue to eat and drink until Illuminations ends. If the dessert potion is inside then you will be escorted to the same viewing area where the outside party would have taken place. However there will not be any tables and you will stand at the rail to watch Illuminations. Since the inside party takes place only during inclement weather (or too cold), for this party you are basically all moved at once. Then of course after Illuminations your guides wait until the mass of people have passed and they escort you back to the Frozen attraction. At that point the only people in line for it are those that attended the party so the wait is really short. The upside for me is that is one attraction that I don't need to worry about a FP for. While this hasn't happened to me, there is a potential con.... I have read reports of people that did the party and the Frozen ride was down. Instead they were given a FP to either Soarin' or TT (I can't remember which). The big complaints are that both of those have a 40" height limit so that doesn't work with little ones. That's also not ideal if it's your last night at Epcot. I haven't heard of this happening in quite a while but be aware it's possible it could occur. As one last point, while I know there is tons of places to watch Illuminations with a good view, there is something about the reserved party spot that I felt it was one of the best views I've had of Illuminations.

Wow, thanks so much for all of the great info!!

 

[disny_luvr]

I’ve only done the HEA Dessert Party and would highly recommend it, not so much for the food, but for the chance to watch HEA while not being packed in like sardines on Main Street. We did the garden viewing and had an excellent, unobstructed view of the castle. My boys (both 11-years-old at the time) could actually see for once. The food offerings were fine; the menu changed recently and they have a few non-dessert offerings now - taco egg rolls (yum!), spinach dip, crackers, cheese cubes. My family decided that the HEA Dessert Party is a must-do from now on; seriously, the uncrowded viewing area was worth every penny.

 

[FastPasser.]

The Star Wars dessert party now has seating for the indoor dessert portion.

That's correct. It's currently at the end of the trail run, but it has gone very well and it will be the standard setup.

Tables for a max of five are preassigned and chairs are included. Also new is a dedicated M&G with Kylo Ren. The menu has been enhanced with more savory items. None of this has been advertised yet. The price for now is unchanged, $79 for adults and $45 for children

perhaps will be the case for the JBJB too.

The JBJB party has always had seating.

I've never been a guest at any of the parties, however I attend one or more of the parties several times a week and my party only, objective ranking is, #1-JBJB, SW, Frozen are tied for #2 and HEA is last.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Simply in terms of avoiding crowds, my choice would be HEA. DS and I gave up on MK fireworks years ago because the crowds were so bad and the stampede to the exit afterward is even worse. By booking the HEA party, it means we can avoid all of that and watch HEA in comfort with a great view. Illuminations is pretty easy to find a good spot without being pushed or trampled, so, while the Frozen dessert party sounds awesome (we'll do it in August just to try something new), I will never see HEA again without booking the dessert party.