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

[ali_in_al]

Seems the preference here is for the garden party versus terrace party? I have the terrace party booked for late December but seems like a switch to garden may be better if it's available. Has anybody done the terrace one this year that would recommend it?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Seems the preference here is for the garden party versus terrace party? I have the terrace party booked for late December but seems like a switch to garden may be better if it's available. Has anybody done the terrace one this year that would recommend it?

I'm partial to the garden vs terrace for the more head-on view, which I'd suggest for newer viewers of HEA is important. The Terrace is off-center and only has an OK view of the castle projections (mainly, the bottom portion of the castle is harder to see from there).

If staying in one spot with a seat/table the whole time is a preference, then the Terrace is a better option.

Both are good options, but to me Plaza wins out for the better view.

 

[CJK]

Seems the preference here is for the garden party versus terrace party? I have the terrace party booked for late December but seems like a switch to garden may be better if it's available. Has anybody done the terrace one this year that would recommend it?[/QUOTE}

We did the Terrace party in March and had an amazing time. It was important for my group to have seating the entire time. It's true that the fireworks are off center, but we still feel the view was amazing. Tinker Bell flew directly above, and she even waved at us. My adult sister cried with joy. We were permitted to stay as long as we wanted, and all agreed it was a relaxing way to enjoy the Magic Kingdom at night. Definitely a trip highlight!

 

[Shula]

We did the terrace party on 8/1. We LOVED it!!! We were a party of 8 and sat in the 2nd row. We enjoyed the desserts and the view was great, so much better than I anticipated. We watched the crowds on Main Street build as we sat under a fan and relaxed. It was great to rest our feet and cool off. Our host told us we were welcome to stay as long as we liked but they would be cleaning up after the show. We were not rushed out, we sat for OUAT and a few minutes after. There were several tables that stayed and their clean up did not bother us at all. All 8 agreed it was the highlight of our trip, even my 17 yo son. We will book terrace party on our next trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We've done the terrace twice, plaza once. If sitting on a chair is important, terrace. If view is important, plaza. We prefer the plaza.

 

[LauraLap]

Seems the preference here is for the garden party versus terrace party? I have the terrace party booked for late December but seems like a switch to garden may be better if it's available. Has anybody done the terrace one this year that would recommend it?

We did the garden party in January and it was FREEZING and it was painful to leave the party to go into the freezing cold garden. For our December trip I definitely wanted the terrace view.

 

[Cloe Colton]

I have decided to reserve the After Dessert party on 10/7 with plaza viewing. I previously cancelled my pre Dessert party for my July 18 trip and while we ended up with a really great spot Im not so sure it was worth the hoards of people and chaos before and after the fireworks.

My Mom also hates crowds and I think that level of insanity may freak her out so hopefully the dessert party is a success!

 

[esilanna]

I have the 8/12 before party with the plaza view. I have issues with crowds. After the fireworks I understand everyone is clearing out and it gets chaotic, so where can I go from the plaza viewing area to be relatively safe from the insanity?

 

[CJN]

I have the 8/12 before party with the plaza view. I have issues with crowds. After the fireworks I understand everyone is clearing out and it gets chaotic, so where can I go from the plaza viewing area to be relatively safe from the insanity?

Will you be in a hurry to leave? We stayed right there to watch OUAT and get pictures taken with the photopass photographer. Most of the party people cleared out and not many others came in. It was a lovely place to relax, looking at the castle and people watching.

 

[Cluelyss]

I have the 8/12 before party with the plaza view. I have issues with crowds. After the fireworks I understand everyone is clearing out and it gets chaotic, so where can I go from the plaza viewing area to be relatively safe from the insanity?

I’d plan to just stay in the garden until the crowds clear out! They won’t kick you out and you’ll have a great view of Once Upon a Time (assuming it’s running after the fireworks on your night).

 

[Lsdolphin]

I have the 8/12 before party with the plaza view. I have issues with crowds. After the fireworks I understand everyone is clearing out and it gets chaotic, so where can I go from the plaza viewing area to be relatively safe from the insanity?

We just waited a few minutes right in the Plaza Garden area as crowds clear out. Also sometimes they open a back gate behind Plaza Restaurant and you can get right out that way very easily. Another option is to wait in the Plaza Garden area for the OUAT show if they have it the evening your there.

 

[AngieInOH]

OUAT I've been seeing reports it can happen after the fireworks, sometimes before. We'll be going in Jan with only one showing, at 8:00. Anyone know if OUAT is likely to be before or after?

I ask because we booked the after party but I hate to miss OUAT due to going to the after party.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OUAT I've been seeing reports it can happen after the fireworks, sometimes before. We'll be going in Jan with only one showing, at 8:00. Anyone know if OUAT is likely to be before or after?

I ask because we booked the after party but I hate to miss OUAT due to going to the after party.

Except for the first week of Jan, OUAT was before HEA every night this past Jan. Granted past isn’t always a great predictor of the future, but FWIW.

 

[closetmickey]

FWIW, we’ve done this party a half dozen or so times, and have never been allowed to go to the garden without a CM escort. No set time that you must go out, but they’ve always made us wait to be escorted there, regardless of when we left the dessert party. YMMV.

I was able to wander over myself a week ago. My kids left a few minutes prior- will ask if they were escorted or not...

 

[Clare Voince]

I'm doing the plaza viewing on 8/30. According to Touring Plans, HEA is 8:55, and OUAT is at 8:30. Do most people go over early when OUAT is showing beforehand? What time should I leave the Terrace so that I see all of OUAT?

 

[closetmickey]

Man, I hope this isn't true.. I booked the garden, and I cannot sit on the ground.

Many were standing a week ago. I did not hear any announcement.

 

[closetmickey]

We did the before party on Thursday 2nd August. Arrived at 7.45pm for our checkin and ate dessert before leaving for the viewing area in the park at about 8.45. We didn’t notice many, actually any, people grabbing food and running off straight to the garden. Everyone around us seems very relaxed.

We sat at the back on the left with a few other groups. Not crowded at all - maybe 5-6 small groups over on the left by 5mins before the fireworks started. Most people seemed to enter the garden area and stay on the right side, rather than move further in.

Everyone on our side stood for the fireworks. We stayed at the back and leaned on the fence to watch.

I loved the show! Watching it from the garden was a great way to feel relaxed and uncrowded.

Our experience last week regarding party pacing, arrival time to garden, and crowds was almost identical. We didn’t leave for the garden until 8:50ish and we were by no means the last to leave. I felt very relaxed and our view was just fine!

 

[marikujawa]

Many were standing a week ago. I did not hear any announcement.

If Disney provides chairs, they can expect people to sit. If not, they can’t.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm doing the plaza viewing on 8/30. According to Touring Plans, HEA is 8:55, and OUAT is at 8:30. Do most people go over early when OUAT is showing beforehand? What time should I leave the Terrace so that I see all of OUAT?

If OUAT is before HEA, I personally like to go over to the Plaza Garden and see it. It’s kind of a “why not?” situation - two shows for the price of one.

I haven’t been since they introduced the After Party so I hesitate to provide exact timing guidance - but if this were me I’d probably be targeting to get to the garden 0-5 minutes before OUAT (I don’t like to spend a lot of time waiting with these parties, so I like to push the times as long as I can).

 

[esilanna]

Will you be in a hurry to leave? We stayed right there to watch OUAT and get pictures taken with the photopass photographer. Most of the party people cleared out and not many others came in. It was a lovely place to relax, looking at the castle and people watching.

I’d plan to just stay in the garden until the crowds clear out! They won’t kick you out and you’ll have a great view of Once Upon a Time (assuming it’s running after the fireworks on your night).

We just waited a few minutes right in the Plaza Garden area as crowds clear out. Also sometimes they open a back gate behind Plaza Restaurant and you can get right out that way very easily. Another option is to wait in the Plaza Garden area for the OUAT show if they have it the evening your there.

I'm definitely not in a rush to get out of there, I just don't want to be swarmed by crowds. I didn't know they let you just hang out there, so I'll probably do that. I figured they opened up the area to allow people to pass through and that it would get chaotic. But good to know I can just hang out and let the insanity pass