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

[GADisneyDad14]

Well that's good. I would have felt bad. If we did do that people were probably really annoyed with us.

If my Googling of the topic is accurate, the Plaza Garden party started 10/1/16.

Just asking, you sure you weren’t in the garden area in front of Casey’s? Both the east (Plaza) and west (Casey’s) gardens are identical, pretty much carbon copies of each other. Both used to be reserved FP areas. The west/Casey’s side is open to all.

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

If my Googling of the topic is accurate, the Plaza Garden party started 10/1/16.

Just asking, you sure you weren’t in the garden area in front of Casey’s? Both the east (Plaza) and west (Casey’s) gardens are identical, pretty much carbon copies of each other. Both used to be reserved FP areas. The west/Casey’s side is open to all.

You are right! I just looked at the map and we were in front of Casey's. I'm relieved lol. That's the kind of thing that would really irk me if I paid for that perk.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You are right! I just looked at the map and we were in front of Casey's. I'm relieved lol. That's the kind of thing that would really irk me if I paid for that perk.

Ha! Too funny.

In my experience, it would have been hard for you to stumble into the dessert party side by accident. Disney does a decent job controlling access, and even if someone does gate hop there’s a 9 out of 10 chance the people that paid to be there are going to bark loudly at anyone that does!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I just booked a Plaza Garden viewing for MVMCP on 12/8. Are you able to watch the parade from this viewing spot? Also, Im trying to figure out if this is worth the money. I'm not sure how crowded the park is on party nights. If it is crowded and hard to get a good fireworks view, it's definitely worth the money for us because my husband hates the crowds. Any input?

I agree with everything @Lesley Wake said above. Yes, you can kind of see the parade from the west side of the garden, but it’s not a great view and you have people on the sidewalk in between you and the parade. You can see the middle/upper part of floats pretty well, but you miss some of the stuff more at eye level and below. It’s an OK substitute in a pinch, but wouldn’t be my primary plan of attack. Eg, I might be OK watching parade #1 from there, but then would watch parade #2 from a better spot.

In my never ending quest to give Disney my entire paycheck, we have done three MNSSHPs this year... at one we did the dessert party. I knew it would be going in, but to me the dessert party was a waste. We didn’t even eat any desserts, really just did it - to be honest - because I had made the reservation awhile back and kind of forgot about it until the day before. Planning fail on my part.

At my two other MNSSHPs we walked right into the hub about 5-10 mins before fireworks and had great spots. Sure it was more crowded, but it’s not so crowded that you can’t move around, like a normal HEA night.

I am not totally anti-dessert party on a party night - it can be a benefit for certain folks/party styles. But I likely wouldn’t do it again.

 

[tgarre06]

I agree with everything @Lesley Wake said above. Yes, you can kind of see the parade from the west side of the garden, but it’s not a great view and you have people on the sidewalk in between you and the parade. You can see the middle/upper part of floats pretty well, but you miss some of the stuff more at eye level and below. It’s an OK substitute in a pinch, but wouldn’t be my primary plan of attack. Eg, I might be OK watching parade #1 from there, but then would watch parade #2 from a better spot.

In my never ending quest to give Disney my entire paycheck, we have done three MNSSHPs this year... at one we did the dessert party. I knew it would be going in, but to me the dessert party was a waste. We didn’t even eat any desserts, really just did it - to be honest - because I had made the reservation awhile back and kind of forgot about it until the day before. Planning fail on my part.

At my two other MNSSHPs we walked right into the hub about 5-10 mins before fireworks and had great spots. Sure it was more crowded, but it’s not so crowded that you can’t move around, like a normal HEA night.

I am not totally anti-dessert party on a party night - it can be a benefit for certain folks/party styles. But I likely wouldn’t do it again.

Thanks for everyone's advice, I cancelled the reservation. You all saved me some money!

 

[DISNEYWITHCHILDREN]

I saw some asking about cancellations. I had a friend coming who had booked for this past Sat Tomorrowland Dessert Party. I kept checking and about 2 weeks prior I was able to book my daughter and I.

We did Tomorrowland for HEA and Plaza for MNSSHP. I LOVED both experiences but I think the plaza is better for HEA. if you do Tomorrowland get there about a 1/2 an hour before they list start time. So dessert party started 8pm and fireworks were 9:15pm. We arrived about 7:40pm and got one of the last tables which really great views.

At MNSSHP the Plaza was less an issue with the table because you have dessert and then get escorted to viewing area.

At MNSSHP dessert party was listed starting 9pm and fireworks were 10:15pm. We sat at the table till 10pm and then went to viewing area. Lots of space!

Anyway I thought the dessert party at mk was absolutely worth it.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Thanks for everyone's advice, I cancelled the reservation. You all saved me some money!

Use the saved money to get some special Christmas treats and make your own dessert party before the fireworks! That's what I wish I had done!

 

[GrandmaLT]

I have reluctantly decided to purchase the terrace party for our October trip. It's very hard to justify the cost and it's just 2 of us. That being said, it will be great to have a nice seat for the show. Since this is our first dessert party, did I read correctly that all the tables are along the rail, meaning each will be a good view? Also, I'm guessing you arrive early to get to enjoy the desserts at the table you will be seated at for the party and once seated can come and go back and forth to the desserts and not lose your table? Thanks in advance for any responses. Looking forward to a great trip!

 

[GrandmaLT]

Well to report back, we are thrilled we purchased the terrace party! I realize we are in the minority on this thread but the fact we had a great seat for the fireworks was wonderful. I will say we couldn't see a lot of the castle projection but that didn't stop the enjoyment. As for the desserts, we loved them as well. It was a great time to sit, relax and enjoy the dessert options. My husband commented he would do this again and not do a MVMCP. Now we are two middle aged Disney lovers so that may make a difference to some. We've enjoyed MVMCP multiple times in the past but for the cost, we'd choose the terrace party again!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Well to report back, we are thrilled we purchased the terrace party! I realize we are in the minority on this thread but the fact we had a great seat for the fireworks was wonderful. I will say we couldn't see a lot of the castle projection but that didn't stop the enjoyment. As for the desserts, we loved them as well. It was a great time to sit, relax and enjoy the dessert options. My husband commented he would do this again and not do a MVMCP. Now we are two middle aged Disney lovers so that may make a difference to some. We've enjoyed MVMCP multiple times in the past but for the cost, we'd choose the terrace party again!

Glad the Terrace party worked out for you! Mind if I ask, what was the table setup like on your night? All along the rail? Two rows? Did you get there early? Where in the terrace was your table, left side, right side?

Sorry to be so nosy, I’m just curious about the details. Thanks!

 

[GrandmaLT]

Glad the Terrace party worked out for you! Mind if I ask, what was the table setup like on your night? All along the rail? Two rows? Did you get there early? Where in the terrace was your table, left side, right side?

Sorry to be so nosy, I’m just curious about the details. Thanks!

The tables were all along the rail except 1 or 2 that seated several were a row behind. Our reservation said 8 but we went about 7:30 and was seated immediately. Our table was pretty much in the middle, not really too left or right. As I said, the projection was only seen at the top portion of the castle but for us the experience was wonderful!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The tables were all along the rail except 1 or 2 that seated several were a row behind. Our reservation said 8 but we went about 7:30 and was seated immediately. Our table was pretty much in the middle, not really too left or right. As I said, the projection was only seen at the top portion of the castle but for us the experience was wonderful!

Thanks! Did you have any problems/trouble with people in the “second row” tables coming forward to see better when the show started? I only ask because that’s a common question around here and you tend to see different responses, so it’s helpful to hear real life current experiences. Thank you!

 

[GrandmaLT]

Thanks! Did you have any problems/trouble with people in the “second row” tables coming forward to see better when the show started? I only ask because that’s a common question around here and you tend to see different responses, so it’s helpful to hear real life current experiences. Thank you!

I didn't see anybody move anywhere. No issues at all!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We did Wishes FP+ in 2015 and loved it. We will definitely be doing this dessert party next trip just for the Plaza seating. Loved the review!

 

[dcassetta]

Thanks for all the great info on the dessert party and viewing area. If you book the Terrace, is it possible to also walk down and view from the Plaza area? Planning on booking Terrace as my mom will need a seat, but can I watch from the Plaza?

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Is the Plaza Garden reserved for this every night? We sat in there to watch the fireworks when we were there in October 2016 but if it was reserved we totally missed that somehow.

When we did it last year - Easter Monday - only half of the Plaza Garden was reserved for the party, the other part was not - it seemed a little strange to us. I remember asking about it at the time and the CM confirmed only half the area was reserved but I don't remember getting a solid answer about whether it was like that all the time or not.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for all the great info on the dessert party and viewing area. If you book the Terrace, is it possible to also walk down and view from the Plaza area? Planning on booking Terrace as my mom will need a seat, but can I watch from the Plaza?

No, if you book the Tomorrowland Terrace version, you're not supposed to be able to go to the Plaza Garden. Sorry!

 

[dcassetta]

No, if you book the Tomorrowland Terrace version, you're not supposed to be able to go to the Plaza Garden. Sorry!

No worries! Thanks for the info!

 

[Lydia S]

For the Garden View attendees, do they allow you to bring some of the desserts/drinks out with you to the Garden View area? Was there a lot left over after the fireworks?

Also, are you able to stick around and watch Once Upon a Time?

 

[slpeters]

So we have the garden view booked for our last night and are looking forward to it.

My question though is for the night we are in MK and aren't doing the party. The impression I have is that the dessert party area which is CM-controlled during the fireworks is not controlled leading up to and during Once Upon a Time but still sort of gives the impression that it might be so is still a little sparse. So, is that true? If it is would it be worth moving from our fireworks spot (we aren't going to really camp out for fireworks spots since we are doing the dessert party later in the trip) to this spot for OUaT? Alternatively, does it thin out enough between HEA and OUaT that it just wouldn't be necessary?