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

[mommykds]

Before or after????? Any thoughts? Is the after party less rushed?

 

[GirlDreamer]

Before or after????? Any thoughts? Is the after party less rushed?

I'm not speaking from experience since I haven't done it myself, but I'd prefer the after party. Because then I don't have to worry about finishing my desserts quickly to get a good spot for the fireworks, plus I get to sit and relax with my treats while most of the guests are leaving the park after the fireworks. That way I'm also hoping that the queue for the buses will have diminished by the time I leave.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I've done a few before Plaza parties but admittedly none since the after party was added. Reports seem to indicate that the reserved area is far from crowded, even with both parties. And there's little need to stake out a "good" spot, since they're all good, unless you have a very specific spot you have to stand in, like up front against the rail. Any other place in the area will give you a perfectly good view, and there has been room to move around to change your view if you want to. There are several street lights, topiaries, etc, between you and the castle almost no matter where you stand, but they're fairly unobtrusive, and you don't even notice them once the show starts. So I don't think that anyone has to worry about rushing through the before party to stake out a spot, if you aren't picky about where you stand. We've generally gone over about ten minutes before the fireworks and had no problem finding a spot. Even with addition of the after party people, there is still room to maneuver.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I just booked plaza viewing. Now thinking I should have booked terrace. Which seems to be preferable?

We've done both Preferred the Plaza over the Terrace. Much better view

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I have the terrace party booked for 12/26 and praying for Holiday Wishes. What are the chances that it would be HEA? We did the plaza party in June and thought the fireworks show was just meh. We are Wishes people and I know Holiday Wishes is never a guarantee unless it is during the Christmas Party.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I have the terrace party booked for 12/26 and praying for Holiday Wishes. What are the chances that it would be HEA? We did the plaza party in June and thought the fireworks show was just meh. We are Wishes people and I know Holiday Wishes is never a guarantee unless it is during the Christmas Party.

Unlike prior years, they didn’t run Holiday Wishes over that Christmas week last year. HEA is not currently on the park calendar for that week this year, but the same thing happened last year and it ended up being HEA. I remember because I spent WAY too much tracking it.

I am sort of curious what they do this year - but my hunch says HEA again. Still too popular.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Unlike prior years, they didn’t run Holiday Wishes over that Christmas week last year. HEA is not currently on the park calendar for that week this year, but the same thing happened last year and it ended up being HEA. I remember because I spent WAY too much tracking it.

I am sort of curious what they do this year - but my hunch says HEA again. Still too popular.

That's kind of a bummer. I guess I'll keep an eye on it and decide when it gets closer whether I want to cancel or not since we weren't that into HEA. Think it would be a different feel since the castle/MK will be decorated for Christmas?

 

[Lsdolphin]

I read on another post that there has been a change in the HEA Fireworks as in some of the original larger Fireworks are smaller now...has anyone noticed a difference from when the show began last year?

 

[cmarsh31]

Did the After party tonight. It was drizzling & the garden was basically empty until about 8:45. Looked like maybe 40 people having dessert after the fireworks. Definitely not rushed out (10pm close but a DAH night).

 

[Ronda93]

I have the Garden before party booked for our trip. We did the seated (Terrace?) party six years ago. If I understand, the dining is all in the same area, then the Garden guests get to go to the area circled below? And when people talk about the back left rail it's the 'X'?

Finally, is there seating in the terrace area for the Garden guests before the show, for, you know, eating!?

 

[MinnieMSue]

I have the Garden before party booked for our trip. We did the seated (Terrace?) party six years ago. If I understand, the dining is all in the same area, then the Garden guests get to go to the area circled below? And when people talk about the back left rail it's the 'X'?

Finally, is there seating in the terrace area for the Garden guests before the show, for, you know, eating!?

View attachment 340191

Yes exactly. There is a fence along the back and we sat by it in the area of your X. There is seating in the area of the party and we were led to a table that was big enough for our party. They separate the areas of the terrace - people staying in the terrace are in one section and people going to the garden have a different section with separate (but identical) tables for food.

 

[Ronda93]

Great! While we CAN check in and start grazing at 7:30, we don't have to be there that early. We can make our way to the viewing area on our own schedule, right? I recall being led thru EPCOT by a CM for the dessert confab there, but it may have been due to weather... our dessert was in Horizons(?) and it was COLD.

I am excited about this. I haven't seen HEA, and they say location is a bigger deal than with Wishes. Do they still have the projected pre-show?

 

[MinnieMSue]

Great! While we CAN check in and start grazing at 7:30, we don't have to be there that early. We can make our way to the viewing area on our own schedule, right? I recall being led thru EPCOT by a CM for the dessert confab there, but it may have been due to weather... our dessert was in Horizons(?) and it was COLD.

I am excited about this. I haven't seen HEA, and they say location is a bigger deal than with Wishes. Do they still have the projected pre-show?

You can go to the garden whenever you want. You can go on your own or they will have a cast member lead you. HEA has projections as part of the show. They also have a separate show (Once Upon a time - I believe it is called.). It sometimes plays before and sometimes after HEA

 

[Cluelyss]

You can go to the garden whenever you want. You can go on your own or they will have a cast member lead you. HEA has projections as part of the show. They also have a separate show (Once Upon a time - I believe it is called.). It sometimes plays before and sometimes after HEA

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.

 

[jaysmom4285]

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.

Agree. I have sometimes heard them make an announcement that they are taking people over, and a group will go with a CM. But the CMs have always emphasized that we can go when we want and that we're welcome to linger over the desserts. When we're ready to go, we go to the check in podium, and a CM takes us over. They want you to be escorted at a precaution against people trying to sneak in if they haven't paid for the dessert party.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Agree. I have sometimes heard them make an announcement that they are taking people over, and a group will go with a CM. But the CMs have always emphasized that we can go when we want and that we're welcome to linger over the desserts. When we're ready to go, we go to the check in podium, and a CM takes us over. They want you to be escorted at a precaution against people trying to sneak in if they haven't paid for the dessert party.

When we went July 6 they asked if we wanted to go ourselves or if we wanted an escort. We waited for an escort because we didn’t know where to go for sure. I wonder why they make people wait for an escort? People have their wristbands on.

 

[HopperFan]

Before or after????? Any thoughts? Is the after party less rushed?

I'm not speaking from experience since I haven't done it myself, but I'd prefer the after party. Because then I don't have to worry about finishing my desserts quickly to get a good spot for the fireworks, plus I get to sit and relax with my treats while most of the guests are leaving the park after the fireworks. That way I'm also hoping that the queue for the buses will have diminished by the time I leave.

I did the Before years ago, terrace. We were one of the first in, enjoyed out desserts, enjoyed the fireworks and we were promptly shoo'd out and desserts were covered.

Last week we did the After Party. As soon as we checked in we were allowed to head to the Plaza Garden. Showed our band and entered. We had first pick of where we wanted to sit. The garden never filled up but there was a good number of people in there. We were told over and over that everyone had to stay seated for the show ... then the people closest to the center of the hub began to stand and about 1/4 of the folks were all standing. There seemed to be some confusion and folks sitting over there that had been told no one would be allowed to stand (I was originally over there and moved to the middle) were getting upset. With only one CM in the garden, it was difficult for him to manage all. 3/4 of the garden stayed seated.

We had a full family sneak in and that led to some fun .... they were actually ones worried some would stand and block their view. I guess once he saw they had no bands he asked everyone to raise their arms to show their bands. They did but showed their magicbands. A few folks side eyed them. Then he said again everyone raise your arms to show your party bands. They didn't and everyone was staring at them. He told them it was a private event that they had to pay to sit there. It was clear they were fully prepared, dad and kids didn't blink, Mom responded unpleasantly. There was a second situation. Not sure if it was due to all who stood there or all those in the walkway in front standing ... in addition to us sitting ... but one family unleashed on the CMs about the view at the dessert party and managers were all showing up because it was getting loud. Certainly understand if they were disappointed about something BUT .... no reason to be that ugly.

As we headed to party, they were verbally shooing the terrace folks out. Our After Party was not crowded (I still don't think they PR it enough - like year one DAH), we could pick our table so we picked with view of castle since they were doing Once Upon. The desserts were certainly not the quality we had years ago. They had the ice cream sundae stuff, the fresh fruit, cookies, brownie, rice crispy ..... nothing special there. They had maybe 5-6 specialty desserts. They were making smores on a stick, none of us liked them and didn't finish. Loved that they had the Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake and I had ice cream on mine. There was cheese, hamburger egg rolls, I think some crackers and dips .... I didn't pay too much attention to it. Coffees, a couple juices, tea, lemonade, milk and sparkling cider.

Food wise I was disappointed, especially with the specialty ones quality. One was grey stuff on an oreo and a chocolate mickey face ...... store bought OREO! But I was also comparing it to years ago, and Star Wars Weekends Dessert Parties, which were awesome ... maybe things have just changed.

We were not rushed we were told we had a full 45 minutes after we got there but we didn't stay that long. We finished up our plates. Did I get my monies worth? No. I don't see myself repeating it. I do think the After Party was more relaxed and better for getting in garden than the Before Party.

INTERESTING PART:

DS2 and friend were booked for After Party. They booked immediately when announced. It was her first trip and he didn't want her to deal with the hub crush and she likes desserts. I had decided to not do it and DS1 and I would just do more rides. WELL ... we were walking them to the podium and DS1 (who is disabled) got so excited because he thought we were going to. Face was priceless ........... So I went on MDE but booking was not possible. I went to the podium and asked if it was possible to book on the spot. I know in trips past I'd see them at their podium during the day selling open spots. Well they said yes ... I followed them up to a register on a cart up by the TT windows and she rang me up on the spot. So if you can't get ... as soon as those podiums go up during the day keep checking.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

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.

Amazing how experiences vary - I've done the Plaza Garden party probably a half dozen times as well and have always just walked over myself. CMs were there if we had needed them, but we just walked right on by with no issues. So go figure!

 

[Lsdolphin]

I did the Before years ago, terrace. We were one of the first in, enjoyed out desserts, enjoyed the fireworks and we were promptly shoo'd out and desserts were covered.

Last week we did the After Party. As soon as we checked in we were allowed to head to the Plaza Garden. Showed our band and entered. We had first pick of where we wanted to sit. The garden never filled up but there was a good number of people in there. We were told over and over that everyone had to stay seated for the show ... then the people closest to the center of the hub began to stand and about 1/4 of the folks were all standing. There seemed to be some confusion and folks sitting over there that had been told no one would be allowed to stand (I was originally over there and moved to the middle) were getting upset. With only one CM in the garden, it was difficult for him to manage all. 3/4 of the garden stayed seated.

We had a full family sneak in and that led to some fun .... they were actually ones worried some would stand and block their view. I guess once he saw they had no bands he asked everyone to raise their arms to show their bands. They did but showed their magicbands. A few folks side eyed them. Then he said again everyone raise your arms to show your party bands. They didn't and everyone was staring at them. He told them it was a private event that they had to pay to sit there. It was clear they were fully prepared, dad and kids didn't blink, Mom responded unpleasantly. There was a second situation. Not sure if it was due to all who stood there or all those in the walkway in front standing ... in addition to us sitting ... but one family unleashed on the CMs about the view at the dessert party and managers were all showing up because it was getting loud. Certainly understand if they were disappointed about something BUT .... no reason to be that ugly.

As we headed to party, they were verbally shooing the terrace folks out. Our After Party was not crowded (I still don't think they PR it enough - like year one DAH), we could pick our table so we picked with view of castle since they were doing Once Upon. The desserts were certainly not the quality we had years ago. They had the ice cream sundae stuff, the fresh fruit, cookies, brownie, rice crispy ..... nothing special there. They had maybe 5-6 specialty desserts. They were making smores on a stick, none of us liked them and didn't finish. Loved that they had the Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake and I had ice cream on mine. There was cheese, hamburger egg rolls, I think some crackers and dips .... I didn't pay too much attention to it. Coffees, a couple juices, tea, lemonade, milk and sparkling cider.

Food wise I was disappointed, especially with the specialty ones quality. One was grey stuff on an oreo and a chocolate mickey face ...... store bought OREO! But I was also comparing it to years ago and Star Wars Weekends Dessert Parties, which were awesome ... maybe things have just changed.

We were not rushed we were told we had a full 45 minutes after we got there but we didn't stay that long. We finished up our plates. Did I get my monies worth? No. I don't see myself repeating it. I do think the After Party was more relaxed and better for getting in garden than the Before Party.

INTERESTING PART:

DS2 and friend were booked for After Party. They booked immediately when announced. It was her first trip and he didn't want her to deal with the hub crush and she likes desserts. I had decided to not do it and DS1 and I would just do more rides. WELL ... we were walking them to the podium and DS1 (who is disabled) got so excited because he thought we were going to. Face was priceless ........... So I went on MDE but booking was not possible. I went to the podium and asked if it was possible to book on the spot. I know in trips past I'd see them at their podium during the day selling open spots. Well they said yes ... I followed them up to a register on a cart up by the TT windows and she rang me up on the spot. So if you can't get ... as soon as those podiums go up during the day keep checking.

Did you notice if they had the small bottles of water at the After Party?

 

[DisneyHomework]

I booked Plaza viewing for Christmas night! I’m surprised it was available- what am I missing? Also, it reads 8:30pm. Is that fireworks time or entry time or TBD? Thanks for any insight or what to expect on Christmas.