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

[Cluelyss]

I'm going to dessert party on the 3rd at the terrace. Says 815 reservation, what time do you think we should check in?

I was just able to snag a FP for Seven Dwarfs at 725, so want to make sure we get there in time.

My understanding is it's not projection heavy for the 4th of july fireworks, so maybe it's not the biggest deal to get the best table?

Not super projection heavy but I’d recommend being as close to the railing as possible so the overhang doesn’t block your view of the 360 degree bursts. I’d plan to arrive at SDMT as soon as your window opens then proceed immediately to the terrace. There will likely already be a line waiting to check in. When we went on the 3rd a few years ago (when there was only the terrace party) we lined up around 730 and were not the first in line. We were in the second row of tables, toward the back, and you can see how the overhang blocked some of our view in the picture below.

 

[osufeth24]

Not super projection heavy but I’d recommend being as close to the railing as possible so the overhang doesn’t block your view of the 360 degree bursts. I’d plan to arrive at SDMT as soon as your window opens then proceed immediately to the terrace. There will likely already be a line waiting to check in. When we went on the 3rd a few years ago (when there was only the terrace party) we lined up around 730 and were not the first in line. We were in the second row of tables, toward the back, and you can see how the overhang blocked some of our view in the picture below.
View attachment 413378

Thanks.. I'm going to keep trying to modify the pass for slightly earlier, but that would he the plan. Get to ride 5 minutes early then go straight to party

 

[jmg5342]

Has anyone had success booking 12/30? Today would have been my 180+1 but nothing showed availability for either time slot. I know sometimes they don’t release that date right away, but I’m also sure it books quickly! Thanks!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Has anyone had success booking 12/30? Today would have been my 180+1 but nothing showed availability for either time slot. I know sometimes they don’t release that date right away, but I’m also sure it books quickly! Thanks!!

I’ve been following a few threads on the topic, it doesn’t seem to me like anyone has been able to book them yet despite the fact they are “blue” on the reservation page.

I’ve set up a 12/30 & 12/31 “watch” thread here since it looks like many of us may be in ‘stalk mode’ now!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/12-30-12-31-2019-magic-kingdom-dessert-party-watch-thread.3757682/

 

[jmg5342]

I’ve set up a 12/30 & 12/31 “watch” thread here since it looks like many of us may be in ‘stalk mode’ now!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/12-30-12-31-2019-magic-kingdom-dessert-party-watch-thread.3757682/[/QUOTE]

Awesome, thanks!!!

 

[leiaorgana]

We did HEA Before Plaza Dessert Party again for the 2nd time on 6/30. We were the first to check in at just after 7:15pm and were allowed to pick any table we wanted so we went for a table near to the buffet and without many other tables around us.

Once seated we took it in turns to go and grab some food and drinks. The dessert choices were okay, I guess, but we all agreed the food was much better at the Star Wars Dessert Party the week before. I quite liked the HEA themed confetti cupcakes, the chocolate covered strawberries and the s’mores station. We all felt it was definitely lacking in savoury options and the cheeseburger egg rolls are gross. The taco ones they had last year were much better. I was also disappointed in the selection of drinks at the party this time. I don’t drink Florida tap water or juice so I found it difficult to find something to drink as there didn’t seem to be any bottled water available this time and so another member of my family ended up going out to Main Street to buy us some water.

Just after 8:00pm we decided that we’d all had enough to eat and headed over to the viewing area. As we were led in we were told that it was going to be standing room only but it was more than okay for us to sit while waiting for the fireworks to start. There were already a couple of people in the garden so we headed towards the back left rail and got a spot there. We had an amazing view from here.

Around 8:30pm more people started to come into the viewing area but there was still plenty of room and a photopass photographer set up her camera near us and took pictures of people with the castle in the background. The sweetest little girl went around to everyone in the viewing area with her dad giving out glow stick bracelets to anyone that wanted one and it was so cute. If you’re on here I just want to say thank you again and what an awesome idea it was.

About 8:40pm is when the heavens opened up and it started to rain really heavy. We decided to stay put and watch the fireworks from the garden but a lot of people ran back to the terrace, I think. I don’t really know. There was only about 30 of us left in the garden when the fireworks started at 9:00pm instead of 9:15pm so we had lots of room and an amazing view. We still had a great time despite the rain and all of the staff at the party were excellent.

 

[osufeth24]

Oof, got here 10 minutes ago and long line waiting to be seated. Doesn't look like I'm getting a front row table

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Oof, got here 10 minutes ago and long line waiting to be seated. Doesn't look like I'm getting a front row table

Yeah, I’ve seen people get in line a little crazy early (for my standards) on these special nights. Hope you have a fun evening.

 

[osufeth24]

 

[Momtwofour]

We did HEA Before Plaza Dessert Party again for the 2nd time on 6/30. We were the first to check in at just after 7:15pm and were allowed to pick any table we wanted so we went for a table near to the buffet and without many other tables around us.

Once seated we took it in turns to go and grab some food and drinks. The dessert choices were okay, I guess, but we all agreed the food was much better at the Star Wars Dessert Party the week before. I quite liked the HEA themed confetti cupcakes, the chocolate covered strawberries and the s’mores station. We all felt it was definitely lacking in savoury options and the cheeseburger egg rolls are gross. The taco ones they had last year were much better. I was also disappointed in the selection of drinks at the party this time. I don’t drink Florida tap water or juice so I found it difficult to find something to drink as there didn’t seem to be any bottled water available this time and so another member of my family ended up going out to Main Street to buy us some water.

Just after 8:00pm we decided that we’d all had enough to eat and headed over to the viewing area. As we were led in we were told that it was going to be standing room only but it was more than okay for us to sit while waiting for the fireworks to start. There were already a couple of people in the garden so we headed towards the back left rail and got a spot there. We had an amazing view from here.

Around 8:30pm more people started to come into the viewing area but there was still plenty of room and a photopass photographer set up her camera near us and took pictures of people with the castle in the background. The sweetest little girl went around to everyone in the viewing area with her dad giving out glow stick bracelets to anyone that wanted one and it was so cute. If you’re on here I just want to say thank you again and what an awesome idea it was.

About 8:40pm is when the heavens opened up and it started to rain really heavy. We decided to stay put and watch the fireworks from the garden but a lot of people ran back to the terrace, I think. I don’t really know. There was only about 30 of us left in the garden when the fireworks started at 9:00pm instead of 9:15pm so we had lots of room and an amazing view. We still had a great time despite the rain and all of the staff at the party were excellent.

We are doing the garden viewing area on July 16th. Would you say 715 was a good time to show up? My reservation says 745. And was 8pm a good time to head over for a seat? I definitely want along the back fence

 

[leiaorgana]

We are doing the garden viewing area on July 16th. Would you say 715 was a good time to show up? My reservation says 745. And was 8pm a good time to head over for a seat? I definitely want along the back fence

We started hanging out around the check in area around 6:45pm as we’d done everything we’d wanted to do by that point and a few people started queuing up behind us not long after.

Our reservation also said 7:45pm but we knew from last year that check in started earlier than that. The benefit of being there earlier is that we had more party time with less people there, first dibs on food and we didn’t feel the need to rush to get down to the garden area. Most people started showing up closer to 7:45pm.

8:00pm was probably slightly too early to go down but I wouldn’t leave it much longer than that, maybe 5 - 15 minutes, as like I said there were a few people already staking out spots at the front of the viewing area when we got there.

 

[Momtwofour]

We started hanging out around the check in area around 6:45pm as we’d done everything we’d wanted to do by that point and a few people started queuing up behind us not long after.

Our reservation also said 7:45pm but we knew from last year that check in started earlier than that. The benefit of being there earlier is that we had more party time with less people there, first dibs on food and we didn’t feel the need to rush to get down to the garden area. Most people started showing up closer to 7:45pm.

8:00pm was probably slightly too early to go down but I wouldn’t leave it much longer than that, maybe 5 - 15 minutes, as like I said there were a few people already staking out spots at the front of the viewing area when we got there.

Awesome! Thank you! That helps me tremendously

 

[123SA]

For the terrace party, does your whole party need to be there to check in? Could I check in and secure a table for my family while they get a last ride or two in?

 

[matthewsmom2005]

For the terrace party, does your whole party need to be there to check in? Could I check in and secure a table for my family while they get a last ride or two in?

When I went a couple of weeks ago they let my son and I check in without our whole party there. They gave us their bracelets and the rest of the family texted me when they arrived and I brought them to them at the front.

 

[123SA]

More questions about the terrace --

1) We are a party of 5. Is that available at the rail?
2) Along the rail, is it a better view to be near the party entrance and closer to the hub, or further into tomorrowland closer to the blue rocks?

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Great time last night! Half the family is still sleeping at 12:15 pm. Which is understandable as we didn’t get back to sleep until well after 4 am!

We booked the after party. Checked in at 8:20, and went to find our spot on the back rail. Great advice from here! We had the perfect spot along the rail.

It started to drizzle soon after we got there, and the dreaded announcement of a delay came around 9 o’clock (which was not a surprise at all due to the fireworks show in progress - tons of lightning).

But, it was only a 15 minute delay (it never more than drizzled), and the show was fantastic! Best fireworks show we ever saw.

Desserts afterwards were great. They keep bringing fresh food out, and everything was still available when we left around 10:30 or so. Cookie dough treats were the best dessert.

DW had the gluten free option, which she was very happy with. They brought her a plate of treats, including a giant cookie, 4 cupcakes, sugar coated gummy bears, pound cake, and maybe something else. She could also have some things from the dessert buffet, such as the apple pie thingy and fruit/cheese. Some other things also were gluten free.

Afterwards, we avoided the crowds by walking over to Astro orbiter. It was still a 35 minute wait, but worth it. Then we:
Jungle cruise FP+
Magic carpets of Aladdin
BTMR
Pooh (first option was Peter Pan, but that line was too long)
Buzz
Space.

 

[matthewsmom2005]

More questions about the terrace --

1) We are a party of 5. Is that available at the rail?
2) Along the rail, is it a better view to be near the party entrance and closer to the hub, or further into tomorrowland closer to the blue rocks?
We were a party of 5 and the most the rail tables sat was 4. We were closer to the party entrance and had a perfect view of the castle, but couldn't see some of the fireworks good due to the overhang. The tables further in looked like they had a better view of the fireworks, but not as good of a castle view.

 

[mamasha]

HEA is 9pm on 9/26. there is also MK after dark that night. Can I still do the "after" dessert party? I.m able to book it but not sure if it's an error.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

HEA is 9pm on 9/26. there is also MK after dark that night. Can I still do the "after" dessert party? I.m able to book it but not sure if it's an error.

Yes, you can. They will in all likelihood escort you out afterwards, but the After Party goes on as it would on a normal night despite the Disney After Hours event.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

With many thanks to @sdk1231 for noticing, the 12/30 & 12/31 dessert parties are now bookable. FYI!