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

[kmc8826]

We did the Dessert Party on November 13. Myself and my 9 year old did it in August, but this time it was the 5 of us. Unfortunately, unlike my experience in August I would not rate the party as "worth it" this time around. Check in was set at 7:45. We were delayed at Pooh (which broke down) sho didn't get in line to check in until about 8. There was a hold up with check in and we waited about 15 minutes in line. By the time they were seating us people were already being escorted to the Plaza. By the time they sat us it was about 8:20 and they were not refreshing the desserts. In fact, one of the CM's came up and told us we better get to the Plaza pretty soon if we wanted to have a space. We went into the Plaza about 8:40. At that point we were probably among the last to arrive. Unlike my experience in August it was pretty packed. Thank goodness we didn't have a stroller as there would not have been room to navigate one in there. As it was we were stepping over people and their legs. We found a place in the middle section to stand. Once the show started D11 was on her own and my husband and I eached picked up D9 and D6 so they could be more at adult level and actually see. There was no way otherwise for them to view the show.

I don't know if my experience was abnormal or not, but the experience was pretty frustrating. Enough so that while I hesitated to post this update I think people should have all the information. If you are going to be in MK and want to see HEA that night I imagine the party is still worth it. The main take away for people having parties booked in the next couple weeks (during party season) is to plan on lining up early and getting to the Plaza early. Which in some ways to me devalues the point of doing the party in the first place.

 

[Vala]

kmc8826 - I went the week before you and this is exactly my experience.

I'm pretty short and even standing I barely saw anything of the show. I complained at City Hall who pawned me off to Guest Services. I took pictures and showed them to a few people. The consensus was "WDW has a pretty interesting definition of premium viewing." Still waiting to hear back on my complaint.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We did the Dessert Party on November 13. Myself and my 9 year old did it in August, but this time it was the 5 of us. Unfortunately, unlike my experience in August I would not rate the party as "worth it" this time around. Check in was set at 7:45. We were delayed at Pooh (which broke down) sho didn't get in line to check in until about 8. There was a hold up with check in and we waited about 15 minutes in line. By the time they were seating us people were already being escorted to the Plaza. By the time they sat us it was about 8:20 and they were not refreshing the desserts. In fact, one of the CM's came up and told us we better get to the Plaza pretty soon if we wanted to have a space. We went into the Plaza about 8:40. At that point we were probably among the last to arrive. Unlike my experience in August it was pretty packed. Thank goodness we didn't have a stroller as there would not have been room to navigate one in there. As it was we were stepping over people and their legs. We found a place in the middle section to stand. Once the show started D11 was on her own and my husband and I eached picked up D9 and D6 so they could be more at adult level and actually see. There was no way otherwise for them to view the show.

I don't know if my experience was abnormal or not, but the experience was pretty frustrating. Enough so that while I hesitated to post this update I think people should have all the information. If you are going to be in MK and want to see HEA that night I imagine the party is still worth it. The main take away for people having parties booked in the next couple weeks (during party season) is to plan on lining up early and getting to the Plaza early. Which in some ways to me devalues the point of doing the party in the first place.

Thanks for sharing your experience! These fall dates (sandwiched in between a bunch of party nights) seem totally crazy and a lot different than experiences earlier in the year. I would not have been happy with that check-in delay... when we’ve done it (and arrived 8+) there’s been zero line.

What do you think the cause was for your August vs November difference? More people in the park? More people at the party? Different check-in experience? You’re not the only recent (like in the last month) post with a similar tone. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you this time, but thanks again for sharing.

 

[spamalot]

What is the general consensus of where to sit/stand to be able to see without being super crowded? I am going with 3 adults and a toddler with a stroller. I have heard back fence is good? I don’t want a blocked view if possible and my brother in law is not a fan of crowds.

 

[bizeemom4]

What is the general consensus of where to sit/stand to be able to see without being super crowded? I am going with 3 adults and a toddler with a stroller. I have heard back fence is good? I don’t want a blocked view if possible and my brother in law is not a fan of crowds.

None of the area is "super crowded" per se. You are within a foot or less of a person in each direction so no section is empty. I do it to avoid the idiot parents with the kids on their shoulders. Last time I went and just as the show started, a Dad hoisted kid up in the VIP section, so he could "see." Everyone behind him had to reshuffle to accommodate one person.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

What is the general consensus of where to sit/stand to be able to see without being super crowded? I am going with 3 adults and a toddler with a stroller. I have heard back fence is good? I don’t want a blocked view if possible and my brother in law is not a fan of crowds.

I’m sort of partial to the back and towards the left side of the garden (if looking at the castle). The further left you go, the more centered you are to the castle - although it’s also the ‘narrowest’ part of the garden viewing area as well.

It’ll make sense when you are there but there are some spots that are better than others in terms of avoiding a direct light or speaker pole in your immediate vision. You can move around a bit to find what’s best for you.

 

[constanze]

We did the Dessert Party on November 13. Myself and my 9 year old did it in August, but this time it was the 5 of us. Unfortunately, unlike my experience in August I would not rate the party as "worth it" this time around. Check in was set at 7:45. We were delayed at Pooh (which broke down) sho didn't get in line to check in until about 8. There was a hold up with check in and we waited about 15 minutes in line. By the time they were seating us people were already being escorted to the Plaza. By the time they sat us it was about 8:20 and they were not refreshing the desserts. In fact, one of the CM's came up and told us we better get to the Plaza pretty soon if we wanted to have a space. We went into the Plaza about 8:40. At that point we were probably among the last to arrive. Unlike my experience in August it was pretty packed. Thank goodness we didn't have a stroller as there would not have been room to navigate one in there. As it was we were stepping over people and their legs. We found a place in the middle section to stand. Once the show started D11 was on her own and my husband and I eached picked up D9 and D6 so they could be more at adult level and actually see. There was no way otherwise for them to view the show.

I don't know if my experience was abnormal or not, but the experience was pretty frustrating. Enough so that while I hesitated to post this update I think people should have all the information. If you are going to be in MK and want to see HEA that night I imagine the party is still worth it. The main take away for people having parties booked in the next couple weeks (during party season) is to plan on lining up early and getting to the Plaza early. Which in some ways to me devalues the point of doing the party in the first place.

uh oh---I'm going to be there at a very busy time...December 30th--plaza view. I wonder if I should look for a cancellation for the terrace party instead?

 

[mckennarose]

Thanks for sharing your experience! These fall dates (sandwiched in between a bunch of party nights) seem totally crazy and a lot different than experiences earlier in the year. I would not have been happy with that check-in delay... when we’ve done it (and arrived 8+) there’s been zero line.

What do you think the cause was for your August vs November difference? More people in the park? More people at the party? Different check-in experience? You’re not the only recent (like in the last month) post with a similar tone. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you this time, but thanks again for sharing.

I'm glad you posted this as I just booked the dessert party for our May trip and some of the most recent posts had me a little concerned! We are looking forward to the party and I hope it's not super crowded and chaotic.

We're also planning on the Star Wars desert party, which we have done before and absolutely loved.

 

[bizeemom4]

uh oh---I'm going to be there at a very busy time...December 30th--plaza view. I wonder if I should look for a cancellation for the terrace party instead?

Constanze - if you decide to change, can you PM me first? I'm looking for plaza view on 12/30 for the midnight show.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

uh oh---I'm going to be there at a very busy time...December 30th--plaza view. I wonder if I should look for a cancellation for the terrace party instead?

Edited because I was wrong.

 

[bizeemom4]

Unless I’m mistaken, on 12/30 there’s only a Tomorrowland Terrace version for the 6:30 show and a Plaza Garden viewing version for the 11:50 show. 12/30 and 12/31 are unusual setups.

I just checked and terrace has two seatings - 530 and 1055. Plaza garden only has the one at 1040.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I’m sort of partial to the back and towards the left side

I fully agree.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I just checked and terrace has two seatings - 530 and 1055. Plaza garden only has the one at 1040.

Ahh... cool... thanks for the correction! I’m going to edit my post to avoid confusion.

 

[bizeemom4]

Edited because I was wrong.

I hope your wife saw that.

 

[brave321]

Constanze - if you decide to change, can you PM me first? I'm looking for plaza view on 12/30 for the midnight show.

Not sure how many are in you’re party but I’m pretty sure there’s a spot or two available at both the Plaza and Terrace then. Even if you’re party is bigger than what’s available I’d still reserve it. That’s what we did and we slowly added enough people to our reservation just 1 or 2 at a time. The worst that can happen if nothing else comes available is cancelling the one a week before and getting a refund

 

[clippers6]

Has anyone done the Holiday Wishes Party? I’m wondering if it had any different items like the Halloween one did.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I hope your wife saw that.

Very funny.

Better go edit my post again!

 

[kmc8826]

kmc8826 - I went the week before you and this is exactly my experience.

I'm pretty short and even standing I barely saw anything of the show. I complained at City Hall who pawned me off to Guest Services. I took pictures and showed them to a few people. The consensus was "WDW has a pretty interesting definition of premium viewing." Still waiting to hear back on my complaint.

Well let me know what they say. I have also done the Star Wars Dessert Party. It seemed that with it there was more of an accommodation to make sure everyone could see. I remember disabled and kids in front others in back plus other room further back. When letting into the Garden it was definitely once you are in you are on your own. I have thought about addressing the issue with Disney but will probably just let it go. I am looking at it as a sunk cost at this point but do feel bad about it. I was really hoping my other 2 girls would have a similar experience to what D9 and I had in August.

Thanks for sharing your experience! These fall dates (sandwiched in between a bunch of party nights) seem totally crazy and a lot different than experiences earlier in the year. I would not have been happy with that check-in delay... when we’ve done it (and arrived 8+) there’s been zero line.

What do you think the cause was for your August vs November difference? More people in the park? More people at the party? Different check-in experience? You’re not the only recent (like in the last month) post with a similar tone. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you this time, but thanks again for sharing.

The delay with check in I think had to do with people insisting they had a reservation and Disney not being able to find a record of it. Instead of the CM trying to handle the line while someone else looked they were trying to solve the problem. That held it all up. A lady in back of us got in the line because it was so long she thought it must be a line for a character...maybe people like that were ahead of us too.

I think there were definitely more people in the park as compared to August. Earlier that day we had been at MK and finally left without using our Pirates FP because the line was clear backed up into the walkway. In August it was not like that; it was also rainy and that cut the overall crowd. The CM told me that the party last week was sold out; I assume most all the parties sell out given how hard it is to book but perhaps they have added the number of guests. I couldn't tell how many people were seated as compared to August since most had left by the time we were seated but I do know that the food was mostly gone and not being replenished. They had closed the desserts on the one side and only had it open on the one. They weren't making the plates for the kids anymore either...I just asked for a bunch of mickey straws. (Shallow enough I at least wanted a couple of those to take home).

 

[constanze]

Constanze - if you decide to change, can you PM me first? I'm looking for plaza view on 12/30 for the midnight show.

I will definitely let you know if we decide to change. I went online earlier and there wasn't availability for the terrace for our family at that time. But I'll check it out again.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks for the reply @kmc8826.