Anyone else eagerly awaiting reviews of the "improved" Wishes Dessert Party?

[LivingforDisney]

Well I am sorry but if anyone attempts to put a child on their shoulders in front of me, when I attend, I will not hesitate to ask them to put the child down or speak to a cm , after all I am paying a premium price & I expect to see the show!!!

 

[libbylast]

Thanks for excellent review. I think I'm going to cancel mine, as a family of 6 it's not a cheap night as it's on a party night too I've already paid out for MVMCP tickets. Thanks again

 

[buzzrelly]

Awesome review and pics! Thanks for posting this.

We did the dessert party this past April and loved it, but aside from the lanterns, apple juice and cheese cubes, it looked exactly the same. I think we will be skipping this on future trips at that price!

 

[allaboutthemouse]

Great review and thanks for the pictures! We are going to keep our reservation this year but since there doesn't seem to be much of a change, for the price increase we may just book Pirates and Pals for next year. We've thought about it but it was so much more expensive than the dessert party, now they are comparable in price and I've heard great things.

Yes, definitely do P&P if you can...lots of fun, lots of food, nice view of fireworks even though one of my kids fell asleep. And you're right, I think it was like $60 a person( as long as they don't increase the price now!)


Whamma,
Couple questions if you don't mind....

What are those little round things with the Mickey ears?

If that person in your last picture with the white shirt with numbers on it(65?) were to stay in his seat to watch the fireworks, would the overhang be in his way? In other words, if he didn't want to b with all the others at the railing, could he sit there and still have a decent view?

Did you say there was hot chocolate AND "sipping chocolate?" What is the difference?

Did you feel like you had to stuff your plate the first go around to make sure you got stuff before they ran out? Or were the desserts replenished well?
My reservation info says to check in an hour early, are the desserts there that early? How much time will I have to stuff my face?

I am keeping this reservation as we have never done it and it's only my son and I. If I had my whole family of 6, I think I would b in the same boat as others- on the fence b/c of price. Like I said up there, P&P was Awesome and pretty much the same price, and you don't have to pay admission to get into MK that day to do that one....THANKS so much for writing this!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I'm back!!! Sorry to keep you all in suspense for so long. Just returned from vacation last night and wanted to make sure I was on my "real" computer (vs. iPad) before posting here.

When you arrive you enter at the ramp that leads from the Tomorrowland Terrace area to Tomorrowland. Everyone in your party receives a wristband and a plastic flute of sparkling apple juice. A CM escorts you to your table and the CM offers a “toast” to everyone at the table. Food and drinks are set up in the area closest to the walkway that leads from the Tomorrowland Terrace area to The Plaza Restaurant/Main Street USA. Ice cream is on a rolling cart and is manned by a CM all evening.

Here's the menu:
Cannoli
Mini Cupcakes (2 kinds--a green "Tinkerbell"ish cupcake and a blue "Frozen" theme cupcake)
Chocolate dipped strawberries
Chocolate peanut butter tart
Panna cotta
Tiramisu
Ghirardelli chocolate chip cheesecake brownie
Rice crispy treats (dipped in chocolate on one end with Mickey sprinkles)
Fruit Plate (watermelon, honeydew, pineapple, grapes)
Cheese(3 kinds cubed) and dried fruit plate
Ice cream sundaes with chocolate sauce, Mickey sprinkles or regular sprinkles and whipped cream

Drinks:
Water,
Strawberry lemonade
“Spa” water (water with fresh fruit)
Milk
Sweetened tea
Lemonade
Coffee
Hot water to make tea or hot chocolate
Sipping chocolate

When the castle show started everyone moved to the railings—as they have done in the past. I didn't see anyone pull up chairs to the railing though—which I've seen at past parties. The view is obviously the same as it's always been but we seemed to think that with the hub revision there is actually a new tree that blocks the view of the castle from this vantage point that we didn't remember being there before (but we could be mistaken).

I took some photos and hopefully will figure out how to post them since I haven't posted photos since the DisBoards were revised.


So, here's my overall feeling about the "new" event--not worth the new price. Sorry gang. As I mentioned earlier, it's been a couple of years since I attended the party but have done it 2-3 times in the past. Aside from the tablecloths, lanterns and sparkling cider--not much felt "new" to me. I certainly didn't feel like I got $20 per person “more” than I did at parties in the past. It's nice but not THAT nice. Any specific questions? Ask away!

You know what's funny is that this is the same menu that I had on 6/26 sans lantern and sparkling juice, and I didn't even realize it was the new menu! No wonder the CM I spoke to told me I was in for a very special treat.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

You know what's funny is that this is the same menu that I had on 6/26 sans lantern and sparkling juice, and I didn't even realize it was the new menu! No wonder the CM I spoke to told me I was in for a very special treat.

Actually I think the lantern was there? That's how memorable the lantern is, lol.

 

[crostorfer]

The addition of cheese and sparking cider, plus the additional cost.....hmmmm. I wonder if rather than hold an upcharge event in CRT this year at MNSSHP, they will re-theme the area and modify the desserts slightly to reflect the season on party nights for MNSSHP and MVMCP, and charge $99 per person. It would be VERY easy for them to do that, much easier than planning two after closing Soirees each night in the very tiny CRT. Just put poison apple glow cubes in the cider, and paint the cupcakes orange and black.

 

[Sparkly]

We've done the Wishes dessert party twice now- once for Mum's 50th birthday and the second time to close out my 21st birthday trip. Both times it didn't really seem worth the money. I can't eat enough desserts to make up the price. The view of Wishes is pretty good though.

 

[totebagg]

@whamma - Thank you for your review and the awesome pictures! We went last year at the end of September and the desserts look much better than our offerings. I am all about presentation so the tablecloth, lantern, drinkware and dessert presentation is so much better but I don't think double the cost! I just went back and looked at our pictures from last year and for the Celebrate the Magic there were definitely trees blocking the view. I don't think the dessert party is a great way to see that, but for viewing the fireworks I do think it was a good view. We were on the first row and was able to stay in our seats for the show so that was nice. I am still on the fence about it this year...I may keep it since it is already budgeted and we are taking new people with us. This way I have done it once. Decisions, Decisions!

 

[Octoberbaby]

If they had Zebra Domes and Kenyan Coffee Tarts, the price would be totally worth it IMO!

 

[jenjersnap]

Well I am sorry but if anyone attempts to put a child on their shoulders in front of me, when I attend, I will not hesitate to ask them to put the child down or speak to a cm , after all I am paying a premium price & I expect to see the show!!!

We did speak to a CM who declined to intervene and to a supervisor after the show. And, of course, he was asked by several people to remove the child. He was combative and rude. Some people are jerks and you aren't always able to control the situation. I am not getting into a fight at WDW over a view.

 

[Lisaloo]

Well I am sorry but if anyone attempts to put a child on their shoulders in front of me, when I attend, I will not hesitate to ask them to put the child down or speak to a cm , after all I am paying a premium price & I expect to see the show!!!

Good luck with that. No offense but if someone is jerky enough to do that they don't usually care what anyone thinks about it. And it also seems like CMs are extremely reluctant to intervene.

 

[soniam]

Just for reference everyone, in December, the Illuminations party at Epcot, which includes sparking wine, is $49/adult and $29/child, which is the same price as the new Wishes party. The Illuminations party has tables but no seats, standing only or leaning up a against a small railing if you get a spot there. The Pirates and Pals is $69/adult and $41/child. Kenny the Pirate has a good review of the Pirates and Pals cruise on his website.

 

[Noelle Powell]

Thanks for the reply. You were able to confirm what many of us doubting naysayers expected. Other than some bubbly apple juice, tablecloths and a lantern it was nothing more than Disney extracting more $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the same experience. Love Disney, but as I have said before, I will be allowing others the opportunity to wake up at the crack of dawn and frantically try and book their ADR for this event; With me (and others) out, perhaps it will be a little easier to get for those who want to pay double. So glad I was able to do it a few weeks ago. The old Dessert Party wasn't worth it for the desserts alone, but for the convenience and the view along with some very average desserts at best made it worth it for me. Now? No Way!

I agree. We did it to once to see what it was all about & now know it's not worth doing again.

 

[Noelle Powell]

Just for reference everyone, in December, the Illuminations party at Epcot, which includes sparking wine, is $49/adult and $29/child, which is the same price as the new Wishes party. The Illuminations party has tables but no seats, standing only or leaning up a against a small railing if you get a spot there. The Pirates and Pals is $69/adult and $41/child. Kenny the Pirate has a good review of the Pirates and Pals cruise on his website.

Boy Illuminations does not seem like it's worth it either. Only to get low quality sparkling wine and no chairs to sit on for the same price? No way!!!

 

[soniam]

Boy Illuminations does not seem like it's worth it either. Only to get low quality sparkling wine and no chairs to sit on for the same price? No way!!!

We actually enjoyed it. The not sitting part wasn't bad. You usually can't see the castle show or fireworks at the Wishes party from your table. So, you will probably be standing there part of the time too. Some of the sparkling wine when we did Illuminations was pretty decent. It was definitely above Korbel but probably not as nice as Iron Horse. I would do the Illuminations party again but not the Wishes one, even for the old Wishes party prices.

 

[LATJLP]

I'm back!!! Sorry to keep you all in suspense for so long. Just returned from vacation last night and wanted to make sure I was on my "real" computer (vs. iPad) before posting here.

When you arrive you enter at the ramp that leads from the Tomorrowland Terrace area to Tomorrowland. Everyone in your party receives a wristband and a plastic flute of sparkling apple juice. A CM escorts you to your table and the CM offers a “toast” to everyone at the table. Food and drinks are set up in the area closest to the walkway that leads from the Tomorrowland Terrace area to The Plaza Restaurant/Main Street USA. Ice cream is on a rolling cart and is manned by a CM all evening.

Here's the menu:
Cannoli
Mini Cupcakes (2 kinds--a green "Tinkerbell"ish cupcake and a blue "Frozen" theme cupcake)
Chocolate dipped strawberries
Chocolate peanut butter tart
Panna cotta
Tiramisu
Ghirardelli chocolate chip cheesecake brownie
Rice crispy treats (dipped in chocolate on one end with Mickey sprinkles)
Fruit Plate (watermelon, honeydew, pineapple, grapes)
Cheese(3 kinds cubed) and dried fruit plate
Ice cream sundaes with chocolate sauce, Mickey sprinkles or regular sprinkles and whipped cream

Drinks:
Water,
Strawberry lemonade
“Spa” water (water with fresh fruit)
Milk
Sweetened tea
Lemonade
Coffee
Hot water to make tea or hot chocolate
Sipping chocolate

When the castle show started everyone moved to the railings—as they have done in the past. I didn't see anyone pull up chairs to the railing though—which I've seen at past parties. The view is obviously the same as it's always been but we seemed to think that with the hub revision there is actually a new tree that blocks the view of the castle from this vantage point that we didn't remember being there before (but we could be mistaken).

I took some photos and hopefully will figure out how to post them since I haven't posted photos since the DisBoards were revised.


So, here's my overall feeling about the "new" event--not worth the new price. Sorry gang. As I mentioned earlier, it's been a couple of years since I attended the party but have done it 2-3 times in the past. Aside from the tablecloths, lanterns and sparkling cider--not much felt "new" to me. I certainly didn't feel like I got $20 per person “more” than I did at parties in the past. It's nice but not THAT nice. Any specific questions? Ask away!

Wow....looking at photos of what we ate at the dessert party that was $27.......your list has only 1 item that we don't recall...."spa" water. Could have been there, and we just didn't indulge....we're more tea or hot chocolate drinkers at this event, lol.

So....a single glass of sparkling cider, tablecloths and a lantern and it's nearly double the price. Ummm....can we opt out of those things and eat the yummy desserts on a plain table in the dark without cider?

So glad I didn't work to catch this one for our next trip. I suspected it was going to be sad like this, unfortunately. Thanks for being our guinea pig.


EDITED TO ADD: Oh, and the cupcakes at ours did not have a character top.....but again, double the price for these very tiny and insignificant items, nope, not us. For $50 I could buy enough yummies from around the park (Tigger Tails!!!) for all 3 of us to feel sick. And I not only recall the cheese and crackers, but have a photo of our plates filled with them...the sweets got to be a lot and we went for a plate of "savory" to counter it.

 

[Debbie]

Years ago, there were mango 'shooters'. They were the best thing, and disappeared well before Wishes began.
Thank you for the review. It's a lot of money, but we're going to try the Illuminations Dessert Party in September, forgoing this (double the price from the last time). DH can do wonders with dessert and I will have to get our money's worth of the wine.

 

[ella74]

question>> did you happen to notice if any of the desserts were sugar free or no sugar added? I know the fruit and cheese fit this criteria but wonder if there are pastries /cookies/ice cream with that dietary modification.

 

[constanze]

@whamma - Thank you SO much for posting your review! We'll be trying it out in early August. We've never done the dessert party before, but thought we'd give it a try. Hope you had a fantastic vacation!