“Frozen Ever After Dessert Party” with Fireworks Viewing and After-Close Attraction Ride

[Erik the Red]

Lets focus on the facts:

Here are reasons why Illuminations WILL happen Sept/Oct:

-- Illuminations is on the official Disney calendar for Sept/Oct
-- Fastpass+ booking for Illuminations is available for Sept/Oct
-- Disney gave 3 months notice for Wishes being replaced. There's no reason to think they wouldn't give notice for illuminations.

-- We know a new show is coming, here are some tim-bits from local media:
An article in JULY had someone with knowledge of the project saying,
"It is too early to set a timeline for the project, Herrick said after the meeting. He said he expects to know more in the next four to five months."
and ..... "It’s believed that the new IllumiNations show should debut ahead of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2021."

Here is the ONE reason some of you think Illuminations will NOT happen:

The Frozen Ever After Dessert Party reservations for Sept/Oct have not been released yet.

Yes! There could be a big conspiracy/smoke screen, but based on the facts at hand Illuminations will carry on for awhile yet.

OH! An insider has said that the name of the new show will be Illuminations: Windows on the World (it is a rumor for now)

 

[indoshakespeare]

It's just not the FEA Dessert Party. Times for Pocahontas Meet and Greet in AK and Merida Meet and Greet in MK have not been posted post September 1 as well. Maybe they just forgot. lol.

 

[cakebaker]

They didn't last-minute wishes. They announced it before the 60 day Fastpass window.

Illuminations is kinda a big deal too. They won't just end it with no warning.

If you're right, Disney is letting the dessert party planners know and not the fastpass reservation team?

What's the advantage to not telling people in advance?

Yes, they announced Wishes ending a couple of months in advance and yes Illuminations is a big deal- bigger to me than wishes- it's my favorite show of all times. And I'm not saying at all that I think it's going to end this month- I'm just saying there's nothing saying it is or isn't and it's entirely possible. You'd have to ask Disney why they don't always give a heads up that changes are coming, but they don't always do it.

Personally, I've always said I'll be shocked if it ends this month- but until they open reservations, we won't know.

 

[cakebaker]

Lets focus on the facts:

Here are reasons why Illuminations WILL happen Sept/Oct:

-- Illuminations is on the official Disney calendar for Sept/Oct
-- Fastpass+ booking for Illuminations is available for Sept/Oct
-- Disney gave 3 months notice for Wishes being replaced. There's no reason to think they wouldn't give notice for illuminations.

-- We know a new show is coming, here are some tim-bits from local media:
An article in JULY had someone with knowledge of the project saying,
"It is too early to set a timeline for the project, Herrick said after the meeting. He said he expects to know more in the next four to five months."
and ..... "It’s believed that the new IllumiNations show should debut ahead of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 2021."

Here is the ONE reason some of you think Illuminations will NOT happen:

The Frozen Ever After Dessert Party reservations for Sept/Oct have not been released yet.

Yes! There could be a big conspiracy/smoke screen, but based on the facts at hand Illuminations will carry on for awhile yet.

OH! An insider has said that the name of the new show will be Illuminations: Windows on the World (it is a rumor for now)

I don't think anyone here is claiming they think it won't happen. At least I'm not. I think it will continue past August- I just have nothing that says it will or it won't. We're all just guessing here. What we do know is it's highly unusual not to have the ability to book less than 30 days out. Why that is, no one knows.

 

[FastPasser.]

Disney is famous for last minute announcements. They've done it more times than I can count.

Sorry, but after closely observing how Disney does things for over two decades, that is not how I would characterize it. But it could be simply that our definition of "last minute" differs greatly.

 

[FastPasser.]

So I have come to the conclusion that they really do not know lol.

Bingo, if the CMs in the department that puts on the party don't know, and they don't, phone CMs certainly don't.

 

[bluejasmine]

Having been a phone CM I can tell you that they don't know, each day they come in sign on to the computers and phone system and read any updates about the parks, packages and resorts. If its not in there they have no idea.. I was hoping to wake up and be able to book our party! In exactly one month Ill be checking into our first resort this evening...Hopefully this week sometime tho.. I spoke to a phone CM last night who said she checks in daily for ppl calling in and is surprised that its taking so long but they haven't been given any info..

 

[bluejasmine]

Oh I have a quick question are seating first come first serve or assigned?

 

[wideboty2000]

Oh I have a quick question are seating first come first serve or assigned?

Pre assigned

 

[cakebaker]

That's entirely possible, FastPasser. Specifically for me, I'm recalling when they announced they were going pet friendly with no notice, affecting an awful lot of people with severe allergies. We had to scramble to change resorts within 30 days of our arrival. When Disney encourages and sets up a system that forces you to book dining 6 months in advance and book hotels even further out ( granted you don't HAVE to, but if you want the best selections, you do) then changes that come up long after the booking windows open are last minute to me. Certainly not having the availability to book this particular event just weeks before you arrive and for me, what could well be after my FP window opens- is last minute. Whether they actually close this or not after this month is becoming irrelevant as decisions have to be made that will make it impossible to do this after Saturday for me. While I want this badly, I'm not giving up FOP or STL fp's and rearranging my schedule to do it. If Disney wants us to book far in advance, they need to make it possible for us to do it. Stepping off my soapbox now...

 

[cakebaker]

That's entirely possible, FastPasser. Specifically for me, I'm recalling when they announced they were going pet friendly with no notice, affecting an awful lot of people with severe allergies. But there have been many others over the years. We had to scramble to change resorts within 30 days of our arrival. When Disney encourages and sets up a system that forces you to book dining 6 months in advance and book hotels even further out ( granted you don't HAVE to, but if you want the best selections, you do) then changes that come up long after the booking windows open are last minute to me. Certainly not having the availability to book this particular event just weeks before you arrive and for me, what could well be after my FP window opens- is last minute. Whether they actually close this or not after this month is becoming irrelevant as decisions have to be made that will make it impossible to do this after Saturday for me. While I want this badly, I'm not giving up FOP or STL fp's and rearranging my schedule to do it. If Disney wants us to book far in advance, they need to make it possible for us to do it. Stepping off my soapbox now...

 

[Lisa F]

That's entirely possible, FastPasser. Specifically for me, I'm recalling when they announced they were going pet friendly with no notice, affecting an awful lot of people with severe allergies. We had to scramble to change resorts within 30 days of our arrival. When Disney encourages and sets up a system that forces you to book dining 6 months in advance and book hotels even further out ( granted you don't HAVE to, but if you want the best selections, you do) then changes that come up long after the booking windows open are last minute to me. Certainly not having the availability to book this particular event just weeks before you arrive and for me, what could well be after my FP window opens- is last minute. Whether they actually close this or not after this month is becoming irrelevant as decisions have to be made that will make it impossible to do this after Saturday for me. While I want this badly, I'm not giving up FOP or STL fp's and rearranging my schedule to do it. If Disney wants us to book far in advance, they need to make it possible for us to do it. Stepping off my soapbox now...

just curious if they made it easy for you to switch resorts or if you really had to "scramble" which to me means check multiple resorts and find no availability and worry that you might have to just cancel your trip. Or was that just referring to the last minute nature of it, but they took care of you and switched you smoothly without drama?

I'm just being nosy about how that went down and whether Disney did the right thing by people with allergies or whether it was really stressful to find alternate accommodations.

I know this is OT on the thread but truly curious. I would be shocked if Disney didn't go above and beyond to accommodate any changes but wondering if they didn't.

 

[TiaraMama]

When I call I only seem to get routed to dining CMs and they have stated they cannot even send a message to other departments. Is there a better prompt to state when calling in order to get to the folks at Epcot that might actually be able to address the issue? Should I be asking for Epcot or something? I’ve been stating “Frozen Ever After Dessert Party,” which gets me to dining every time.

I realize that others on this board have called and I’m certainly pleasant to all CMs and tell them I understand they aren’t in control of the dates. Just thought I would try to politely make someone aware of the issue in case it helps nudge things along. I realize it may be an exercise in futility since folks here have indicated they have also called.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I think if folks truly feel they’d like to either express frustration at the lack of dates or simply let Disney know that you like this offering, were looking forward to it on your trip, and hope it continues in the future, drop a line to: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

You may never hear anything, but it never hurts to let Disney know your feedback.

 

[Cornish Lad]

As most people here I am checking daily for release dates but, just to cover all the bases, I booked FP+s for us a month ago for both the Frozen ride and the fireworks. Had no problem with either for September and, as they are still submitting planning approvals for the new display, I am assuming that there will be no changes to it for a while yet.

 

[ChimneyJim]

I tried Twitter

 

[SaintsManiac]

Obviously there's some kind of logistics issue. Disney wants to take your money!

 

[kat_lh]

I think if folks truly feel they’d like to either express frustration at the lack of dates or simply let Disney know that you like this offering, were looking forward to it on your trip, and hope it continues in the future, drop a line to: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

You may never hear anything, but it never hurts to let Disney know your feedback.

Here's my email: (thanks for the reminder to do that and not just complain into the void!)

Dear Disney,

I would like to express my frustration that dates for September and October Frozen Ever After Dessert Parties are not bookable at 60 days out. The lack of information about this has changed my dining and fast pass plans. While I would have had no problems spending the extra money on the dessert party (a feature of Disney that I'm looking forward to!) I don't think I will be as likely to book it now that I've had to make other plans.

While I realize that these parties are all handled by different parts of Disney with different policies in place, having this much discrepancy between Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios is decidedly unmagical.

Respectfully,

 

[TiaraMama]

Thanks all for the contact info and suggestions! I appreciate it!

 

[Cece_Kay]

I think if folks truly feel they’d like to either express frustration at the lack of dates or simply let Disney know that you like this offering, were looking forward to it on your trip, and hope it continues in the future, drop a line to: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

You may never hear anything, but it never hurts to let Disney know your feedback.

Thank you for this! I am going to make use of it.

I tried Twitter

I've also tried Twitter, as recent as last week, and was directed to the Dining department. I wouldn't be surprised if the the WDWToday Twitter CMs have even less information than phone CMs.