Another Dessert Party commentary

[AllThingsMickey4]

I had no idea you could eat, leave, then come back. That makes this even better! I was thinking my kids would be bored waiting around for over an hour just eating sweets.

Yep! They give you a wristband so you can come and go as you please. You can also just check in closer to fireworks time, but after seeing recent reviews saying desserts weren't replenished we wanted to eat first.

 

[Cornish Lad]

We did the Plaza Garden Viewing tonight for the first time (we usually do the Terrace view) and had a great time. We walked up to the podium as they were letting people in (no need to line up in advance to get a good table), are our desserts, left to go ride Buzz, then came back around 8:20 and were escorted to the viewing area.

We stood against the back rail and once the show started everyone pushed to the front, so we had a great view. Main Street was elbow to elbow, so just being out of the crowd was worth the price to me. The desserts were decent, the cheesecake brownie and strawberry tart were the best. The selections have decreased over the years though.

Trying to decide between the Garden and the Terrace - having done both which one would you recommend?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Trying to decide between the Garden and the Terrace - having done both which one would you recommend?

There’s a lot of info on this thread, if you haven’t seen it: Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing

My personal bias is towards the Plaza Garden version as the angle for fireworks and projection viewing is materially better. But the Terrace version is a valid option too if you prefer to stay seated in one spot or want a more laid back feel. The viewing is OK, just not as good since it’s harder to see the projections.

Hope that helps.

 

[Cornish Lad]

There’s a lot of info on this thread, if you haven’t seen it: Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing

My personal bias is towards the Plaza Garden version as the angle for fireworks and projection viewing is materially better. But the Terrace version is a valid option too if you prefer to stay seated in one spot or want a more laid back feel. The viewing is OK, just not as good since it’s harder to see the projections.

Hope that helps.

Thanks - that helps a lot - will probably go for the Garden option as the projections are great and a good view of them is, in my opinion, an essential element of the show.

 

[JJ2017]

I still can't decide whether we are keeping this party for this coming Saturday. My kids are still skiddish with fireworks. We are all set with the headphones for them and I am bringing foam earplugs as well. I showed them a youtube video of it yesterday and they seemed bored. I can only imagine it's much more energizing in person. They will love the "dessert" party atmosphere and the reserved area. Has there been a post about where to stand IN the garden area? From what I have researched and read here it seems as if at the BACK of the garden, against the railing? But if facing the castle, towards the left or right? And now I see some showers predicted for this Saturday. I have to cancel by Monday for Saturday, right? 5 Days before.....?

 

[hsmamato2]

Op I feel you! A year back in Disneyland I felt the same way after paying way too much for a similiar viewing party....not gonna happen again!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I still can't decide whether we are keeping this party for this coming Saturday. My kids are still skiddish with fireworks. We are all set with the headphones for them and I am bringing foam earplugs as well. I showed them a youtube video of it yesterday and they seemed bored. I can only imagine it's much more energizing in person. They will love the "dessert" party atmosphere and the reserved area. Has there been a post about where to stand IN the garden area? From what I have researched and read here it seems as if at the BACK of the garden, against the railing? But if facing the castle, towards the left or right? And now I see some showers predicted for this Saturday. I have to cancel by Monday for Saturday, right? 5 Days before.....?

Yes, it’s a five day cancellation period.

I personally wouldn’t cancel because of a forecast 5 days out, it’ll change 10 more times between now and then.

Note, if it’s such bad weather that HEA is delayed (kind of rare but does happen) you can still hang out in the dessert party/Tomorrowland Terrace area, which is covered. Then just head out to the garden when the show eventually starts.

As to where to be, I prefer back and to the left (if facing the castle). The more “left” in the garden you are, the more “center” you are to the castle.

FWIW, I love the Plaza Garden dessert party for the flexibility with the kiddos. They can run around a bit in the garden while we wait, keeps them occupied. Also, inevitably one of mine always has to go the the bathroom 2 minutes before the show starts. I appreciate the flexibility of being able to hit the bathroom quickly then make it back to the garden and not be stressing about our spot.

 

[kmc8826]

I have done the HEA once and the Star Wars once and plan to do HEA Dessert Party again on our trip next week. I actually even booked the Fantasmic Dessert Package last night. The reason I do it is simply the crowd issue. On our May trip we never could find a decent spot to see HEA. When just D8 and I did the HEA Party in August it was stress free. My husband hates the crowds and between dealing with him and three little girls the cost for me in the overall scheme of entire vacation cost is negligible. I would rather save money other ways. The freedom makes the partymore worth it; the food is just a side benefit. If we didn't do the parties we wouldn't do the shows at all.

 

[danikoski]

Thanks - that helps a lot - will probably go for the Garden option as the projections are great and a good view of them is, in my opinion, an essential element of the show.

The Garden Plaza viewing is also a bit cheaper than the Terrace viewing.

 

[Lisa F]

This is about where I'm at. We're only coming from Chicago but have never been before and our last evening is projected at a CL9. I just want to see the show with a good view and not have to camp out two hours dodging elbows with someone's child jumping on me. I can imagine the capstone of our trip being one of our worst memories of Disney rather than our best so I'm definitely up for the dessert party. Frankly some macarons, some chocolate dipped strawberries and some strawberry lemonade rather than the aforementioned elbows and I'm good. If the brownies are even edible it's a bonus. In a perfect world I suppose I wouldn't have to shell out an additional $120 for this. But I'm already a few thousand dollars in at this point and I would feel pretty silly if our last experience was a bad one because I wanted to save $100.

this is exactly where we're at too... we have one day at the MK on our next trip (2 full, 2 partial days in the parks) and one chance to see HEA. Also, I had bariatric surgery in July and had to get over the idea that value in things is stuffing myself silly REALLY fast. A little fruit and cheese and a macaroon and some cupcakes for the kid and being able to see the fireworks from the plaza garden and not in the crowds on the last saturday of president's week and princess half marathon weekend is what I am paying for... Though it is good for people to have their expectations set going in. If you think it's going to be amazing desserts and you're going to eat $59 worth of dessert or whatever it is, that is a recipe for disappointment. If you think it's going to be some mass produced goodies and you're paying for the view, then the nibbles are a bonus. It would be nice if Disney did both/and and the desserts were phenomenal but at least I have plenty of advanced warning about what it is from doing my research. Sorry the OP was so disappointed. The one thing Disney needs to be much much better at in that case is making sure guests with mobility issues are taken care of... not acceptable.

Also about people up at the rail, my preference (when I did the JBJB) was to stand at the BACK of the crowd. Everyone crowds to the front. It's such a HUGE thing, standing another 20-30 feet back is really no different view however not having someone directly in front of you and having the nearest people 10 feet away does make a difference. My pro-tip. Don't abuse it

 

[Lisa F]

I have only attended the Star Wars dessert party and my parents attended the Illuminations one. I would say that the Star Wars one is worth it since it offers savory and sweet options as well as alcohol of course. My parents said the Illuminations party was great and they would do it again so I may have to try that one. I have always been skeptical about doing the dessert party at MK because of all the mixed reviews.

did they do the new frozen party?

I am considering it not because of the view so much (because there are so many places for good views) or even the food (i can't eat much) but just the overall experience of being able to sit lagoonside and nibble on desserts and then ride frozen when the park is emptying. seems like a good way to cap off our visit.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Which side did you do? I ask because the last time DH and I went (in August) we got there very late, due to a storm. They kept bringing out food right until it ended, and fireworks began. Nothing ran out. I wonder if the Plaza area refills better than the Terrace side? We don't like the Terrace view so we only do the Plaza side. We did it in June and it was the same, filled right until we left for Fireworks, which was just about 10 min before they started

It was the Plaza Garden. We had to stand in line for over 15 minutes just to get to the podium. I guess we finally got in about 8:00. Once Upon a Time started at 8:30 with HEA at 9:00. Food was completely gone by 8:30, so we left to go see Once Upon a Time.

 

[Lisa F]

Yep! They give you a wristband so you can come and go as you please. You can also just check in closer to fireworks time, but after seeing recent reviews saying desserts weren't replenished we wanted to eat first.

Hello awesome idea! I was going to show up later but I think I like this plan even better. We'll only do one plate of desserts, my kiddo will be bored with all that waiting.

so how far in advance of fireworks do they escort people to the plaza? Trying to figure out the timing. I adore tomorrowland at night, and it's probably a bit less crowded with people lining up for HEA. thanks!

 

[FastPasser.]

just the overall experience of being able to sit lagoonside and nibble on desserts

Don't know your dates, but if you do the party after the finale tag has been added to Illuminations, even more reason.

then ride frozen when the park is emptying. seems like a good way to cap off our visit.

Based on guest comments as they exit the party and FEA attraction indicates that they agree with you.

 

[Lisa F]

Don't know your dates, but if you do the party after the finale tag has been added to Illuminations, even more reason.
Based on guest comments as they exit the party and FEA attraction indicates that they agree with you.

we'd do it after our cruise, getting off the Dream on Friday March 2, dropping our luggage at the poly and straight to Epcot. They haven't opened up dates for that yet but I am leaning toward booking it. We have 2 full and one partial day at the parks before the cruise and then one last day after. The child wanted Epcot for his last day and Illuminations for his last nighttime show. I put up zero argument. I just think that extra special bonus would be nice and also relaxing! we'll probably FP+ soarin' for our Tier 1 so we'd get to do frozen too. He is not a huge frozen the movie fan but he really liked the attraction last time.

I'm also kind of hoping that they do another DVC moonlight magic at the MK that day though. If they do we'll probably do that and not the frozen party, should still be able to get there for the 10pm start time after illuminations though! Last year they did it that Friday and the Friday before, which are both of our Epcot days... planned just in case they do it. Keeping fingers crossed!

 

[loves to dive]

The shoulder kids kill me. Do the parents seriously not care that they are completely blocking the view of the people behind them?!

ETA...And it’s impossible to predict who is going to be so thoughtless until it happens! So you can choose the perfect spot, wait forever and think everything is a-ok, then *boom* you can’t see a thing.

Even worse are the ones that plop the kids on the shoulders then keep shifting position or moving the kids around. Last time I was there I had a fairly decent view and a father put his kid on his shoulder, which then blocked about 4 of us. He then started popping the kid up and down, which the kid hated and kept asking him to stop and then shifting himself from side to side. It made it so that no matter where you shifted you weren't going to see since you couldn't predict which way he was going to go.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

They always seem like a waste to me personally

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

Trying to decide between the Garden and the Terrace - having done both which one would you recommend?

100% Garden View. I will not do the Terrace one again for Happily Ever After. Our view in the Plaza Garden was AMAZING. I leaned against the back rail and had a clear view of all the projections and fireworks.. plus Tinkerbell flys directly over the Garden. I honestly do not understand why they haven't made the Garden view the "premium version" - The view from the Terrace is awful compared to the Garden. When we did the Terrace version in May it felt like I missed half the show because the trees block all the projections on the bottom half of the castle