Another Dessert Party commentary

[LuvMyEAR]

I know... I did my homework. I read the reviews, but I seldom meet a dessert I don’t like, unfortunately. Well, I met a bunch tonight. All of you who candidly admit you pay the price simply for a place to watch the MK castle show and fireworks are right.

DD and I attended our first -and last - party tonight. It was more than a small letdown. We opted for the Garden Plaza viewing as the goal was to finally see a castle projection show and fireworks from an unobstructed vantage point.

Most of the CMs tried their cheery best to make you feel welcome but even their personalities could not save it. Bright harsh lighting, metal chairs, and institutional presentation set the scene and should set your expectations accordingly. Tepid water for tea, bad coffee with creamers. No milk

The macarons were absolutely delicious , but the other selections ranged from Blah to blech. We ate a lot of macarons. I cannot even image why they make/buy/serve that food.

So, after not even a decent cup of tea or coffee, we were escorted - another sore point- to the viewing area. Sore point being that I was stranded in my scooter trying to get across a steady stream of people , not one of whom would break stride on their way to squeeze into the area around the ice cream parlour. By the time I got anywhere near the entrance, the “escort” was long gone.

Happily ( ever after remains to be seen) the shows lived up to their hype and were as spectacular as anything I could imagine.

Was it worth the cost? Yes and no. I think everyone who pays park admission should be able to enjoy these shows without adding close to another days admission cost. It makes me sad and cross that the nature of the shows have drastically shrunk the viewing area where they can be truly appreciated. At least ROL and Fantasmic have propers viewing areas.

Did I enjoy the shows? Immensely. Will I ever do it again? Not a chance. Nor would I recommend the dessert party as a “ special experience”. There was absolutely nothing special about it, in terms of atmosphere, service, or food. I would far rather pay a fee for admission to a venue which provided seating and unobstructed views. Yeah... we had tall people in front of us and even if I had stood for the show , there was a gentleman over 6 ft tall standing in front of me. Stadium seating is my best friend!

 

[karrit2000]

I'm with you regarding the HEA dessert parties. I did the Wishes one two times back the first year or so it was offered at a much more affordable price. After the second one where the railing was crowded with people the entire time prior to the fireworks I decided it wasn't worth the cost even then for the lousy view & crappy desserts. I had hoped that the party with Plaza Viewing would be a better experience. Couldn't stomach the pure sugar overload from the even worse desserts. There is nothing magical with the overly bright sterile location for the dessert portion. Next time I'll just buy myself a nice dessert somewhere else & brave the mob scene on Main Street. The view was nice from the Plaza but with all the lamp posts & such in the way not anything I care to pay for ever again. I'll stick to the Dessert Parties in Epcot & DHS as I find the food much more enjoyable & the mostly unobstructed views are worth it on the rare occasions I decide to treat myself. I also appreciate having a few adult beverages which are included with the other parties for around the same cost. At least the other dessert parties seem more of a festive party than a bad party being held in the local school cafeteria with the overly bright lights.

 

[ChadInOKC]

I'm with you regarding the HEA dessert parties. I did the Wishes one two times back the first year or so it was offered at a much more affordable price. After the second one where the railing was crowded with people the entire time prior to the fireworks I decided it wasn't worth the cost even then for the lousy view & crappy desserts. I had hoped that the party with Plaza Viewing would be a better experience. Couldn't stomach the pure sugar overload from the even worse desserts. There is nothing magical with the overly bright sterile location for the dessert portion. Next time I'll just buy myself a nice dessert somewhere else & brave the mob scene on Main Street. The view was nice from the Plaza but with all the lamp posts & such in the way not anything I care to pay for ever again. I'll stick to the Dessert Parties in Epcot & DHS as I find the food much more enjoyable & the mostly unobstructed views are worth it on the rare occasions I decide to treat myself. I also appreciate having a few adult beverages which are included with the other parties for around the same cost. At least the other dessert parties seem more of a festive party than a bad party being held in the local school cafeteria with the overly bright lights.

They have since changed the procedure on this for the terrace party. They have moved the seats against the railing so you can sit in comfort and watch the fireworks with no one in front of you. This is 100% better than the last time I did it as well. I noticed this as I was getting my desserts for the plaza garden party and I was instantly regretful that I did not purchase the regular one.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I think these events are ridiculously overpriced. I have said it here before and I will say it again—if I hit a Powerball jackpot, I wouldn’t pay $50 or $70 for dessert and a better view of a show that I already paid for with my admission.

 

[Cornish Lad]

I think these events are ridiculously overpriced. I have said it here before and I will say it again—if I hit a Powerball jackpot, I wouldn’t pay $50 or $70 for dessert and a better view of a show that I already paid for with my admission.

I understand your sentiment but for those of us who travel 4,000 miles across the pond and have very limited time in WDW then the ability to get a good view of the main events is well worth the price paid. We are coming over next September and already have the parties in all of the parks lined up in our plan and will be booking them as soon as we can.

 

[Shoshana]

Thanks for your review. I'm seriously considering canceling our Christmas night Plaza Garden Dessert Party.

 

[Happy_2_B]

Thanks for your review. I'm seriously considering canceling our Christmas night Plaza Garden Dessert Party.

If you cancel- please let the other Disers know- as that will get snapped up as soon as you cancel it. If you decide to keep it, you should do a report as many would be interested to see how the escorts go to get people over to the plaza on a day when the park closes it gates due to crowd level and it is wall-to-wall people with no room to move. I am sure you are planning to be in the park before you are literally 'phased' out.

 

[IncredibleboysMom]

I agree with the frustration of having to pay SO much extra to provide a vantage point for those who must sit (in a wheelchair or scooter). We have booked the Star Wars Galactic dessert party for our upcoming trip, to the tune of almost $400 for a family of five, for the sole reason of providing my Star Wars loving 12 year old who uses a wheelchair a clear (I hope) view. At least there is alcohol at that one!

 

[deedubb]

Thanks for your review. I'm seriously considering canceling our Christmas night Plaza Garden Dessert Party.

That would be one night I would not want to be battling the crowds to get a spot to watch the fireworks. I would keep it and I bet you will be thankful you did.

 

[melanielll]

The only one that comes close to paying out in value is the Star Wars one. The alcohol makes it reasonably priced. Plus you get that ugly Wookie mug.

That said, I do have one booked in the MK for New Year's Eve. I feel that the amount of people in the park justifies the expense. It will be a one and done for us there (unless they add booze without raising the price).

Thanks for your review. I'm seriously considering canceling our Christmas night Plaza Garden Dessert Party.

You might want to consider keeping that one because of the date.

 

[melanielll]

That would be one night I would not want to be battling the crowds to get a spot to watch the fireworks. I would keep it and I bet you will be thankful you did.

Great minds not only think alike, they post at the same time.

 

[Elle23]

Great minds not only think alike, they post at the same time.

I didn’t post but I was thinking it!

 

[melanielll]

I didn’t post but I was thinking it!

Okay - you are in the great minds club. Now there are three....

 

[slpeters]

I understand your sentiment but for those of us who travel 4,000 miles across the pond and have very limited time in WDW then the ability to get a good view of the main events is well worth the price paid. We are coming over next September and already have the parties in all of the parks lined up in our plan and will be booking them as soon as we can.

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.

 

[melanielll]

This is for Shoshana... a pic of main street on Christmas Day a few years ago....

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I wholeheartedly agree with the advice to make/KEEP those party reservations in order to experience the shows to their fullest. For most of us, a WDW vacation is a sign isn’t investment and to not enjoy all it has to offer would be a shame.

The elbow room alone was worth lot!!!!!

It was a last minute decision for us to attend one. I paid the cost, based on 2 factors. Not since our first trip over 20 yrs ago have I been able to really see a fireworks show. This is likely the last Disney-intensive trip for me. Worth seeing the show. If you are going, expect nothing from the dessert part of the package and maybe you will be pleasantly surprised. The show won’t disappoint!

 

[FastPasser.]

Plus you get that ugly Wookie mug.

That was two souvenir gifts ago, it's now the BB8 Sipper.

 

[poodledogs55]

I agree with the frustration of having to pay SO much extra to provide a vantage point for those who must sit (in a wheelchair or scooter). We have booked the Star Wars Galactic dessert party for our upcoming trip, to the tune of almost $400 for a family of five, for the sole reason of providing my Star Wars loving 12 year old who uses a wheelchair a clear (I hope) view. At least there is alcohol at that one!

I did the Star Wars dessert party in September. I’m very short and just want to warn you, I could barely see, with all the people standing in front of me and the “shoulder kids.” I did not have a clear view. However, I believe they let those who were in wheelchairs go first so they could get unobstructed spots. I’m sure you’ll be fine, just wanted to give a heads up that dessert parties do not necessarily guarantee clear views. I hope you have fun!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

That would be one night I would not want to be battling the crowds to get a spot to watch the fireworks. I would keep it and I bet you will be thankful you did.

This.

 

[Elle23]

I did the Star Wars dessert party in September. I’m very short and just want to warn you, I could barely see, with all the people standing in front of me and the “shoulder kids.” I did not have a clear view. However, I believe they let those who were in wheelchairs go first so they could get unobstructed spots. I’m sure you’ll be fine, just wanted to give a heads up that dessert parties do not necessarily guarantee clear views. I hope you have fun!

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.