Any up to date thoughts on Wishes dessert party?

[abarriger]

I have a reservation for the Wishes dessert party for my upcoming trip. I keep going back and forth on whether or not to keep it-- someone on another forum posted recently that they were allowed to stand at the railing, making me think it might be better than I had been thinking

Has anyone been recently who could tell me-- how was the view? How early did you get there? Were you able to stand at the railing?

 

[goofy4prez]

I have a reservation for the Wishes dessert party for my upcoming trip. I keep going back and forth on whether or not to keep it-- someone on another forum posted recently that they were allowed to stand at the railing, making me think it might be better than I had been thinking

Has anyone been recently who could tell me-- how was the view? How early did you get there? Were you able to stand at the railing?

We did this event in June 2015; it still had reserved tables in the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, no need to get there an hour early, and only cost $25 as well. My thoughts then: It was OK. The desserts were nothing fabulous, the view was on an angle from the fireworks, but it was nice not to have to fight with the crowds. Back then they did allow people up to the rail; have to admit I didn't care for this policy at all. However, I could actually justify paying $25 for this event.

Now for today. Same desserts but they have now added bubbly apple juice (woo who), still have seating but eliminated the reserved seating, now need to get there about an hour early and fight the crowds so that you can get a good seat to an event that you paid $50 for. My opinion. Not worth it at all. There are still many who think this is an incredible value and would give up their first born to WDW to get an ADR for this event.

Fast forward to October 1st. This event will once again offer reserved tables in Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and will introduce an additional package which offers a standing area in the Plaza Garden. I'm willing to guess the desserts will continue to be the same less than incredible run of the mill desserts, but now it comes with a huge dose of "pixie dust" and an incredible sticker price of $79 to sit in the Tomorrowland Terrace or $59 to have some desserts and then stand in the Plaza Garden area. I've already read here on the DIS boards how some still think this is an incredible deal to spend over $300 for a family of four to have some Entenmanns quality desserts so they don't have to fight with the crowds for a spot to watch Wishes (not an attack). I guess to each their own. We all have opinions. Mine is that $79 is a colossal rip-off, even by Disney standards... I'm in shock that in just over a year something like this can increase from $25 to $79 and people are still saying, "Thank you may I have another." I'm also shocked that the Plaza Garden area as recent as just over a year ago was free, then continued to be free but required a FP+ and is now $59 in the blink of an eye is something so many will continue to get excited about. Again, to each their own. If this is a value for you, enjoy.

 

[LovesTimone]

I just can't see paying that amount of money for some bite size desserts, hot chocolate and apple juice. For me I would rather use that money for something else.

 

[porschegrl]

I went in early June. Like you, I went back and forth on whether I wanted to keep the reservation or cancel, but in the end, we went.

As goofy4prez noted, tables are no longer reserved. And it's not as simple as getting their early to get the best seats, because there are different sized tables scattered throughout the party area. My son and I lucked out and snagged a table on the railing, even though we arrived later, just because of the table/party sizes.

There is some room to stand along the railings, on the far left and far right. But in the center, the tables are all the way up to the railing, so no standing room.

As the show started, I looked around and noticed that even those at the back tables remained seated. So maybe the view is acceptable, even from the less desirable tables? I didn't pay attention as to whether they stood up/moved later, though.

The view from the terrace is off center, as you know, and from where I was sitting, there was a tree obscuring the lower right part of the castle during Celebrate the Magic (that's the name of the show projected on the castle, right?).

As far as the desserts go, they were tasty, and we got our fill. But the variety is not as great as it first appears. I think there were three different types of chocolate covered strawberries, as well as numerous "different" types of cupcakes (in the end, they're all just cupcakes). Plus a few unique items, ice cream, cheese, and maybe some fruit and crackers.

I thought the Wishes party was well worth it at $25/pp. I paid $50/pp in June, and I am not sorry I did. But I understand it's now $80/pp, and I don't think I could justify it at the current price.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Personally, I don't see the value in this. However, I did book the Star Wars dessert party for our trip next month. It includes alcohol!! Brings the value right up there for us!

 

[karalecia26]

We just did the party on Thursday night and it was a great experience. We got there just about 9pm and the table we got was a little far back (there was one a little closer but we have a 6 year old who has to use the bathroom all the time). The desserts were awesome (chocolate covered strawberries!) and a lot of different drink choices. We had our fill of desserts and didn't feel like we needed to take only a few as they were filling them the whole time. When the fireworks came my kids turned around their seats and had no troubles seeing. My oldest did move up and little and sit on the ground in an open space but wasn't in the way of anyone. They loved seeing Tinker Bell fly by us. Will we do it again? Probably not, but it was a great experience that I am so glad I got to do with them.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

We went back when it was still $25 and while we had a good time, even then I thought it wasn't worth the money. There is NO WAY we would pay $80 pp though others clearly will and do.

With the exception of the chocolate covered strawberries, the desserts were just meh. Seeing Tink fly in was cool, but the view of the fireworks wasn't great - off to the side of the castle, like the view from Cali Grill which loads of people rave about but we did not enjoy - we prefer to see it in the park. I'd rather spend $100 and let the kids pick out anything they want at the Confectionary and find a spot on Main Street with the crowds.

Seems to me these days that any time Disney slaps a separate price on something, people just lap it up and this blind devotion has brought the quality waaaaaay down.

 

[Dawn T.]

I'm kind of confused. We have a reservation for late September-will we be able to access the old Wishes fast pass area? My friend has never been to Wishes, so I wanted her to have a great view with none of the commonplace hassles, but she's gluten free so the desserts have little appeal. I just loved the view from the Plaza Garden, which I thought was included with the dessert party but I'm thinking I may have gotten this wrong. Do we have to stay at the Tomorrowland Terrace?

 

[TexasPrincess1]

First, I want to say that I agree with what has been written so far. Still, I want to share my experience.

We were there on June 29, 2016. We arrived around 8:30pm. There was already a little line formed. I am glad we arrived when we did because we ended up getting an awesome table on the rail on the right hand side right under where Tinkerbell flies. It had a great view of the castle and the fireworks. I kinda asked for the table in my none asking sort of way. I just said where do you think the best place for us to sit is? and I mentioned being a fan of Tink. We got to look over the water and see ducks while we waited. What I liked about the event was that it kept us busy in a comfortable space while we were waiting for the fireworks. My kiddo has a hard time waiting so it worked for us. I felt like I got the full on Wishes experience so I felt like I didn't need to see the show again during our stay. The desserts kind of blended together into just sweet. I am glad they had cheese and crackers, but they weren't anything special. I loved the hot chocolate.

If you ignore the cost, then it is worthwhile to do once, especially if it is your only time watching Wishes. I felt like I was paying for the seating and that the dessert was a bonus.

 

[porschegrl]

I'm kind of confused. We have a reservation for late September-will we be able to access the old Wishes fast pass area? My friend has never been to Wishes, so I wanted her to have a great view with none of the commonplace hassles, but she's gluten free so the desserts have little appeal. I just loved the view from the Plaza Garden, which I thought was included with the dessert party but I'm thinking I may have gotten this wrong. Do we have to stay at the Tomorrowland Terrace?

When I went in June, there was no option to go out to the former FP+ area. But if I understand it correctly, there are now two different experiences/price points for the dessert party, and at the lower price point, the fireworks viewing is from the former FP+ area.