BYO meal to a dessert party?

[Neverbeast]

We're semi-seriously considering splurging on a treats and seats dessert party so I've been watching a lot of youtube reviews. One reviewer mentioned her kids had a sugar crash/upset tummy almost immediately from lemonade/cupcakes on an empty tummy. Their solution was to go out and bring some Casey's corn dog nuggets back for some protein. It sounds like it used to be the case that you could make a light dinner out of the buffet, but since there are no longer really any substantive savory options besides cheese (as far as I can tell?) my family would also probably need to bring something more substantial/protein. Can anyone confirm whether you're allowed to basically pack in your own dinner to go with the treats?

I know this sounds insane, as I'm typing it I'm already rolling my own eyes at paying 116$ for my 10 year old to also have to pay for and bring a dinner... I just want to know what I'd really be looking at to make a decision about true cost to make it enjoyable for my family and take all those considerations into account.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Not sure which party you're considering, but we did see some folks who were doing the after fireworks party bringing in trays of food (hot dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers, etc), sitting and eating before the fireworks, and then heading to the desserts after the show. We did the before party, and hoped for more non-dessert items, but they really weren't there - some crackers, fruits, and a few other items. If we ever do it again (and I'm not sure we will), we would definitely consider eating our own food on the grass in the viewing area, then doing the after fireworks desserts.

That being said, you mention the 'seats' dessert party, which we've never done, so my answer might not be very helpful! I cannot say we saw anyone bringing in outside food to eat at the tables set up for fireworks viewing. Good luck with your decision.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We're semi-seriously considering splurging on a treats and seats dessert party so I've been watching a lot of youtube reviews. One reviewer mentioned her kids had a sugar crash/upset tummy almost immediately from lemonade/cupcakes on an empty tummy. Their solution was to go out and bring some Casey's corn dog nuggets back for some protein. It sounds like it used to be the case that you could make a light dinner out of the buffet, but since there are no longer really any substantive savory options besides cheese (as far as I can tell?) my family would also probably need to bring something more substantial/protein. Can anyone confirm whether you're allowed to basically pack in your own dinner to go with the treats?

I know this sounds insane, as I'm typing it I'm already rolling my own eyes at paying 116$ for my 10 year old to also have to pay for and bring a dinner... I just want to know what I'd really be looking at to make a decision about true cost to make it enjoyable for my family and take all those considerations into account.

The dessert parties also have savory foods there as well, we had more than just some cheeses, but it's been a few years so who know's what's going on with them now. But it's def not going to be a full meal. The last time we did it, we had dinner at Crystal Palace around 7p and none of us were really even that hungry for the desserts and we did the after fireworks party.

Honestly, it's a splurge and I chalked it up to we're paying for the viewing location and not the food. The food is sort of a bonus. However, it's at tomorrowland terrace and nobody is going to say anything if you bring food in with you. Nobody will care since you've already paid for your party.

 

[Disturbia]

We usually book an early dinner (5 pm is better). We did the after dessert party recently (9 pm fireworks) and it worked really well. We had dinner at Steakhouse71 at 5 pm (steak quality went down; Fish en Papillote was excellent) at 5 pm (budget 2 hours for that). Headed to MK (almost missed SDMT) and rode a few fantasyland rides. Checked in to the party (at the terrace) about 20 mins before the start of fireworks. After fireworks we rode the people mover (had Genie+ for buzz but it went down) before heading to the dessert party area (For 9 pm fireworks, it runs until 10 pm I believe). At around 9:50 pm everything was still being replenished except the chocolate covered strawberries. I asked and someone and they brought the last 4.

In Nov we did BOG 6:15 pm and dessert party (8 pm fireworks) and that had us rushing as they took over 40 mins to seat us and 30 mins to bring entrees (gave us 10% discount). We split as one of us stayed back to pay the bill and pack one vegan dessert to go. Our son preferred the vegan BOG dessert vs the excessively sweet allergy friendly dessert tray at the party. For the money they’re charging they really need to improve the quality (dessert cruise has better options).

For a diabetic they brought out the same Erin McKenna sweets (Agave still raises sugar) and said they were ‘sugar free’. Cheese was stale and even our cheese loving kids wouldn’t eat much of it.

 

[pluto377]

We did the before fireworks party in March and did a late lunch (3:30) at the Plaza. The party was at 7. For us we didn't need extra food between but everyone is different. I can confirm that in March the only thing not sweet was cheese and crackers.

 

[kwdw]

I’ve noticed I get sick at the dessert parties if I fill up on the sweet drinks and have nothing savory at all. You could perhaps try to encourage them to start with just water and if they like cheese/crackers, maybe. Make a plate of those to share at the table and maybe the kids will select some. Maybe encourage leaving the drinks to try as the last thing they will try.

If you eat real food too close to the party, everyone will be too full to eat anything else. But yes, all sweets can also lead to a stomach ache.

Frankly, I also think it’s a good lesson to learn for yourself about making yourself sick from too much of the wrong stuff. Not sure of the ages of your kids, but sometimes you gotta do it to learn for the future. I now know, for example, that citrus drinks and anything with dairy products if it make me sick. Though…. I still eat Dole Whip floats because, well, they taste really good going down!

 

[Marthasor]

I don't think the CMs will care if you bring food in with you. We always eat dinner prior to the parties. We just try to end dinner at least an hour or so prior to the party so we can eat some of the desserts.

 

[tobikaye]

I know, pre-covid, I did see many families bring in QS meals/snacks to eat during the party. They just went up and grabbed their desserts and drinks. I usually tried to eat at least an hour before the party, whether it was a late dinner or just a snack, so that the sugar items would not bee too much for me, but I would not be too full either. Plus I would usually try to offset with some cheese.