Can we talk dessert party?

[Kaelorian]

Are treats & seats tables assigned ahead of time, or would we need to arrive early to get a good table?

In another thread it was mentioned the tables were assigned by the order tickets were purchased (outside of party size)

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Does anyone know if you can request savory items for a diabetic in our group? We did a Halloween one 2 years ago with Garden View and really enjoyed it. But we need savory items, too.

 

[zemmer]

Are treats & seats tables assigned ahead of time, or would we need to arrive early to get a good table?

We did treats and seats. Arrived 15 minutes before the posted check in time. Our CM walked around like he was trying to decide where to seat us, seemed to choose a table, and told us to sit there. I noticed a much better table up at the railing and asked if we could have that one instead, and he moved us.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

We did treats and seats. Arrived 15 minutes before the posted check in time. Our CM walked around like he was trying to decide where to seat us, seemed to choose a table, and told us to sit there. I noticed a much better table up at the railing and asked if we could have that one instead, and he moved us.

Good to know! I’m planning to arrive early and hopefully get a better seat as well.

 

[empedocles]

So these aren't in any of the reservation finders, correct? (TouringPlans, etc.)
Booked the Pre- for my MK day Xmas week, but would prefer Post-.

 

[emily nicole]

So these aren't in any of the reservation finders, correct? (TouringPlans, etc.)
Booked the Pre- for my MK day Xmas week, but would prefer Post-.

I couldn’t find it on any of them

 

[lorileahb]

Last night (Friday night dessert party) was amazing! We had Boo Bash-only (no day park) and pre-fireworks dessert party tickets. We arrived early around 6:20 p.m. (1st in tapstile) but they held us right until 7 p.m. Grabbed bags and bands - were going to use the shortcut behind Tony's, but it was closed. No problem walking down a crowded, but not packed M ain Street to Tomorrowland Terrace. No problem checking in late (and no line!). Food was restocked constantly. We got food and sat down by 7:15 p.m. (went through line several times). And the fireworks garden view was awesome - not shoulder to shoulder like the rest of the area. You could have walked out anytime right up to 8 p.m. and had a great view - plenty of space (a few minutes before the fireworks they opened up the walkway in front of the viewing area... just to party guests... that made a ton of space.). Uneducated guess, but it seems like Disney listened to feedback about crowded party viewing area and adjusted. And, we absolutely loved the show!!

 

[AnnMichele]

We have done the HEA desert party 4 times, all pre-parties, 3 Garden View and once Terrace(seated). Unless you have mobility issues Garden View is the way to go 100%.

1. The view is nowhere near as good from the terrace. I cant emphasize this enough. if view matters to you, the terrace will disappoint.
2. The CMs keep a completely clear path to the Garden viewing area. No crowds to deal with. You are escorted over with a flashlight holding CM and another CM opens the gate into the garden area.
3. Again, unless you have mobility issues, the seated garden area has plenty of rooms for the amount of tickets sold.
4. The deserts are the same, obviously.
5. Garden view is CHEAPER!
6. THE VIEW!!!!!!

What’s the exit situation like after the fireworks are complete? Are you escorted out a special way or released to exit with the masses?

 

[AnnMichele]

We did the treats and seats Saturday and really enjoyed it. Desserts were replenished regularly as were the drinks. We felt the view was great and could see the castle projections fine. Obviously we couldn’t see the Main Street projections but I didn’t feel like we missed out by not seeing those. It was nice to be able to sit somewhere separate from the throngs of people. Also, it was really nice that when it was over we walked basically right down the ramp to the back exit and avoided the crowds leaving MK.

Does the garden view get to use the back exit, too?

 

[lorileahb]

What’s the exit situation like after the fireworks are complete? Are you escorted out a special way or released to exit with the masses?

Released with the masses.

 

[Disneytam]

We've been to the HEA party a few times before.

I was watching a review of the new dessert party and noticed that the menu was drastically reduced?

It appears Disney removed the following?
ooey gooey toffee cake w/ Ice cream
roasted marshmallows station
build your own cupcake station
cookies and brownies area
seems to be a few less selection of desserts also.

non-dessert foods removed?
cheeseburger eggrolls
Spanish dip

So it looks like Disney removed a ton of items, and increased the price!

This is the new Disney way. Disney hopes that you won't notice what's missing.

 

[sdk1231]

Plaza Garden View of Enchantment is amazing. It's a perfect view. If you're so inclined, you can turn around and look at the projections on Main Street (they're interesting, but not that big of a deal). I viewed from the Plaza Garden on 10/5. I'd done HEA Plaza Garden View in the past. I've done Tomorrowland Terrace Seated Viewing only one time, on New Year's Eve. The view is not nearly as good as from the Plaza Garden, but on NYE, being up out of the heinous crowd was worth it.

 

[biochemgirl]

Plaza Garden View of Enchantment is amazing. It's a perfect view. If you're so inclined, you can turn around and look at the projections on Main Street (they're interesting, but not that big of a deal). I viewed from the Plaza Garden on 10/5. I'd done HEA Plaza Garden View in the past. I've done Tomorrowland Terrace Seated Viewing only one time, on New Year's Eve. The view is not nearly as good as from the Plaza Garden, but on NYE, being up out of the heinous crowd was worth it.

How would you compare the garden area crowd level compared to your previous experiences with HEA garden viewing parties? Thanks!

 

[sdk1231]

How would you compare the garden area crowd level compared to your previous experiences with HEA garden viewing parties? Thanks!

On 10/5, the Plaza Garden viewing area was LESS crowded than during the HEA parties I attended in 2018 and 2019. To give you specifics: The 10/5 Dessert Party (first week of the dessert party comeback) was wildly overbooked due to some kind of IT snafu - so much so that I got a refund, but was allowed to grab some treats and view from the Plaza Garden anyway. I entered the viewing area about 10 min before the start of Enchantment. One entire quadrant of the Plaza Garden was completely empty. So empty that children were playing "tag" in the empty space. I found my favorite viewing spot - in the center, leaning against the back fence. The whole area around me was empty. My CM daughter and her boyfriend found an area in the center, near the front and had room to spare. Mid way through the show, they came back and joined me leaning on the back fence. You can't really sit on the fence, but you can prop yourself up on it.

 

[persnickity]

So these aren't in any of the reservation finders, correct? (TouringPlans, etc.)
Booked the Pre- for my MK day Xmas week, but would prefer Post-.

I couldn’t find it on any of them

Mousekepros has them (under Activities)

 

[mousestruck]

Do these parties book 60 days in advance? And can you book them through MDE in the same way you book regular dining reservations, or do you have to book through the link on the website's dessert party page? I'm also wondering if these reservations are more difficult to get than most dining reservations. My 60 day window is approaching, so I need to figure out which reservations to try for first.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Does the garden view get to use the back exit, too?

Yes. They did the 3 times we did it at least. I suppose on a very low crowd night they might not bother? Not sure.

 

[ChanaC]

Hope no one minds me jumping in with a slightly unrelated question... but does anyone know how likely/unlikely it is to get a reservation after the 60 day mark? I'm planning an early December trip but a lot of things are up in the air so I haven't made any ADRs yet. I totally understand and accept that we might have just missed out on the reservations, but has anyone gotten lucky with getting a last minute reservation? Once our plans are more solid I may check the website a few times a day to see if anything pops up, as I'm sure people cancel or rearrange their plans from time to time. Is this a wasted effort?

 

[Disturbia]

I cancelled a party a week before our trip, so keep checking.

I was also wondering whatthey would offer people with diabetes - cheese for $100?

 

[bavarian princess]

Hope no one minds me jumping in with a slightly unrelated question... but does anyone know how likely/unlikely it is to get a reservation after the 60 day mark? I'm planning an early December trip but a lot of things are up in the air so I haven't made any ADRs yet. I totally understand and accept that we might have just missed out on the reservations, but has anyone gotten lucky with getting a last minute reservation? Once our plans are more solid I may check the website a few times a day to see if anything pops up, as I'm sure people cancel or rearrange their plans from time to time. Is this a wasted effort?

I saw several availabilities for the beginning of December two weeks after the 60 day mark. I just snagged the after fireworks dessert party. Just keep checking

Btw I am grateful for all the reviews since I wasn’t sure what to book (pre/after) and hearing about the differences made the decision process easier