Changes to MK Wishes dessert party-Same Day Reservations

[Robo]

I get that the terrace has preferred viewing...

The Tomorrowland Terrace does not have "preferred viewing,"
it has "reserved viewing."

And, that distinction can be very important.

 

[vinotinto]

As with all the other Disney events, it really depends on how many spots are being sold for the day-off Wishes party (getting Deja vue from the previous after hours conversation). Unlike many here, I found the Wishes FP+ area to be as crowded as the area outside. We could not see The Celebrate the Magic show due to tall guests right in front of us (we were towards the back), and there wasn't any space to move around.

Sharing the FP+ area with 4 other parties sounds great, but once the word spreads, it's likely that it will get crowded. I would gladly pay, but don't want to have the same blocked view I can have for free.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I attended the dessert party MANY times since its inception. I bailed on this one when they moved away from reserved seating.

I hear this development and I just picture way-too-crowded lines for the desserts... which often already got congested prior to this move. Unless they are somehow adding more dessert tables somewhere, this sounds like a worsening of the experience to me. I haven't read the ENTIRE thread, though, so perhaps I missed the saving grace...

 

[Cluelyss]

I haven't read the ENTIRE thread, though, so perhaps I missed the saving grace...

You didn't.

Though I've not read any firsthand reviews of how this is actually working now for those that booked in advance and those that booked day-of, so will reserve judgement....for now....

 

[soniam]

I was curious about reviews too. Not that I would do the Wishes party ever again, unless they started serving alcohol and we got to watch Illuminations or the Star Wars fireworks Don't get me wrong. I love the fireworks, just not that party.

 

[maryj11]

I'm interested in reviews also. We may do this if the reviews are good. Hope someone can give us some good information on it once it gets out to the public. Right now I would say not many people know about it.

 

[mommajo143]

After reading this thread, and thinking it through, I think we are better off doing pirates & pals again on arrival night (no park ticket) or something along those lines (California grill for dinner?) or maybe even extra night if MNSSHP or MVMCP depending on travel dates - I mean for our family of 4 the provided experience for the >$$ spent doesn't seem worth it.

 

[kcpinwdw]

After reading this thread, and thinking it through, I think we are better off doing pirates & pals again on arrival night (no park ticket) or something along those lines (California grill for dinner?) or maybe even extra night if MNSSHP or MVMCP depending on travel dates - I mean for our family of 4 the provided experience for the >$$ spent doesn't seem worth it.

I would do pirates and pals in place in a heartbeat, especially if you've never done it. It's a great experience!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I would do pirates and pals in place in a heartbeat, especially if you've never done it. It's a great experience!

We're going to try Ferrytale Wishes in Aug after bailing on this one. Curious what that'll be like...

 

[bobbiwoz]

I am very happy that I used FPs
for Wishes, those times were the only times we got to see the pre show.

 

[racefans44]

I received a phone call from Disney Customer Service regarding my email about the Wishes Dessert Party. I was concerned about the fact that the tables are not reserved anymore. I was told that they tables are assigned, but not reserved. When you arrive, you will be taken to an available table which will be your seat for the fireworks. People with ADR's will have a separate viewing area and, more importantly, a separate dessert buffet. I was glad to hear this so there won't be more people at the buffet. I was told that the people with day-of reservations will be in a separate seating area and they will then be escorted to the gardens area for fireworks viewing. I was happy about the separate buffets, but not so happy about the change to reserved tables. I explained that I did not want to have to get in line for two hours to get a decent table. I am deciding whether I want cancel or not.

 

[maryj11]

Does anyone have any reviews on the same day reservations? I really would like to know how it has being working out.

 

[twitters]

Following. I have ADRs for the Wishes Dessert Party and wondering how well it works with the changes and if I should cancel.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I really had my bets on them using it for dining packages.

Quite honestly, I would prefer that. That's something I might consider purchasing. AND it would solve the problem of no one wanting to eat in skipper's canteen!! (I actually considered Skipper's Canteen enjoyable and would go back pending the menu change)

 

[agavegirl1]

As usual, I will continue to enjoy a free, albeit obstructed view of the fireworks from some other location. Hopefuly, next time, I will be able to do so without getting hot ash in my eye. (Unfortunate injury in Frontierland in 2014 despite wearing glasses). The WDW trip in 2018 is getting shorter and shorter. By then, almost everywhere will have a "cupcake upcharge event". Leaning closer to a HHN focused Universal vacation with a side trip for Pandora.

I mean no disrespect to those who have small children or large groups for whom this type of event holds some value. I am just so disappointed at the continuous monetization of previously included experiences while general admission rises far and and away above the equivalent value of the experience accounting for inflation.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

maybe they'll use the dessert party money to hire more cleaning staff for the restrooms!

 

[kcpinwdw]

I just wanted to come back to this thread and post my review. We attended the dessert party on tuesday with the new rules in place. I had attended the party pre-changes (lower price point) several times in the past. In my opinion the party is GREAT now. I was really surprised. First, we headed to the line around 820 for 9pm opening. THere were a couple people ahead of us. By 830 or so the CMs started checking us in. The check in area has been moved to up in the middle of the walkway instead of down on the Tomorrowland side where it used to be. It is staffed much better than before it seems. You get a wristband and a CM greets you and leads you to a table. The CM didnt care if you asked to be seated elsewhere. I ended up at a table in the first corner almost directly in front of the castle, very close to the dessert buffet area. Perfect spot. The tables against the rails seem like a HUGE improvement. THe view was much easier and it was nice to sit and relax. They moved the drink area to the other side of the terrace so the dessert area felt much less crowded. IT appeared that same day reservations had their own buffet up top, if there were any of them... it impacted our experience exactly zero percent. I was expecting to be disappointed but it was great, and i have already booked the hallowishes dessert party for the fall! (PS I didnt really mention the desserts because they are just not an important part of why I book this, though they make my kids happy--- and they seemed fine, a bit more offerings that previously).

 

[maryj11]

I just wanted to come back to this thread and post my review. We attended the dessert party on tuesday with the new rules in place. I had attended the party pre-changes (lower price point) several times in the past. In my opinion the party is GREAT now. I was really surprised. First, we headed to the line around 820 for 9pm opening. THere were a couple people ahead of us. By 830 or so the CMs started checking us in. The check in area has been moved to up in the middle of the walkway instead of down on the Tomorrowland side where it used to be. It is staffed much better than before it seems. You get a wristband and a CM greets you and leads you to a table. The CM didnt care if you asked to be seated elsewhere. I ended up at a table in the first corner almost directly in front of the castle, very close to the dessert buffet area. Perfect spot. The tables against the rails seem like a HUGE improvement. THe view was much easier and it was nice to sit and relax. They moved the drink area to the other side of the terrace so the dessert area felt much less crowded. IT appeared that same day reservations had their own buffet up top, if there were any of them... it impacted our experience exactly zero percent. I was expecting to be disappointed but it was great, and i have already booked the hallowishes dessert party for the fall! (PS I didnt really mention the desserts because they are just not an important part of why I book this, though they make my kids happy--- and they seemed fine, a bit more offerings that previously).

Did you notice how crowded the Plaza Garden area was for the same day reservations people or if any from the advance reservations went to that area?

 

[ArielSRL]

I was really hoping to watch Wishes from the hub grass fr my upcoming trip in July. I guess that's not happening now?

I read somewhere that the West side is still open. Only the East side is dessert party. But I don't know for certain.

ETA: I should've read the whole thread before I posted. Oops.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Did you notice how crowded the Plaza Garden area was for the same day reservations people or if any from the advance reservations went to that area?

I couldnt see that area from the Tomorrowland terrace so I am not sure, but there couldnt have been more than a handful of people, because there was almost no one on the upper deck dessert area... I didnt see a single same day person to be honest with you.