Changes to MK Wishes dessert party-Same Day Reservations

[SnipsNSnails]

Are we certain they will be using both former FP+ areas for this? It says PLAZA garden area. That would indicate to me that only the former FP+ area in front of the Plaza will be used for this particular upsell. I think that we will still see Wishes dining packages coming soon using the Casey's garden FP+ area.

 

[Andysol]

But lots of the folks who book these things do so to maximize their time at Disney, to attempt to do everything they can without worry because they are not regular/repeat type visitors .. so they wouldn't care about EMH down the road. They are doing what is best for their family/trip so they go home having done all they can do. You can't blame them for that. Disney knows this as that is their demographic market, the ones making this a totally magical trip and willing to shell out the cash to do so.

All guests can do is speak with their cash so that they feel better, sadly I don't think Disney will feel the impact.

I agree with you 110%. This is for the once in a lifetimer that has only heard how bad the crowds are during wishes (they're manageable) and how they'll never get a good view if they aren't there early (you can, easily). They're preying on the newbie who simply doesn't know any better, and in the meantime removing areas that were previously free to everyone.

Then, the poor souls who book this, are still going to have to get there an hour early to jockey for a seat and pay $60 a head to eat what are the most average desserts anyone has ever had.
Want to up charge? Fine- but at least provide a value in return. The views aren't even that great there compared to main street which has tons of spots even 5-10 mins before the fireworks start. Poor unfortunate souls...

 

[tlmadden73]

Aaaah. So that's why they stopped FP for wishes, to essentially sell the same experience but with a cupcake thrown in.

Well played, Disney. Well played.

Ya .. I think we all saw this coming.

Now how will they be monetizing the FP locations for the parades as well?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Oh geez. We have this booked b/c we have a child who gets very anxious in crowds. I had booked before I realized there weren't assigned tables. Now this. I'm going to have to reconsider, if it's going to be super packed too. Maybe we should just take our chances with Main St. At least if she can't handle the crowds and we have to leave we won't be out any extra money.

I would still consider keeping it if your child gets very anxious in crowds. Just have someone wait to check in early so you can have your pick of tables. I suspect it will still be less stressful than dealing with the general crowds for those who are anxious in crowds. Just my 2 cents.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Anyone know where I can find a "I Got Nickel and Dimed to Death at Walt Disney World" T-Shirt?

Or how about....

10 day stay at a WDW Resort.... $2000
4 7 Day Standard Park Tickets.... $1500
Spending $200 for a family of 4 for a cupcake and a free fireworks show....Priceless

 

[ashleyrm]

I am seriously disgusted. Planning on stopping by Karamel Kuche, buying $60 worth of amazing desserts, going to MK, borrowing someone's kid, putting him on my shoulders with my iPod and letting him videotape wishes. Right in front of the hub grass. So there.

 

[ashleyrm]

Are we certain they will be using both former FP+ areas for this? It says PLAZA garden area. That would indicate to me that only the former FP+ area in front of the Plaza will be used for this particular upsell. I think that we will still see Wishes dining packages coming soon using the Casey's garden FP+ area.

Pretty sure they are going to use both sides. At least for now. It would be really difficult to have one "open for all" and the other reserved for Dessert Party guests. I think you are right though that if it only says "Plaza Area", they likely have plans for the Casey's area.

 

[Skywise]

Ya .. I think we all saw this coming.

Now how will they be monetizing the FP locations for the parades as well?

Technically they already have with the paid for VIP tours getting the viewing platform from the train station.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Pretty sure they are going to use both sides. At least for now. It would be really difficult to have one "open for all" and the other reserved for Dessert Party guests.

I still wonder if it is an assumption that both will be used for the dessert party because when I first read that my thought was only the PLAZA FP+ area would be used for this and that the other area still hasn't been defined yet. I don't think it will be open for anyone. I think there are still dining packages coming for that side.

 

[3smithboys]

I really have no desire to spend the $$$ for this... We will be at MK for the July 3rd fireworks and I know it will be jam packed that evening! It will be DH, DS (17), and myself... So no littles...

Suggestions on where to go to watch where we can have decent views?? We're not super picky... We don't need to have a "prime" viewing location, but I don't think my guys will have the patience/desire to wait anywhere for 60 minutes for a spot...

We used to go to the Rose Garden (I think that's what's it called..) but we've not been in years....

 

[GillianP1301]

We have done the Wishes Dessert Party for 4 years straight and loved it. I was already out for this year after the change to no more reserved seating (which for me was 90% of the reason I booked that experience). Had I not opted out yet, this change would've certainly tipped the scale for me. It is already a really long wait/line to get desserts from the buffet when it was just the Tomorrowland Terrace people, now they are going to add even more people into that small area to get desserts before moving to their viewing area? No thanks.

They certainly have found a way to make money on a premium fireworks viewing area, which in theory does not bother me at all. But in doing so they have all but killed the Wishes Dessert Party experience, at least for me.

 

[lugnut33]

I really have no desire to spend the $$$ for this... We will be at MK for the July 3rd fireworks and I know it will be jam packed that evening! It will be DH, DS (17), and myself... So no littles...

Suggestions on where to go to watch where we can have decent views?? We're not super picky... We don't need to have a "prime" viewing location, but I don't think my guys will have the patience/desire to wait anywhere for 60 minutes for a spot...

We used to go to the Rose Garden (I think that's what's it called..) but we've not been in years....

Personally I like the area behind the Castle near the Forecourt walls. That's always a very low crowd area for the fireworks. A lot of times if you get there 15 minutes before they go off you'll find a seat along the wall. You just need to sit where you can easily see the Beasts castle and the fireworks basically go right over that. You won't catch much of the fireworks on the side of the castle though.

 

[whiporee]

Suggestions on where to go to watch where we can have decent views?? We're not super picky... We don't need to have a "prime" viewing location, but I don't think my guys will have the patience/desire to wait anywhere for 60 minutes for a spot...

They're fireworks. All you have to do is be in the park and look up. You might miss some of the stuff on the castle, but it won't ruin the show.

I usually defend Disney, but this one is tough. As with most things, I think they are trying to mitigate crowds and monetize them as well, but now they are just creating second-tier crowd spots. But, when you have people sitting on the curbs for two hours to get a good spot, that messes up traffic flow and ins't the point of being in the park (at least not from a WDW point of view). So they try to reduce the need to do that, just like they've tried to reduce the need for rope drop. But I don't think this one will work, because now they'll have people even earlier because there are fewer good free spots. That stinks.

f people would realize the only reason they keep taking things that used to be free and are now charging for them is because people will pay- they'll keep doing it. If you book this and still complain, you're the problem- not them. Same goes for after hours. Don't want your EMH taken away? Don't book those other money grabs. If they continuously sell out, why would they want to give EMH for free. Again- don't do it, for everyone's sake.

I think you're wrong about this. Once WDW takes something away, i think it's gone -- if DAH and EMM don't sell, they won't go back to old procedures, they just won't offer those hours anymore. They've either made the decision that a) the only justification for the extended hours is to increase revenue for them or b) there's no sense being open these hours, so let's see if we can entice people to pay for them. From a Disney point of view, if people aren't willing to pay for something, it must not have the value we assume it does. I think that's the case with both of the extended hours things, and all that will happen if they fail is that there will be fewer available hours for park visiting.

 

[Dizjunkieee]

Not surprised. So is there that much room by the desserts for everyone to sit beforehand? Or even to get to the desserts without a big wait?

That is exactly what I was thinking. I did the DP in December and thought it was overpriced for the quality of desserts you get, but also, the way they have it set up on the terrace is kind of in a back corner of that space. It was somewhat chaotic with just the number of guests on the terrace itself, let alone adding potentially hundreds more. NO THANKS, Disney!

 

[WDmommyof4]

We watched them from the bus stop last trip.and were first in line for a ride when they were over. They pipe the music out there and the view was pretty good.

 

[DoingDisney]

Bahaha, I think several people called exactly this ... who is surprised - Yet another up charge event !!!

 

[Andysol]

I think you're wrong about this. Once WDW takes something away, i think it's gone -- if DAH and EMM don't sell, they won't go back to old procedures, they just won't offer those hours anymore. They've either made the decision that a) the only justification for the extended hours is to increase revenue for them or b) there's no sense being open these hours, so let's see if we can entice people to pay for them. From a Disney point of view, if people aren't willing to pay for something, it must not have the value we assume it does. I think that's the case with both of the extended hours things, and all that will happen if they fail is that there will be fewer available hours for park visiting.

I agree with everything you just said- but that wasn't my point. My point was that if EMM and DAH are successful, you can all but kiss EMH away- they'll just add more DAH evenings. Unless we're so naive to think that this group of Disney management is going to keep allowing something for free that they can get substantial $ for...

 

[Robo]

We watched them from the bus stop last trip.and were first in line for a ride when they were over. They pipe the music out there and the view was pretty good.

It's difficult to try to explain things to so many readers who have never seen these events before.
Anyone reading this needs to know that you cannot see the castle from the MK bus stops.
While just seeing the higher-flying fireworks can be entertaining, it is not the same as being
able to see the show "Wishes," as it was designed.

And, if you can't see the castle, you also can't see any of the newest MK evening spectacular, "Celebrate the Magic," that starts 15 minutes before the fireworks.
"Celebrate the Magic," is a show that is considered by many to be equal to or better than Wishes for excitement and entertainment value.

 

[disneydeal]

Maybe I just don't understand. Explain it to me. Why would someone pay $50 per person to watch fireworks when you can watch for free? Oh you get a snack? I can get a lot of snacks on main street for my 50 bucks.

 

[Andysol]

Maybe I just don't understand. Explain it to me. Why would someone pay $50 per person to watch fireworks when you can watch for free? Oh you get a snack? I can get a lot of snacks on main street for my 50 bucks.

Youre wrong on two parts of your post.
1) Its $60 a person, not $50
2) You get mediocre snacks that aren't even little debbies quality brownies. So you can technically get higher quality snacks- and more of them- on main street for your 60 bucks.