Changes to MK Wishes dessert party-Same Day Reservations

[glvsav37]

We usually do this dessert party every year. We actually love it, even with the price b/c to us it beats standing on Main St for an hour+ in August.

That said, I'm glad we passed on it this year b/c this new 'feature', along with the new way some say they are doing the tables and no standing is ludicrous.

It was already super crowded at the buffet lines and now adding a whole area's worth of people will make it a mad house. And with the 1st come 1st pick tables/no standing I'm not gambling with that charge to get stuck in the back under a roof.

On the flip side, I wonder how this will pan out...figure anyone who was willing to pay for this, most likely would have had it booked in advance (i.e. table guests) and there will be minimal day-of/walk ups. I'm going to wait for the reviews, but in this instance, being a walk-up may actually be better in the long run b/c you may have a good chunk of that Hub area to yourself.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

.

Well the Wishes FP was popular as well.

Popular but not revenue generating (at least not in a way that was directly quantifiable).

 

[Planogirl]

If I understand it correctly anyone that books a dessert party can move to the hub viewing area if they wish to. I just wonder how they'll control that.

 

[horse11]

If I understand it correctly anyone that books a dessert party can move to the hub viewing area if they wish to. I just wonder how they'll control that.

What makes the hub Area or old FP wishes area better than the tables?

 

[Planogirl]

What makes the hub Area or old FP wishes area better than the tables?

I've never fooled with the dessert parties but many have told me that the hub view is far better than the tables. Maybe it's the partially obstructed view that some get?

 

[disneyygirrl]

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

 

[andyman8]

My guess is you'll have the upper terrace dedicated to seating for "walk-up" guests and the bottom terrace (where the dessert party currently is held) for those that booked online in advance. With this setup they might move the dessert stations themselves to a new location accessible from both terraces, though not sure where that would be (maybe the path that separates them or the ordering area?). That's the only way I see this working without getting too cluttered. They'll probably have different color wristbands or whatever to differentiate between walk-up guests and those that made reservations. Either way, they're going to have to push and market this hard on the day of to get enough guests to fill that upper deck and those viewing areas. Most guests who would not be making reservations in advance for an event like this that interests them won't be reading forums and fan sites like this that tell them to show up at 10:30am to get a "walk-up" reservation.

Also, gotta love how they just casually slipped in there that they upped the price $10 (it used to be $49, now it's $59).

 

[beesly]

Honestly, I am surprised they are giving the best viewing location to the same day folks. That just doesn't make sense to me. Especially if the early reservations are non-refundable (although I'm confused because it sounds like some people here have cancelled).

Early reservations are refundable up to 5 days before the party. A guest would forfeit the full reservation price, though, if (for example) they canceled anytime within 5 days because they saw inclement weather in the forecast (or let's say it had even been raining all day on the day of the party, showing no signs of letting up) - EVEN IF Wishes ends up canceled due to the inclement weather. But now other guests can wait until the same day to evaluate whether it's worth attending.

Also, gotta love how they just casually slipped in there that they upped the price $10 (it used to be $49, now it's $59).

The price was increased to $59 back in the fall. I'm surprised that this change didn't come with yet another increase.

 

[Robo]

Let me get this right all the desserts will be served in the Tomorrowland Terrace?

That's what's been said.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The idea about dinner packages above was a better idea (you have to eat anyway).

 

[Robo]

The idea about dinner packages above was a better idea (you have to eat anyway).

This way, you have to pay to eat dinner (cha-ching!)
THEN, you have to pay to eat dessert (cha-cha-ching!)

 

[Hikergirl]

We did the dessert party a couple years ago and it was great. The desserts were ok, but I loved having a reserved table and a nice view of wishes. It wasn't too crowded, enough people to line up along the railing without others having to stay behind.
Having said that, the buffet line to get the desserts moved pretty slow and it just seemed jammed up. I can't imagine what it would be like adding even more people to go through it. The lack of assigned seating stinks too, not to mention the previous price increase. It was worth it for us when we did it but no way would I do it again after these changes.

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

What makes the hub Area or old FP wishes area better than the tables?

For us, there is nothing like watching Wishes with a direct view of the castle. The terrace area gives you a view from the side, and most of the fireworks appear to the right of the castle rather than directly over it

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

I wouldn't be surprised if they don't have trouble filling with walk-ups. Even with NO advertisement, at our past parties, there were always people in line to check in who got turned away-- I've heard remarks at the podium from guests like, "Oh, sorry! I just saw people lining up, so I thought I'd see what it was for!"

I'd pay for an even better dessert party in the hub area, actually. We are paying $79/pp for the World of Color dessert party at DLR next month. It does include a glass of champagne, a table (some are high-top tables), and pre-plated dessert. Wish they would do something like that, honestly.

 

[Robo]

We did the dessert party a couple years ago and it was great. The desserts were ok, but I loved having a reserved table and a nice view of wishes. It wasn't too crowded, enough people to line up along the railing without others having to stay behind.
Having said that, the buffet line to get the desserts moved pretty slow and it just seemed jammed up. I can't imagine what it would be like adding even more people to go through it.

Agreed.
If they attempt to serve approx. the same number of guests that they used to allow into the twin Wishes FP+ Hub areas...
that number of guests trying to eat desserts in 30-40 minutes, or so (they would need to be out into the viewing area by 20 min. before the start of Wishes) would far exceed the current number of guests who attend the "regular" Wishes Dessert Party.

This could actually be up to three times the number of guests who attend the "regular" Wishes Dessert Party all in the Tomorrowland Terrace serving area(s) in one 30-40 min. period of time.

A further complication is guests who attempt to watch the MSEP and THEN show up at the Tom. Terrace for the Dessert Party.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

I knew that's what they were up to when they did away with the FP for Wishes. We joke around about how in the old days you could sit in tomorrowland terrace for free : )

 

[emilymad]

Ugh. I was really hoping for a nice dessert party in these spaces like they are doing for the Starwars Fireworks. I don't feel like doing day of reservations for anything and the desserts at the current dessert party are mediocre at best.

I loved the Wishes FP+ and I am sad it is gone but not surprised. I feel like Disney had a way to make even more money and is taking the lazy way out.

 

[Chevy]

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.

 

[Andysol]

Wow.. What a horrible set up. That is a lot of money to spend on a partially obstructed view and some so-so desserts. I am surprised that people keep on paying for stuff like this.

A fool and his money @TML2012 ...

As a frequenter of another forum- when I saw this news, I thought- who in their right mind would ever pay for this?

Then I come to DIS, and my answer is revealed.

If 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.

 

[HopperFan]

A fool and his money @TML2012 ...

As a frequenter of another forum- when I saw this news, I thought- who in their right mind would ever pay for this?

Then I come to DIS, and my answer is revealed.

If 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.

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.