Changes to MK Wishes dessert party-Same Day Reservations

[MrsHammer]

The latest change is making me more inclined to keep it. I was really worried about the lack of reserved seating and having to line up. But now, I figure my worst case scenario if we get a second row table is move to the day of area (space permitting) or watch from the standing areas at TTR (that people are reporting exist). So, I'm feeling better about it again. I'm strongly against "saving" a spot for an hour beforehand (not philosophically against--just personally it stresses me out and frustrates me), so it still feels nice to have a "spot." I am at least holding off until we get more reviews of how it is going. I'm sure they will change it again at least 2 or 3 more times before we go!

A second row table is still a great view. When we were there Apr 9th, you would have a good view unless you were 3rd row or further back, and even then it would have depended on which part of the terrace your table was at. Some of the third row tables still have a fairly good view.

 

[MrsHammer]

That's good to know - I hadn't heard that!

Yes, when I was there on Apr 9th, there were standing areas at both 'ends' of the terrace. The cast member that seated us told us those areas were specifically for anyone who felt that their table view was obstructed. With this week's changes, I'm not sure if that has changed though.

 

[Snookies]

In all fairness, has it really been publicized? I'm sure the word will get out soon enough and it will fill up.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm thinking that it's also possible the market for this may be uber planners who book very early. They may already be selling as many as they can to satisfy market demand. I appreciate the post about just moving to the former fp+ area if you don't like the view from your table. I hadn't thought about it that way and may be more inclined to keep reservations.

 

[Chevy]

A second row table is still a great view. When we were there Apr 9th, you would have a good view unless you were 3rd row or further back, and even then it would have depended on which part of the terrace your table was at. Some of the third row tables still have a fairly good view.

That's good to know. Is there a better side (left, right, center)?

Thank you!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Ok, so I just read someone's review that basically said that they lined up for the dessert party at 8pm for 10pm wishes.

I get that the terrace has preferred viewing, but to pay all that extra money and STILL have to essentially "stake out a spot"...... I'm in the do-not-get-it category.

 

[Interrobang]

A second row table is still a great view. When we were there Apr 9th, you would have a good view unless you were 3rd row or further back, and even then it would have depended on which part of the terrace your table was at. Some of the third row tables still have a fairly good view.

Thanks! This is making me feel even better. I'm just going to try it, show up 15 minutes before, and roll with the punches. I'll report back mid-June!

 

[Cluelyss]

That's good to know. Is there a better side (left, right, center)?

Thank you!

If you like your fireworks "centered" over the castle, go as far left as you can (farther from the castle). There's not a bad view on the terrace though.

 

[Cluelyss]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm thinking that it's also possible the market for this may be uber planners who book very early. They may already be selling as many as they can to satisfy market demand. I appreciate the post about just moving to the former fp+ area if you don't like the view from your table. I hadn't thought about it that way and may be more inclined to keep reservations.

I would be more inclined to book an ADR if I knew I would be guaranteed a spot in the garden. I prefer the view from there anyway.

For us, we are booked July 3 mainly to get off Main Street that night, though, so will likely end up keeping regardless of the reviews that start rolling in.

 

[Mikie]

josh tweeted earlier that they had literally sold 4 spots of same day seating for tonight so far.

In all fairness, has it really been publicized? I'm sure the word will get out soon enough and it will fill up.

I'm pretty surprised by the lack of sales, but can only guess it's due to lack of advertising. I've never been interested in buying dessert party tix, but I was under the impression that they all get snapped up pretty quickly, so I would have thought the day-of offering would be a hit. What are crowd levels today? I would also guess big crowds would result in day-of sales - people seeing a full park and wanting to be assured of a good viewing spot.

 

[awdwnut]

josh tweeted earlier that they had literally sold 4 spots of same day seating for tonight so far.

It seems to me that this has the possibility of making a lot of guests very upset. If there are only a hand full of same day dessert party guests in the former Wishes FP area and the rest of the hub is packed to the gills.... I foresee quite a few of upset people. You cannot waste a large amount of prime real estate when the masses are stacked on top of each other right on the other side of the fence.

awdwnut

 

[CarrieR]

I wonder if they'll sell more AT dessert party time - people who see the party in session and want to get in.

 

[Cluelyss]

I wonder if they'll sell more AT dessert party time - people who see the party in session and want to get in.

Or see it today and inquire about it, and buy a same day ticket tomorrow. It's only a matter of time until word gets out. I wonder if there's a cut off during the day when they stop selling tickets? On a very busy day I could see people buying one minutes before the fireworks start, just for a good view.

 

[MrsHammer]

It seems to me that this has the possibility of making a lot of guests very upset. If there are only a hand full of same day dessert party guests in the former Wishes FP area and the rest of the hub is packed to the gills.... I foresee quite a few of upset people. You cannot waste a large amount of prime real estate when the masses are stacked on top of each other right on the other side of the fence.

awdwnut

Josh had also said last night that only half of the Plaza side viewing area was blocked off for the party guests. So that leaves 75% of the original fastpass areas open to the public. I guess it remains to be seen if the party area fluctuates depending on bookings or if it will continue to only be half of the area.

 

[Mikie]

Josh had also said last night that only half of the Plaza side viewing area was blocked off for the party guests. So that leaves 75% of the original fastpass areas open to the public. I guess it remains to be seen if the party area fluctuates depending on bookings or if it will continue to only be half of the area.

Hmmm. . . Not sure how I'd feel about that as a dessert party guest. I paid $49pp, but the guy I can shake hands with 2 feet away paid nothing for the same grassy area. Although I suppose the freebie guy had to take his chances and stake it out while I got cupcakes and a guaranteed spot. . .

 

[Skywise]

Hmmm. . . Not sure how I'd feel about that as a dessert party guest. I paid $49pp, but the guy I can shake hands with 2 feet away paid nothing for the same grassy area. Although I suppose the freebie guy had to take his chances and stake it out while I got cupcakes and a guaranteed spot. . .

Ya gotta wonder how long before they give up the ruse and just charge people to enter the FP+ areas outright at show time. Tap you band or ticket card or swipe your credit card for a $10 entry fee (of course with a $60 fee for desserts which can't possibly be costing them more than $10 per person they'd probably be losing money doing that... )

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

josh tweeted earlier that they had literally sold 4 spots of same day seating for tonight so far.

Wow. That's shocking actually. There are reports that the second night of DAH sold fewer tickets than the first, which also shocks me after the good press about very low crowds. I think DAH is a price point issue. Maybe the day of dessert party is too in that they've basically maxed out the number of people who want to go at that price or people haven't budgeted for it might see it and like the idea but there's too much sticker shock? Very interesting.

 

[Cluelyss]

Wow. That's shocking actually. There are reports that the second night of DAH sold fewer tickets than the first, which also shocks me after the good press about very low crowds. I think DAH is a price point issue. Maybe the day of dessert party is too in that they've basically maxed out the number of people who want to go at that price or people haven't budgeted for it might see it and like the idea but there's too much sticker shock? Very interesting.

The first night of DAH "sold out" because Disney offered free admission to DVC guests that were currently on property that night. It's wasn't due to general public sales.

 

[racefans44]

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.

This is my feelings exactly. I purchased tickets at my 180 day mark for May 14. I have emailed Disney hoping for some answers. I will share them if I get any.

 

[Interrobang]

Hmmm. . . Not sure how I'd feel about that as a dessert party guest. I paid $49pp, but the guy I can shake hands with 2 feet away paid nothing for the same grassy area. Although I suppose the freebie guy had to take his chances and stake it out while I got cupcakes and a guaranteed spot. . .

There is a market for this. I would happily pay money to stand next to the guy who got it for free--even without desserts--because that's how much I really, really, really don't want to have to "stake out" a spot. I would pay just to be able to stand in a decent spot that was "mine". I've actually never watched one of the parades at Disney because I so very much do not want to have to stake out a spot. I would love it if they would just let me pay money to have a good space. Even if others could get the same thing for free with a time/stress commitment.

I wouldn't be sitting there thinking "that schmuck waited for his spot." But, I sure wouldn't feel like I got the lesser deal either.

 

[Hikergirl]

Ok, so I just read someone's review that basically said that they lined up for the dessert party at 8pm for 10pm wishes.

I get that the terrace has preferred viewing, but to pay all that extra money and STILL have to essentially "stake out a spot"...... I'm in the do-not-get-it category.

I totally agree. When we did it there was assigned tables, and the price was much lower so for us it was totally worth it. Now, with the changes and price increase this event loses its value for us.