Dessert Parties for the 1st Disney trip - worth it?

[Cup-of-Tea]

Hi,

I will be taking my family to the first (and possibly last, as it took ages to talk my hubby into this one) Disney World trip this May.

We will probably be overwhelmed by amount of everything around us, and clueless of where to go for fireworks etc... make all those newbie mistakes...

So, I was wondering if Desert Parties really gain you a better view without having to wait in one spot and if you would recommend only one of them - which one would you choose?

 

[Leafsgirl36]

I have done both the Wishes and the Star Wars one. I liked the Wishes one because you could sit at a table and didn't have to fight for a spot to watch the fire works. Since the price went up I can't justify the cost to do it again but everyone is different. We did the Star Wars one this year and I didn't like the fact that there were no chairs at the tables to sit but the desserts and drinks were much better then at the MK and the view to see the show was fantastic. In my opinion if you can swing it, it is great to do at least once.

 

[whiporee]

I'm a fan of the MK desert party, especially this May when it'll either be the first viewings of the new show or the last viewings of Wishes, so firework viewing will be a priority (in fact, I'd be sort of surprised if you can get ADRs for them still). That area along the Hub and Main Street during the fireworks is my definition of hell. Plus, you don't want to have to jockey for space with 50,000 other people, or worry about kids not being able to see or ipods in front of you or whatever. Either of the versions of that party is better than duking it out with the masses if you can afford the splurge.

The Star Wars doesn't have the claustrophobic feel that The Hub gets, and you can enjoy it without getting crushed or yelled at.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I will be taking my family to the first (and possibly last, as it took ages to talk my hubby into this one) Disney World trip this May.

I haven't done the dessert parties, yet, but I'm planning on the Star Wars one next trip because of the good things I've heard. But I really just wanted to say, don't count on never going again. I can't tell you how many people on these boards said/thought the same thing on their first trip.

 

[Cup-of-Tea]

Leafsgirl - the Wishes is so expensive, and I'm reading good feedback on the StarWars one. I was leaning towards that one as well. But Wishes seems to be the classic one, so that was the reason why I decided to post.

Whiporee - oh, that's why the terrace one is sold out - I thought it was weird.... The Garden Plaza is available though - is that just as good?

ZephyrHawk - I just wonder if my husband will like it. Waiting in lines is his definition of hell, and DisneyWorld seems all about lines... And he is too serious to care about Disney (I however love it).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you can only pick one, do MK. Yes, it's the classic and, while I like the Star Wars show, it doesn't compare to the MK show, IMHO. We've done the MK fireworks several times and it gets so, so crowded. Quite honestly, we will never see it again UNLESS we book the dessert party. I swore I would never even see it again because the crowds and trying to get out were so bad, but this past Dec., as a special treat, I booked the Wishes Dessert Party with Plaza Garden viewing and it was FANTASTIC! You have dessert (which is very good!) at Tomorrowland Terrace and soon before the show, they escort the Plaza Garden guests to the area. There are NO crowds! I suggest heading toward the back of Plaza Gardens by the back railing. There was NO ONE standing in front of us. We had so much room we could have done cartwheels! The view is spectacular and then we stayed to see the projection show. What's nice is you can hang out there (we just sat on the ground), while the crowds file out and once it's fairly empty, you can walk around without feeling like you are being trampled. Anyway - long winded way to suggest you book the MK Dessert party with the Plaza Garden viewing. We will do it again in August. We haven't done the Star Wars party (I'm sure it's great), but if this is your one-and-done WDW trip, I really suggest the MK party.

 

[Cup-of-Tea]

DisneyWishes - thats awesome! very helpful!

 

[TheBigErn]

All dessert parties are expensive and you'll never get your money's worth strictly looking at it from a value viewpoint. In other words, you can't possibly eat enough to justify the cost. So you just have to pick what you like and do it. Even though they aren't good value, they are fun and a unique thing to do.

 

[KittyKitty]

If this is the 1st time for everyone, I would keep it simple. You will be amazed how big WDW is, 40-47 square miles, thus taking time to get to each location. Depending on when you are going, you can't avoid waiting in one spot for something. And how tired you and your family will get from all the walking, which means you may want to change your plans on the spot.

BUT you will have fun!!!

 

[GillianP1301]

We love the dessert parties and have done the MK/Wishes one a few times, including one during MNSSHP and did the SW one last year. For me, I really like being able to relax and enjoy some nice treats before the fireworks without having to worry about scoping out a good spot.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I would not do a dessert party on my very first trip to WDW. The parties take a lot of time and are very expensive. You will be overwhelmed and exhausted by everything that there is to do at WDW. I would not add a dessert party into the mix.

 

[serene56]

I would not do a dessert party on my very first trip to WDW. The parties take a lot of time and are very expensive. You will be overwhelmed and exhausted by everything that there is to do at WDW. I would not add a dessert party into the mix.

I dont understand where it takes a lot of time.
its one hour and 15 minutes (time that will be needed to get a place for the fireworks anyway. We got the Plaza Garden viewing dessert party. We went to the dessert party about an hour before FW. about 15-20 minutes before the FW started we were escorted to the garden where we had planty of room in the back. (everyone seemed to surge to the front when they started. We stayed put for a bit after so the crowds can clear out. For me it was money well spent

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I dont understand where it takes a lot of time.
its one hour and 15 minutes (time that will be needed to get a place for the fireworks anyway. We got the Plaza Garden viewing dessert party. We went to the dessert party about an hour before FW. about 15-20 minutes before the FW started we were escorted to the garden where we had planty of room in the back. (everyone seemed to surge to the front when they started. We stayed put for a bit after so the crowds can clear out. For me it was money well spent

I completely agree with this, particularly with the Plaza Garden viewing. With the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing, yes, you need to be there early to get a good table, but with Plaza Garden viewing, it doesn't matter where you sit and everyone gets the same desserts. When we went, we were the absolute last people to arrive because we got caught in the rain over in BTMRR. We showed up about 30-40 minutes before the fireworks started (certainly less time than we would have needed if we were to secure a spot with the general crowd in MK) which was perfect. We had about 15 - 20 minutes to eat dessert, which was plenty of time and then were escorted to the viewing area. It actually took less time IMHO to do the party and get a great spot than it would have if we were to stake out our own spot for the fireworks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

There is usually room to watch the fireworks in the Hub area and you don't have to find a spot ahead of time to get a good view. We like the area right in front of Casey's. It is free to watch the fireworks from there, too.

 

[mommy_to_C]

I completely agree with this, particularly with the Plaza Garden viewing. With the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing, yes, you need to be there early to get a good table, but with Plaza Garden viewing, it doesn't matter where you sit and everyone gets the same desserts. When we went, we were the absolute last people to arrive because we got caught in the rain over in BTMRR. We showed up about 30-40 minutes before the fireworks started (certainly less time than we would have needed if we were to secure a spot with the general crowd in MK) which was perfect. We had about 15 - 20 minutes to eat dessert, which was plenty of time and then were escorted to the viewing area. It actually took less time IMHO to do the party and get a great spot than it would have if we were to stake out our own spot for the fireworks.

I agree, too. We arrived between 7:00 and 7:15 pm this past Tuesday - there was no line to check in, and we had plenty of time for dessert. The viewing location was wonderful (and wonderfully uncrowded). This was our 3rd WDW trip, but our 1st time watching Wishes, and given how much DH hates crowds (and standing in line/waiting for parades/fireworks), it was definitely worth it for us.

Whether it's worth it for your family may depend on why your DH doesn't want to go to WDW. My DH never wanted to go, but has been willing to tack days at WDW onto a meeting I have in Orlando every other year - for the sake of our DDs, who love WDW.

 

[GeraldineW]

We love the dessert party both for a place to sit and be out of the crowds and for not spending our precious park time scoping out a viewing spot. My DH won’t do crowds so I’ve found the dessert party the best way for our family to enjoy the fireworks and a break. It is expensive but our entire trip is expensive and the dessert party buys us more time to enjoy attractions and less just waiting around holding a spot so I see it as a worthwhile expense (disney math). I recently helped a good friend plan her first trip for her family of 5. We booked her for the Wishes dessert party on their last night. She told me that she will always do the dessert party on future trips, they enjoyed it that much.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Being your first (and possibly only) trip, I wouldn't waste time or money on the dessert parties. We loved doing the Wishes party before the price went up. To me they've tried to make it into too much of a fancy affair with the tablecloths and sparkling cider. I liked it better when it was plain and simple, and affordable. We had to try it with the new format, but I hated it and won't do it again. I also heard they no longer do assigned seating, and that was the nicest part. And IMO, the view of Wishes is much better from Main Street USA. I saw a lot of people on our last trip just walk up right before the fireworks began and get a great spot. It's just so much more magical with a straight on view.
We did the dessert party at HS when it was Frozen, and I wouldn't do that one again, either. We found a great spot for the SW fireworks this past summer, and only got there about 20 minutes before the show started. The reserved viewing at HS (IMO) was too close. I liked being down Hollywood Blvd a little so I could see the whole thing.
We haven't done the dessert party during Illuminations. It's on my list, but I'll wait until my DD14 is 21. I hate that they don't have a non-alcoholic option for these parties, especially if the person is under age. But viewing for Illuminations is huge, so I wouldn't do it for the view. There are so many places around World Showcase, you should be able to find a spot with no problem. And grab some candy in Germany, or my DD's favorite, caramel corn!