Dessert party; highly original concern

[fractalpotato]

So, like many people, when we heard about the after fireworks dessert party, we snapped up the reservations, for four of us. Since then, I've read the EasyWDW review from Josh and we've been sort of waffling about canceling now. Our biggest thing is that we didn't want to waste time on getting a seat, but it seems as if we have to spend as much or nearly as much time holding a spot in the plaza garden area, and at nearly $300 for four of us, that seems ridiculous. None of us are big on desserts and won't have anywhere near enough to justify the cost. It's very frustrating!

So, I know it just started, but I'm looking for testimony from people who showed up shortly before the show began for the After party and how the crowd and view was, how does it compare to just waiting somewhere in the hub for an hour? If we're going to have to wait, we may was well wait for free I feel, unless we can still get decent viewing at the last minute, it's not worth the cost.

We are going late July for what it's worth.

Matt

 

[GADisneyDad14]

FWIW, in the short 7 night run of the existence of both parties so far (and around 18 days since the After Party was first announced), the only two people who have checked in with their experiences on the larger dessert party thread are linked below:

6/2/2018 - @irenep
5/28/2018 - @CMNJ

These don’t exactly address your question, but perhaps they are helpful.

 

[disneyvoice]

Never had a problem viewing the fireworks or castle projections, never done anything but show up right before it started and we have been during both very busy times and less crowded times. It is not necessary to have the castle in directly in front of you to enjoy the show. We have been in the direct center of Main Street before and it was a much less pleasant experience than being off to the side somewhere because of how packed in everyone gets. There is absolutely no need to pay all that money if all you are wanting is a decent view of the fireworks. If you are wanting the dessert party with a bonus view of the show then it could be worth it to some people. For us, we aren't big on desserts and by the end of the day the last thing we want to do is eat again. I will add that we have never been wowed by either fireworks or castle projections. Our favorite spot to watch the fireworks is in Fantasyland. We only watch from the Main Street area if we are visiting with guests who have never seen them before. We did do one of the Fireworks Desserts parties several years ago and decided it was a waste of money. The only reason we ate any of the dessert items was because we paid for them, not because we really wanted them and we didn't think the view of the fireworks was any better than any of the other locations we had watched them from for free.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

Personally I think it's worth it - we do it just to have some extra space. The crowds make my husband crazy so it's worth it to me.

I did 2 parties over 2 different spring breaks, because I knew the one was sold out we did go to the garden early to stake out our spot. We like standing next to the back railing so we can stand and not block anyone's view or be blocked. It's also nice to have something to lean against. Both parties had plenty of room in my opinion. I'm super excited that they have added savory items and my fav thing at Disney Ooey Gooey Toffee dessert. We will definitely do the party again.

 

[CarolynFH]

When we did the party we were some of the last people to travel from the terrace to the garden. It seemed that many if not most people were standing or sitting toward the front. We were very happy to find we had our choice of open space on the back fence to lean on. Had an excellent, nearly straight-on view of the castle projections and fireworks!

 

[randumb0]

Until they add alcohol....I'm out

 

[ellbell]

I was reading the easyWDW review last night. I have been to the garden view party before they added the after fireworks party. Based on what the review said I would book the later party and get there about 45 minutes in advance and sit in the spot you want to watch from. It may be harder to get a spot but it's still less crowded then general viewing. It would still be worth it to me because I don't like the feeling of not having my own space. General viewing is like being crammed into a sardine can.

 

[ErinsMommy]

we did the plaza dessert party on Memorial Day and while the HUB was pretty packed, the areas we were watching the fireworks in was quite comfortable. i want to say we got there about 20 minutes before the fireworks started, found a spot relatively up front, a couple of people were flat out lying down (and feeling pretty sick by then, i too laid down for a few minutes) and stood up just as the fireworks started. DH wasn't excited by the desserts, but i was just happy to have that area to relax in and get a pretty decent view.

 

[seelyt2]

We haven't been since they added the after party, but when we went last year there was no pushing or crowding in the gated Garden View section. Like the others stated previously guests were sitting on the grass until the show started and it was quite comfortable. I would think that some of that experience would be true even now with the after party; at least the no pushing part. Another nice feature for us is that we stayed in the area afterwards until the pushing crowd had died down.

 

[vicb]

I guess it is nice they have these options but I just don't think I will ever pull the trigger due to the extra expense. I really don't like how all these "extras" just feel like a money grab to me. We do all the fireworks shows with the masses and are just fine with that.

 

[seelyt2]

I will admit it was a one-and-done for me. It was nice, but at that price tag...once was enough.

 

[fractalpotato]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, based on the posts here and the poll responses, we are probably going to stick with it. Our main concern is that we're going to only get two shots to see the fireworks and we don't want to burn up valuable July touring time with waiting to see them if we don't have to. It sounds like we can save time and be more comfortable still doing it. The desserts are nice too but ultimately not that important.

Matt

 

[Disnsyncey]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, based on the posts here and the poll responses, we are probably going to stick with it. Our main concern is that we're going to only get two shots to see the fireworks and we don't want to burn up valuable July touring time with waiting to see them if we don't have to. It sounds like we can save time and be more comfortable still doing it. The desserts are nice too but ultimately not that important.

Matt

Ice cream is ALWAYS important hahahahaha

last year, when we did it, granted it was only 5 months after HEA started, but just WALKING to get checked in we were basically surrounded by people camping out for spots in every possible location behind all the tape lines the CMs had put down. Yes, I grabbed a spot for Together Forever at DL at the end of main street last week when I was by myself last minute, but I don't even want to have to try with the people waiting in the hub. We moved over to the garden probably 20 minutes before the fireworks, and we were comfortable (I think another DISer was sitting right beside us for our party and we didn't even know it!) and didn't have to worry about getting a spot hours ahead of time. My friend and I said that for our first HEA, we wanted the best possible view (as we had seen Wishes from every which way especially every night when I was working in CRT) for the least hassle and it worked really well for us. So well, that we are doing it again!