Dessert Party on 12/30?

[PlutoTheDog89]

I have a quick question, but figured I'd flex some expertise and GIVE some advice and information, as well.

Magic Kingdom does a "NYE" party on 12/30, as well as 12/31. It's a nice opportunity to ring in the "new year" at Magic Kingdom, when it's far-less crowded, then go to another park and experience the real thing on 12/31.

MK usually follows up its fireworks with late-night EMHs (usually 12-2 or 1-3)

Now, a few things come into play here. It's not NYE crowded, but it is very crowded. Disney usually opens the backstage area to ease the congestion on Main Street. They have a DJ playing music—something they do for NYE and to keep people in good spirits. The show starts at 11:50pm and they countdown to midnight, just like on 12/31.

Over the past few years, we would usually grab dinner, then head over to the park. With it being so crowded and with the crowds not really dying down until 1 or 2am, we find ourselves wandering aimlessly. This means we're typically lining up for the fireworks around 10:30-10:45, then waiting.... and waiting... then seeing the fireworks... then walking around the park until the crowds thin out.

We were smart one year. We booked dinner at our resort, then went to the park at 10:30ish for dinner. It helps us avoid the crowds and the standing around and didn't feel so bad at 12:30.

With it being the last trip for a little while, we decided to go ahead and book a dessert party. What better time to book it than for 12/30?! To me, the idea of not having to stake out a spot for the fireworks on 12/30 is well worth the price. Plus, we can easily pack down some desserts and make it worth it.

We're playing around with some different plans and scenarios but I wanted to ask:

tl;dr: Does Disney do a dessert party on 12/30; does the reservation window open 180 days out; and is it the normal pricing or more expensive?

 

[gap2368]

I have a quick question, but figured I'd flex some expertise and GIVE some advice and information, as well.

Magic Kingdom does a "NYE" party on 12/30, as well as 12/31. It's a nice opportunity to ring in the "new year" at Magic Kingdom, when it's far-less crowded, then go to another park and experience the real thing on 12/31.

MK usually follows up its fireworks with late-night EMHs (usually 12-2 or 1-3)

Now, a few things come into play here. It's not NYE crowded, but it is very crowded. Disney usually opens the backstage area to ease the congestion on Main Street. They have a DJ playing music—something they do for NYE and to keep people in good spirits. The show starts at 11:50pm and they countdown to midnight, just like on 12/31.

Over the past few years, we would usually grab dinner, then head over to the park. With it being so crowded and with the crowds not really dying down until 1 or 2am, we find ourselves wandering aimlessly. This means we're typically lining up for the fireworks around 10:30-10:45, then waiting.... and waiting... then seeing the fireworks... then walking around the park until the crowds thin out.

We were smart one year. We booked dinner at our resort, then went to the park at 10:30ish for dinner. It helps us avoid the crowds and the standing around and didn't feel so bad at 12:30.

With it being the last trip for a little while, we decided to go ahead and book a dessert party. What better time to book it than for 12/30?! To me, the idea of not having to stake out a spot for the fireworks on 12/30 is well worth the price. Plus, we can easily pack down some desserts and make it worth it.

We're playing around with some different plans and scenarios but I wanted to ask:

tl;dr: Does Disney do a dessert party on 12/30; does the reservation window open 180 days out; and is it the normal pricing or more expensive?

I did the dessert party last New Year’s Eve for both fireworks I know they did not have it open 180 days in advance I looked and looked for s long time. I never saw the second one it was just all of a sudden full I found a high enough CM at HS that worked some huge Disney magic for me to get a spot for the second show. There is a dessert party thread and they watch night I think right now they are watching 4 of July

 

[GADisneyDad14]

tl;dr: Does Disney do a dessert party on 12/30; does the reservation window open 180 days out; and is it the normal pricing or more expensive?

Well at least you said it.

PP is correct. Granted Disney can always change things, but last year there were dessert parties for both the early and late fireworks. They were not available at 180 days out. Disney has a bad habit of “holding” special date dessert parties like 12/30 and 12/31 and randomly adds them in later. They just did it with 7/3 and 7/4, for example (ADRs were just released last week).

I can’t remember off the top of my head when they added 12/30 and 12/31 times last year. I can probably find it if I search enough around here.

It is normal pricing, same as a regular night.

We did the 12/30 early show Plaza Garden dessert party and had a great time. It was oddly pretty empty too. The late show seemed to be more popular, at least for many DISers.

Hope that helps!

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

We went on 12/30 last year too. I got my tickets kind of late. It was full but I kept stalking and found four but bought them one at a time over the course of a few days. I booked them about ten days ahead presumably when people started canceling before the five day cancellation window. Just in case you miss the initial purchase window you can try that.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

One addition to my post above, I checked my old e-mails and I have a confirmation e-mail for booking on 8/10/17. I can’t remember if I booked right when they became available, but I’m assuming there’s a good chance that I did (or sometime close).

ETA, just checked the bigger dessert party thread and the first mention of 12/30 and 12/31 was on 8/10. So they were either released that day or sometime around then.

Obviously past performance is never indicative of future results when Disney scheduling is concerned, so things could be different this year.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

One addition to my post above, I checked my old e-mails and I have a confirmation e-mail for booking on 8/10/17. I can’t remember if I booked right when they became available, but I’m assuming there’s a good chance that I did (or sometime close).

ETA, just checked the bigger dessert party thread and the first mention of 12/30 and 12/31 was on 8/10. So they were either released that day or sometime around then.

Obviously past performance is never indicative of future results when Disney scheduling is concerned, so things could be different this year.

Yeah, it's tough. I run a blog that specializes in Christmas at Disney and I know around June is when they announce the NYE parties at Contemporary, etc... but I can't remember them ever making a big stink about that dessert party. I always assumed it was released like any other party.

If you don't mind me asking - was it the same price as the HEA party?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you don't mind me asking - was it the same price as the HEA party?

Same price as the regular HEA party.

 

[grinder6]

Just FYI, the dessert party shows up now for ADR's. I have a long trip planned and 12/31 shows them available.