Dessert Party: Star Wars or HEA? What would you do??

[Jpmoore]

I'm having a hard time deciding. Star Wars or HEA dessert party? I've read reviews. They both sound great. Give me your opinions. Has anyone been to both?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I've been to both this summer twice and the consensus in my family is the desserts and party at the SW party is by far the best but HEA beats the SW fireworks/show by a mile.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Star Wars has stormtroopers... Just sayin.

 

[FastPasser.]

Cancelled response, wrong thread.

 

[deedubb]

I've been to both this summer twice and the consensus in my family is the desserts and party at the SW party is by far the best but HEA beats the SW fireworks/show by a mile.

Agree 100%. The only thing I would add however, is that if you're not going during an extremely busy time of the year, it will likely be harder to get a good spot for SW since the viewing area is smaller. There is a lot of room around the hub for HEA.

 

[Daniela Rose]

I'm doing both in September so I'm no help. I can report back if your trip is after that.

 

[Rusty2rules]

I'm with @Daniela Rose, I'm doing both in September. One thing I've read, though, is the Plaza Garden view for HEA is better viewing than the Terrace view, especially for the new HEA, if you decide to do that one. Somebody please correct me on that if I'm wrong.

 

[Jpmoore]

How fun to do both!! Okay, @Daniela Rose and @Rusty2rules, I need a full report after your trip!

 

[Rusty2rules]

How fun to do both!! Okay, @Daniela Rose and @Rusty2rules, I need a full report after your trip!

@Jpmoore, when are you going?

 

[Dolby1000]

Did the SW desert party last summer and ate too much and had a great view for the show. But since last summer, they have significantly reduced the amount of fireworks used during the show, and I mean by like, a LOT. If it is fireworks you seek, then HEA you must go. That show is stupendous, and being a huge Star Wars fan, saying I like HEA better is saying quite a lot.

Dolby1000

 

[Jpmoore]

@Jpmoore, when are you going?

First week in December. We are currently booked for HEA, however I have been hearing the rumors that JBJB will be alternating with SW. My boys are huge Star Wars fans, and had I thought the SW dessert party would be going on, probably would have planned our park days accordingly to include it in our plans. Trying to get my ducks in a row should the SW party indeed come out for December. Not sure if it is worth upending all of the plans we have already set in motion.

 

[Jpmoore]

Did the SW desert party last summer and ate too much and had a great view for the show. But since last summer, they have significantly reduced the amount of fireworks used during the show, and I mean by like, a LOT. If it is fireworks you seek, then HEA you must go. That show is stupendous, and being a huge Star Wars fan, saying I like HEA better is saying quite a lot.

Dolby1000

This is helpful information. Thank you.

 

[FastPasser.]

How fun to do both!! Okay, @Daniela Rose and @Rusty2rules, I need a full report after your trip!

There are a bunch of SW dessert party reviews on the SW thread. If you have any specific concerns, feel free to express them there. I hear there is someone on there that is extremely familiar with the SW dessert party.

Did the SW desert party last summer and ate too much and had a great view for the show. But since last summer, they have significantly reduced the amount of fireworks used during the show, and I mean by like, a LOT.

Did you see "Symphony in the Stars" or was it the current "Star Wars, a Galactic Spectacular" show?

 

[Vickie1016]

Hi all

I just returned from our July trip & attended both the Star Wars dessert party (I posted a review on the SW thread) and the Happily Ever After dessert party with Garden View. We loved both & each offer different things.

Quick review of our Star Wars experience - we were inside for the dessert party with easy walking access to the Character Meet & Greets (all of which had very minimal wait times). There are tables set up, but no chairs. The desserts are tasty and they offer a good variety & they have FROZEN NUTELLA! There are several savory items (like cheese & tomatoes, cheese & olives & pita & hummus) which for us was a nice addition to all of the sweets. They also offer liquor to those of drinking age. Storm Toppers roam the area & interact with the kids. The Storm Troopers then lead everyone to the roped off area to watch the fireworks. In our opinion - we love the show! It surrounds you - the music, the projections, the fireworks!

Quick review of our Happily Ever After experience - we chose the Garden View as to be more in front of the Castle to view the projections. The desserts are severed in the upper area of the Tomorrowland Terrace QS location, so you are outside but covered for the desserts. Each party has a table & chairs to sit and enjoy the desserts. Desserts were different then SW, still good though. Kids were able to decorate mini cupcakes and/or sugar cookies, as well as take a pre-plated dessert of rice krispie treat, fruit, marshmallow & a mickey straw & a chocolate sauce to dip everything into. You are offered sparkling cider as you enter. No liquor served. When you are done you are escorted to the Garden area. This show was truly AMAZING. Without giving anything away, what they can do with fireworks will blow you away. In our opinion - we loved this show as well! Totally worth to do it once as not to have to find a spot in front of the Castle well before the start of the show.

The HEA party was a last minute addition as the first MK night of our trip it rained so we did not stay to watch them. Best decision we made on the fly was to book this. Hope this helps!

 

[Rusty2rules]

First week in December. We are currently booked for HEA, however I have been hearing the rumors that JBJB will be alternating with SW. My boys are huge Star Wars fans, and had I thought the SW dessert party would be going on, probably would have planned our park days accordingly to include it in our plans. Trying to get my ducks in a row should the SW party indeed come out for December. Not sure if it is worth upending all of the plans we have already set in motion.

That's when we've gone before, the 1st or 2nd week of December. Love, love, love it! It can get chilly (like c-c-cold) at night, so be prepared for that.

 

[Jpmoore]

Hi all

I just returned from our July trip & attended both the Star Wars dessert party (I posted a review on the SW thread) and the Happily Ever After dessert party with Garden View. We loved both & each offer different things.

Quick review of our Star Wars experience - we were inside for the dessert party with easy walking access to the Character Meet & Greets (all of which had very minimal wait times). There are tables set up, but no chairs. The desserts are tasty and they offer a good variety & they have FROZEN NUTELLA! There are several savory items (like cheese & tomatoes, cheese & olives & pita & hummus) which for us was a nice addition to all of the sweets. They also offer liquor to those of drinking age. Storm Toppers roam the area & interact with the kids. The Storm Troopers then lead everyone to the roped off area to watch the fireworks. In our opinion - we love the show! It surrounds you - the music, the projections, the fireworks!

Quick review of our Happily Ever After experience - we chose the Garden View as to be more in front of the Castle to view the projections. The desserts are severed in the upper area of the Tomorrowland Terrace QS location, so you are outside but covered for the desserts. Each party has a table & chairs to sit and enjoy the desserts. Desserts were different then SW, still good though. Kids were able to decorate mini cupcakes and/or sugar cookies, as well as take a pre-plated dessert of rice krispie treat, fruit, marshmallow & a mickey straw & a chocolate sauce to dip everything into. You are offered sparkling cider as you enter. No liquor served. When you are done you are escorted to the Garden area. This show was truly AMAZING. Without giving anything away, what they can do with fireworks will blow you away. In our opinion - we loved this show as well! Totally worth to do it once as not to have to find a spot in front of the Castle well before the start of the show.

The HEA party was a last minute addition as the first MK night of our trip it rained so we did not stay to watch them. Best decision we made on the fly was to book this. Hope this helps!

And if you had to pick just one...

 

[Vickie1016]

Our first choice was Star Wars - we booked that as soon as the dates opened.

But - after seeing HEA in the Garden with space around us to move (not packed in like sardines...lol) it was worth the extra $$.

If I may suggest, go over to the SW thread, there are a lot of reviews as well as pictures. There are also suggestions of locations to watch the show without the dessert party.

 

[karrit2000]

I've done the SW Dessert party several times form the early days through as recently as May & really enjoyed it. As a previous poster said they have cut back on the Fireworks from when I first did it but they keep updating the show. On my next trip I will be checking out the new Frozen Party for Illuminations at EPCOT as well as HEA with the Plaza Viewing. After having done the wishes Dessert party during it's early days & again about a year & several price hikes later I swore never to waste my money on it again because honestly viewing the Fireworks from Tomorrowland Terrace is just about the worst possible view for any fireworks show in MK. I've read such rave reviews of the HEA with Plaza Viewing that I'm giving it a try this fall because I saw the show the first night in May & was totally blown away but want to be out of the crowd on Main Street. So if I had to pick just one I can't really answer you yet. Prior to HEA it was no contest as I always went with the SW party as my #1 vote, Illuminations Sparkling Dessert as # 2 & Tomorrowland Terrace as #3.

 

[FastPasser.]

On my next trip I will be checking out the new Frozen Party for Illuminations at EPCOT

If you haven't already checked it out go to:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/“frozen-ever-after-dessert-party”-with-fireworks-viewing-and-after-close-attraction-ride.3610900/

I always went with the SW party as my #1 vote, Illuminations Sparkling Dessert as # 2 & Tomorrowland Terrace as #3.

Excluding the shows and just based on the actual dessert parties, I would rate the new FEA dessert party #1.

 

[Jpmoore]

Our first choice was Star Wars - we booked that as soon as the dates opened.

But - after seeing HEA in the Garden with space around us to move (not packed in like sardines...lol) it was worth the extra $$.

If I may suggest, go over to the SW thread, there are a lot of reviews as well as pictures. There are also suggestions of locations to watch the show without the dessert party.

Thanks,@Vicki106! I appreciate your comparisons! I have read what feels like countless reviews of both parties. They both sound awesome! I just haven't found any reviews from people who have been to both parties and can tell me which they prefer. I knew there were Disers out there like you who could help me out!