Do you book the HEA dessert party every visit?

[jliucci]

We booked the HEA dessert party last year for our 2.5yo first trip. We thought it would be easier with a toddler. She ended up sleeping through the show but we really enjoyed the plaza garden seating. My guestion is do you book the dessert party every trip? If we didn’t want to spend the extra $$ this Sept where is a good spot to view HEA from? How early do you get a spot? Thanks!

 

[disneygirlsng]

We booked the HEA dessert party last year for our 2.5yo first trip. We thought it would be easier with a toddler. She ended up sleeping through the show but we really enjoyed the plaza garden seating. My guestion is do you book the dessert party every trip? If we didn’t want to spend the extra $$ this Sept where is a good spot to view HEA from? How early do you get a spot? Thanks!

I have had no problem getting a good spot in the hub about 15-20 minutes before the show many times. I usually go either in front of or behind the fountains on either side.

 

[ellbell]

I usually do. My first trip was the only one I didn't and I didn't even watch HEA that trip cause my one evening in MK was during MNSSHP.

I'm going again in August and will be booking again.

 

[FastPasser.]

Never have.

 

[Calee]

We never have.

 

[Brett Wyman]

We’ve done the cheaper version twice and love it.

 

[Figment Mom]

For me it will depend on circumstances. This trip I booked it because it will be the end of my long travel day. I want to take a late afternoon break and return to MK just before the show and not have to worry about staking out a spot.

Another time I may grab some food and relax in a fireworks spot to wait for the show.

 

[georgina]

Never booked a dessert party. I don't have small children, so I just go around 30 minutes before the show when they make everyone stand up and squish together.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We don’t watch HEA on every trip, but when we do watch it, we book the party.

 

[puffkin]

We have never had issues getting a decent spot for HEA 15-20 minutes before except for "party season" when they only show it 1 or 2 nights a week.

 

[mousefan73]

Seeing we did this party once years ago and It wasn’t what we imagine and the has increased , we would never do it again. But that’s just for our family as this was not the right fit. I had assumed that by booking the desert party we would have guaranteed seating to watch the fireworks. This is not true you still have to get up and fight for a good spot on the railing and stand. I have thought this would be a way for a guaranteed seat for my mother to watch the fireworks as she can’t stand for long periods. and that is not the case. just as a heads up for people who assume this is a seated viewing

 

[cakebaker]

For the past few years, yes. Won't ever watch MK fireworks without it again.

 

[cakebaker]

Seeing we did this party once years ago and It wasn’t what we imagine and the has increased , we would never do it again. But that’s just for our family as this was not the right fit. I had assumed that by booking the desert party we would have guaranteed seating to watch the fireworks. This is not true you still have to get up and fight for a good spot on the railing and stand. I have thought this would be a way for a guaranteed seat for my mother to watch the fireworks as she can’t stand for long periods. and that is not the case. just as a heads up for people who assume this is a seated viewing

There is an option that gives you a guaranteed seat with no one blocking you at the railing.

 

[mousefan73]

There is an option that gives you a guaranteed seat with no one blocking you at the railing.

That must be new. So do you pay more to be in that first row? Because the rest of the seating you don’t see any fireworks unless you stand by the railing because the roof of the terrace blocks your view.
And as I recall it was frustrating we were actually in that first row and had a great view of the castle but of course when the fireworks started everyone gets up and stood in front of us and blocked our seated view.

 

[NickC]

We've done the dessert parties in the past. I can see why some people like them, but it doesn't really fit our touring style. About half the nights we are at WDW, we are in bed before the fireworks anyway.
But, I would say that if you loved the party, aside from the cost, there is no reason not to do it once every trip...or twice if you wanted.

 

[;-)]

I can't for the life of me justify the value of a dessert party. I get it you'll get your own "VIP" section, but you're still being moved and cramped like cattle. I disregard the dessert aspect of it because really how many sweets can you eat. Yes ok cheese/crackers/cheeseburger egg rolls, make you feel like you can make a meal out of it, but really? The value just isn't there. LOVE Disney, don't get me wrong, but this is what I call a Disney "FOMO" event. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars for your family to watch fireworks (which are included in park admission), go grab a dessert of choice, spend about $30-$40 on desserts for the family and watch the fireworks for free.

 

[gap2368]

We booked the HEA dessert party last year for our 2.5yo first trip. We thought it would be easier with a toddler. She ended up sleeping through the show but we really enjoyed the plaza garden seating. My guestion is do you book the dessert party every trip? If we didn’t want to spend the extra $$ this Sept where is a good spot to view HEA from? How early do you get a spot? Thanks!

I book it once a year for my birthday. As something special

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

We went to MK last Dec during party season and HEA was only shown 3 nights that week. We saw it on Wed and tried to do the dessert party, but both sold out. I was nervous about the crowds, but I googled and read a few bloggers’ recommendations on where to stand for the best view, and we got there 30 mins early. We had no problem getting a good spot and although it was crowded it didn’t feel crammed. I know the OP mentioned already having seen HEA, but if there is anyone reading this who hasn’t... I thought HEA was absolutely amazing and so did DH. Whatever you do, dessert party or not, just don’t miss it!

 

[Katie Dawn]

We tried it for the first time during Fall Break (October) last year. I would 100% do it again during "party season" (MNSSHP & MVMCP) because they only do HEA 3 or maybe 4 days each week so HEA is Super Packed. More than an hour before hand people were standing so uncomfortably close to each other and still had a long time to wait. My daughter is 8 - she's big enough that I can't hold her through the show but short enough that she would NOT have been able to see anything but the very top of the castle if we were stuffed into that crowd.

The dessert party was NOT packed... several people sat on the ground the entire time even during HEA. My daughter made some friends and ran around the enclosed area awhile before hand. That wouldn't have been possible without the viewing area... I would have had to keep close tabs on her just due to the sheer crush of people. I think we would have been pretty miserable.

The dessert party was absolutely worth it for us. No, it's not about the desserts. It's about having a relaxing/roomy spot to wait before the show and then a view that my daughter could enjoy that she couldn't otherwise.

 

[gap2368]

The dessert party was NOT packed... several people sat on the ground the entire time even during HEA.

This 100% it is not packet at all. the front might be a little but the back not at all it is a very nice amount of people the view is great. I have done it problem 10-15 times and I always find a spot in the back and sit or lean against the railing. if I had the money I would do it every trip but I do not some just once a year ( for the most park some times I will do it twice like I did it new years eve. )