Fireworks Dessert Party - Plaza Garden view

[Robo]

Have a great trip!

 

[drea21]

I just saw this pop up when I was browsing ADR's for my upcoming last minute trip. I booked it, having no idea what I was actually booking, then decided to research what exactly "Dessert party with plaza garden viewing" actually meant, ha! We did the Star Wars party and loved it, but I think the free flowing booze might have also contributed to our assessment ;-) Now I'm debating this. Looking forward to more reviews!

 

[DynamicDisney]

My sis and I went to the fireworks party with plaza view on Sat Oct 15. They began checkin just about 825pm, which was at the bottom of the ramp to the Tomorrowland Terrace. We were then brought up to the right, and were allowed to pick our own table. The tables had black table clothes on them. There was a dessert buffet set up within this area - desserts, coffee, juices, and hot chocolate. There was also ice cream with various toppings, cookies, and fruit and cheese. We all were able to have sparkling apple juice as well. Then, after eating to our heart's content, we were allowed to enter the plaza area about 930pm. Celebrate The Magic was at 945, then Wishes at 10. The area was not crowded at all. Plenty of room to sit and see the fireworks. We did end up standing up for both CTM and Wishes, as the crowd in front of the plaza was so packed in, we could not see the castle from sitting down. My sister loved the special splurge. I think having done both now, I am okay with not doing them again in the future. I think they both had their advantages. I liked the darkened atmosphere in the terrace setting, the lanterns on the table, and sitting down for the duration. The plaza view does provide you with a more straight-on view, which was nice - especially for my sister who had never seen either CTM or Wishes. Glad I did choose to splurge. It was nice to sit and eat desserts instead of having to stake our claim on a spot for that amount of time. Especially since earlier that afternoon, we staked our claim for a parade spot.

 

[tazleiten12]

So this was for the GARDEN plaza viewing? Does anyone know for the other party at Tomorrowland Terrace is it assigned seating or do you also pick you own seats? Thanks!

My sis and I went to the fireworks party with plaza view on Sat Oct 15. They began checkin just about 825pm, which was at the bottom of the ramp to the Tomorrowland Terrace. We were then brought up to the right, and were allowed to pick our own table. The tables had black table clothes on them. There was a dessert buffet set up within this area - desserts, coffee, juices, and hot chocolate. There was also ice cream with various toppings, cookies, and fruit and cheese. We all were able to have sparkling apple juice as well. Then, after eating to our heart's content, we were allowed to enter the plaza area about 930pm. Celebrate The Magic was at 945, then Wishes at 10. The area was not crowded at all. Plenty of room to sit and see the fireworks. We did end up standing up for both CTM and Wishes, as the crowd in front of the plaza was so packed in, we could not see the castle from sitting down. My sister loved the special splurge. I think having done both now, I am okay with not doing them again in the future. I think they both had their advantages. I liked the darkened atmosphere in the terrace setting, the lanterns on the table, and sitting down for the duration. The plaza view does provide you with a more straight-on view, which was nice - especially for my sister who had never seen either CTM or Wishes. Glad I did choose to splurge. It was nice to sit and eat desserts instead of having to stake our claim on a spot for that amount of time. Especially since earlier that afternoon, we staked our claim for a parade spot.

 

[OhhBother]

How was your view in the plaza section? Were you able to see Celebrate The Magic as well?

There isn't a view from the tables in the Plaza section -- not much of one anyway. You eat at the tables. And then right before Celebrate the Magic, you walk down to the garden area in front of the castle and watch the fireworks from there. Amazing view!

To answer the question about tables, yes, both dessert parties have tables and chairs. The "terrace" dessert party has tables in the lower level of the restaurant. The "plaza" party has tables in the upper level of the restaurant. The terrace people stay at their tables to watch the fireworks, and the plaza people walk down to the garden area. Having done both now, I prefer the view from the garden area. But -- as I stated previously -- I no longer recommend this dessert party. The variety and quality of desserts have both gone downhill. When we went earlier this month, the crackers were stale, and they didn't have ice for the drinks. I drink water, and Florida water without ice is barely tolerable.

 

[drea21]

Wishes isn't until 10pm the night we have this booked. If the kiddos are done at this point, and just want to sleep in the double stroller, is there any issue just keeping it unfolded in the garden viewing area and having them lay down in it? It's my mom's first trip to Disney and I really want her to have a great view of Wishes without staking out a spot on Main St. but I'm a little worried about the kids at that point.

 

[OhhBother]

I can't imagine there would be any issue with a stroller in the garden area. It's very roomy. There was no one standing within six or eight feet of us.

 

[wench]

So this was for the GARDEN plaza viewing? Does anyone know for the other party at Tomorrowland Terrace is it assigned seating or do you also pick you own seats? Thanks!

The two times that I have been, it was assigned seating. Those were in 2011 & 2014 though, so I can't say for sure if that's still the case for the terrace.

 

[Robo]

So this was for the GARDEN plaza viewing? Does anyone know for the other party at Tomorrowland Terrace is it assigned seating or do you also pick you own seats? Thanks!

The two times that I have been, it was assigned seating. Those were in 2011 & 2014 though, so I can't say for sure if that's still the case for the terrace.

It HAS changed.
The tables in the Terrace viewing area are now first-come, first-served.

 

[Nathan.tan]

With the new Once Upon A Time coming after Wishes (we are going 11/18), will we be able to stay at the garden view through the new show? If so, is the view of the castle close enough to see the show?

 

[Robo]

With the new Once Upon A Time coming after Wishes (we are going 11/18),
1. will we be able to stay at the garden view through the new show?
2. If so, is the view of the castle close enough to see the show?

1. Yes.
2. That's a great place to view the castle projection shows.

 

[Barbara76]

1. Yes.
2. That's a great place to view the castle projection shows.

Will people with terrace seating be able to stay there until Once Upon a Time?

 

[Robo]

Will people with terrace seating be able to stay there until Once Upon a Time?

Yes.
There would be no reason for them to move, nor would someone have a reason to try to make them move.

That said, once Wishes nears its end, the CMs (as has been the case in the past) may likely cease "guarding" the area, and any number of non-party guests could flood into the area.
It remains to be seen if this will or won't be the case, and how much of a factor it will be or will become in the future.

 

[Robo]

How was your view in the plaza section? Were you able to see Celebrate The Magic as well?

Guests in the Plaza view can see Wishes very well, and also the castle projection show, "Celebrate the Magic" (which will soon change to a different show, "Once Upon a Time.")

 

[tink2020]

If you've done the Garden viewing since it's been a prebooked party (versus FP), was your viewing area crowded? We are just trying to determine if we need to worry about "rushing" at the food in order to get to the viewing area so my 3 littles can see well.

 

[DynamicDisney]

If you've done the Garden viewing since it's been a prebooked party (versus FP), was your viewing area crowded? We are just trying to determine if we need to worry about "rushing" at the food in order to get to the viewing area so my 3 littles can see well.

I did not find the area crowded. We almost were going to remain seated too, but the crowd outside was in the line of sight of the castle for the projection show, so that did not work. My sis and I were the first to enter the area, but there was plenty of room.

 

[OhhBother]

Not crowded at all in the garden viewing area. And we didn't head down until right before Celebrate the Magic started. Plenty of room. No need to rush -- at least when we were there last month.

 

[Kazi7]

Has anyone done the Fireworks party w/ Plaza viewing recently since there is no more Celebrate the Magic beforehand? It says to check in 75 min early which would be 8:45 for the 10:00 fireworks which seems like a long time to eat dessert! Would it work to check in at 9:15 and eat for 30 min before going down to the garden? Posts from early October said the garden wasn't crowded at all. Wondering if that has still been the case lately.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I'm wondering this as well. I booked the Plaza viewing when Celebrate the Magic was still showing before Wishes. I'm also wondering how the timing of check in or arrival at the dessert party might change now that the new castle projection show is after Wishes.

 

[Nathan.tan]

We went on 11/19 to the dessert party. We didn't show up to the party until around 9:20. Most were already there but we had no problems still finding a table and there were no lines for the desserts at that point. It was plenty of time to eat and drink before they moved you to the plaza gardens viewing at around 9:45.

There was plenty of space in the Plaza viewing as most everyone sat during Wishes. Only a handful of people were standing so the view was great. Most people left after Wishes, but we stayed through Once Upon a Time, the new castle show. They don't guard the area after Wishes, but you are allowed to stay for OUAT. Again, it's a great place to watch the new show and most people don't realize they can come into the area.

As a recommendation, I would check in early around 5 or 6 to get your bands. That way once you come back for the dessert party at 9:15, you just show your band and enter and don't go through the check in process.