Fireworks Dessert Party Timing Question

[westie55]

I am booked for the Plaza Garden Viewing in April. Fireworks are at 9:00 but check in is at 7:30. Seems like a lot of time to spend eating desserts and waiting around when I could squeeze in one more attraction without a wait (I'm thinking Mickey's Philharmagic or Carousel of Progress). Would it matter if my family showed up at the dessert party at 8:00? Is there any disadvantage to this besides having fewer minutes of access to the food? When is everyone ushered away from the desserts and out to the viewing area? We have two toddlers and mostly booked this to try to avoid a long wait in a dense crowd to get a spot with a view of the castle. Did I also read that this party serves alcohol now?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I am booked for the Plaza Garden Viewing in April. Fireworks are at 9:00 but check in is at 7:30. Seems like a lot of time to spend eating desserts and waiting around when I could squeeze in one more attraction without a wait (I'm thinking Mickey's Philharmagic or Carousel of Progress). Would it matter if my family showed up at the dessert party at 8:00? Is there any disadvantage to this besides having fewer minutes of access to the food? When is everyone ushered away from the desserts and out to the viewing area? We have two toddlers and mostly booked this to try to avoid a long wait in a dense crowd to get a spot with a view of the castle. Did I also read that this party serves alcohol now?

We always show up late for the Plaza Garden dessert party. I, too, don't need to spend an hour or more eating dessert. By showing up late we also avoid the long check-in line and the initial long line/rush to the buffet. I think showing up at 8 pm is fine. I would aim to get to the garden around 8:30 pm. They will give you wristbands when you check in for the dessert portion of the event. When you are done eating dessert, you simply walk to the garden (you enter via the path closest to Tomorrowland Terrace) and show the CM there your wristband so you can get in.

 

[ellbellthomps]

I showed up at 8:00 and I was completely fine. I don't remember when they brought us over, but maybe 8:45?
I thought it was better to arrive right on time rather than late in this case because we wanted to take advantage of the food, and had a whole week to ride rides.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm with @DisneyWishes14 - showing up on time for these things is way overkill to me (but many/most people will). 8 seems plenty, if not later.

These days you do "compete" in some ways for space in the garden with the After Party. After Party guests can check in an hour pre-show and go to the garden. Although many of those guests will be on varied arrival schedules.

Arrival time to the garden is more art than science - I don't like showing up last minute, but I don't like showing up mega early there either. I do sort of prefer to be in the back left part of the garden, preferably on the back rail - so sometimes that means moving over there a little earlier than I might otherwise. But don't over think this part, there's really no bad part of the garden (just subtle differences).

 

[Kaadk]

I last did the garden viewing back in '17, so I don't know if it's the same, but I think around 8:30 or so they cut you off from the desserts so you can make your way over to viewing area. Last time we went back to doing the regular terrace party, as we prefer to be able to have seats for the viewing. The view from the garden might be better, as it's more centred, but generally, you're just standing there like you would be on the other side of the fence if you hadn't paid for the dessert party. With that in mind, might as well get your money's worth of desserts first by showing up at check-in.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I show up at check in, because we are more than ready for a nice break with food and a table and A/C. We head out to the garden 20-30 minutes before fireworks.

There is no right or wrong way.

Alcohol is at the after fireworks party.

 

[sandieb]

We arrived about 15-20 after opening. We sort of made this dinner as there is fruit and a few savory items as well as dessert. We went out to claim our spot in the garden - back left hand side along the fence. The deal was well worth it - we had tried to watch fireworks a couple days before - arrived early, found a great spot, but then the crowds were so big and so rude, that we left .