Fireworks Dessert Party

[Kbryant]

Please tell me about the fireworks dessert party at Magic Kingdom. I am so sad about Wishes leaving, but am excited for the new show. We always watched Wishes from behind the castle...not a big fan of the crowds. It looks like the new show has projections that we wouldn't want to miss, but I know the rest of my family will NOT want to stand in front of the castle forever to stake out a spot. So...got me thinking about the dessert party. We are going in June, and only the Plaza garden is available (not the seating the Terrace restaurant), which I believe is standing room, which would be fine, as long as the view is good. Anyone done that? Also, it shows the time as 7:45, which I assume means we can go at 7:45 and get dessert, then go over to the viewing location at some point. Do we HAVE to go at 7:45 though? If we have to go that early, we'd might as well go find a spot on our own at 7:45 for free! We aren't really that interested in the desserts, just looking to be able to have a good view without standing in a spot for 2 hours. Although I guess we would be sitting in the restaurant eating dessert for some of that time if we did book it. We go every summer, but only for 3 days, so I try to maximize our time as much as we can!!
Any insight would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I am curious about the same and sorry you haven't received any replies of yet. I did a search for specifics, and it didn't give much insight.

I did the Dessert Party at DCA - but it sounds like the two choices at MK are very different in that you don't remain in your seats for the show.

Would love some insight too!

 

[Shanti]

Please tell me about the fireworks dessert party at Magic Kingdom. I am so sad about Wishes leaving, but am excited for the new show. We always watched Wishes from behind the castle...not a big fan of the crowds. It looks like the new show has projections that we wouldn't want to miss, but I know the rest of my family will NOT want to stand in front of the castle forever to stake out a spot. So...got me thinking about the dessert party. We are going in June, and only the Plaza garden is available (not the seating the Terrace restaurant), which I believe is standing room, which would be fine, as long as the view is good. Anyone done that? Also, it shows the time as 7:45, which I assume means we can go at 7:45 and get dessert, then go over to the viewing location at some point. Do we HAVE to go at 7:45 though? If we have to go that early, we'd might as well go find a spot on our own at 7:45 for free! We aren't really that interested in the desserts, just looking to be able to have a good view without standing in a spot for 2 hours. Although I guess we would be sitting in the restaurant eating dessert for some of that time if we did book it. We go every summer, but only for 3 days, so I try to maximize our time as much as we can!!
Any insight would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

We did it last month and it was great. Tasty desserts- all you can eat (no soda, though), then you're escorted to the Plaza viewing area shortly before fireworks begin. Plenty of space there to lay down if you wish (it was Easter weekend so we'd been at MK since 7am- we were pretty tired by that point)- everyone sat during the fireworks so there was no need to stand. Perfect view.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Please tell me about the fireworks dessert party at Magic Kingdom. I am so sad about Wishes leaving, but am excited for the new show. We always watched Wishes from behind the castle...not a big fan of the crowds. It looks like the new show has projections that we wouldn't want to miss, but I know the rest of my family will NOT want to stand in front of the castle forever to stake out a spot. So...got me thinking about the dessert party. We are going in June, and only the Plaza garden is available (not the seating the Terrace restaurant), which I believe is standing room, which would be fine, as long as the view is good. Anyone done that? Also, it shows the time as 7:45, which I assume means we can go at 7:45 and get dessert, then go over to the viewing location at some point. Do we HAVE to go at 7:45 though? If we have to go that early, we'd might as well go find a spot on our own at 7:45 for free! We aren't really that interested in the desserts, just looking to be able to have a good view without standing in a spot for 2 hours. Although I guess we would be sitting in the restaurant eating dessert for some of that time if we did book it. We go every summer, but only for 3 days, so I try to maximize our time as much as we can!!
Any insight would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Tomorrowland Terrace Viewing: You have a table / chairs in the Tomorrowland Terrace underneath an overhang. The tables are up against the rail and all have generally the same view. Pros: Table, chairs, covered in case of inclement weather, Tinkerbell flies right above you. Cons: Not really the best angle (IMO), TBD what it will be like with the new show and projections on the castle. FWIW, this was the view from my table a few weeks ago:



Garden Viewing: You have the same desserts in the Tomorrowland Terrace but sit in tables on the "next level" further in the terrace to eat. They walk you to the Plaza Garden a bit before the fireworks. Pros: I'd argue this is a far better viewing spot, especially with what's coming with the new show. Cons: Not covered in case of inclement weather.

The event starts at 7:45 which is when desserts will be out/ready, but you don't have to get there at 7:45 at all. I haven't when I have done this, I prefer to get there more like 8:30+ and have a round of desserts, a cup of coffee, and watch the show. I'm probably in the minority in that feeling, but I have no need to sit around a dessert party for over an hour.

I am somewhat like you in that my motivation is more a good space to watch without wasting a bunch of time, fighting crowds, etc. Desserts/coffee are a nice bonus, but not that critical to me. My DS would probably disagree!

Hope that helps!

 

[stink]

Booked the Garden View, for our Sept visit ! Super Excited !

 

[Flynnismine]

We repeatedly book the dessert party on every trip (3 or 4 x's a yr) and always choose garden viewing, much better than terrace view IMHO. Arrive at the terrace check in at 7:45, they seat you, you eat and drink your fill and then are escorted to the plaza garden area where you can stretch out, relax, and enjoy the show. It has never felt crodwded and we've never felt rushed to eat or leave after the show is over. Book it, you will love it.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We did the Plaza Garden viewing in December and LOVED it! In fact, I think it's the only way we will watch the fireworks in MK from here on out (we have reservations for our upcoming trip in August as well). Yes, you can be late to the dessert party. If you are doing the Plaza Garden viewing, it doesn't matter where you sit at the party as you aren't there for the view. We actually showed up late (we got caught in a downpour over at BTMRR) and didn't get to the party until about 30 minutes before the fireworks. It was actually great because the upper level of the party was full at that point and they put us in what I'll call the "mezzanine section" of the terrace right above the people who had purchased the terrace viewing tickets. It was quiet there which I liked! About 15 minutes prior to the fireworks, the CM's escort you to the Plaza Garden for an amazing view of the castle with NO crowds. When you enter the garden, I recommend going to the back railing as, most likely, no one will stand in front of you. We loved this event!

 

[maryj11]

We have a 7:45 reservation for the Plaza Garden area in August and I have been wondering if we can be late. It says the fireworks start at 9:00 when we go. For the previous posters that said they were late, did the fireworks start at 9:00 for you?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We have a 7:45 reservation for the Plaza Garden area in August and I have been wondering if we can be late. It says the fireworks start at 9:00 when we go. For the previous posters that said they were late, did the fireworks start at 9:00 for you?

For me, yes, Wishes was at 9pm. I was in the Terrace a few weeks ago but I didn't get there (purposely) until 8:30ish.

 

[maryj11]

For me, yes, Wishes was at 9pm. I was in the Terrace a few weeks ago but I didn't get there (purposely) until 8:30ish.

We are wanting to take the express bus to MK from HS but probably wont be able to get on the bus until 7:50 because we are going to be watching the Pixar show. We got the dining package for the 2nd show that starts at 6:45 and is 40 minutes long. The express bus leaves at 7:20 and 7:50. So I'm undecided on if we should just cancel the dining package for the second show or show up late for the dessert party.

 

[Kimberlylyn]

The dessert party is Great we have done it the last 2 trips.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We are wanting to take the express bus to MK from HS but probably wont be able to get on the bus until 7:50 because we are going to be watching the Pixar show. We got the dining package for the 2nd show that starts at 6:45 and is 40 minutes long. The express bus leaves at 7:20 and 7:50. So I'm undecided on if we should just cancel the dining package for the second show or show up late for the dessert party.

Hmmm, sort of a tight timeline there, but probably not impossible I'm guessing - not much room for error. Sounds exactly like something I'd do frankly, but I'm probably in the minority. The MK express bus drops off in Tomorrowland, so at least you are somewhat close to the dessert party. Sounds fun/exciting to me, good luck!

 

[Kbryant]

Thanks all for your replies! Sounds like it is worth the money!

 

[danikoski]

We are wanting to take the express bus to MK from HS but probably wont be able to get on the bus until 7:50 because we are going to be watching the Pixar show. We got the dining package for the 2nd show that starts at 6:45 and is 40 minutes long. The express bus leaves at 7:20 and 7:50. So I'm undecided on if we should just cancel the dining package for the second show or show up late for the dessert party.

You can show up late to the dessert party. I've read where other folks have. The drop off for MK is by Buzz and the entrance to the dessert party is on the main Street side of Tomorrowland Terrace.

 

[maryj11]

You can show up late to the dessert party. I've read where other folks have. The drop off for MK is by Buzz and the entrance to the dessert party is on the main Street side of Tomorrowland Terrace.

Thank you.

 

[Daniela Rose]

Booked the Garden View, for our Sept visit ! Super Excited !

Me too!

 

[danikoski]

Thank you.

No problem...we showed up at around 8 and we weren't the only ones...we got stuck on Buzz for 20 minutes. Others have gotten caught out by thunderstorms and such and showed up late. You should be fine. The latest you will probably get there is 8:15, and I bet it'll be closer to 8.

 

[jaysmom4285]

And you don't have to go to the viewing area when everyone else does. When we did the plaza dessert party, we didn't get there as early as we wanted to, and we were still enjoying our desserts when a CM announced that they were taking people to the viewing area, probably around 8:45. We asked if we could wait and were told it was no problem and that a CM would take us whenever we were ready. It was probably 8:55 when we went over, and they found a CM to escort our party. There's really no point in going too early - you just stand around waiting for the fireworks. Why not sneak in another dessert?

 

[Nikki0401]

We did the Plaza Garden viewing in December and LOVED it! In fact, I think it's the only way we will watch the fireworks in MK from here on out (we have reservations for our upcoming trip in August as well). Yes, you can be late to the dessert party. If you are doing the Plaza Garden viewing, it doesn't matter where you sit at the party as you aren't there for the view. We actually showed up late (we got caught in a downpour over at BTMRR) and didn't get to the party until about 30 minutes before the fireworks. It was actually great because the upper level of the party was full at that point and they put us in what I'll call the "mezzanine section" of the terrace right above the people who had purchased the terrace viewing tickets. It was quiet there which I liked! About 15 minutes prior to the fireworks, the CM's escort you to the Plaza Garden for an amazing view of the castle with NO crowds. When you enter the garden, I recommend going to the back railing as, most likely, no one will stand in front of you. We loved this event!

Where exactly did you view from? How was the view of the castle. I am trying to decide which party to go with and want to get the best view of the castle.
Thanks

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I just booked this for an upcoming trip. We have done it in the past a few times, prior to the "garden viewing area" situation. We are in the garden view section. Will we be allowed to return to get more desserts once taken out to the area? Or is it locked off or prohibited somehow? Looking forward to this, but just want to be prepared. Thanks for any info!