I am so on the fence about doing the dessert party. I really don't eat a ton of desserts but the idea of a nice table to relax at does sound appealing.
I say you should go for it, especially since your next trip is solo. Paying $69 for this is much more tolerable than $69 x 2, 3, 4...etc. If my family had been along I would have definitely felt gypped on this one.
So glad to read your report on the Dessert Party. We have been contemplating it. While we are not big dessert eaters either, that apple pie looks amazing. So I will talk to DH about it and we will probably pass, but it is a nice idea though. Just really bummed that this will be the last year for the lights. That is why we are going. December 10th. Can't wait!
Glad to hear you will get to see the lights one last time. I really hope though that they find a new home for them somewhere.
Hopefully someday they come back in some form.
I really hope so too.
So sorry you brought back sickness with you from your trip!

I always say the combo of lack of sleep and being around so many people is a recipe for disaster!
Very true, and the longer you are there the likelihood of catching something has got to be pretty high. My luck (or resistance) finally ran out on the 14th of 15 nights.
I was at WDW roughly during the same time frame as you were and also was at the official opening night of the Lights. I left DHS for dinner at Cape May and then re-entered the park around 7pm. I agree, it was packed. I had no idea about the soft opening earlier in the week and could have kicked myself when I found out from others that Fri night. However, so worth going back through security/bag check to see the Lights one last time. I left by 7:30pm as it was my last night and I had to pack for an early flight home the next morning. Like you, I also picked up a nasty cold but fortunately it didn't hit until I was on the plane home. It will be fun comparing notes. It looks like I ate at a number of different restaurants but always wonderful to see something different as it encourages me to try something new for my next vacation!
I went to Cape May two nights before (on the 4th) so we just missed each other there. It was my first time having dinner at Cape May, so it will be interesting to compare notes. In regard to my restaurant choices, I really wanted to try some new places or places that I haven't been to in many years. So this ended up being a different trip for me "dining-wise".
Wow - your reports, details and pictures are truly one of the best I've found - including guidebooks! Thanks so much for all the great info!!!
Aww...thank you so much for the kind words!

I'm so glad you are finding my reviews helpful.
Thanks for the review, I have never been to one of the dessert parties around the world. I was able to see the Osborne lights last November so very glad I saw them then, love your pictures, makes me get in the Christmas mood.
Thanks for reading! Glad I was able to pass on some holiday cheer!
Welcome back, hope you're feeling better.
I'm not all that familiar with the holiday event as we've never visited during November or December. Does the part just give you access to a private area to view the lights? Does anything else happen while you are there, besides food of course?
Thanks Kari! The reserved area for the party guests was at the end of the street where the Osborne Lights are displayed. While this view of the lights is good (especially since you can sit and enjoy them along with some treats and your beverage of choice), the best way to experience the lights is to stand right in the middle so that you are surrounded by them. I think this brings the experience to a whole other level of awesome!!
Thank you for this wonderfully comprehensive and helpful review! I was leaning towards cancelling our booking for this, but now I am on the fence again. If only for the eclairs lol.
Ahhh, the eclairs. I think I would have liked them better without the icing on them but then they wouldn't have looked nearly as cute.
Counting the days till we see the lights on December 2nd. We're not doing the party but hoping the crowds will lessen during Fantamic and go then! Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, you probably have the right idea going on a week night and during Fantasmic!
I really liked these sliders last year. i even went back another day for them. But this year they didn't seem as good. Maybe they put less meat on the bun.
DH had this dessert while I had the lobster and seafood fisherman's pie.
Did the lights turn into little angels? Back when the lights first went up they would pass out paper 3D glasses which made the lights look like little angels. I found a pair when I was cleaning out drawers in the bedroom. Those glasses made the lights fun to view.
Hi Sue!

You know I thought the same thing about the slider, thought it was better last year. My DH really liked it but he didn't have it last year so had nothing to compare it too. As for the fisherman's pie, I had that too but not until sometime the next week. I love both of these options from the Ireland booth. I'm glad they continue to have them year after year.
I won't give the surprise away for those that might be going to the party, but I will say that it is something other than angels that you see when wearing the 3D glasses.
I knew it!! I should have said hello but was nervous that it wasn't you, lol!! I think you were behind us in line! The line was out of control. I couldn't believe it was that long!! Love your Merry and Bright party review. We went on Sat, 11/7 and the lights were so crowded. It was great to have a place to sit down and enjoy the lights!
Oh, now you have me racking my brain trying to remember who was standing in front of me in the FP line for Illuminations!!

Unfortunately I stood in way too many lines during my two weeks there, plus my memory isn't all that great to begin with. That's why I have to take lots of notes and pictures in order to do these dining reports.
Anyway, how did your party experience compare to mine? Did they let people in very early again? Were the food and beverage options the same? How about the seating?