Galactic Dessert Party or HEA Dessert Party with Garden Viewing

[Abbey1]

I’ve been going back and forth on which of these two parties to book and had settled on the HEA Dessert Party, but with the recent price increase, I’m reconsidering. It seems like now the Star Wars Party may be a better value since it includes alcohol and the souvenir stein. For those who have done both, which did you prefer? Which of the shows would be easier to find a good viewing spot without the reserved area? Thanks!

 

[rteetz]

I’ve only done the Star Wars one but I feel that is more worth it. I’ve never had an issue getting a decent spot to watch fireworks at MK. For a Star Wars fan that one is a lot of fun and includes the souvenir.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As a show, I prefer HEA, however, I do feel like you get more "bang for your buck" in terms of what you get with the Star Wars party - savory and sweet items plus alcohol, a brief visit with the Stormtroopers walking through plus a great spot for the show. That being said, the HEA show offers a great view and the ability to see the show without being crushed by crowds or have to hold a spot for a long time.

 

[mckennarose]

We did the Star Wars dessert party last trip and loved it, so much that we are doing it again on our upcoming May trip. But we also decided to do the HEA Plaza view dessert party this time also, which we’re really looking forward to as well!

Basically I’m no help choosing one other than to say the Star Wars party was a lot of fun, good food offerings and alcohol (better value, IMO). We have watched HEA in a good area before but decided to do the dessert party this time as a special graduation present for one of our children.

 

[RJstanis]

When are you going? If you're doing MK during a busy time and like on a Saturday or something, then I would consider HEA just for the convenience of having a spot with space without the wait with the bigger-ish crowds. You can get the same viewing area for free on the opposite lawn but you have to share with alot more people and get there early (if a fairly crowded day).

We did the SW one in December and it was amazing. Granted my family and I were blessed with some preferential/ vip treatment (from you know who you are), but it was an awesome setup and time . Our only regret was arriving late due to other members of my party wanting to ride RnR twice. My advice is to arrive early so you can enjoy the party and be one of the first to the viewing area as that's the only pitfall to SW dessert party. Everything else was amazing! My first choice would be the SW one

 

[chiisai]

I don’t know how much has changed, but we did the Star Wars dessert party a year ago. I loved it. I’m not a huge movie fan, but I am a fan of the stuff, I don’t know how to explain well. My kids got a kick out of it, the food was good, the drinks were welcomed, and the experience was just great! I’m also not a big character person, but holy cow, we met Chewbacca due to very short lines and I had no idea how much fun that would be.

We also have done plaza experience at mk for wishes; it is awesome to be able to sit or lay down and relax. I’d say that given the crowds there during the show I won’t see it in MK proper without the plaza seating.

In thinking about our next trip, I am building in a SW dessert party, and planning to watch HEA from possibly the train station, contemporary, or possibly not at all.

 

[FastPasser.]

I’ve been going back and forth on which of these two parties to book

How important is the show to you? I ask because you're not considering the Frozen dessert party, which IMO, based on just the party itself and discounting the show, is the better party of the three.

ETA: I haven't been a guest at any of the parties, but I have been at the parties at least several hundred times.

 

[rpb718]

Given the 2 choices: if you're more interested in the "party" part rather than the "show" viewing part I think the HS Star Wars party is better. If you're more interested in having a good place for viewing the "show" rather than the "party" itself without investing a lot of time camping out on the hub for a good spot, then the MK HEA Plaza View party is better.

 

[Abbey1]

When are you going? If you're doing MK during a busy time and like on a Saturday or something, then I would consider HEA just for the convenience of having a spot with space without the wait with the bigger-ish crowds.

We’d be watching HEA on October 20th, which is a Saturday. Since it’s a weekend and a non-party day, I’m guessing the crowds will be very heavy.

Maybe I should just book both parties. I was worried it might be overkill since we are also doing a dining package for RoL, but it might be worth it to avoid the crowds. We love Star Wars and HEA looks amazing.

 

[emgilmartin]

I’ve been going back and forth on which of these two parties to book and had settled on the HEA Dessert Party, but with the recent price increase, I’m reconsidering. It seems like now the Star Wars Party may be a better value since it includes alcohol and the souvenir stein. For those who have done both, which did you prefer? Which of the shows would be easier to find a good viewing spot without the reserved area? Thanks!

How about both? Then you don't have to decide

 

[chiisai]

We’d be watching HEA on October 20th, which is a Saturday. Since it’s a weekend and a non-party day, I’m guessing the crowds will be very heavy.

Maybe I should just book both parties. I was worried it might be overkill since we are also doing a dining package for RoL, but it might be worth it to avoid the crowds. We love Star Wars and HEA looks amazing.

We did both when we went. I debated also doing ROL and then ended up canceling that instead of one of the others. Star Wars will be serious fun and you will be so, so happy with some personal space (and the view) at the Plaza viewing. Either one is a win; both would be great.

I guess as far as overkill- would you try to see HEA anyway? If so, and the “overkill” is so much planned stuff, take a couple baggies, get to the party and take what you would have eaten sitting down and put them in the baggies. Don’t sit down. Grab an Apple cider, hot cocoa, what have you, and then just go to the plaza area and have your desserts there. The actual inside place to eat is very crowded and the tables are close together and it’s loud. Enjoy your sweet picnic and what you came for- relaxation, breathing room, and a wonderful view.

 

[tinkerhon]

How about both? Then you don't have to decide

Works for us --- doing both - and Pirate and Pals !!

 

[emgilmartin]

I did Pirate and Pals years ago and just loved, loved, loved it. Please let us know what you thought of each experience when you get back! Thanks.

 

[tinkerhon]

I did Pirate and Pals years ago and just loved, loved, loved it. Please let us know what you thought of each experience when you get back! Thanks.

We do P & P every trip - the kids ( and mom and dad!) love it ! We did "SW" back and July and loved that as well !
Different experiences, but both are great !

 

[Vickie1016]

We’d be watching HEA on October 20th, which is a Saturday. Since it’s a weekend and a non-party day, I’m guessing the crowds will be very heavy.

Maybe I should just book both parties. I was worried it might be overkill since we are also doing a dining package for RoL, but it might be worth it to avoid the crowds. We love Star Wars and HEA looks amazing.

Last summer we did both SW dessert party & HEA garden view party. Loved both! DD is a huge Star Wars fan, dressed as Rey, desserts & savory items were very tasty (FROZEN NUTELLA!!). Viewing HEA from the garden was wonderful - we had plenty of room, not crowded in the area at all, desserts were good. We also did the ROL dining package - show was nice, the package was worth not having to line up supper early. (About three years ago we did Pirates & Pals - that was a lot of fun as well!)

This summer we are trying the Frozen Dessert Party in Epcot (thank you Fastpasser for all your insights into this party on the other thread!!)

 

[SaintsManiac]

I love the HEA party. It's worth it for the viewing spot alone when MK is busy.

We had the Star Wars party booked for the Saturday of MLK weekend. I watched many YouTube videos and read lots of reviews. We had enjoyed the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM party in November, but we really did not like the viewing area being so close. I decided to cancel the Star Wars party and I am glad I did. We actually walked through Launch Bay while the party was going on and it didn't seem like anything too special to us. We still met all the characters in there in under 30 minutes and walked out to get a spot 15 minutes before the show started. And it was a better spot, too.

In the end it's obviously subjective.

 

[gracerussell]

We just did both of these dessert parties within the past few weeks. Both were great, and I am glad we did them, but I REALLY wish the Galactic Spectacular party had some chairs! That being said, my daughter was able to go through the Kylo/Chewie/BB-8 meet and greets about 3 times each after we'd had our fill of dessert and drink. She LOVED it. I'm looking forward to doing the Frozen dessert party in the near future.

 

[FastPasser.]

but I REALLY wish the Galactic Spectacular party had some chairs!

I can't see that happening as long as it takes place in that venue.

 

[christmasmagic]

I did Pirate and Pals years ago and just loved, loved, loved it. Please let us know what you thought of each experience when you get back! Thanks.

Are you doing P&P and both dessert parties? I was thinking about doing all 3 myself and wasn't sure if it was too much.

 

[chuff88]

We’d be watching HEA on October 20th, which is a Saturday. Since it’s a weekend and a non-party day, I’m guessing the crowds will be very heavy.

Maybe I should just book both parties. I was worried it might be overkill since we are also doing a dining package for RoL, but it might be worth it to avoid the crowds. We love Star Wars and HEA looks amazing.

We have a very similar itinerary. We're doing the HEA dessert party, a ROL dining package (on the DxDP), and we're planning to add the SW party when it becomes available for our date. This is sort of a once-in-a-lifetime deal for us, so we decided it was worth the splurge to get both of those dessert parties to take the challenge out of finding a good viewing spot.