Happily Ever After best viewing experience for shorter people?

[Accident]

I'm torn between the former FP area or springing for the Plaza dessert party. I'm really not interested in the desserts and it will be expensive for the 5 of us, but I want to have a decent view that's less claustrophobic! We'll be in MK on 6/1.

tuesday was the first time I ever did the desert party in mk. it was 98F out and I think my favorite thing was I had air conditioning until about 5 minutes before the show and we popped out to sit relaxed and watch. a chance to calm down, cool off and be ready for the show. we were both in great spirits. but there was only 2 of us so it wasn't a horrible cost. No more than the 2 of us going to a signature to eat and it came with a show.

 

[siskaren]

Wouldn't the view from the train station be an option?

Are there any boat options to see the fireworks? Pirates & Pals? Any other boat options?

You wouldn't be able to see the castle projections with either of these options.

 

[daisydee43]

Thanks for all the advice on this. I booked the dessert party with plaza viewing area so I won't be anxious about not being able to see. I'm one of those short girls!!

 

[North of Mouse]

they block it off a lot for vip guests so it's a little bit of a gamble.

Even if they didn't you would have to claim your spot literally hours before!!

OP, I'm only 5'2" and usually don't have any problems seeing from front/center of castle. True, you have the 'inconsiderates' that like to put a child on their shoulders last min. but by doing a little 'shifting' we always manage to see around them. We will 'not' claim a spot hours before!!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We decided to go with the Plaza Garden Dessert party for our visit. I have a 3 and 5 year old so I want all of us to have a good view without having to stake out a spot way in advance. Plus, we like desserts!

After watching the live stream, we decided to go with this also. It seems like a good option. If we had to take out the time to stake out a spot early anyway, we may as well be eating desserts.

 

[DisneyWillow1975]

I've never really looked into dessert parties, as our kids haven't been old enough to stay up late enough to enjoy the fireworks/DH and I haven't had the patience for a full park day and fireworks with them. I'm reconsidering for our October trip, but debating HEA or Star Wars. We are all big Star Wars fans, but the garden view for HEA sounds amazing too. I'm not seeing any openings for the dessert parties for our week- we would be be coming into the MK just for fireworks on either 10/2 or 10/4. I've tried playing around with the party # to see if that helps. Am I just out of luck for this? Or is it too early to actually book this yet? I know that Star Wars fireworks aren't even scheduled for October yet, so that's not really an option yet.

 

[ArielSRL]

I've never really looked into dessert parties, as our kids haven't been old enough to stay up late enough to enjoy the fireworks/DH and I haven't had the patience for a full park day and fireworks with them. I'm reconsidering for our October trip, but debating HEA or Star Wars. We are all big Star Wars fans, but the garden view for HEA sounds amazing too. I'm not seeing any openings for the dessert parties for our week- we would be be coming into the MK just for fireworks on either 10/2 or 10/4. I've tried playing around with the party # to see if that helps. Am I just out of luck for this? Or is it too early to actually book this yet? I know that Star Wars fireworks aren't even scheduled for October yet, so that's not really an option yet.

We are actually doing both parties! But yes, I believe it's too early for you to book either.

 

[Daniela Rose]

We decided to go with the Plaza Garden Dessert party for our visit. I have a 3 and 5 year old so I want all of us to have a good view without having to stake out a spot way in advance. Plus, we like desserts!

Same except with a 2 and 4 year old.

 

[alex9179]

I've never really looked into dessert parties, as our kids haven't been old enough to stay up late enough to enjoy the fireworks/DH and I haven't had the patience for a full park day and fireworks with them. I'm reconsidering for our October trip, but debating HEA or Star Wars. We are all big Star Wars fans, but the garden view for HEA sounds amazing too. I'm not seeing any openings for the dessert parties for our week- we would be be coming into the MK just for fireworks on either 10/2 or 10/4. I've tried playing around with the party # to see if that helps. Am I just out of luck for this? Or is it too early to actually book this yet? I know that Star Wars fireworks aren't even scheduled for October yet, so that's not really an option yet.

I really think that it's early. I looked on MDE for our 6/1 date and it's open for 5. I haven't been able to move up my Sci-Fi lunch, for 5, for months! I'm just not ok with $271 for meh food and a 15 minute view of the projections!

 

[DisneyWillow1975]

We are actually doing both parties! But yes, I believe it's too early for you to book either.

Thanks- I was hoping that I hadn't procrastinated too much. I'm really looking at doing both as well, but have to justify the price tag. Fingers crossed!

 

[davkata]

I thought the dessert parties had limited spaces available for sale. Seems the garden viewing is pretty available for next week when we are there. Does it get or feel over crowded or is it truly limited capacity for comfortable viewing?

 

[DisneyWillow1975]

I really think that it's early. I looked on MDE for our 6/1 date and it's open for 5. I haven't been able to move up my Sci-Fi lunch, for 5, for months! I'm just not ok with $271 for meh food and a 15 minute view of the projections!

That is definitely my husband's point of view on these, and my brain agrees with him. But the idea of having to camp out to keep seats for our group with 2 just turned 5 year olds makes me think that some things are more important than money. I'll keep my eyes out on the website and do some thinking!

 

[alex9179]

That is definitely my husband's point of view on these, and my brain agrees with him. But the idea of having to camp out to keep seats for our group with 2 just turned 5 year olds makes me think that some things are more important than money. I'll keep my eyes out on the website and do some thinking!

Yes, some things are. This one is more about the return on investment. For me, 15 minutes of a possibly less crowded atmosphere and possibly obstructed view is iffy. I can't control the other people in the area. What if they all decide their kids should have a better (shoulder) view than mine? Or that fence jumpers are still an issue and the area dissolves into an unfriendly atmosphere around my kids? I just read about that happening. The decision would lean towards buying in if the food were better. We're still thinking about it, too.

 

[terrilt]

How are the desserts? Are they good? Or just ok, BUT the whole 'nice place to view the fireworks' makes it worth it?

 

[wilkeliza]

Just adding if you don't want to pay for the dessert party the old FP+ location is now open for everyone. We sat there last night and had a great view. It starts to fill up with first people showing up 2ish hours before and about 45 minutes before it is already pretty full.

 

[Accident]

How are the desserts? Are they good? Or just ok

Good but not great. The comfortable seat (I stress SEAT, we SAT) to watch the fireworks was the highlight second only to the air conditioning while eating to cool off and have a restroom right there. no fuse, no dying in the heat, and did I mention we sat to eat and then sat on the ground to watch the fireworks? (this was wishes, i didn't pay attention on what the view is like for projections from there so it might be just a comfortable space to stand now).

BUT the whole 'nice place to view the fireworks' makes it worth it?

Not really, I can get just as good if not a better spot but i'm a local and do it often so when it backfires, it's ok, we'll come back another day..

The first time I did it was last tuesday after all the years it was out. For us it was more a father / daughter evening to watch wishes 1 last time together and the desert party. We know what the other desert parties are like so it seems like a great way to end wishes with something we've never done at magic kingdom before. Was it worth it? for that evening, it was. would I do it again? nope. once and done for me and I only had 2 people to pay for.

 

[michelle06]

There is a matching area on the other side of the hub which is a hidden gem to get into but right now a lot of experienced disney goers are coming in for the new show so it would be a gamble if you could get yourself into that side.

this was originally made for fastpass viewing.

The "other side of the hub" you mention, can you specify where you are talking about? Is this part of the reserved area or literally 180 degrees around? Trying to figure where you are talking about. Thanks.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

I just booked the dessert party garden view for September. Can we bring our own "water bottles"? Has anyone been for HEA and have some pictures or videos of the viewing? Pricey yes but the memories priceless and if to avoid tired children and enjoy the magic a win win for me. Plus if my husband has an amazing trip we "bounce back" for 2018!

 

[Abigail Broughton]

tuesday was the first time I ever did the desert party in mk. it was 98F out and I think my favorite thing was I had air conditioning until about 5 minutes before the show and we popped out to sit relaxed and watch. a chance to calm down, cool off and be ready for the show. we were both in great spirits. but there was only 2 of us so it wasn't a horrible cost. No more than the 2 of us going to a signature to eat and it came with a show.

What time were your reservations? Are they all the same? Do they walk everyone out together?

 

[Accident]

The "other side of the hub" you mention, can you specify where you are talking about? Is this part of the reserved area or literally 180 degrees around? Trying to figure where you are talking about. Thanks.

same area just the other side of main street. The desert party location was originally a fastpass area and they had 2 of them. 1 is the desert party and the other is no longer fastpass and anyone can use it.