HEA Dessert Party questions

[All Tangled Up]

My fiancé and I have anxiety, I am used to the Disney crowds but he's never been. I really want to experience the fireworks with him, it would be the highlight of our trip. I was looking at the HEA Dessert Party options, people have told me to view from further away or from Poly to save $$ but thing is, the price is not a factor for me at all since seeing the fireworks (along with projections) with him and not having him panic from being packed in with crowds like a sardine is worth it to me 1000%.

I had a few concerns and questions

1.) Is the view from Tomorrowland Terrace bad? I saw videos on YouTube and the castle looks pretty obstructed by trees. Like I don't mind a few things blocking it but that seemed like a lot.
2.) If we went with Tomorrowland Terrace seating, can we continue to get desserts/snacks/drinks throughout the show? (I have to pace myself when eating especially in Florida heat) Or do they take them away before the fireworks begin?
3.) If we went with Garden View, would we be allowed to sit?
4.) How bad are the crowds from Garden View after HEA? Could we just sit there and wait for them to disperse?

Tyia!

 

[cincystamper]

I can't answer 1 and 2 for you because it's been a long time since we did the dessert party from the terrace and I'm sure things have changed by now. And you didn't mention WHEN you're going, so that might make a difference, too.

BUT...my 71-year-old mom and I did the 'after' party this past April. We got to the garden area pretty early so we could just sit and rest for a bit. It wasn't crowded at all. Most people were sitting. I was standing at the back rail of the garden. When the show started, several people did stand up. Someone behind them who clearly wanted to sit for the show spoke to them and they moved to the side. So the whole sit/stand during the show kind of just depends on the crowd that happens to be there that night, I think.

With the 'after' party, you get escorted to the dessert party after the show. The crowd outside the garden fence that we had to wind through was insane. We had been in the garden so long that we didn't really notice the building crowd around us (outside the fence). I remember turning around to look at one point and thinking how glad I was to NOT be out in that.

That said, we could have lingered in the garden a bit and walked over to the desserts afterwards at our leisure, so I don't think it would be a problem for you to hang around a bit.

We enjoyed the 'after' party because we got to relax and eat desserts while the park crowd thinned out and the bus lines died down a bit. It was pretty nice to not be caught up in all that.

We're planning to do this party again on our next trip. Not because we love the desserts, but because we love not fighting the crowd.

Hope that helps a little bit - have a great trip!

 

[happysavermp]

Hi
We did the Plaza Garden view in August. Before that we had only watched from the Poly. We were staying there so it was convenient and we didn’t have to deal with the overwhelming crowds. However, it is true that you can’t see the projections well so if you want to see the projections I recommend you watch from inside the park. I couldn’t manage the thought of staking a spot out in advance and then standing there while the crowds crushed in around me so I knew the only way I would ever see the show comfortably in the park was to book a dessert party. We were able to sit in the plaza until the show began. People did stand up once the show started though. When the show was over we left the plaza immediately and cast members were funneling us out towards the exit. To my relief we were able to get out of the park and back to our resort much quicker than I had anticipated.

 

[TinkSassy]

1.) Is the view from Tomorrowland Terrace bad? I saw videos on YouTube and the castle looks pretty obstructed by trees. Like I don't mind a few things blocking it but that seemed like a lot.
******Yes, it is obstructed and unless you have issues standing - I would go with the Plaza

2.) If we went with Tomorrowland Terrace seating, can we continue to get desserts/snacks/drinks throughout the show? (I have to pace myself when eating especially in Florida heat) Or do they take them away before the fireworks begin?
******You will not be back and forth to the items but would have the advantage of having whatever is on your table at that time (remember the fireworks show is only about 15-20 minutes long)

3.) If we went with Garden View, would we be allowed to sit?
*******You are allowed to sit on the ground on the "turf" and I like to sit at the back so I can lean on the fence. The group may stand during the show so you will have to be prepared to for that so you can see.

4.) How bad are the crowds from Garden View after HEA? Could we just sit there and wait for them to disperse?
***** The garden is fenced off so it is not a viable exit pathway. I have done 2 ways - the before party where I sat and waited for the crowd to disperse from the garden (they played Once Upon a Time and I was able to lay there peacefully and watch it - so good spot to stay to avoid anxiety). Also did the after party - this was a mess to get to the desserts area but not crowded over there and the park was almost empty when we left. I found the desserts after was just too late for me to eat that many sweets and much preferred sitting in the garden and leaving at my own pace. Just my two cents on that.