HEA Dessert Party worth it?

[lolomarie]

I know there are lots of threads along this same line, but I'm so conflicted and can't make a decision and I'm hoping you Disers can help!

We will be in WDW in mid-Sept and because of MNSSHP dates we have 1 day in our schedule to see HEA. We have never seen it before and usually travel to WDW every 4-5 years, or so. Because of this, I really want a good spot to view the show, and know I will be crushed if I can't see it. But the cost is high, it will cost us over $300USD to attend and we are on a fairly tight budget. We have 4 adults, 1 Disney kid and 1 infant (with a double stroller).

Given these details, do you think the party is worth it to us? I'm viewing the cost as basically paying for the premium viewing because I could care less about the desserts. Or do you think our group will be able to find a spot to view the show easily enough? How long is it suggested that we stake out a spot?

Thoughts are so appreciated!!!!

 

[madchatter]

We’ve done the garden view party twice and love it. HEA is amazing and has become one of our favorite things (and we are big wishes people). Having the viewing area is so perfect.

However, if you have no interest in the actual party and if you don’t see any value in the desserts, I would not do it.

Go to the garden section on the opposite side in front of Casey’s and grab a spot about 45 minutes before. Even 60 if you want the very best choices. We’ve found pretty good spots in that garden within 30 minutes of the show. Mid-September isn’t too bad on crowds but if that week is cluttered with Halloween parties you might err on the side of caution and be a little closer to an hour or so.

That seems like a big commitment of time. But really, especially if it’s that critical to see it, it’s no longer than you’ll spend eating the desserts and doing it the other way. And it’s worth every minute of that wait.

The climax of that show is a rush of emotion and so beautiful. You will absolutely not regret seeing it. (IMHO)

You’ll love it! And you can totally get a great spot without the party

 

[lolomarie]

We’ve done the garden view party twice and love it. HEA is amazing and has become one of our favorite things (and we are big wishes people). Having the viewing area is so perfect.

However, if you have no interest in the actual party and if you don’t see any value in the desserts, I would not do it.

Go to the garden section on the opposite side in front of Casey’s and grab a spot about 45 minutes before. Even 60 if you want the very best choices. We’ve found pretty good spots in that garden within 30 minutes of the show. Mid-September isn’t too bad on crowds but if that week is cluttered with Halloween parties you might err on the side of caution and be a little closer to an hour or so.

That seems like a big commitment of time. But really, especially if it’s that critical to see it, it’s no longer than you’ll spend eating the desserts and doing it the other way. And it’s worth every minute of that wait.

The climax of that show is a rush of emotion and so beautiful. You will absolutely not regret seeing it. (IMHO)

You’ll love it! And you can totally get a great spot without the party

Waiting 60 minutes is not a problem at all for me. I was worried it was going to be closer to 2 hours, which is pushing it for me. I can send DH with DS3 to do an attraction and get some snacks while mom, baby, double stroller and I stake our claim.

I wonder if anyone has any insight as to how busy it'll be crowd wise because of parties on the other nights. I do find the breathing room that you get in the garden intriguing.

 

[bravenyc]

Just be careful because I have heard that the garden spot in front of Casey's is now reserved for club level guests - so that may not be an option.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Just be careful because I have heard that the garden spot in front of Casey's is now reserved for club level guests - so that may not be an option.

The early reports have been that only a portion of it is roped off for the CL viewing and some of that garden area is still open. Not sure if that has changed or not.

 

[JennyDrake]

IMHO, it is not worth it. I was disappointed in the variety of the desserts for the price as well as the overall quality. YMMV...

 

[Princess KP]

We did the dessert party on January 2 - a really busy time at WDW - so having a reserved spot and a seat was worth it for us. The dessert part was not worth it IMHO. Selection and quality was just ok. If I were going at a less busier time like you are, I wouldn't do it. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.
HEA is amazing! Enjoy your trip!

 

[heidijanesmith]

For us, it's not a matter of worth as far as the desserts go, it's worth as far as the seating goes. We have done the Tomorrowland Terrace party which has reserved seating.

DH does not like MK crowds for the castle show or the fireworks. I love to watch both, as a compromise, I will book the party and we can both enjoy the show.

 

[lolomarie]

Thanks so much for everyone's comments. I really appreciate the honest feedback. I think for us we will skip the party as it's not something I was super keen on. Just more so worried about not seeing the show. And $300 is a ton of money that we can spend elsewhere and get a better return!

 

[gap2368]

I know there are lots of threads along this same line, but I'm so conflicted and can't make a decision and I'm hoping you Disers can help!

We will be in WDW in mid-Sept and because of MNSSHP dates we have 1 day in our schedule to see HEA. We have never seen it before and usually travel to WDW every 4-5 years, or so. Because of this, I really want a good spot to view the show, and know I will be crushed if I can't see it. But the cost is high, it will cost us over $300USD to attend and we are on a fairly tight budget. We have 4 adults, 1 Disney kid and 1 infant (with a double stroller).

Given these details, do you think the party is worth it to us? I'm viewing the cost as basically paying for the premium viewing because I could care less about the desserts. Or do you think our group will be able to find a spot to view the show easily enough? How long is it suggested that we stake out a spot?

Thoughts are so appreciated!!!!

For me yes it is worth it to do the dessert party, but I am very short (5 foot) and have a very hard times in crowded loud areas ( yes the fireworks are very hard for me to deal with) so with that being said I do the dessert party once a year for my Bday. other times I find a spot off to the side and see them from there ( you can not see the projection)

I have a friend that is about 5'5-5'7 and she has no problems getting a spot a few minutes before ( like 20) and seeing then she does not have the perfect view but she say she can see most of the projection.

So if you do not mind standing with a lot of people if you are on the taller side if you do not have to have the perfect view ( you can still have a good view) then I would not do the dessert party

if you are on the shorter side if you do not like to be around a lot of people if you want a good view ( maybe a little better maybe not, then you would get outside the dessert party) then I would do the dessert party.

 

[gap2368]

Thanks so much for everyone's comments. I really appreciate the honest feedback. I think for us we will skip the party as it's not something I was super keen on. Just more so worried about not seeing the show. And $300 is a ton of money that we can spend elsewhere and get a better return!

I would find a spot about 60-45 minutes before and have someone ( or two) make a run to the icecrean store ( I forgot what it is) called have the little one eat cream ( and the adults) while you wait for the show when it stats one person can hold the child ( not on your shoulder ) but so there head is even with yours so they can have a good view. but every one should be there at lest 30 minutes before. and bring some glow stick as they can do wanders for kids while they are waiting.


Also if you have not seen @Robo maps he has room good map of where the best view is for the fireworks ( and some ok views)

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

We did the dessert party back when it was $25 pp and we viewed it from the terrace. Even then it was basically just for the reserved spot. The desserts were not great at all. Now, they have more than tripled the price for the terrace and are charging $69 per adult (not sure of kids prices) for the previous spot they used to give for free with fp. I would do what a pp said and stake out a spot in front of Casey's which was also a previous fp area. Of course with Disney anything could change at any moment and that spot may be for sale in the future as well. Another good spot is at the train station but I don't know if it is doable with the double stroller. Even if you have to wait 2 hours, and I realize that is difficult with a toddler, think of it as paying yourself $300 since the desserts don't interest you.

I am planning on doing this in June with my dd rather than pay Disney that kind of money. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[michbaron]

We are going to do the dessert party on our trip in a few weeks, we’ve never done it before but I’m hoping that it gives just a little more space to enjoy, our son has adhd and is a mover so hopefully it makes our experience more enjoyable to not be so on top of others and having to keep him as still, plus I love desserts and my husband can eat his weight in cheese

 

[bettymae1121]

I haven't done it yet but will be doing so soon (very soon, look at my signature! ) and the way I look at it is that I'm paying for a (very good) reserved spot that I don't have to stake out hours before hand, the cupcakes are simply a bonus. I don't want to take the chance that we show up an hour before to the grassy area by Casey's and find it full and/or roped off. And sure we need to arrive early for the party but it won't be an hour early, likely we'll go in, grab a sweet or two, and head directly to the viewing area so maybe a half hour before.

THAT said we are a party of three so while $150 isn't something to sneeze at, it's a lot easier to swallow than $300 - in your shoes I'd probably be hemming and hawing too.

It sounds like you're going to wing it, so I wish you the best. I just wanted to put my two cents in for anyone else reading.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We love it, but for a group of 3 it doesn't break the bank.

 

[Elle :)]

I really thought about it because I want our trip to be memorable but I just couldn’t justify the cost for 5 people. I guess we’ll be staking out a spot (and hoping for the best).

 

[kniquy]

we have 1 day in our schedule to see HEA. We have never seen it before and usually travel to WDW every 4-5 years, or so

If you didn't add in this comment I would have said skip the dessert party. You are traveling at a time when the parties will make non party nights much busier. So the night that you have to watch the HEA will be a little more demanding for standing room.

We are booked for a dessert party coming up on the 16th of this month - not a super busy time, but we are not ones who want to stake out a spot or leave a portion of our group staking our claim of property for an hour. Some people can be pushy when it comes to getting a spot for the fireworks, so if your whole party is not there you might find yourself getting squeezed out. I can report back after I actually get to experience the dessert party. It is certainly a splurge for us, but it will be the first time we get to see HEA and we will have a party of 7 including our 4DD -- the last thing we want is to be packed like sardines and her not be able to see.

 

[lolomarie]

If you didn't add in this comment I would have said skip the dessert party. You are traveling at a time when the parties will make non party nights much busier. So the night that you have to watch the HEA will be a little more demanding for standing room.

We are booked for a dessert party coming up on the 16th of this month - not a super busy time, but we are not ones who want to stake out a spot or leave a portion of our group staking our claim of property for an hour. Some people can be pushy when it comes to getting a spot for the fireworks, so if your whole party is not there you might find yourself getting squeezed out. I can report back after I actually get to experience the dessert party. It is certainly a splurge for us, but it will be the first time we get to see HEA and we will have a party of 7 including our 4DD -- the last thing we want is to be packed like sardines and her not be able to see.

Would love to hear about your experience. My worry is the parties on the other nights, which is why I'm considering the dessert party. As with all things on here, you get people with such good points and perspectives on both sides. So much to think about. Right now I'm leaning towards no, but maybe the winds will change tomorrow?!?

 

[disneyfreak202]

I did the dessert party back in November. There was only two of us so the price wasn't too bad, but we were on a very tight budget (college students) so every little thing was debated. In the end, it might not have been worth it completely, but after drinking around the world at Epcot it was nice to be able to roll up 30 minutes before the show and have a premium view with not too many people around. It was also nice because they gave us boxes when we showed up to box up desserts, we each took 2 boxes and piled in the desserts that we brought to the room and ate for a few days after as well as shared with a few friends that did not attend the party. In the end I wouldn't do it again, because I have seen HEA and although I loved it I would save my money and just get a spot even if it isn't the best, however, for someone's first time watching the show I would do it.

 

[slpeters]

We did it in November. Our evening to watch HEA was our final evening and a CL10--and it was absolutely magical. Yes, it's more about the fireworks viewing than the party, but we enjoyed the party too. We thought the assortment of desserts was nice, not astounding or inspired, but fun--and a little while drinking sparkling cider and eating macaroons and chocolate dipped strawberries while all the craziness swirled around us was lovely. Then we plodded out to our spot in the hub and laid down in the grass to wait for the fireworks and marvel at how many people there were out there. When it started we sat up and watched with really the perfect view. It was amazing!

I will say that the money may not have been as much of a concern for us. There were only two of us and all. But the way I looked at it was we're already in for $3000.00 (we were there for a week) and I would feel sort of silly if we didn't even have a good experience in order to save another $100. And if you are there during party season when showings of HEA are limited and draw huge crowds I honestly think there is a serious risk that you won't enjoy it. We had two evenings in MK and tried to just sort of see HEA on the fly one other night. We showed up about 45 minutes early and it was just a madhouse--we couldn't see, couldn't move. We actually ended up just leaving the hub (no small feat) shortly before the fireworks started.