HEA Viewing options

[Daniela Rose]

From everything that I've read, the plaza has the better view, more straight on. Whereas the terrace view is more from an angle. From what I gather, the plaza view is even more desirable with the new show. Again, this is just from I've seen on the boards, I haven't seen it myself. I've been researching it like crazy. I had a terrace view reserved but then, from what I was seeing, people were kind of disappointed with the view, so I cancelled it. I'm holding out for a plaza view.

It's avail on the 21st and 23rd. I think that's the night before you arrive

 

[Daniela Rose]

Where do you go to book these dessert parties? Is it the same place you make normal dining reservations or somewhere else? Also are these available at 180 days out?

On mde. Same place as adrs. You can filter and have it just list dessert events. They're not normally avail at 180 days and are released closer to the date.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Where do you go to book these dessert parties? Is it the same place you make normal dining reservations or somewhere else? Also are these available at 180 days out?

yes its on the dining page under "fireworks dessert party" - one says plaza view the other terrace. 180 days out not so sure about, but once you click into that reservation you can select your dates and see if its available.

 

[Rusty2rules]

I think your point is important to emphasize. In the past, you could move along the railing to get a better view. As PP pointed out, now once you pick your table that is pretty much the only view you can get along the railing unless you invade someone else's table space. It is a better set-up now that you don't have people standing at the railing, but not so good if you check in after all the tables along the railing have been taken. Last week there were 4-5 tables not directly against the railing.

If first choice of an unobstructed view along the railing is important to those doing the Terrace view, make sure you are lined up to check in before the check-in time.

Below are two images from HEA last week taken during similar points of the show. The first is from our table against the railing at the terrace dessert party and the second from our spot in the garden in front of Casey's. These were taken with my iPhone so forgive the poor picture quality.

View attachment 241293

View attachment 241294

Great pics for comparison! That's a dramatic difference if you ask me.

 

[Accident]

And if you want the terrace view dessert party book ASAP. We're going in Sept and only plaza viewing is avail

Terrace view is a bad spot, you want plaza view for this show.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Terrace view is a bad spot, you want plaza view for this show.

Just dont want to pay money to have someone in the plaza area block the view - with that said, we may just get to the other spot by Casey's early and relax. Any recommendations on how early to get there to be more in the front?

 

[Accident]

Just dont want to pay money to have someone in the plaza area block the view - with that said, we may just get to the other spot by Casey's early and relax. Any recommendations on how early to get there to be more in the front?

People WILL be blocking your view on the terrace, you can't see the lower part of the castle from it, or the towers they added in the hub remodel... You don't need to get to plaza view early, there is only so many seats they have for terrace view and sold out, everyone can and usually will be sitting on the ground to watch. They create a buffer of people not at the party, for the desert party, it's the best view you can get.

 

[Rusty2rules]

It's avail on the 21st and 23rd. I think that's the night before you arrive

Of course! I arrive the 24th and the fireworks I'm trying to get is on the 25th. Grrrrrrrr... Oh well, it won't make-or-break the trip. I've got the dessert party for Star Wars at DHS reserved during our trip, that's the one I really wanted. This would just be icing on the cake (pun intended).

Edit: Star Wars dessert party that @Daniela Rose and I will be partying together at!

 

[Rusty2rules]

Just dont want to pay money to have someone in the plaza area block the view - with that said, we may just get to the other spot by Casey's early and relax. Any recommendations on how early to get there to be more in the front?

That's my back-up plan, too. I've also read the bridge walking towards the hub is a good spot. But Casey's seems to be unanimous as a good spot if all else fails.

 

[ErinsMommy]

People WILL be blocking your view on the terrace, you can't see the lower part of the castle from it, or the towers they added in the hub remodel... You don't need to get to plaza view early, there is only so many seats they have for terrace view and sold out, everyone can and usually will be sitting on the ground to watch. They create a buffer of people not at the party, for the desert party, it's the best view you can get.

But isnt the area opposite the plaza view (casey's i believe it is) non-reserved? thinking about just getting there early enough that if we're going to be on the ground, may as well save $ in the process.

 

[Robo]

1. But isnt the area opposite the plaza view (casey's i believe it is) non-reserved?
2. thinking about just getting there early enough that if we're going to be on the ground, may as well save $ in the process.

1. Yes.
2. A lot of guests do just that.

Additionally, it can often be the case that the Fireworks Dessert Party does not need/use
ALL of the Plaza-side viewing area. They will actually only rope off a section (half, give-or-take)
of the reserved area, leaving the rest of it open to walk-up guests.

 

[ErinsMommy]

1. Yes.
2. A lot of guests do just that.

Any rough ball idea how early to get there to be in the front of the pack? Like if HEA starts at 9, is 8:00 too late?

 

[Daniela Rose]

Of course! I arrive the 24th and the fireworks I'm trying to get is on the 25th. Grrrrrrrr... Oh well, it won't make-or-break the trip. I've got the dessert party for Star Wars at DHS reserved during our trip, that's the one I really wanted. This would just be icing on the cake (pun intended).

We could have had two dessert parties in a row together. Hea on the 23rd and Star Wars on the 24th. My bday is the 25th and I first tried for that night for hea. But now we're doing Tiana's ice cream social which I'm really excited about.

 

[wareagle57]

Just dont want to pay money to have someone in the plaza area block the view - with that said, we may just get to the other spot by Casey's early and relax. Any recommendations on how early to get there to be more in the front?

Maybe someone will block your view, but the terrace view guarantees that trees with block the projections and you won't see much of that aspect of the show. Not to mention the fact that it's off center. I can't imagine paying money for that view.

 

[Accident]

But isnt the area opposite the plaza view (casey's i believe it is) non-reserved? thinking about just getting there early enough that if we're going to be on the ground, may as well save $ in the process.

I personally think both areas are too far back, some of the animation is smaller and to really see it you need to be closer but not too close that you can't see the fireworks behind the castle.... I haven't paid attention to how that specific area fills up for this show. wishes it generally was relaxed and easy to sit in, I have no clue what it looks like now with more people trying to be in the hub to watch than wishes had.

 

[Rusty2rules]

Maybe someone will block your view, but the terrace view guarantees that trees with block the projections and you won't see much of that aspect of the show. Not to mention the fact that it's off center. I can't imagine paying money for that view.

Exactly why I cancelled my reservation.

 

[wareagle57]

1. Yes.
2. A lot of guests do just that.

Additionally, it can often be the case that the Fireworks Dessert Party does not need/use
ALL of the Plaza-side viewing area. They will actually only rope off a section (half, give-or-take)
of the reserved area, leaving the rest of it open to walk-up guests.

From the Casey's side, where is the most unobstructed view from light posts ect?

 

[ErinsMommy]

I personally think both areas are too far back, some of the animation is smaller and to really see it you need to be closer but not too close that you can't see the fireworks behind the castle.... I haven't paid attention to how that specific area fills up for this show. wishes it generally was relaxed and easy to sit in, I have no clue what it looks like now with more people trying to be in the hub to watch than wishes had.

Out of all the times we've been recently, I still haven't found that "golden spot" where you can see everything. One of these days I'll find it. LOL.

 

[Accident]

From the Casey's side, where is the most unobstructed view from light posts ect?

not standing behind one of them??? I don't really get this question. There's shrubs, trees, people, hanging plants, light posts, speakers, new lights that shine on the tree posts, a statue of walt... You stand where you can and try to not have something in your way.. it's a maze of obstructions in the hub and if you go far enough forward so there isn't any, then you have the castle blocking your view of the fireworks.

 

[ErinsMommy]

1. Yes.
2. A lot of guests do just that.

Additionally, it can often be the case that the Fireworks Dessert Party does not need/use
ALL of the Plaza-side viewing area. They will actually only rope off a section (half, give-or-take)
of the reserved area, leaving the rest of it open to walk-up guests.

Thank you! Great to know