Just booked illuminations dessert party

[marypoppins81]

Anyone else think it's expensive for what it is?

Counting down to 14th May!

 

[DLPDreams]

I think it's expensive, especially as you have to pay adult price for a 10 year old, when in fact they will not be drinking the alcohol that is included in the adult price - which is why it's more expensive in the first place iyswim.

I have also read that it doesn't include seats which seems to be putting people off.

Not something we'd go for. I would rather put the money towards a Wishes cruise!

 

[2Tiggies]

How does the cost compare to the Wishes Dessert Party?

These are expensive because they truly do have very little to do with the refreshments and the cost is heavily based on the exclusive location and the experience.

That said, if I did something like this it would have to be a special occasion.

DLPDreams, for anything you pay for with Disney dining you will pay adult price for children 10 and up. This is the reason why the DDP paid for no longer works for us, whereas we came out ahead when DD was still under 10

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

How does the cost compare to the Wishes Dessert Party?

These are expensive because they truly do have very little to do with the refreshments and the cost is heavily based on the exclusive location and the experience.

That said, if I did something like this it would have to be a special occasion.

DLPDreams, for anything you pay for with Disney dining you will pay adult price for children 10 and up. This is the reason why the DDP paid for no longer works for us, whereas we came out ahead when DD was still under 10

It's about twice as much as Wishes!

 

[PJGP]

It is Expensive for sure!! It is almost double the Wishes dessert party! I couldn't find openings for Wishes for our upcoming visit, so I booked this one today!
It is an special occasion, no kids, 4 adults who enjoy sweets and specially wine!
So although there is no seating, we won't have to fight for a good viewing place or reserving the spot for one hour.
I feel it is a great way to end our trip.
I can certainly see though how for many families this is nowhere near a good option. Specially with kids and teens.
Cheers!

 

[edinburghlass]

We did the Wishes Party last year, think it was $35 and while we enjoyed it and the desserts the most annoying thing were the kids there who didn't like fireworks and screamed throughout! Despite having a front row table we moved off to the side to get away from one particular group who kept insisting to their kids that it was fun.

We will be there for Mothers Day so I might drop a hint to my daughter

 

[DLPDreams]

DLPDreams, for anything you pay for with Disney dining you will pay adult price for children 10 and up. This is the reason why the DDP paid for no longer works for us, whereas we came out ahead when DD was still under 10

I am aware of this and don't have an issue with food (to an extent). But this, in particular, is more expensive to take into account the alcohol available - it's about $20 more per 'adult' I think - that is what I read elsewhere. Therefore, Disney could have considered this and perhaps charged adult prices for people old enough to drink the alcohol - whether they do drink is their choice, but 10 year olds (and other children above this age) don't have that choice .

I can see the appeal for adult parties though (in particular those that like a cheeky tipple) . But my money would still be on a cruise instead!

 

[2Tiggies]

I am aware of this and don't have an issue with food (to an extent). But this, in particular, is more expensive to take into account the alcohol available - it's about $20 more per 'adult' I think - that is what I read elsewhere. Therefore, Disney could have considered this and perhaps charged adult prices for people old enough to drink the alcohol - whether they do drink is their choice, but 10 year olds (and other children above this age) don't have that choice .

Welcome to Disney Dining

Well seeing as you have to be 21 in the USA to consume alcohol it wouldn't make sense to have 20 year olds paying a lesser price. It goes back to my first post on this thread: you pay for the experience. My 12 year old is not going to eat $30 worth of breakfast at Crystal Palace in June. I booked knowing full well we are paying so we can get something to eat and she can tick 4 characters off the meet and greet list in under an hour. So effectively we have bought ourselves over an hour of park time and got something to eat in the process. It's how you look at it.

 

[DLPDreams]

Welcome to Disney Dining

Well seeing as you have to be 21 in the USA to consume alcohol it wouldn't make sense to have 20 year olds paying a lesser price. It goes back to my first post on this thread: you pay for the experience. My 12 year old is not going to eat $30 worth of breakfast at Crystal Palace in June. I booked knowing full well we are paying so we can get something to eat and she can tick 4 characters off the meet and greet list in under an hour. So effectively we have bought ourselves over an hour of park time and got something to eat in the process. It's how you look at it.

2Tiggies, I often agree with your viewpoint but sorry, on this one I'll have to disagree . I have no issue with paying adult prices for character meals/dining where applicable as I do see that as 'alll encompassing added value', but I do have an issue with subsidising alcohol with my 10 year old's ticket! Just my opinion .

 

[tinks_1989]

2Tiggies, I often agree with your viewpoint but sorry, on this one I'll have to disagree . I have no issue with paying adult prices for character meals/dining where applicable as I do see that as 'alll encompassing added value', but I do have an issue with subsidising alcohol with my 10 year old's ticket! Just my opinion .

I totally agree with you on this one. It should be one price for under 21 and another for 21 and over. If it's going to include alcohol.

 

[2Tiggies]

2Tiggies, I often agree with your viewpoint but sorry, on this one I'll have to disagree . I have no issue with paying adult prices for character meals/dining where applicable as I do see that as 'alll encompassing added value', but I do have an issue with subsidising alcohol with my 10 year old's ticket! Just my opinion .

I totally agree with you on this one. It should be one price for under 21 and another for 21 and over. If it's going to include alcohol.

It's a fair point. I wonder if they have tried to exclude the younger set from this by the pricing structure. I don't have an issue with it, but then I'm not planning to book it. I think you can get a good view of the fireworks just about anywhere and there is an abundance of cocktail and snack/dessert varieties around the WS. It's the sort of thing I would do perhaps on an adult only trip, but wouldn't think of taking DD there, even without the alcohol. Not trying to justify the pricing, but it didn't really shock me when I saw it. I reckon we could talk you through setting up some of your own alternatives for a fraction of the cost.

 

[gavvy]

Disney have always been funny with kids round alcohol- I think the pricing means they actually want to make this more of an adult experience rather than a family one, hence no reduction.

I'd like to book this but want to see some reviews first to see if its worth it!

 

[tinks_1989]

It's a fair point. I wonder if they have tried to exclude the younger set from this by the pricing structure. I don't have an issue with it, but then I'm not planning to book it. I think you can get a good view of the fireworks just about anywhere and there is an abundance of cocktail and snack/dessert varieties around the WS. It's the sort of thing I would do perhaps on an adult only trip, but wouldn't think of taking DD there, even without the alcohol. Not trying to justify the pricing, but it didn't really shock me when I saw it. I reckon we could talk you through setting up some of your own alternatives for a fraction of the cost.

It's very expensive isn't it? Especially when you could book a FP+ and grab the snacks/drinks you actually wanted.

We booked the wishes one and didn't even stay for the fireworks. Every one still ended up going straight to the walk to stake the best spot and it was so cold there. I was really disappointed with it. Also their desert never amazes me but I always pick the chocolate based desert and we all know what American chocolate is like lol.

 

[2Tiggies]

It's very expensive isn't it? Especially when you could book a FP+ and grab the snacks/drinks you actually wanted.

Exactly.

We booked the wishes one and didn't even stay for the fireworks. Every one still ended up going straight to the walk to stake the best spot and it was so cold there. I was really disappointed with it. Also their desert never amazes me but I always pick the chocolate based desert and we all know what American chocolate is like lol.

I think the Illuminations location gives you a better vantage point in general. It's outside for a start, which makes a difference.

American chocolate? I like Hersheys but otherwise, yeah I get where you're coming from with that statement

 

[Chilly]

Must have missed this, what's the deal, where is it held and what's included?

 

[happyj]

We have also booked for may.i will make sure we have our sparkling wine quota

 

[DLPDreams]

Yes, I suspect a few of you are right when saying they are possibly trying to make it more of a 'grown up' affair.

Like you say Tink & 2Tiggies - not sure you need it for the view really. But I can understand the pull of desserts and wine for adults

happyj - hope you enjoy it (and the wine - hic!) .

 

[2Tiggies]

happyj - hope you enjoy it (and the wine - hic!) .

Lol, yes, and to try up the value happyj, pay an extra 53c at the resort foodcourt for a Mickey Straw to speed up the consumption

 

[happyj]

I will great hint

 

[Zeebs]

We haven't seen Ulluminations because we don't do late nights with the kids at the moment (well we do one each trip, last trip it was Fantasmic and the time before the fireworks from MNSSHP. We got the dinner package for Fantasmic.

When I first read this I thought great we can see Ulluminations without all the staking out a spot and waiting with small children and then I saw that they don't have seats. That put me right off.

I would pay for the experience and over inflated dessert and booze prices, if it was a seated event. We may as well do it ourselves for a fraction of the price and sit down to wait with a drink and dessert each.

Kirsten