Just read a horrible review of Fireworks Dessert Party from last week-keep or cancel?

[wannabemini]

Ack! Booked this months ago for our last night at Disney, family doesn't know, meant for it to be a surprise! But just read a review on FB from someone who just went & said it totally was not worth it, couldn't hear the music, someone stole their table by moving place cards, CMs recognized the guest had done that but couldn't fix it, etc. Now I'm second guessing the expenditure??

Talk me down? Shoot me straight? We leave in 32 hours!!! Poop! I was so hoping this would be the magical ending to our magical trip, since its our last trip for a long while. :0(

 

[minnie mum]

I never make any decisions based on a single review of ANYTHING. If you feel the need to check additional reviews, I would try doing a search on this site. Not everyone enjoys the same things. The dessert party is no exception. For every person who dislikes the experience, there are lots who enjoy it.

Do a bit more research, if it will help you feel better about your choice.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

If you read enough reviews, you'll find a horrible review of every single thing at WDW. I'm sure you researched the dessert party before booking, right? So, if it sounded then like something you and your family would enjoy, I'd go for it. You must have thought it was special to plan it as a surprise for your family. Everyone has different tastes and different tolerances of things that aren't absolutely perfect. If it were me, I'd get stick with it. You'll never know til you try!

Try not to stress about it and enjoy!

 

[delmar411]

The last time we did it, it was so bad that they actually refunded our money afterwards. The original party was great. I have no idea why they decided to change things up but it was a terrible decision.

Many ppl love it though so it really has to do with expectations/attitude and the type of experience you are looking for.

But if you go to the restaurants board you can find a TON of positive reviews and the thread showing how many ppl are just waiting for bookings to open up. So there is no shortage of ppl wanting to throw money at Disney for this party. LOL

Eat- we've done the party 4x, 2x in the original style and 2x in the current style.

 

[ZehnJahren]

My mom and I attended this and thought it was great. Deserts were fresh and delicious, viewing couldn't be beat. Tinkerbell went right over our heads and it was so great to have our own space to just sit and relax and watch the castle show and fireworks without the crush of the crowd and 100 iPads waving around in our faces. I would do it again!

 

[Shock13]

I did the Dessert Party twice. Once with just the two of us and we sat close to the rail and the other time with a larger group and further back. It was great both times! Plenty of desserts and stress-free.

 

[wiigirl]

I did the Dessert Party twice. Once with just the two of us and we sat close to the rail and the other time with a larger group and further back. It was great both times! Plenty of desserts and stress-free.

 

[lugnut33]

Now the OP must go and report back to us.

 

[houstonmama]

I went the first week of December '12 and I thought it was OK. IMO the desserts were not fabulous but they were good and I ate plenty of them . I would say that if you are going during a busy time of year it is worth it especially with little ones/kids.

I can not believe that someone would switch tables like that! That is awful

 

[JessM]

We have done the dessert party 3 different times. We love it. The desserts are good, there's a huge selection, good drinks and its wonderful to sit down and relax before Wishes and Celebrate the Magic.

We are planning on doing it again in December

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Ack! Booked this months ago for our last night at Disney, family doesn't know, meant for it to be a surprise! But just read a review on FB from someone who just went & said it totally was not worth it, couldn't hear the music, someone stole their table by moving place cards, CMs recognized the guest had done that but couldn't fix it, etc. Now I'm second guessing the expenditure??

Talk me down? Shoot me straight? We leave in 32 hours!!! Poop! I was so hoping this would be the magical ending to our magical trip, since its our last trip for a long while. :0(

We were there Sunday night 8/11 and it was fine.

Table location really does not matter as everyone gathers near the rail when the show starts. It is NOT crowded at the rail and there is plenty of space for everyone to see just fine. But I wouldn't plan on watching from your table, very few did and they would miss the higher bursts due to the roof.

As far as the music I just don't get that comment at all. It was loud and totally easy to hear. In fact...they piped in the music for the MSEP to the point I wished they would shut it OFF and I was glad when the parade ended. But for Wishes it was perfect.

I found the dessert area to be a little cramped as far as moving around and getting stuff but with just a little patience you will get all the dessert you could possibly want so just don't freak out. When things empty, they refill them. It may take a couple of minutes but it all got refilled.

It's hard to keep desserts cool on hot August nights, I will say that. But not much can be done about that.

Also - be aware to fireworks are off center from this view and appear in the sky to the right of the castle.

All in all, to me it's worth the $25 or whatever to NOT have to deal with the crowds or time commitment needed to secure a "good spot".

But no, you will not get $25 worth of value out of just the desserts and beverages at all.

 

[BLLB]

The last time we did it, it was so bad that they actually refunded our money afterwards. The original party was great. I have no idea why they decided to change things up but it was a terrible decision.

Many ppl love it though so it really has to do with expectations/attitude and the type of experience you are looking for.

But if you go to the restaurants board you can find a TON of positive reviews and the thread showing how many ppl are just waiting for bookings to open up. So there is no shortage of ppl wanting to throw money at Disney for this party. LOL

Eat- we've done the party 4x, 2x in the original style and 2x in the current style.

We've been a couple of times, 2010 and 2012. Would you mind saying what the changes were? Just curious.

To the OP. We enjoyed the party both times and are definitely planning to do make reservations for 2014.

 

[jadelane1]

We tried it once and will not go back. I like the view from the front of the castle best and the desserts were just ok. They also sat us next to the stinky wait station!
They could not move our table so we got refunded our money.

On another note many people seem to like it. Just because we didn't, doesn't mean you won't. I say try it and see.

 

[JanaDee]

The last time we did it, it was so bad that they actually refunded our money afterwards. The original party was great. I have no idea why they decided to change things up but it was a terrible decision.

Many ppl love it though so it really has to do with expectations/attitude and the type of experience you are looking for.

But if you go to the restaurants board you can find a TON of positive reviews and the thread showing how many ppl are just waiting for bookings to open up. So there is no shortage of ppl wanting to throw money at Disney for this party. LOL

Eat- we've done the party 4x, 2x in the original style and 2x in the current style.

We went a few years ago and enjoyed the dessert party. I'm curious what they have changed in the meantime.

 

[HM]

My DD17 and I did a party in January. We weren't really impressed. We had a great table location, but we weren't in love with any of the desserts or drinks. And when getting our desserts, we felt the set up was too small and crowded and should have been given more room on the terrace. The feeling we got at the dessert bar was a like a 'free for all' for some reason. To us the cost wasn't worth what we got. I think if someone wants a less-crowded atmosphere and is willing to watch from an angle, and wants a bunch of desserts to try, it might work for them to try it. I don't think I'd cancel based on one review.

We will continue to watch from Main St near the Hub as we have before, on future visits.

 

[delmar411]

We've been a couple of times, 2010 and 2012. Would you mind saying what the changes were? Just curious.

To the OP. We enjoyed the party both times and are definitely planning to do make reservations for 2014.

The original party had the desserts up on the 2nd deck and you could walk all around with plenty of space and light. The major change is that they moved it to where the entrance used to be and tucked it all within the old entrance and a post and put ppl's tables right up against it too. Like you can't walk around the carts anymore. Very awkward setup and there is no lighting there at all. There used to be just 2-3 tables in the area they have the entire setup in now.

DH video taped the area and that was part of the reason we were refunded. I didn't even know he was that upset about the whole thing until he went to City Hall the next day and met up with us and told me about the refund. He doesn't get upset easily so I was shocked he had gone and complained on his own with a video to back up his claims. LOL

Keep in mind we haven't gone back in a couple years. They may have changed it up again. Which I hope they have! LOL

These are pics of the original party buffet area:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/wishes-dessert-party/gallery/28oct2009-wishes-dessert-party/8893.htm

 

[ThinkTink09]

question answered above

 

[Ero_FL]

I didn't even know such a thing existed!

I am totally fitting this into my ADRs for our trip. We always have one night where we get ice cream for dinner and watch fireworks (we usually eat a late lunch and do resort down-time until 6:30 or so). Last time we stood next to a garbage can. The crowds are awful (especially leaving- we try to stand to the side to let people thin out a bit) and it's hard to find a spot and sometimes hard to see Tink but we always thought that was worth it. A reserved table? Definitely worth it!

I knew coming here would be a good idea!

 

[jhorstma]

We did it a week ago Sunday - park was packed so it was very nice to have our own semi-private viewing area, and a real treat to have Tink fly right at us. Think of it as a pleasant albeit expensive way to have VIP viewing of the fireworks away from the hoards, with dessert and coffee thrown in, and you'll enjoy it. Wait for the initial crush of kids to die down before going up for your goodies and you'll have no problems. I got a "you did good" from the wife and 17yo daughter when we went (after putting up with a bunch of griping about the expense), so for me it was money well spent.

 

[pellegirl]

You can find positive and negative reviews on anything so you have to look at why you are booking this event. Is it because you want a relaxed atmosphere for the fireworks without having to fight people for a spot? Is it because of the desserts? We have gone twice...2010 and 2012 both over Easter break. In 2010 it was the highlight of our trip. The layout was spacious, you could sit in your chair to watch the fireworks and the desserts were plentiful. In 2012 there was too many tables (they caught onto the idea of putting more tables in to make more money - imagine that!!!! ;-), you had to move to the rail to see the fireworks and the location of the desserts made it very hard to really take your time and get seconds if you wished. Now we are going to WDW this Feb. and I am seriously considering booking this again even though the last time wasn't up to our expectations however if we had never had the 2010 experience we probably would have had a better feeling of it. The main reasons why I am considering booking this again are 1) Tinkerbell - the two previous times she actually did not fly at all and we kept telling our DD she was supposed to fly overhead so we are crossing our fingers the third time will be the charm, 2) dessert buffet even if crowded is still a great way to end the night, 3) the fact that yes you had to go up to the railing to watch but there is enough space and we aren't fighting the main crowds in the park to do so.....so take my opinion for what it is worth...we have had 1 really good experience and 1 not so good but considering doing it again. Good luck and remember you are at Disney!