MK dessert party

[TheBigErn]

What are the pros and cons of the pre vs post fireworks dessert party.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Pre fireworks dessert party - pro getting to eat earlier and you can take snacks with you to the viewing area, con the post folks are taking up the best spots in the viewing area and it's tough to get through the crowds to reach the viewing area.

Post Fireworks - Pro getting a good spot for fireworks viewing. Con - getting over to the snack area can be tricky after the fireworks.

Those are the ones I thought of immediately from my last Pre-Fireworks dessert party.

 

[vakamalua]

The biggest con is trying to book either of them...

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I've done both and chose based on what was going on that evening. Staying in park after fireworks, then chose pre. Attending after hours event that started an hour after fireworks, chose post. I did think the post fireworks was more relaxing. For the pre fireworks party, we felt like we needed to hurry up and get over to the viewing area.

 

[reddog21]

The biggest con is trying to book either of them...

nope, the biggest con is the price.

 

[joyjoy]

We did the post-fireworks party last month. We got our spot at the very front of the iron fence on the "grass", got hot cocoa and waited about an hour. Very nice, met some new friends. There is a space in FRONT of the iron fence, non-grassy, that was empty when we arrived but the closer to the show it started filling up with people. We could still see fine, but it would have been even better if it stayed empty. I'm wondering if they've started keeping that space available for the pre-fireworks people who are still eating. It's on pavement but roped off and they didn't let anyone in until like 20 mins before the show so I don't know what it was.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

nope, the biggest con is the price.

You are both right! Though price is probably a bigger con for me. Even if I could book the party (and haven't been able to), do I really want to pay $100 per person for a decent seat and bad desserts? I guess I do, since I tried to book it for our May trip.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Pre fireworks dessert party - pro getting to eat earlier and you can take snacks with you to the viewing area, con the post folks are taking up the best spots in the viewing area and it's tough to get through the crowds to reach the viewing area.

Post Fireworks - Pro getting a good spot for fireworks viewing. Con - getting over to the snack area can be tricky after the fireworks.

Those are the ones I thought of immediately from my last Pre-Fireworks dessert party.

I was told by the manager that I could not take my snacks to the viewing area.
I was the first person to check in and I asked to be seated at a table near the open air edge since I was only comfortable with outdoor dining. She said those few tables were for 4, so I could not be seated there. So, I said, no problem, I’ll just take my snacks to the viewing area. She said I could not take my snacks to the viewing area because it was an all you care to eat party and the rule was you couldn’t take the snacks with you. Her solution was that she give me a refund and still allow me to go to the viewing area. So, that’s what I did....with an ice cream sundae from the plaza of course!

 

[Kingoglow]

Cons: Price and value.

What are you getting? You pay a good deal of money for a place to stand and watch the fireworks... but that is free. You might say that you don't want to arrive early for fireworks to wait, but that is like 30-40 minutes. If you purchase the pre firework option you have to arrive even earlier than that ...

But what about the desserts? I don't particularly want to eat $80+ dollars worth of sugar that late in the evening. That might just be me though...

A better value would be just getting the LL for fireworks viewing.

Pros: You can say that you did it (I guess).

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We recently did the pre-party, and I agree with some of the comments that state we felt a bit of a need to rush over to make sure we got a decent spot. That really was counter to what the party is supposed to be, which is a guaranteed spot (with a good view) of the fireworks and projections. If we do it again (and not sure we will), we might take a cue from some of the post-party folks, who grabbed takeout (burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc), brought it with them into the viewing area early, sat down and had dinner on the grass, and got a good spot early. Then they watched the show and walked over for dessert later (by the way, there are more than just desserts - they do have some non-dessert options, too). But as a con of the post-party, I no longer wish to be eating desserts at 9:30 at night - makes it tougher to get to sleep later! And I sure wouldn't want that for my kids...... We had done MK parties in the past, and they were better because they took in less people to the viewing area. When we did it recently, it was way too crowded to be worth the money for us.

 

[ajgardner]

Cons: Price and value.

What are you getting? You pay a good deal of money for a place to stand and watch the fireworks... but that is free. You might say that you don't want to arrive early for fireworks to wait, but that is like 30-40 minutes. If you purchase the pre firework option you have to arrive even earlier than that ...

But what about the desserts? I don't particularly want to eat $80+ dollars worth of sugar that late in the evening. That might just be me though...

A better value would be just getting the LL for fireworks viewing.

Pros: You can say that you did it (I guess).

Wait, there is LL for fireworks viewing? Or am I misinterpreting your comment?

 

[Disturbia]

I would cancel immediately if there was a lightening lane even for $50 per person; only parade has one (part of Genie+)

 

[Disturbia]

Kids will have little to no view unless you can hold them up for 18 minutes. We are trying to avoid the crowds

This video is from a not so crowded chilly day:

 

[Anna131517]

You’re paying to not have to fight to keep a spot, and to stand/sit in a slightly less crowded area. The food really isn’t the point. We did I it in 2019 with our 3 young kids and for us it was worth it. We wouldn’t have stayed for the fireworks otherwise. It’s the only time we’ve seen them. I reserved a desert party again for our upcoming trip but I’m on the fence about whether to keep it. It is nice to see the fireworks but I’m not sure it’s a good use of money.

 

[Disturbia]

The reserved area view

 

[bluedolphin32]

You’re paying to not have to fight to keep a spot, and to stand/sit in a slightly less crowded area. The food really isn’t the point. We did I it in 2019 with our 3 young kids and for us it was worth it. We wouldn’t have stayed for the fireworks otherwise. It’s the only time we’ve seen them. I reserved a desert party again for our upcoming trip but I’m on the fence about whether to keep it. It is nice to see the fireworks but I’m not sure it’s a good use of money.

Same. This was exactly why I booked it for our party of 6 in 2018. Our kids were 4, 7, and 9, and I was afraid the kids wouldn't be able to see the show without reserved viewing. We got desserts and were allowed to take our plates to the grassy area. Sounds like they changed that. I wonder if too many people left their trash on the lawn...

 

[mikalkwin]

I still hesitate between the after-party and the seats&treats one. It will be end august, DH and DD8. The seats&treats is better for waiting/sitting but the after party has a much better view but the point of booking one of those is not to have to wait 1hour in the heat before the show to get a good spot… In any case, I am paying for the seat or grass spot. Because we won’t eat most of the desserts and we don’t drink any alcohol…

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I was hoping to get the seats and treats party for my husband and I for our upcoming short 2 day trip. It was fully booked already even at 60 days so then I tried for the after party and that was fully booked too.

I ended up booking the before the fireworks one. it's better than fighting the crowds in the main areas.

I can't get down to sit on the ground so I'm hoping they will let me lean against a fence. I will have my cane with me. Normally I rent a scooter but I'm sure they won't be any available since we won't be arriving until 4:30 or 5pm. We figure we'll just be in the park for the Fireworks Party and maybe 1 ride or two before it.
We both have Annual Passes - otherwise it wouldn't be worth going to a park that day.

 

[CarolynFH]

I can't get down to sit on the ground so I'm hoping they will let me lean against a fence.

Some people sit until the show begins, but most stand the entire time. We made a point of leaning against the fence in the back and had a great view!

 

[Disturbia]

We did the after party twice post pandemic (Nov and Mar) and got in the viewing area 20-30 mins before fireworks and had a great view. You don’t need to be up near the rails to get a great view. Middle to back view is less blocked by shrubs/lights. We rode some rides before entering the dessert buffet area around 9:45 pm (for 9 pm fireworks the dessert buffet is replenished until 10 pm). Strollers are not allowed (surprised us the first time; went prepared second time; should be stated in the fine print).

https://www.disboards.com/threads/can-we-talk-dessert-party.3855046/page-11