MK dessert party

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

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

Where are strollers not allowed, dessert buffet area or garden area?
We have always taken our stroller into garden area, just checking this isn't a new rule.

 

[Figment Mom]

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

I did the post party on my solo trip. I just wanted to relax and not fight the crowds. I did go to the viewing spot early and got a spot at the back railing. It was very nice.

Trying to exit the garden to get to the desserts was very challenging be because you basically had to cut straight across the hordes of exiting people.

My trip was a few years ago. I wasn't impressed with the food selection but it was definitely a treat. I treated myself to all sorts of things on my solo trip because the price x 1 didn't seem as unreasonable.

I don't think I'd enjoy the pre party as much because I'd be worried about getting a good spot in the viewing area. But with my kids I don't think we'd want to do all the sweets after because it would be so late.

 

[Disturbia]

Where are strollers not allowed, dessert buffet area or garden area?
We have always taken our stroller into garden area, just checking this isn't a new rule.

Strollers are allowed in the garden area but need to be parked along the fence now (back-entrance); so there was no leaning against the back rail (we were hoping to do that)

No strollers in the buffet area.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

Strollers are allowed in the garden area but need to be parked along the fence now (back-entrance); so there was no leaning against the back rail (we were hoping to do that)

No strollers in the buffet area.

Shoot, that's what we do everytime, park at back rail and stand behind stroller.

 

[Disturbia]

Shoot, that's what we do everytime, park at back rail and stand behind stroller.

I don’t think it’s a set rule. Watch a few recent videos before going. We took our colugo carrier for our 2 year old and held our 5 year old’s hand. It wasn’t too bad as we entered 20 mins before fireworks.

 

[Disturbia]

We booked the party not to have to fight crowds. Just saw this post:

https://wdwnt.com/2022/06/fight-ove...lization-of-woman-with-bleeding-on-her-brain/

 

[Amberrosess]

We booked the party not to have to fight crowds. Just saw this post:

https://wdwnt.com/2022/06/fight-ove...lization-of-woman-with-bleeding-on-her-brain/

People are insane. Last trip we watched fireworks from blt. We booked the treats and seats this time. I'm glad we did.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

We booked the party not to have to fight crowds. Just saw this post:

https://wdwnt.com/2022/06/fight-ove...lization-of-woman-with-bleeding-on-her-brain/

I've never watched fireworks at MK without a dessert party. This just enforces my decision
We are not in love with Enchantment, but DS18 hasn't seen, and he is bringing his GF for her first trip to WDW, so I have the dessert party booked for us in July.
Too many people in the hub...yuck...

 

[Tew154]

We did the pre party the end

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

We did the pre party at the end of April. We have 2 littles (under 1 and 2.5) and while I wanted the post party, I was pleased with the pre! My older child actually fell asleep with a few minutes to go of the fireworks - she was Disney tired for sure! Even with not getting “first dibs” on hub seating/standing, I have zero complaint about how things ended up. We didn’t want to crowd the front of the area like most to have space for us and to watch and still had a wonderful view and time!

 

[Tew154]

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…

We definitely purchased for the convenience too! Probably should’ve had more but I was anxious to head to the hub with the pre party! Haha

 

[algae]

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…

Yeah, we tried seats&treats and it's basically a great seat for viewing the castle. Food is not great--way too much sugar in the desserts and non-alcohol drinks; can't really see the fireworks. But at least we avoided the pre- and post-show crowds and weren't crammed in like sardines with a lot of people for the show.

 

[redheadk]

We did the pre-party in October 2018. It was just me and my 6-year-old (dad was at a work event) so I didn't want to deal with fighting the crowds on Main Street only to have her need to use the bathroom at the last minute. We sat towards the back of the garden. When the show started, everyone stood up and naturally scooted forward, leaving us with plenty of space around us and a great view for both of us. My daughter even had room to dance around to the music without disturbing anyone.

 

[onewishupon]

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[UK Disney]

Yeah, we tried seats&treats and it's basically a great seat for viewing the castle. Food is not great--way too much sugar in the desserts and non-alcohol drinks; can't really see the fireworks. But at least we avoided the pre- and post-show crowds and weren't crammed in like sardines with a lot of people for the show.

How could you not see the fireworks? Were you sat on the 3rd row of seating? I always thought treats and seats were good for fireworks but not so much for the projections. Had a bad experience with a pre party recently so was looking to try this next time.

 

[algae]

How could you not see the fireworks? Were you sat on the 3rd row of seating? I always thought treats and seats were good for fireworks but not so much for the projections. Had a bad experience with a pre party recently so was looking to try this next time.

The viewing terrace's roof has a few projections that stick out in various places. These projections can block the portion of the sky where most of the fireworks go off.
Here's a photo of the view from my seat which was the second table in from the rail. You can see the projection in the upper right corner of the image. That's where most of the fireworks would explode. So unless you are very close to the railing (and even some of those spots are obscured) you may not be able to see the complete extent of the fireworks. Great, clear view to the castle, though.
The other, somewhat blurry, image shows my view after going to the other side of the table to get a better view. Still largely blocked by the roof projection and you can see the light fixture in the ceiling as well. So, it's more of a partial fireworks view from our location.

 

[UK Disney]

The viewing terrace's roof has a few projections that stick out in various places. These projections can block the portion of the sky where most of the fireworks go off.
Here's a photo of the view from my seat which was the second table in from the rail. You can see the projection in the upper right corner of the image. That's where most of the fireworks would explode. So unless you are very close to the railing (and even some of those spots are obscured) you may not be able to see the complete extent of the fireworks. Great, clear view to the castle, though.
The other, somewhat blurry, image shows my view after going to the other side of the table to get a better view. Still largely blocked by the roof projection and you can see the light fixture in the ceiling as well. So, it's more of a partial fireworks view from our location.

Oh wow that's really interesting, think I'd be a little disappointed not having a good view of the fireworks, you can almost guarantee that's where they'll sit me. The 3rd row back would be even worse. Did you still feel it was worth it in the end? I also think they need to reduce the numbers allowed in the hub grass for pre and post to make it a more enjoyable experience, even if that means increasing the prices.

 

[algae]

Oh wow that's really interesting, think I'd be a little disappointed not having a good view of the fireworks, you can almost guarantee that's where they'll sit me. The 3rd row back would be even worse. Did you still feel it was worth it in the end? I also think they need to reduce the numbers allowed in the hub grass for pre and post to make it a more enjoyable experience, even if that means increasing the prices.

We might've been at a "3rd" row table since the table between us and the rail had 6 people on it.
It was a relief to have a known place to sit that had a decent view without needing to camp out for a long time before-hand or fight crowds afterwards. Given the high cost, we're on the fence about doing that again. I think we'd prefer to roll that money towards a meal at Space 220.

 

[MemphisVanessa]

Hands down the best money spent! We did it in 2019 and we're planning to do it again this December. Having a dedicated spot with breathing room was a game changer. We didn't even bother with the desserts.

 

[cakebaker]

Looks like they've added a 2nd showing of fireworks starting July 14 thru the 28th and oddly enough, there's availability for the after party again starting on the 14th but only the original 8:20 time. It's been sold out for the 15th (our date, for a long time). I wonder if they're going to add another after party after 11? And does that make the current after party the inbetween party?

 

[Figment Mom]

Looks like they've added a 2nd showing of fireworks starting July 14 thru the 28th and oddly enough, there's availability for the after party again starting on the 14th but only the original 8:20 time. It's been sold out for the 15th (our date, for a long time). I wonder if they're going to add another after party after 11? And does that make the current after party the inbetween party?

I saw the availability of the after party for our date, which made me think of switching. (I've booked the pre.) I hate cutting from the viewing area to the terrace afterwards, though. When I did it solo it was treacherous. I can't imagine attempting it with my kids!