MK "Happily Ever After" Dessert Party (Parties) Discussion

[AngieInOH]

Does anyone have a preference of doing the before or after party? Were definitely doing one, just not sure which. Were going in Jan assuming the park will close at 8:00. Guessing fireworks will be at 8:00. Thinking the after party will allow for a nice quiet exit at the end of the night hopefully with some good pics.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does anyone have a preference of doing the before or after party? Were definitely doing one, just not sure which. Were going in Jan assuming the park will close at 8:00. Guessing fireworks will be at 8:00. Thinking the after party will allow for a nice quiet exit at the end of the night hopefully with some good pics.

If fireworks are at closing, it will also perhaps be a good chance to catch The Kiss Goodnight.

 

[AngieInOH]

If fireworks are at closing, it will also perhaps be a good chance to catch The Kiss Goodnight.

Now that would be great and a first for us! Good thought!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Now that would be great and a first for us! Good thought!

I have little ones so opportunities to see it are few and far between. My new philosophy is that if we happen to still be in the park around closing - we're hanging around to see it no matter what!

 

[dachsie]

If fireworks are at closing, it will also perhaps be a good chance to catch The Kiss Goodnight.

That's why I booked it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The Kiss Goodnight, a great nightcap to end a busy day at WDW.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I was solo. I did the before party on July 3rd and was so glad I did. I got in line to check in about 20 minutes before the check in time and was within the first 20 people to go in.
This party was a sold out one.

I didn't eat supper and used the dessert party as my supper - I loved the cheeseburger egg rolls, hated the cold spinach dip and enjoyed everything else. This was my birthday trip and I was surprised with a small plate with a white chocolate covered strawberry and Happy Birthday written on it in chocolate. Yum.
I ate several of those strawberries through the evening as it was something offered at the dessert party. I loved them.

Many of us were seated in the lower area closer to the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing area. We were directed to that area to get our food and drink which was down a few stairs. The tables in that area were all set up for the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing folks and once they were let in the line to get food in that area was ridiculously long.

I decided to stay where I was and enjoy the food and seating rather than rush through my dinner to get to the Plaza Garden. I grabbed a small bottle of water and a couple more of those yummy strawberries that I put in the small ziploc container that I brought with me before getting an escort to the Plaza Garden at 8:40p.

Thank goodness for that escort - the hub had been filled up with people by 8pm he said and he had a hard time getting us through but we managed.

The Garden Plaza was nearly filled up but there was more room once people stood up for the fireworks. The front fence area was completely filled 2 and 3 people deep. Looking at the wristbands I guessed that most of those people seemed to be for the After Party since the bands were different than mine.
There were a couple of small areas on the fake grass available and I found one spot to lean against the back fence. It had a pole in the middle of the castle which was probably why it was available but when the fireworks started I forgot all about that. If I'd gotten there earlier I probably could have gotten a spot that avoided it but I figure I'd paid for desserts so I was going to eat and I didn't want to rush.

Would I do the dessert party again? Probably not for a normal HEA night since I've seen those fireworks unless someone is with me who hasn't seen them. But for something special like these were, I'd book it again and treat it like my dinner with the savory options.

I loved the July 4th fireworks and now have that crossed off my Disney bucket list.

 

[joyjoy]

I was solo. I did the before party on July 3rd and was so glad I did. I got in line to check in about 20 minutes before the check in time and was within the first 20 people to go in.
This party was a sold out one.

I didn't eat supper and used the dessert party as my supper - I loved the cheeseburger egg rolls, hated the cold spinach dip and enjoyed everything else. This was my birthday trip and I was surprised with a small plate with a white chocolate covered strawberry and Happy Birthday written on it in chocolate. Yum.
I ate several of those strawberries through the evening as it was something offered at the dessert party. I loved them.

Many of us were seated in the lower area closer to the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing area. We were directed to that area to get our food and drink which was down a few stairs. The tables in that area were all set up for the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing folks and once they were let in the line to get food in that area was ridiculously long.

I decided to stay where I was and enjoy the food and seating rather than rush through my dinner to get to the Plaza Garden. I grabbed a small bottle of water and a couple more of those yummy strawberries that I put in the small ziploc container that I brought with me before getting an escort to the Plaza Garden at 8:40p.

Thank goodness for that escort - the hub had been filled up with people by 8pm he said and he had a hard time getting us through but we managed.

The Garden Plaza was nearly filled up but there was more room once people stood up for the fireworks. The front fence area was completely filled 2 and 3 people deep. Looking at the wristbands I guessed that most of those people seemed to be for the After Party since the bands were different than mine.
There were a couple of small areas on the fake grass available and I found one spot to lean against the back fence. It had a pole in the middle of the castle which was probably why it was available but when the fireworks started I forgot all about that. If I'd gotten there earlier I probably could have gotten a spot that avoided it but I figure I'd paid for desserts so I was going to eat and I didn't want to rush.

Would I do the dessert party again? Probably not for a normal HEA night since I've seen those fireworks unless someone is with me who hasn't seen them. But for something special like these were, I'd book it again and treat it like my dinner with the savory options.

I loved the July 4th fireworks and now have that crossed off my Disney bucket list.

Excellent review. Thank you!

 

[MinnieMSue]

I was solo. I did the before party on July 3rd and was so glad I did. I got in line to check in about 20 minutes before the check in time and was within the first 20 people to go in.
This party was a sold out one.

I didn't eat supper and used the dessert party as my supper - I loved the cheeseburger egg rolls, hated the cold spinach dip and enjoyed everything else. This was my birthday trip and I was surprised with a small plate with a white chocolate covered strawberry and Happy Birthday written on it in chocolate. Yum.
I ate several of those strawberries through the evening as it was something offered at the dessert party. I loved them.

Many of us were seated in the lower area closer to the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing area. We were directed to that area to get our food and drink which was down a few stairs. The tables in that area were all set up for the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing folks and once they were let in the line to get food in that area was ridiculously long.

I was at the Tomorrowland terrace version of that party and people were very annoyed they had people from
the before party come down to take the food for our party. Did they not have 2 setups of the desserts for the before garden party? At our before garden party a few days later we had a very long table set up and both ends had desserts with the savory in the middle (but only one setup of the egg rolls and dip so that got crowded). This was the same section that you were in. I only went up to get food once because the line was ridiculous and food was very picked over. It didn’t seem worth it for me to go back up. I also knew I was coming back to see HEA so I was ok not eating much.

 

[123SA]

Hmmm...did I miss a change to the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Party?

From the website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/

As showtime nears, Cast Members will escort you to a prime standing area in the Plaza Garden for priority viewing of the nighttime fireworks spectacular. Then, watch in amazement as the skies ignite and Cinderella Castle glows with enchanting illuminations.



So...is this a change to the party or just another example of mistakes on the Disney website?

 

[Cluelyss]

Hmmm...did I miss a change to the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Party?

From the website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/

As showtime nears, Cast Members will escort you to a prime standing area in the Plaza Garden for priority viewing of the nighttime fireworks spectacular. Then, watch in amazement as the skies ignite and Cinderella Castle glows with enchanting illuminations.



So...is this a change to the party or just another example of mistakes on the Disney website?

It’s a mistake. Terrace party still views from the terrace. The before and after parties view from the garden.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Hmmm...did I miss a change to the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Party?

From the website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/

As showtime nears, Cast Members will escort you to a prime standing area in the Plaza Garden for priority viewing of the nighttime fireworks spectacular. Then, watch in amazement as the skies ignite and Cinderella Castle glows with enchanting illuminations.



So...is this a change to the party or just another example of mistakes on the Disney website?

Just did the terrace party and you have a table at or very close to the rail to eat and watch the show.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Haven’t been to this thread in a while.

Have before party in a few weeks.

Has everything worked out with the new after party included now? Or do I sneed to show up in the garden 45 mins before to even get a spot

 

[jaysmom4285]

Reports have indicated that, with the addition of the after party, the reserved area has more people than it did before but that there is still room to have your own personal space, if not to do cartwheels. Many people sit while waiting for the show to start and then stand for the show, which frees up space. If you have a certain spot that is very important to you, like being at the front along the rail, then you should make it a point to get there early. But most have reported that it isn't hard to move around to get a good view if someone tall ends up in front of you. There are some streetlights, small topiaries, etc, that will probably be between you and the castle to some degree no matter where you stand, but they aren't particularly obtrusive, and once the show starts, you tend to forget they're there. I haven't seen any reports that indicated that it was crowded to an uncomfortable degree.

 

[tinkerhon]

We just got back -- did the Plaza Garden (before) party -- honestly, this is the 7th day of our trip, and it was the best decision we've made--- we had so much room in the garden - everyone had their own space - our kids (7 and 12) had a blast - DD recorded the entire show on her phone and was so glad she had such an excellent view -

Likes the food - wasn't crazy about the "savory" items - ( I can, however, live on cheese and crackers)

Liked the macarons - overall, there was enough food to keep us happy, but really went for the view and it didn't disappoint -

Another added bonus - when we were on our way to secure a good spot, one of the CMs brought us three "to-go" boxes and urged us to take some food with us to the garden - we gladly obliged ! Would definitely do it again !

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We just got back -- did the Plaza Garden (before) party -- honestly, this is the 7th day of our trip, and it was the best decision we've made--- we had so much room in the garden - everyone had their own space - our kids (7 and 12) had a blast - DD recorded the entire show on her phone and was so glad she had such an excellent view -

Likes the food - wasn't crazy about the "savory" items - ( I can, however, live on cheese and crackers)

Liked the macarons - overall, there was enough food to keep us happy, but really went for the view and it didn't disappoint -

Another added bonus - when we were on our way to secure a good spot, one of the CMs brought us three "to-go" boxes and urged us to take some food with us to the garden - we gladly obliged ! Would definitely do it again !

Thanks for the review! Added to post #1. Hope you had a good trip.

 

[HatboxHaint]

We just got back -- did the Plaza Garden (before) party -- honestly, this is the 7th day of our trip, and it was the best decision we've made--- we had so much room in the garden - everyone had their own space - our kids (7 and 12) had a blast - DD recorded the entire show on her phone and was so glad she had such an excellent view -

Likes the food - wasn't crazy about the "savory" items - ( I can, however, live on cheese and crackers)

Liked the macarons - overall, there was enough food to keep us happy, but really went for the view and it didn't disappoint -

Another added bonus - when we were on our way to secure a good spot, one of the CMs brought us three "to-go" boxes and urged us to take some food with us to the garden - we gladly obliged ! Would definitely do it again !

first report of to-go boxes I've seen. I like it!

 

[tinkerhon]

first report of to-go boxes I've seen. I like it!

Yea- it was weird because people kept mentioning that they felt rushed with their desserts because they wanted to get a good spot - then they saw people with "to-go" boxes, and said "that's what we should have done!"

 

[Windixon]

Just found out we may have to move our fall trip up one week and I am looking at rebooking reservations. Most should be ok, but I had a terrace party for our last night. Looks like all nights for the new week are full. What are the chances something becomes available if I keep checking?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just found out we may have to move our fall trip up one week and I am looking at rebooking reservations. Most should be ok, but I had a terrace party for our last night. Looks like all nights for the new week are full. What are the chances something becomes available if I keep checking?

The Terrace Viewing version has a pretty small guest count compared to the Plaza Garden viewing option. Sell outs are far more common and unfortunatley you have a much smaller group of folks that may/may not change their plans at some point, opening up spots.

It’s worth it to keep searching, but I would keep your expectations pretty low and have another plan in mind. If availability pops up, then bonus.

There is a 5 day cancellation period without penalty - so that can sometimes be a good time to keep your eyes open.

Good luck!