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

[Elle23]

Seriously? Why can’t Disney just leave things that are working alone?

So they increased the price AND are doubling the amount of people in the garden viewing area? Really?

I bit the bullet and made a reservation for November despite the price increase, but I had no idea about them double dipping with 2 different parties. That is truly disappointing.

 

[CMNJ]

Ok so it seems like with the party starting earlier the people head to the Garden earlier too. Pretty much the crowd at 8:45 was the whole group except for possibly a few stragglers. Once everyone stood up instead of laying down there was a lot of room in the garden. Honestly it didn’t look much different than any other night I’ve walked past that area. People kind of congregated in the front, middle, and back with a good amount of room between the “sections”. However it did seem like the after fireworks party did not sell well tonight. I think there were 8 tables/groups total at the after party. That means that the majority of the people I saw heading over to the Garden around 8:30 when we went in were actually from the before fireworks party. I guess with the earlier start time people head down sooner. When we did it last year people seemed to only head over like 15-20 min prior.
As for the food I was not a fan. I had hoped with the new menu it would be tastier and closer to being “worth” the hefty price tag but it was extremely disappointing. I did not like the previous menu much either. I think the dessert party we went to for Jingle Bell Jingle Bam was way better. The dessert selection tonight wasn’t all that different feeling than the previous one (from my recollection when I went last fall). Here’s what I recall them having
Oreos with a tiny bit of mousse and a chocolate mickey face
Strawberry tarts
Cheesecake brownie bites
Pineapple delights
Red velvet cupcakes
Chocolate chip cookies (and I think sugar too)
Rice Krispie treats
Macarons
chocolatr covered strawberries
Decorate your own cupcake
Vanilla ice cream (with whip cream and cherries but I didn’t notice any toppings like fudge/chocolate sauce)
Fruit tray
Cheese cubes
Cold spinach dip with crackers
Taco mini egg rolls with some dip/sauce
Ooey gooey toffee cake
“s’mores” on a stick (toasted marshmallow rolled in chocolate shavings and graham cracker crumbs)
Normal drinks (sparking Apple cider, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, milk, lemonade, iced tea, juice)
The ooey gooey toffee cake was extremely disappointing. It tasted like they tried to make it without getting the recipe. It was neither ooey nor gooey. I assume the dryness was the result of having to make huge pans of it for the party.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think a lot of people are jumping the gun here.

In reality, was tonight’s showing any different than any other night? Doesn’t seem so from what I’m reading. People are just going slightly crazy. I was under the assumption EVERY spot is good in the garden, so what does it matter what time someone goes there

It seems it was the same tonight as other nights. Yes more people went down earlier but that’s because they were worried about a spot, when in reality they should get one no problem, even if going 10 mins before.

This very well might change as the summer crowds come in though so I won’t even remotely think of canceling or changing until I see some late June and July reviews, since I’m going in August

I hope for the best.

 

[glvsav37]

It's been over 2 years since we've done the (then) Whishes DP. There was only Terrace viewing and you could stand at the rail once the show started. Honestly, we loved it and have plans to do it again this August.

Can someone give me the protocol now? I get there's the Terrace and Garden viewing, along with the price difference. I get that they changed added the "after" party and the garden is now mixed with both 'before' and 'after' guests. This is making me lean toward the Terrace, got small enough kids that cant see over grown adults so well. However, do they still allow you to stand at the rail? Or are the seats assigned and thats where you watch from? B/c i would hate to get assigned a rear table and miss a lot of the high show.

Please give me the skinny on how it is working these days. While price is always a factor (terrace vs garden), we budget these events in b/c we love the convenience of them and get to WDW so infrequently. I'll gladly pay for the best available experience for my kids, just dont like to roll the dice and possibly get stuck somewhere we won't fully enjoy it b/c it will be the only time his trip.

 

[MelissaMonicaDrake]

It's been over 2 years since we've done the (then) Whishes DP. There was only Terrace viewing and you could stand at the rail once the show started. Honestly, we loved it and have plans to do it again this August.

Can someone give me the protocol now? I get there's the Terrace and Garden viewing, along with the price difference. I get that they changed added the "after" party and the garden is now mixed with both 'before' and 'after' guests. This is making me lean toward the Terrace, got small enough kids that cant see over grown adults so well. However, do they still allow you to stand at the rail? Or are the seats assigned and thats where you watch from? B/c i would hate to get assigned a rear table and miss a lot of the high show.

Please give me the skinny on how it is working these days. While price is always a factor (terrace vs garden), we budget these events in b/c we love the convenience of them and get to WDW so infrequently. I'll gladly pay for the best available experience for my kids, just dont like to roll the dice and possibly get stuck somewhere we won't fully enjoy it b/c it will be the only time his trip.

Curious about this, too. Last time we went was in 2011 and did the terrace viewing as well and it was great. Already booked garden viewing for our trip this year and thinking about switching it as our youngest is 6 and it will be the only day we'll be in MK during the fireworks.

 

[whiporee]

Sounds about what I thought but would be. There's a lot of room there, but not enough room for laying down. That's not unexpected. I think Disney saw the space, saw it wasn't filling up, tried to find a way to fill it. I don't know whether this will work, but it's hardly anything unexpected. When they set aside the space, they intended to fill it. When they planned the party, they intended for the space to fill up. They couldn't fill it with the pre-show, so they added the post.

I do think it's true that any space in the garden is better than 95 percent of the spaces available, period. There are better spaces and worse spaces in the garden, but all of them are better than most. So if you want one of the best of the best, you do need to be there early and wait, but if you don't want to wait, you can still get a very good space to watch.

Or you can pay more and sit at the Terrace.

 

[dizneeat]

There was only Terrace viewing and you could stand at the rail once the show started.

We have done it twice in the last two years and every time everyone stayed seated. No more standing at the rails. Tables are close to the rail as well, so you would have to push yourself in between two tables.

 

[Cade387]

When we went in 2016 we sat in the grassy area in front of Crystal Palace. I’m thinking we had a fast pass? It wasn’t a dessert party but we had room to sit the entire time and the kids watched from the stroller. If it really is standing only, how do the kids see anything? I can’t hold a 45 and 55 lb kid high enough to be eye level with adults for that long. That is why we paid for the dessert party in the first place.

This whole thing sounds like watching HEA isn’t even worth it. I have three days to decide and it is the only part of the trip that has me stressed.

 

[glvsav37]

We have done it twice in the last two years and every time everyone stayed seated. No more standing at the rails. Tables are close to the rail as well, so you would have to push yourself in between two tables.

thanks....are all the table at the rail, or are there others further back? Last time we went, there were tables in the back and IDK how anyone could see the fireworks from there?

 

[CJK]

thanks....are all the table at the rail, or are there others further back? Last time we went, there were tables in the back and IDK how anyone could see the fireworks from there?

I'm not the OP, but I can answer this question. We went to the Terrace party in March. There are now only 2 rows of tables. One row is right by the railing, and the other row is right behind them. No more tables in the back. Everyone has a great view. In fact, the dessert party area is so spacious now. I remember how crowded it was with the original set up, so this is a really nice change.

 

[quandrea]

So, without even waiting for tonight's feedback, I decided to bail. I've cancelled the dessert party and will instead leave the park for ...

... a late dinner reservation at California Grill. I've never been there either, and can take advantage of just having to go down in the elevator to be in for the night. I'll avoid the crowds and stress, and save the dessert party for another time, maybe with DD.

I was thinking of mentioning this too. We are there in August and I’ve been considering the dessert party. I want to see HEA, but don’t want the hassle of crowds. It occurred to me on Sunday to book California Grill brunch. I’ll head back for fireworks later. With our discount it ends up being about the same cost. Better food, better value for my sensibilities. No direct view of the castle though. It’s a concession, to be sure, but one I’m happy to make.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

It's been over 2 years since we've done the (then) Whishes DP. There was only Terrace viewing and you could stand at the rail once the show started. Honestly, we loved it and have plans to do it again this August.

Can someone give me the protocol now? I get there's the Terrace and Garden viewing, along with the price difference. I get that they changed added the "after" party and the garden is now mixed with both 'before' and 'after' guests. This is making me lean toward the Terrace, got small enough kids that cant see over grown adults so well. However, do they still allow you to stand at the rail? Or are the seats assigned and thats where you watch from? B/c i would hate to get assigned a rear table and miss a lot of the high show.

Please give me the skinny on how it is working these days. While price is always a factor (terrace vs garden), we budget these events in b/c we love the convenience of them and get to WDW so infrequently. I'll gladly pay for the best available experience for my kids, just dont like to roll the dice and possibly get stuck somewhere we won't fully enjoy it b/c it will be the only time his trip.

PPs have given you excellent advice above on the current state of the Terrace version of the dessert party. It’s quite a bit different than years ago when the whole bottom level was packed with tables. Granted table configuration can change night to night, but you generally only see one row of tables along the rail, and in some spots two. There’s no more “rushing to the rail” like the prior setup.

I keep Post #1 updated with links to reviews/experiences that are posted in this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/mk-happily-ever-after-dessert-party-discussion-thread.3604693/

About 1/4 down the page you’ll see some links to Terrace party posts (that party doesn’t get as much discussion as the Plaza Garden version, as you’ll see).

Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. (They used to be pre-assigned in prior iterations of this event)

Pic is a bit dated and they’ve changed the layout a bit, but the table layout looks something like this below. That “jut out” is where you tend to see tables two layers deep.


Hope that helps!

 

[mom2rtk]

BTW, FWIW, my mom was there last night and asked a manager about this whole thing and she said "we have room to double the number of the people in the plaza, so it's all going to be fine". Ugh.

Well there you go. Exactly what so many of us feared would be the case.

 

[ChanduTail]

So they increased the price AND are doubling the amount of people in the garden viewing area? Really?

 

[SaintsManiac]

We aren't sure if we'll keep the party or not, but it's because of many factors not just the changes. Although I will say that COLD spinach dip is disgusting!

 

[123SA]

I think the view from the terrace is terrible (2016 Sept party). I won't do that party again. We had a table in the 2nd row. I guess I'm too picky. We ended up standing over by the serving tables to get a more centered, less tree blocked view. I think being so off-centered detracts from the show. I'm also not convinced that toddlers seated at a table in the back row can see much, but It's been a while since I've had a toddler, so other's opinions are going to better than mine.

I liked the view from the plaza garden (2017 Aug party). I don't like the idea of the party size increase, but I still think it has to be better than fighting the crowd at the hub, which is my main reason for booking the party. I remember looking at that crowd from the plaza garden last year, watching people continually shoving into the spaces marked off by the tape, watching people argue with CM when they were told they couldn't be outside the tape, they couldn't come into the garden, they couldn't stand in front of the garden etc...and I was so glad I had my reserved place. 2015 we were by the train station, ground level and it was nasty. 2 people in scooters were very vocal any time anyone filled the space in front them up to like 15 feet out. The aggression level made me uncomfortable. Once the show started, it filled in, kids went up on shoulders and it became rather pointless that I had waited for the show. Couldn't see over the kids and we were boxed in. So...yes, the new party still seems like the better option.

If it's going to be more crowded, I think I'll arrive late. I'm trying to avoid the whole sitting and fighting with a crowd, so arriving early just means more time in the crowd. I also booked the Tony's lunch that comes with the parade fast pass for just this reason (and the Stars Wars dessert party, and the Frozen dessert party)

 

[areno79]

I'm hoping since last night was the first night with the new menu and the after party, the food will improve and we'll get some more reviews. That's why we don't go to brand new restaurants. It takes them some time to work out the kinks.

 

[whirlthepearl]

I'm a relatively new AP holder and was holding out faith that Disney would do this right (in my mind, that would mean using both gardens). I'm disappointed in a general sense BUT I agree with someone above that I still don't think this is going to change anything drastically (EXCEPT for already sold out/crowded nights like the 4th of July). Anyway I'm sending my parents and kids on Saturday. They have no clue about anything Disney-related, so I'm not going to freak them out about it and I'll report back on what normal Garden party guests observe. And if they have a bad experience, you better believe I'll be at Guest Services on Sunday.

 

[HappyGrape]

hm... it does not sounds good does it?

 

[GirlDreamer]

thanks....are all the table at the rail, or are there others further back? Last time we went, there were tables in the back and IDK how anyone could see the fireworks from there?

I'm not the OP, but I can answer this question. We went to the Terrace party in March. There are now only 2 rows of tables. One row is right by the railing, and the other row is right behind them. No more tables in the back. Everyone has a great view. In fact, the dessert party area is so spacious now. I remember how crowded it was with the original set up, so this is a really nice change.

PPs have given you excellent advice above on the current state of the Terrace version of the dessert party. It’s quite a bit different than years ago when the whole bottom level was packed with tables. Granted table configuration can change night to night, but you generally only see one row of tables along the rail, and in some spots two. There’s no more “rushing to the rail” like the prior setup.

I keep Post #1 updated with links to reviews/experiences that are posted in this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/mk-happily-ever-after-dessert-party-discussion-thread.3604693/

About 1/4 down the page you’ll see some links to Terrace party posts (that party doesn’t get as much discussion as the Plaza Garden version, as you’ll see).

Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. (They used to be pre-assigned in prior iterations of this event)

Pic is a bit dated and they’ve changed the layout a bit, but the table layout looks something like this below. That “jut out” is where you tend to see tables two layers deep.
View attachment 325627

Hope that helps!

I posted about this earlier, but didn't get any replies. I think that when they added the after party, they might have changed the terrace view as well, so I'm hoping that someone might give us some feedback of how it's working now. The website says the following : "This sensational celebration starts at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant with a tempting array of freshly prepared desserts plus a variety of seasonal fruits and cheeses. As showtime approaches, you’ll be escorted to your seats on the patio of Tomorrowland Terrace. Then, just sit back and relax—and watch in amazement as the skies ignite and Cinderella Castle glows with enchanting illuminations."