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

[bethbuchall]

We did the Garden party tonight. We arrived at registration just after 7:30 for 7:45 check-in. I think there were four families ahead of us. We took our trip me eating but still filled quickly. I started with too many sweets and should have had more cheese/fruit instead. We relaxed at the table for a while trying to decide if anyone wanted more to eat. We grabbed a couple of extra water bottles and headed to the viewing area about 8:45. The left back railing was already full, but there was plenty of space on the right which we took. We had all kinds of space around us. Almost everyone was sitting st that point, and kids were running around. They did a much better job of keeping the path behind the area clear this year. Last year, it was chaos back there, and a female CM was shrieking the entire time. This time, they were telling people to keep moving, but it was not nearly as loud or unpleasant. Almost everyone stood when the show started, though there were still a few on the ground. I had someone very tall stand up right in front of me (I’m 5’2”, but I was able to meet be down to see around him). We stayed after HEA was finished to watch Once Upon a Time. The garden area really cleared out, and we were the only people on our entire section of “grass.” We stayed seated and were able to see it all.

We were not required to have an escort over. The women at the registration desk saw us leaving and asked if we knew where to get into the garden. We said we did, and they told us to feel free to come back for an escort if we had any problems.

It was such a nice night!

 

[123SA]

I attended the Tomorrowland terrace dessert party tonight.

So...the view stinks compared to the garden party. We were in the second row of tables. I’m pretty sure the view by the rail is fine, but I could not see the fireworks at my table. I’ll try to post a photo when I’m get home. It was an obstructed view at best, sometimes no view of the fireworks. I tried to find a place to stand and watch but I couldn’t find an unobstructed view that didn’t block someone else’s view. For reference, my table was in front of the sparkling cider cart. 2 of my kids were on the side of the table closer to the rail and they could see fireworks most of the time. My son and I were on the side closer to the cart. I could not see fireworks. And he didn’t care that he couldn’t see them. I moved to the area by the entrance and stood behind some seated people. I could see the fireworks, but sometimes I had to squat because the roof blocked them. I could see most of the castle, but a large tree was in the way.

The people seated at the rail seemed happy. I am planning to email guest services because standing by myself to partially view the fireworks was not what I expected.

The food was fine and we enjoyed being able to sit and rest before the fireworks. The water ran out and several guests asked before it was replaced


Not sure if I would do this again. My family likes the before party and doesn’t care about the awful view. I wonder if I could have asked to go to the garden.

The view of Tinkerbelle is great.

 

[ali_in_al]

For the terrace party, are you assigned a table or is it first come, first served?

 

[GirlDreamer]

For the terrace party, are you assigned a table or is it first come, first served?

From what others have said it's first come first serve. But it depends on your party size. The tables on the front is mostly if not all for 2 people and the row in the back are for bigger groups. I don't think you can choose a table for 4 if you're only 2 etc.

 

[123SA]

For the terrace party, are you assigned a table or is it first come, first served?

We were a party of 5. We were brought to a table.

 

[jennab]

We are booked in the garden before party on 11/23 (black Friday) which is a level 10 MK day. Will we have any issues getting into MK if they close due to capacity, or will we still get in because we have reservations? Our plan was just to go in the morning for EMH then come back a bit before our party check in time.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

delete

 

[Clare Voince]

I attended the Tomorrowland terrace dessert party tonight.

So...the view stinks compared to the garden party. We were in the second row of tables. I’m pretty sure the view by the rail is fine, but I could not see the fireworks at my table. I’ll try to post a photo when I’m get home. It was an obstructed view at best, sometimes no view of the fireworks. I tried to find a place to stand and watch but I couldn’t find an unobstructed view that didn’t block someone else’s view. For reference, my table was in front of the sparkling cider cart. 2 of my kids were on the side of the table closer to the rail and they could see fireworks most of the time. My son and I were on the side closer to the cart. I could not see fireworks. And he didn’t care that he couldn’t see them. I moved to the area by the entrance and stood behind some seated people. I could see the fireworks, but sometimes I had to squat because the roof blocked them. I could see most of the castle, but a large tree was in the way.

The people seated at the rail seemed happy. I am planning to email guest services because standing by myself to partially view the fireworks was not what I expected.

The food was fine and we enjoyed being able to sit and rest before the fireworks. The water ran out and several guests asked before it was replaced


Not sure if I would do this again. My family likes the before party and doesn’t care about the awful view. I wonder if I could have asked to go to the garden.

The view of Tinkerbelle is great.

I had a similar experience when I did the Ferrytale Wishes cruise on the Ferry. If you weren't lucky enough to get a spot on the rail (I wasn't), the roof of the ferry and the people in front of you obstructed your view.

 

[Cluelyss]

We are booked in the garden before party on 11/23 (black Friday) which is a level 10 MK day. Will we have any issues getting into MK if they close due to capacity, or will we still get in because we have reservations? Our plan was just to go in the morning for EMH then come back a bit before our party check in time.

I can’t recall ever hearing the park closing to capacity on Black Friday, so you shouldn’t have any issues. However, there are phased closings and if the park does hit max capacity, no one will be permitted in. APs, those staying on site with multi day tickets and those with dining reservations are the last to be blocked out though.

 

[jennab]

I can’t recall ever hearing the park closing to capacity on Black Friday, so you shouldn’t have any issues. However, there are phased closings and if the park does hit max capacity, no one will be permitted in. APs, those staying on site with multi day tickets and those with dining reservations are the last to be blocked out though.

Good to know thanks! We are staying onsite too so hopefully that wouldn’t happen. Still debating if we want to deal with crowds and do the dessert party that night or not!

 

[Cluelyss]

Good to know thanks! We are staying onsite too so hopefully that wouldn’t happen. Still debating if we want to deal with crowds and do the dessert party that night or not!

If you plan to be in the park anyway, the dessert party is definitely the way to go!

 

[jennab]

If you plan to be in the park anyway, the dessert party is definitely the way to go!

I am debating between watching from Poly beach or the dessert party. We wouldn’t even attempt without the party! We have never seen HEA though and hear it’s a lot of projections so best to see in park (at least once)

 

[Cluelyss]

I am debating between watching from Poly beach or the dessert party. We wouldn’t even attempt without the party! We have never seen HEA though and hear it’s a lot of projections so best to see in park (at least once)

If it’s your first time, you MUST see them from inside the Park!! I love watching from the Poly beach, too, but you miss a lot of the “storyline” without being able to see the protections.

 

[ray3127]

We have reservations for the After Fireworks Dessert Party, Garden Viewing in early January. MK closes at 8PM, and HUA is scheduled for 8PM (OUAT is not scheduled).

Wasn't sure how this worked, so just talked to Dining, and they said that when the park closes at the same time as the fireworks occur, those with the After party get to enjoy the experience while everybody else leaves... I asked for how long, and she said they don't commit to a time, but she said they don't rush you out of there by any means. It's not 5 minutes, but they won't let you stay until midnight. She said probably at least an hour or so.

Obviously I don't want to be caught where we are being told to leave and we aren't ready to, so the ambiguity here bothers me a bit. However, I do like the idea of relaxing and enjoying the desserts while the crowds clear out.

The alternative is to do the Before party, but that leaves less park time on a day where hours are a little short, and then has us leaving with the masses.

Any advice either way, particularly when the firework time is the same as the park closing time?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I am debating between watching from Poly beach or the dessert party. We wouldn’t even attempt without the party! We have never seen HEA though and hear it’s a lot of projections so best to see in park (at least once)

I agree with @Cluelyss. I’ve done a lot of both (watching from the Poly beach and watching from the dessert party). They are both very good, but very different experiences. One isn’t really a replacement for the other, so to speak. When we stay at Poly, we usually end up making time to watch at least one night from the beach and one night in-park.

Although sometimes with the kiddos staying at the Poly ends up working out better just given the flow of the day / stamina.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We have reservations for the After Fireworks Dessert Party, Garden Viewing in early January. MK closes at 8PM, and HUA is scheduled for 8PM (OUAT is not scheduled).

Wasn't sure how this worked, so just talked to Dining, and they said that when the park closes at the same time as the fireworks occur, those with the After party get to enjoy the experience while everybody else leaves... I asked for how long, and she said they don't commit to a time, but she said they don't rush you out of there by any means. It's not 5 minutes, but they won't let you stay until midnight. She said probably at least an hour or so.

Obviously I don't want to be caught where we are being told to leave and we aren't ready to, so the ambiguity here bothers me a bit. However, I do like the idea of relaxing and enjoying the desserts while the crowds clear out.

The alternative is to do the Before party, but that leaves less park time on a day where hours are a little short, and then has us leaving with the masses.

Any advice either way, particularly when the firework time is the same as the park closing time?

If time in the parks to do attractions is important to you, then I'd lean toward the after party. That way, you can do what you want until just before 8, go to the viewing area to see HEA, and then relax with desserts while the hordes pour out of the park. The hardest part may be getting from the viewing area to the Tomorrowland Terrace! I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the desserts and not be rushed out. Even though the park is officially closed, the stores stay open for quite a while after closing time, so it isn't as if your group will be the only ones there. The parks seem quite casual about clearing people out after closing. The CMs won't let anyone walk farther back into the park areas, but they let guests visit stores and stroll around, as long as they're more or less moving toward the exits.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I'm so excited to see that they will be doing Holiday Wishes when I'm there during Christmas week. We have an ADR for the Terrace party and hope the view of the fireworks will be great there. My hubs rather sit at a table than sit at the garden this time.

 

[Cluelyss]

I'm so excited to see that they will be doing Holiday Wishes when I'm there during Christmas week. We have an ADR for the Terrace party and hope the view of the fireworks will be great there. My hubs rather sit at a table than sit at the garden this time.

Last year HEA was shown the week of Christmas, which was a departure from what was done in prior years. Has Holiday Wishes been confirmed to be returning that week this year?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Interesting - I’ve been watching the park calendar on that topic. I think it had previously not been listed as HEA or Holiday Wishes.... but now I see they have it listed as Holiday Wishes 12/22-12/29.

Wonder if that’s an oversight or if they are legitimately going back to Holiday Wishes during that week again. I’m in favor, if true.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Interesting - I’ve been watching the park calendar on that topic. I think it had previously not been listed as HEA or Holiday Wishes.... but now I see they have it listed as Holiday Wishes 12/22-12/29.

Wonder if that’s an oversight or if they are legitimately going back to Holiday Wishes during that week again. I’m in favor, if true.

I've been watching the calendar too and noticed the change yesterday. Since HEA was still listed before the 22nd, I'm thinking it's true. It better be lol.