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

[StephenM84]

I just booked for 4 people on 12/18

 

[deedubb]

I thought of one last question. I am trying to pick which MK night to do this on, a Thursday or Sunday. Which do you think would be better and what happens if it rains or the show is cancelled?

Unfortunately, if fireworks are canceled, you are SOL (ie. you've just paid a ton of money for a few desserts).

Just booked it for 2 days over our Xmas trip. I was surprised to see those dates have opened up already.

 

[WDWLODGE]

I just booked for 4 people on 12/18

I was finally able to book for 12/13 this morning.

 

[Alaskangirl02]

I keep watching for my Oct. dates. Please post and let us know if anyone sees availability for Oct.

October has opened!

 

[salemk]

Just booked HEA for 10/11

 

[djc9699]

Is November or December available yet. I see the dates highlighted, but nothing available any night! Thanks!

these are available now. I booked this morning for December 18th and 24th.

 

[djc9699]

I just booked for 4 people on 12/18

We will be there on the 18th as well.

 

[scjo68]

We did this June 22. I appreciate all the reviews and info from this thread to help us decide to book. We had done the original Terrace Dessert party several times, when the price was much lower. We had loved it and it was a tradition, but with the huge price increase, we just couldn't justify the money. We had started watching Wishes from other places in the park, just to avoid the crowds in the hub.

However, since this would be our first time watching HEA, we wanted to be able to see it, but didn't want to fight the crowds.

It was worth it for us to do once, but now that we have seen HEA, which we loved, we will probably not do this party again, due to the cost.

We really enjoyed the desserts.

They let people take some desserts with them- even gave a few folks boxes. They would also give take-out cups for drinks if asked.

There were a couple of people in the reserved Plaza viewing area without wristbands. A CM quietly explained what the area was and escorted them out. Not sure if they didn't understand or were trying to sneak in or what...

There were strollers and scooters in the viewing area. Some people stood, some sat.

I thought of one last question. I am trying to pick which MK night to do this on, a Thursday or Sunday. Which do you think would be better and what happens if it rains or the show is cancelled?

The official policy is that you are paying for desserts, not fireworks, so if they are cancelled, you are not entitled to a refund. However, in my experience, they will usually show the MK fireworks eventually, even if a storm delays them. We were at the Wishes dessert party during a terrible storm in 2013, and they postponed Wishes for 45 minutes and let us stay at the party with dessert the whole time. Definitely worth the price that night. BTW, If the weather is bad in any way, Tink will not fly. We have been to 6 MK fireworks parties, and Tink has only flown at half of them.

 

[Fiona35]

I've booked for plaza gardens viewing and I gather it's at the upper level of tomorrowland terrace.
Having never been to Disney World before is it quite easy to find the entrance?
Thanks

 

[scjo68]

I've booked for plaza gardens viewing and I gather it's at the upper level of tomorrowland terrace.
Having never been to Disney World before is it quite easy to find the entrance?
Thanks

Yes, it is easy to find. From Main Street where you enter Magic Kingdom, The Tomorrowland Terrace is on the right. At the main entrence to the Terrace, you check in and they will seat you. When you are ready to leave the dessert seating area to move to the Plaza viewing area, tell the cm's and they will escort you over.

 

[fae fig]

...aaand I just booked this for October!

Still debating whether to keep the reservation or not bc I could buy my weight in Fall/Halloween-themed cupcakes for $59. (Maybe they'll switch up dessert party offerings for the fall? Unlikely, but one can hope!)

I've been to Magic Kingdom countless times and never actually seen the fireworks in front of the castle. (Usually just watch from the TTA or Astro Orbiter.)

Belated thanks for this review, GADisneyDad!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

...aaand I just booked this for October!

Still debating whether to keep the reservation or not bc I could buy my weight in Fall/Halloween-themed cupcakes for $59. (Maybe they'll switch up dessert party offerings for the fall? Unlikely, but one can hope!)

I've been to Magic Kingdom countless times and never actually seen the fireworks in front of the castle. (Usually just watch from the TTA or Astro Orbiter.)

Belated thanks for this review, GADisneyDad!

Good choice! With this new show, I think you need to see it at least once in front of the castle for the full effect - it's pretty amazing when all the elements are in your direct view.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We did this party and viewing on July 2, and the whole experience was awesome! On another date we went to view the fireworks from TTOTW lounge at BLT. That's a totally different experience, both worth it.

 

[TeresaWen]

Never thought I would book a desert party but it will be our first time seeing the new show.

Thank you for such a great, detailed, helpful review. Confirmed that I made a good decision. So very excited!!!!!

 

[Jenn504]

Hi, I booked the party for Wednesday Dec.6. The helpful reviews made it such an easy decision. This will be our first time watching Happily Ever After. There will 4 adults price wise and 2 kids. The fourth adult is my 10 year old son. I will be attending with my 52 year old aunt. She has Parkinson's, multiple digestive issues and has down syndrome. She will be in a push wheelchair. I had a couple questions someone might be able to answer.
I would just like to confirm we can take some desserts home. My aunt is a very slow eater and her stomach can not tolerate rich foods. She might be allowed to have two little desserts and ice cream. She will be there with her great nieces and nephew who will attempt to eat everything at least once. my aunt will be disappointed on her limitations and will want to push herself. I know she would handle it much better if she knew she could take a few with her and take bites of them over the course of few days. She doesn't make the correlation that she eats to much she will be sick later on that night with stomach issues.
My second question is the sitting for the wheelchairs. Will they allow her three nieces/nephew to stand/sit by her. If she comes out with only a few minutes before show time will they still accommodate her in that section. she is a very slow eater.
I had read that bathrooms are very close to the viewing area and getting to and from the viewing area is easy. My children always seem to have to go at the last minute. This is one of main reason for us booking the dessert party.

 

[Felicis]

We made the decision to book the party for our first Saturday night there - 9/30. My reasoning for it is that 1. this is a one and done, so we aren't on a super strict budget. 2. With MNSSHP taking out so many nights, the crowds for the fireworks will be even worse than usual and 3. It is DH and DD10, who won't be able to see a thing in the swirling masses!

Of course, once I made the decision, it was sold out, but checking in a couple of times a day, every day, I finally locked it in a couple of days ago.

 

[CJN]

My second question is the sitting for the wheelchairs. Will they allow her three nieces/nephew to stand/sit by her. If she comes out with only a few minutes before show time will they still accommodate her in that section. she is a very slow eater.

Are you asking if her nieces and nephews will be able to be next to her in the garden area? Absolutely yes. There isn't a separate section for wheelchair viewing like they have at the Star Wars party. Just go in and find an area big enough for your group to sit/stand. Judging by our experience, even if you come in last minute it should still be open enough to find room. If not, a CM will help. They keep a pretty good eye on things.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi, I booked the party for Wednesday Dec.6. The helpful reviews made it such an easy decision. This will be our first time watching Happily Ever After. There will 4 adults price wise and 2 kids. The fourth adult is my 10 year old son. I will be attending with my 52 year old aunt. She has Parkinson's, multiple digestive issues and has down syndrome. She will be in a push wheelchair. I had a couple questions someone might be able to answer.
I would just like to confirm we can take some desserts home. My aunt is a very slow eater and her stomach can not tolerate rich foods. She might be allowed to have two little desserts and ice cream. She will be there with her great nieces and nephew who will attempt to eat everything at least once. my aunt will be disappointed on her limitations and will want to push herself. I know she would handle it much better if she knew she could take a few with her and take bites of them over the course of few days. She doesn't make the correlation that she eats to much she will be sick later on that night with stomach issues.
My second question is the sitting for the wheelchairs. Will they allow her three nieces/nephew to stand/sit by her. If she comes out with only a few minutes before show time will they still accommodate her in that section. she is a very slow eater.
I had read that bathrooms are very close to the viewing area and getting to and from the viewing area is easy. My children always seem to have to go at the last minute. This is one of main reason for us booking the dessert party.

I was going to say something similar to @CJN in regards to the wheelchair. We did this event again back on 7/2 and in the Plaza Garden we sat right next to two folks in scooters. They even had a little bit of room (but not a ton) to move around once it started to improve their view. I might not wait until the very last minute to head over to the garden, but all in all I would think this is a great option for you.

As far as taking food... not really sure the 'right' answer there... it's not really meant to be a "to go" type of event. They don't have to go bags/boxes or anything like that. But no one is going to stop you from stashing a few away in your purse to save for later, just bring some ziplock bags or something. In reality the cookies are the only desserts that will travel well... most of the others are going to be a bit messy to transport, I think.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[anomamatt]

Just an FYI for anyone interested... you can now book this for 12/30 and 12/31. Wasn't sure the best place to put this, but I've been checking daily and it opened up today.

Interestingly, there are two times for the terrace viewing (5:30 and 10:55), but only one for garden viewing (for the late fireworks). I really wanted garden viewing for the early time, but I snagged 12/31 @ 5:30 in the terrace. I tried to convince my wife our kids (5 and 3) could make it to midnight, but she didn't agree (rightfully so).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just an FYI for anyone interested... you can now book this for 12/30 and 12/31. Wasn't sure the best place to put this, but I've been checking daily and it opened up today.

Interestingly, there are two times for the terrace viewing (5:30 and 10:55), but only one for garden viewing (for the late fireworks). I really wanted garden viewing for the early time, but I snagged 12/31 @ 5:30 in the terrace. I tried to convince my wife our kids (5 and 3) could make it to midnight, but she didn't agree (rightfully so).

Thanks for that info. Might see you there, although I can't decide if I want to do it 12/30 or 12/31! Decisions, decisions.