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

[chuff88]

Yes you can find a spot in the hub an hour early as he says. The difference I see however, is by the time HEA actually starts you are crushed on all sides by people if you are in the hub. So far that does not happen in the garden.

Ultimately, for me, it’s the crush I’m looking to avoid. Even if it’s more crowded than it’s been in the garden, it still represents a significant improvement for someone who is crowd averse.

 

[Cluelyss]

Ultimately, for me, it’s the crush I’m looking to avoid. Even if it’s more crowded than it’s been in the garden, it still represents a significant improvement for someone who is crowd averse.

This. I don’t mind holding a spot for an hour. But at the end of that hour I want to be able to breathe and not be crushed in on all sides by tons of sweaty bodies!!

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Let’s just all agree to show up 10 mins before so we all get good spots and desserts. Boom

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

This is a tough call for me. I find party crowds, especially MVMCP crowds, quite “lumpy” around the park. With the parade, fireworks, and castle show, the Hub can be pretty crowded off and on all night.

But I have never experienced a party crowd in the Hub that has “felt” as bad as an HEA, from my perspective. I am generally of the opinion that something like the dessert party isn’t really needed for MVMCP or MNSSHP... both due to the fact that crowds in the hub are more manageable, and perhaps mainly, the time it potentially takes away from doing other party things.

But, it can be a nice splurge and make it an even more stress-free evening not having to even think much about it.

We did a MNSSHP dessert party last year, which was very sparsely attended. There were maybe 20-30 of us in the garden - it was kind of crazy. It was nice, of course, but it wasn’t really “needed” - if that makes sense.

I haven’t followed the MVMCP thread but I know on the MNSSHP thread it appears that the Terrace version of the dessert party on MNSSHP nights will offer reserved parade viewing. Keep on eye on that if of interest (again, full dislclaimer, I have not followed those thread super closely so may not have all of my facts right).

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I will look into the details of the holiday version of the Terrace party. If parade viewing is included, that could make it a winner for us.

 

[HappyGrape]

I cancelled based on Josh's review. we had the old party booked and having to worry/wonder/rush about how many people are already waiting in the area is deal breaker for me. The desserts don't look good at all either, but I can live with that

 

[tinkerhon]

I cancelled based on Josh's review. we had the old party booked and having to worry/wonder/rush about how many people are already waiting in the area is deal breaker for me. The desserts don't look good at all either, but I can live with that

Doing the same - I can deal with the desserts - ( that spinach dip still makes me queasy thinking about it) - but we are going mid July and I'm thinking it's going to be much more crowded than we wanted - my son has some sensory issues and was looking forward to a less congested area for viewing

 

[Luna81]

Doing the same - I can deal with the desserts - ( that spinach dip still makes me queasy thinking about it) - but we are going mid July and I'm thinking it's going to be much more crowded than we wanted - my son has some sensory issues and was looking forward to a less congested area for viewing

I know it’s more $ and not as great of a view. But maybe the party where you can sit at tables would be better for him?

 

[LMO429]

I am so up in the air with what to do. We currently have the before party booked for October. I do not know if we should book the after one ??? So frustrating! they just dropped this on us so they can make more $.

 

[LMO429]

Yes you can find a spot in the hub an hour early as he says. The difference I see however, is by the time HEA actually starts you are crushed on all sides by people if you are in the hub. So far that does not happen in the garden.

If you are going during Party Season (MNNSHP or MVMCP) on a non party night than the dessert party is so worth it. It is INSANITY at the hub before HEA fireworks you can hardly move.

 

[tinkerhon]

I know it’s more $ and not as great of a view. But maybe the party where you can sit at tables would be better for him?

Thanks ! Yea, we have done before and he liked - might do that - was just really looking forward to the garden

 

[ChanduTail]

If you are going during Party Season (MNNSHP or MVMCP) on a non party night than the dessert party is so worth it. It is INSANITY at the hub before HEA fireworks you can hardly move.

I wouldn't hesitate to book a party in that case.

 

[LucyBC80]

Josh's review sold me out of the dessert party. I'm still undecided about the Halloween one because last year's they had the special desserts available for free, which added at least a $30 value to the party. I may book it when it becomes available and wait till the first party to see if that it's true for this year as well.

 

[Meglen]

The night I have booked 20th June. Is already sold out only.option for people will be the after party and it's a emh nighttime. I have a feeling it will be packed in the garden but it will also be packed in the hub. So even when we show up 20 min before it will be worth the time save of fighting the hub.

 

[IrishNYC]

Wait, you people tell your significant others how much this thing costs?!?

Usually, no. (Hello, stay at the Contemporary! In the tower!) But, he was telling a friend about the party and then looked it up to see what it was and said, "It costs that much?!" Luckily he was looking at the seated party and I told him I paid less. Not untrue!

I know it’s more $ and not as great of a view. But maybe the party where you can sit at tables would be better for him?

The tables aren't as well-reviewed because the view isn't as good.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

IF it ends up being as packed as some of you believe, just complain to Disney that you can barely move and people were on top of you and I am sure they will refund you. Believe me if it gets that bad to the point where people are on top of you, Disney will fix it.

 

[Brocktoon]

I am so up in the air with what to do. We currently have the before party booked for October. I do not know if we should book the after one ??? So frustrating! they just dropped this on us so they can make more $.

Pretty much in the same boat for a late Oct party. For now I'm sticking with the before party. The way I look at it is that I could get a good early spot in the garden with the after party, but what's the point of spending the $$ if I have to waste an hour or more just hanging around the garden!? Even if I get a good spot it will just fill up anyway as it gets closer to the fireworks. As long as things are less crowded than the hub and everyone ends up standing anyway there may not be a huge advantage to getting to the garden as early as the after party folks.

I'm currently in the camp of ... 'as long as it's not as bad as the hub and I don't have to waste my time staking out a spot'. I'm sure there's a valid discussion on whether it's worth the value, but like everything Disney does, this will probably be another offering that continues to lose value over time

 

[Evermore]

I cancelled based on Josh's review. we had the old party booked and having to worry/wonder/rush about how many people are already waiting in the area is deal breaker for me. The desserts don't look good at all either, but I can live with that

Also cancelled based on the EasyWDW review. It's pretty clear that to get the best spot you'll have to wait for up to an hour, and if you're doing that you could easily wait in a good spot somewhere else for the same amount of time for free. Looked a little too crowded to stroll in right before fireworks and have a view worth the price tag, and the new food items don't look all that great to us.

 

[elgerber]

I will say if more people cancel because of those reviews, it's better for those of us that don't LOL. To me, it's still worth it, because I hate the crowding in the hub. People are always pushing into us and pretty much stepping on our toes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Question for anyone who has been so far: Check in for the after-party is one hour before the fireworks. Are they making people wait to enter the area until that specific time?

 

[theostwalts]

So we have a reservation for 7:30 on 12/01/2017. It appears that this is the before party. I have called WDW dining 2 times now to check. The first time I was told that there was only one party that night, no early or late. I just called again to try to make sure we had the after party since based on the earlier review. I was told that there was no plaza garden viewing with the after party. I guess I will have to call back and get a 3rd cast member who will hopefully have more updated information on this. I don't think they even know what to tell people at this point.