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

[JerseyJanice]

I just saw the price increases on MDE. And I thought that they were crazy before! Now I see something on this thread about an after-party. I have to research what that means.

I just want to say that we got a great view of HEA recently walking up to the Hub 10 minutes before showtime. No, we did not stand in front of anyone who was waiting there for an hour.

How did we do it? Bad weather. It was a wet Sunday after a rainy Saturday, and that kept the locals away. About an hour before the HEA, there was a heavy downpour. Afterward, I hadn’t seen the Magic Kingdom that empty since 2009.

It looks like there’s a wet weather pattern ahead. I recommend using your dessert party money toward the California Grill brunch (which was fabulous and worth the price) and going to see HEA on a rainy night. You don’t need to pay for a view when the park is half empty.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just saw the price increases on MDE. And I thought that they crazy before! Now I see something on this thread about an after-party. I have to research what that means.

I just want to say that we got a great view of HEA recently walking up to the Hub 10 minutes before showtime. No, we did not stand in front of anyone who was waiting there for an hour.

How did we do it? Bad weather. It was a wet Sunday after a rainy Saturday, and that kept the locals away. About an hour before the HEA, there was a heavy downpour. Afterward, I hadn’t seen the Magic Kingdom that empty since 2009.

It looks like there’s a wet weather pattern ahead. I recommend using your dessert party money toward the California Grill brunch (which was fabulous and worth the price) and going to see HEA on a rainy night. You don’t need to pay for a view when the park is half empty.

Unfortunately the dessert party has a 5 day cancellation policy. Probably for this reason.

So great you found a silver lining in your wet week though.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Unfortunately the dessert party has a 5 day cancellation policy. Probably for this reason.

So great you found a silver lining in your wet week though.

Thanks, fellow Marie lover.

That Sunday, we had the brunch early then went back to the resort and napped. Around 5:30, we went to the Magic Kingdom. We watched the Muppets Moments in History show, then did the Hall of Presidents. The latest update is fantastic; we really enjoyed the show and the exhibits in the lobby.

Next we did the Haunted Mansion, then Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain, where we got soaked. Our log got stuck in a jam outside during a major downpour.

Dole Whip break, then HEA. After the show, we went on 7 Dwarves twice—it was a walk-on—and Pooh. Saw Once Upon a Time, then walked to a waiting bus.

It was the most productive MK evening of all time.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks, fellow Marie lover.

That Sunday, we had the brunch early then went back to the resort and napped. Around 5:30, we went to the Magic Kingdom. We watched the Muppets Moments in History show, then did the Hall of Presidents. The latest update is fantastic; we really enjoyed the show and the exhibits in the lobby.

Next we did the Haunted Mansion, then Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain, where we got soaked. Our log got stuck in a jam outside during a major downpour.

Dole Whip break, then HEA. After the show, we went on 7 Dwarves twice—it was a walk-on—and Pooh. Saw Once Upon a Time, then walked to a waiting bus.

It was the most productive MK evening of all time.

That's awesome. You have to take those days however you can get them these days!

 

[Shanan]

Been reading all the replies and also Josh’s review. Originally booked Dessert Party for June 7th as soon as booking opened. I have gone back and forth whether to keep reservation or not. I decided I keep it since the after party is so new. Would I book Dessert Party again after news of the second party taking place...probably not.

 

[mlnbabies]

We have an after party booked for 6-20. We are looking forward to a getting a spot without fighting for a one. I think the menu looks great. The pictures from Josh's review are great. We are excited about the party and my trip with my graduated high school daughter.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Has anyone who's done the party this week noticed how they're doing the Terrace Viewing? Does it look like they're having the desserts with the garden view peeps and then only watching from the terrace?

 

[theostwalts]

Third call was the charm. I did get a CM who was familiar with the changes and we moved to the after party. I think that will keep us from feeling rushed to get there from dinner and we can do dessert while the park clears out. Looking forward to some reviews of the new changes on here once some people have experienced it.

 

[AColeman]

Been reading all the replies and also Josh’s review. Originally booked Dessert Party for June 7th as soon as booking opened. I have gone back and forth whether to keep reservation or not. I decided I keep it since the after party is so new. Would I book Dessert Party again after news of the second party taking place...probably not.

We'll be there on the same night, but I did switch us to the after party. Glad to know fellow Dis'ers will be there with us!

 

[GuardMusic]

Question about the new After-Party - So are the people who do the "before" party escorted out immediately after the fireworks? I don't know how it would work otherwise.

I ask because my elderly mother and I have always done the before dessert party. (We used to sit in the Terrace before they ever did these and went to the first year I think the charge was only $27!) We do this party now specifically so she can have a chair as she cannot stand for long periods of time (& still refuses a wheelchair). I recall our last experience we got to sit at our table, be leisurely, and watch most of the guests depart the Hub for either the exit or attractions. If we are "pushed out" that will be disappointing and change the experience.

IMHO it's not the same without Wishes. My BFF & I get no emotional sense from the new fireworks show.

Our last trip would supposedly be my mom's last, but moving into assisted living, she's doing better and asked to go back. We just got back from a trial-run with no parks a couple of weeks ago. I'm planning for Dec as the holiday decor, specifically the Castle is her fave.

We did Jingle Bell Jingle Bam last time, which I loved, but for her... no Castle!

Thoughts? Advice?

 

[G719]

Question about the new After-Party - So are the people who do the "before" party escorted out immediately after the fireworks? I don't know how it would work otherwise.

I ask because my elderly mother and I have always done the before dessert party. (We used to sit in the Terrace before they ever did these and went to the first year I think the charge was only $27!) We do this party now specifically so she can have a chair as she cannot stand for long periods of time (& still refuses a wheelchair). I recall our last experience we got to sit at our table, be leisurely, and watch most of the guests depart the Hub for either the exit or attractions. If we are "pushed out" that will be disappointing and change the experience.

IMHO it's not the same without Wishes. My BFF & I get no emotional sense from the new fireworks show.

Our last trip would supposedly be my mom's last, but moving into assisted living, she's doing better and asked to go back. We just got back from a trial-run with no parks a couple of weeks ago. I'm planning for Dec as the holiday decor, specifically the Castle is her fave.

We did Jingle Bell Jingle Bam last time, which I loved, but for her... no Castle!

Thoughts? Advice?

There are 3 versions of the party. 2 have the viewing in the garden plaza. 1 party has terrace seating. The before and after party have a viewing area away from the terrace.

Seating in the terrace used to be the only party they had. That sounds like what you did last time. Maybe you were there before the garden viewing started?

Here's the party info with the terrace seating for the whole show

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/tomorrowland-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party/

Hopefully someone will chime in with experience of any impact the garden view parties have on the terrace view party. I don't think it should have any at all really.

 

[supercarrie]

I see some complaining about "having" to sit for an hour if you do the after party. Why couldn't you just check in later, or check in at the time, get your wristband, and then come back 10-15 minutes prior?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I see some complaining about "having" to sit for an hour if you do the after party. Why couldn't you just check in later, or check in at the time, get your wristband, and then come back 10-15 minutes prior?

What you describe is what we would do if we booked the After Party. I'd be rolling up 15ish minutes in advance, grab a spot, and be good.

The worry/dilemma is what the crowd will be like in the Garden at that point. Traditionally it's still been fine even upon a later arrival - you won't get your pick of a spot, but there has been room to move around, generally speaking. The concern is that IF overall occupancy of the garden increases with both parties loading into the garden, we don't quite know what one will encounter when arriving that close to fireworks time. Will it be more full? Will it still be full but workable? That's the part that has people concerned, and therefore creating (for some) this sense of urgency to arrive exactly at check-in.

Personally, while I have my nuanced preferences in terms of location when in the garden (eg, back row, to the left), I'd be happy just about anywhere so I'm OK with just "filling in" if that's what it takes.

Time will tell what the overall occupancy of the garden will "feel" like as it loads for both of these events.

 

[Meglen]

We have an after party booked for 6-20. We are looking forward to a getting a spot without fighting for a one. I think the menu looks great. The pictures from Josh's review are great. We are excited about the party and my trip with my graduated high school daughter.

See you there!

 

[supercarrie]

What you describe is what we would do if we booked the After Party. I'd be rolling up 15ish minutes in advance, grab a spot, and be good.

The worry/dilemma is what the crowd will be like in the Garden at that point. Traditionally it's still been fine even upon a later arrival - you won't get your pick of a spot, but there has been room to move around, generally speaking. The concern is that IF overall occupancy of the garden increases with both parties loading into the garden, we don't quite know what one will encounter when arriving that close to fireworks time. Will it be more full? Will it still be full but workable? That's the part that has people concerned, and therefore creating (for some) this sense of urgency to arrive exactly at check-in.

Personally, while I have my nuanced preferences in terms of location when in the garden (eg, back row, to the left), I'd be happy just about anywhere so I'm OK with just "filling in" if that's what it takes.

Time will tell what the overall occupancy of the garden will "feel" like as it loads for both of these events.

Yes, makes sense! We just booked the after party for next week. Next week will be too early to tell long term, but happy to report back with our experiences.

 

[David Jewell]

I’ve seen some discussion that they have more than one viewing area open for the garden view. Has anyone else seen this. Going to before party on 6/12 with three small kiddos

 

[erikawolf2004]

I’ve seen some discussion that they have more than one viewing area open for the garden view. Has anyone else seen this. Going to before party on 6/12 with three small kiddos

Please post a review after you go and let me know if your kids could see. We have a reservation on the 19th, just so they can see.

 

[erikawolf2004]

That's awesome. You have to take those days however you can get them these days!

We still have a dress you made for us back in 2009 for our first trip

 

[donnishobson]

For those of you who booked at the $59 price and want to change to the After Party - When I called, the CM said there would be the $10 charge to change from the Before to the After party. I decided to wait but changed it online. I just made a new reservation for the after party and the website cancelled the before party. No upcharge on my credit card. That was 4 days ago.

 

[disny_luvr]

For those of you who booked at the $59 price and want to change to the After Party - When I called, the CM said there would be the $10 charge to change from the Before to the After party. I decided to wait but changed it online. I just made a new reservation for the after party and the website cancelled the before party. No upcharge on my credit card. That was 4 days ago.

I was wondering about this. Thanks for posting. Right now I am keeping the before party, but may switch to the after party once I read more reviews.