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

[GADisneyDad14]

With 7 adults (or "adults", all but 2 are under 21), there's just no way I can justify the dessert party for our group (might try to save up for the Star Wars one, but that's not relevant here). Maybe we can arrive early enough to catch a spot in the other garden area.

The West Garden is my secret spot. Granted it’s not so secret but it’s still an option worth keeping on your radar. Have had good success there.

 

[areno79]

The West Garden is my secret spot. Granted it’s not so secret but it’s still an option worth keeping on your radar. Have had good success there.

I was going to use that area too on our last trip during one of the nights we were in MK, but I think the secret's out. An hour and 15 minutes before HEA started we walked by and it was already packed with people

 

[Iowamomof4]

I was going to use that area too on our last trip during one of the nights we were in MK, but I think the secret's out. An hour and 15 minutes before HEA started we walked by and it was already packed with people

Aw man... good to know. Worth checking, but I doubt we'll want to be there that early.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I was going to use that area too on our last trip during one of the nights we were in MK, but I think the secret's out. An hour and 15 minutes before HEA started we walked by and it was already packed with people

Yuck.

Well then, in that light, it’s a terrible spot people! Horrible views and the fake grass has bugs in it. Best to steer clear.

 

[areno79]

Aw man... good to know. Worth checking, but I doubt we'll want to be there that early.

Yuck.

Well then, in that light, it’s a terrible spot people! Horrible views and the fake grass has bugs in it. Best to steer clear.

Yeah, I was bummed too. Now, I should preface it to say that people were sitting down, but there was literally no room to sit next to or behind or in front of anyone. Maybe if I had stuck around and tried to stand in a spot when everyone stood up at the last minute? But that's a big gamble.
This was during a Saturday in September on a non-MNSSHP night, as a point of reference.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Yeah, I was bummed too. Now, I should preface it to say that people were sitting down, but there was literally no room to sit next to or behind or in front of anyone. Maybe if I had stuck around and tried to stand in a spot when everyone stood up at the last minute? But that's a big gamble.
This was during a Saturday in September on a non-MNSSHP night, as a point of reference.

Ah, very important information! Non-party days are rough and fireworks viewing on non-party days is even rougher! We're looking at a May trip, so maybe on a regular MK day it might not be quite so bad.

 

[areno79]

Ah, very important information! Non-party days are rough and fireworks viewing on non-party days is even rougher! We're looking at a May trip, so maybe on a regular MK day it might not be quite so bad.

I wonder how that day compares (crowd level wise) to a day in May?

 

[ninafeliz]

I just booked the after fireworks party for Dec 28th! During our stay,depending on the night, we had Holiday Wishes, Fantasy in the Sky, and Happily Ever After. Since we're planning late in the game there were no openings for any parties Dec 30th, and we aren't staying in a MK resort so I don't want to be anywhere near there Dec 31st based on traffic reports I've heard. So we opted for Holiday Wishes, since we can see HEA any trip and Holiday Wishes only around Christmas. We will have 2 toddlers unless we find a sitter, so I really wanted a reserved area as there is no way we could stake one out (plus, we aren't willing to waste the time doing that anyway. We just have never done that, and don't want to start now!). I'm hoping this will let the crowds die down while we eat dessert, it's a gamble because we could lose all of the kids by staying that late (1,1,5,9) - plus my DH and MIL haha. I probably would have just done the before party, but it was sold out. I did get the before party for Dec 29th, but we need to use that night to do a Candlelight Processional dining package, and the 30th I plan to watch the MK early fireworks from outside the parks, so Dec 28th fit our schedule better. I'm excited, and also apprehensive about the crowds! We've never done these parties, only saw HEA from a reserved viewing area once and decided reserved areas are the way to go. Reassure me it's worth fighting the crowds for this and that the afterparty is a good idea!!!

 

[Katie Dawn]

Desert Party Report
Moral Of This Story: if you're wanting to take your items to the garden bring your own To Go containers or just bring your plate... And have a great time!

We were there Saturday, October 6th on a non-MNSSHP night during the Columbus Day 3-day weekend. Touring plans had rated the day/park an 8 out of 10. I had booked the pre-fireworks party several weeks in advance, then 2-3 weeks before our trip suddenly decided I'd rather do the After Fireworks party but I never found availability for 3 (neither did our travel agent.) I'm betting both parties were sold out.

We wanted to be against the back so DD8 could stand on the curb at the fence (thanks all for that great suggestion!) I wanted to check in, get some desserts in a to go container, and head right over to grab our spot in the garden and then enjoy the desserts there. Some had reported getting to go containers when they asked for them, so I took a gamble and didn't bring any of my own containers... I lost that gamble. I asked the CM who seated us if they had any, he checked, and said they were out. So we got what we wanted on the regular plates, walked our plates over to the garden, picked our spot, and sat down. After eating I threw away the trash and brought the plates back over to the Terrace and a CM took it. So it worked out fine, but I would recommend that you bring your own container.

Desserts: I was looking forward to trying the toffee thing several of you mentioned but it wasn't there. The s'mores on a stick were cute. DD8 thought the sparkling apple cider in a plastic champagne flute was quite fancy and after she drank it we let her pour water in it several times so she could drink it from there. She made a couple of friends in the garden and for probably a good hour there was plenty of room for them to move all about the garden without disturbing anyone.

Garden crowd level: We got to the garden by about 7:45 and it was nearly empty - there were maybe 5-7 other people there besides us. By the time the fireworks started the garden was definitely full but it was nothing compared to the mass of humanity packed like sardines outside the garden. Most everyone in the garden still had room to sit on the ground until the fireworks started. I'd say 2/3 to 3/4 of the people stood up for the show but there was a swath of folks right in the middle that stayed sitting which helped my daughter to be able to see even farther down on the castle. (I don't think this usually happens, just happened to be true this time.)

We did this on our arrival day, and of course loved seeing HEA for the first time and I cried those happy Disney tears during the show.

Thank You Thank You again to everyone's suggestions and reports. Special Thanks to GADisneyDad for posting helpful pics and answering lots of questions!

 

[Nixon128]

I have a before fireworks party booked on a Christmas party night, but am thinking of cancelling because I’m not positive my daughter will be able to hang and I don’t want to waste the money! We are staying at the Contemporary and will be walking to and from party. If we just leave a little before fireworks, will we be able to view on our way back to the hotel? Thank you!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Hey there @ConnecticutNonna, your question has been answered, but a visual in case helpful. It's the pink line. Reports are of it being open more often than not right after HEA. It is not open for very long - lounge around too long and it can be closed... so if you're looking to use it... don't wait too long.

View attachment 356936

Thanks, that's where I thought it might be, I seem to remember (obviously incorrectly) a different name for it. My goal was actually to try and get on Astro just after the fireworks, I love that view at night, but I wasn't sure I could still "hop" in line.
We have 2 more MK nights planned (one is DAH) so Astro is an option on any of the other nights as well. So we will probably use the pathway to get back more easily to CR.
Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks, that's where I thought it might be, I seem to remember (obviously incorrectly) a different name for it. My goal was actually to try and get on Astro just after the fireworks, I love that view at night, but I wasn't sure I could still "hop" in line.
We have 2 more MK nights planned (one is DAH) so Astro is an option on any of the other nights as well. So we will probably use the pathway to get back more easily to CR.
Thanks!

Good luck on Astro after desserts.

Lol!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I just also wanted to weigh in about Plaza Garden West viewing. We were in MK 3 nights during our past March vacation. We did one dessert party, made FPs for fireworks time on BTMRR (Really cool) and also snagged an area in Plaza Garden West one night. We found a really really good viewing area and got there about 1 hour prior, thinking we'd be all set. Well, we "hung out" with some great band kids who had performed earlier and chatted, sitting comfortably prior to the FWs beginning.
About 10-15 minutes prior, CMs came along, rousted us from our sitting position, and then made us all move forward. Even though we wanted to stay along the back fence we weren't allowed. We were as squashed as one can possibly get, and I have lung disease and am 68 years young. It was THE MOST UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE I've ever had at WDW. If I had passed out, I would have still stood upright. The parks were not crowded. It was not a weekend, and except for the FWs, the park was not really busy . But, I swear every single human being that could possibly be in the area that night was there. I do not have, nor do I wish for a DAS card. But, I will never again willingly stay to watch fireworks in that crowd. (Not to mention, we were pushed into a group of people who had probably never heard of deodorant, lol. Now THAT was unpleasant!).

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Hey there @ConnecticutNonna, your question has been answered, but a visual in case helpful. It's the pink line. Reports are of it being open more often than not right after HEA. It is not open for very long - lounge around too long and it can be closed... so if you're looking to use it... don't wait too long.

View attachment 356936

Thanks, that's where I thought it might be, I seem to remember (obviously incorrectly) a different name for it. My goal was actually to try and get on Astro just after the fireworks, I love that view at night, but I wasn't sure I could still "hop" in line.

I have a before fireworks party booked on a Christmas party night, but am thinking of cancelling because I’m not positive my daughter will be able to hang and I don’t want to waste the money! We are staying at the Contemporary and will be walking to and from party. If we just leave a little before fireworks, will we be able to view on our way back to the hotel? Thank you!

There will be wall to wall people going in the exact opposite of direction as you. You will not have easy evress out of the park. Your better bet, if you cancel the party, is to watch from the area of the train station, or head bact to CR prior to the beginning of the FWs and watch from there.

 

[chelseabun76]

Well, I managed to just snag reservations for the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing!! It's been sold out for months on the day I've been searching for, but I happened to look today and wham there they were, so I snatched them up!! I know there are 2 sections reserved for this, one on each side, correct? Do they take you to the one they choose or do you get to pick? Which is better, steering towards the side closest to middle (main street area) or staying in the middle? I've seen all the advice to hang out at the back railing so we might do that. Just didn't know if the view is that much different from along the main street side or from the middle.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Well, I managed to just snag reservations for the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing!! It's been sold out for months on the day I've been searching for, but I happened to look today and wham there they were, so I snatched them up!! I know there are 2 sections reserved for this, one on each side, correct? Do they take you to the one they choose or do you get to pick? Which is better, steering towards the side closest to middle (main street area) or staying in the middle? I've seen all the advice to hang out at the back railing so we might do that. Just didn't know if the view is that much different from along the main street side or from the middle.

There is only one “Plaza Garden” used for the dessert party. It is the “Plaza Garden East” which is the one circled in yellow below.

Personal preference, but I prefer the back rail, center to left side (if facing the castle). All views are more or less the same (with the exception of a plant or light pole here and there) so I don’t fret too much about exact location. But given the choice, I’d aim for back left.

Have fun.

 

[chelseabun76]

There is only one “Plaza Garden” used for the dessert party. It is the “Plaza Garden East” which is the one circled in yellow below.

Personal preference, but I prefer the back rail, center to left side (if facing the castle). All views are more or less the same (with the exception of a plant or light pole here and there) so I don’t fret too much about exact location. But given the choice, I’d aim for back left.

Have fun.

View attachment 357340

Thanks so much!! I think that's the map that I was looking at, should have paid more attention to green and yellow being classified different. lol

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks so much!! I think that's the map that I was looking at, should have paid more attention to green and yellow being classified different. lol

Lol, sorry!

The other side (Plaza Garden West) is a carbon copy space but it’s open to anyone nightly. Both were used for a short time as a FP reserved viewing area, but that didn’t last long.

 

[AngieInOH]

Lol, sorry!

The other side (Plaza Garden West) is a carbon copy space but it’s open to anyone nightly. Both were used for a short time as a FP reserved viewing area, but that didn’t last long.

I so miss those areas being FP. But Disney is making a few extra bucks off us this time, thus the whole reason for getting rid of FP.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Well, I managed to just snag reservations for the fireworks dessert party with plaza garden viewing!! It's been sold out for months on the day I've been searching for, but I happened to look today and wham there they were, so I snatched them up!! I know there are 2 sections reserved for this, one on each side, correct? Do they take you to the one they choose or do you get to pick? Which is better, steering towards the side closest to middle (main street area) or staying in the middle? I've seen all the advice to hang out at the back railing so we might do that. Just didn't know if the view is that much different from along the main street side or from the middle.

It's not on both sides, only in the garden closest to the Terrace. (the one closest to Space Mountain)