Attended the before party on Jun 14th and had a great time. Arrived at 7:40 for 7:45 reservation and was let in. Great assortment of desserts - kids (DS14, DS8, and DD5) loved the ice cream, cookie, and cupcake options. Mini cheesecakes were awesome. Walked out around 8:30ish and found a spot at the back rail (thx to this thread for the tip!). No annoying kids on shoulders or ipads in the air. The lawn area was definitely busy but not crazy - no one directly in front of us on the rail. Was our first time attending and thought it was worth it!
 
Attended the before party on Jun 14th and had a great time. Arrived at 7:40 for 7:45 reservation and was let in. Great assortment of desserts - kids (DS14, DS8, and DD5) loved the ice cream, cookie, and cupcake options. Mini cheesecakes were awesome. Walked out around 8:30ish and found a spot at the back rail (thx to this thread for the tip!). No annoying kids on shoulders or ipads in the air. The lawn area was definitely busy but not crazy - no one directly in front of us on the rail. Was our first time attending and thought it was worth it!

We did the after party June 13th before DAH Villains. Also enjoyed the back rail. Would definitely do it again.
 
Did the before party last night, first time since the after party was added. Viewing area definitely more crowded than before, but not terrible and still far better than Main Street! One thing that was odd and new to me, when we entered the garden, the CM checking us in specifically told us the show would be standing room only, and all those seated would be standing up for the show. We definitely didn’t need to stand, there was plenty of room, but everyone stood up nonetheless. And I don’t think it was due to a sellout, as the family beside us said they had just booked the party today. But my kids definitely missed having the option to relax on the grass.
 


Did the before party last night, first time since the after party was added. Viewing area definitely more crowded than before, but not terrible and still far better than Main Street! One thing that was odd and new to me, when we entered the garden, the CM checking us in specifically told us the show would be standing room only, and all those seated would be standing up for the show. We definitely didn’t need to stand, there was plenty of room, but everyone stood up nonetheless. And I don’t think it was due to a sellout, as the family beside us said they had just booked the party today. But my kids definitely missed having the option to relax on the grass.


Strange indeed. Half the garden was sitting when we went in March.

But here's the burning question: Were there any macarons????
 
I was there June 6th (plaza viewing) - and it was more crowded that I expected. People were sitting down while waiting - but then everyone in front me started to stand up before show time - so well - we had to, too. Still - not as crowded as the Hub or Main Street. Nobody told us to do one thing or another - it's just what happened. There was not enough space for the short one in our crowd to really get a good view - so he went on shoulders. That was sad given the price we paid.

I was not overly impressed with the desserts -and frankly disappointed with the spinach dip (how can Disney make bad spinach dip - it's so standard!). But - a few of the items were definitely YUMMY. I got one glass of one of the fun drinks - but frankly wish I had stuck with water. Definitely felt stick after the all the food.

So - I walked away with mixed feelings of this event. For the price - I think the viewing area is too crowded and a fair number of the desserts are just crap - cheap to serve the masses. (It's was my fourth dessert party with fireworks viewing.) That said - the benefit of NOT fighting the masses for HEA was properly worth almost half the price for me.

I won't do this event solo - but if traveling with folks where the benefit of not being in a sardine can is high - I might do it again.
 


Woo! Kept looking everyday and just had one open up this morning on July 3rd at the Terrace
That's great! I am jealous though! We just decided on the trip last week, so I'm still looking for a cancellation. Did you just have the windows open and keep refreshing? I didn't see the dessert party on my normal reservation finders.
 
That's great! I am jealous though! We just decided on the trip last week, so I'm still looking for a cancellation. Did you just have the windows open and keep refreshing? I didn't see the dessert party on my normal reservation finders.

Ya just kept looking on my computer every so often. Would put in for the 3rd and 4th for the terrace, standing in plaza, and after fireworks. Then bam this morning I got one. Honestly didn't think I was gonna find one.
 
Just saw “Cruella’s Halloween Hideaway” available for booking on MNSSHP nights, sounds interesting but I think we will stick with Dessert party
 
Attended the before party on Jun 14th and had a great time. Arrived at 7:40 for 7:45 reservation and was let in. Great assortment of desserts - kids (DS14, DS8, and DD5) loved the ice cream, cookie, and cupcake options. Mini cheesecakes were awesome. Walked out around 8:30ish and found a spot at the back rail (thx to this thread for the tip!). No annoying kids on shoulders or ipads in the air. The lawn area was definitely busy but not crazy - no one directly in front of us on the rail. Was our first time attending and thought it was worth it!
I was there at the back rail too on June 14th! It was wonderful! We did the after party!
 
What time are people checking in for terrace dessert party when ADR says 8:15. Want to make sure we get a good table for 2.
 
i am thinking of booking the after fireworks dessert party but how does it work if there is an after hours park event that night?
fireworks are at 9:15pm -- assume they are about 15min long and we get back to the dessert area by 9:40pm (or later?), do they kick us out at 10pm when the after hours event starts? Seems like a very small window of time to sit and enjoy our desserts, we do not want to be rushed!
Any experiences to share?
pre-fireworks dessert parties are not available on our night and its our last night at MK!
Does anyone know the answer to this? I am also thinking of doing the after-fireworks dessert party on a night with Disney After Hours, so the park closes at 10 PM.
 
Last edited:
Does anyone know the answer to this? I am also thinking of doing the after-fireworks dessert party on a night with Disney After Hours, so the park closes at 10 PM.
We did the HEA After party on May 8th, last month, on a EMH night. HEA was at 9PM, the park closed at 10PM and EMH was until 12AM. We were never rushed through our desserts or out of the park. We had plenty of time to eat as much as we wanted and to linger while the other guests trickled out of the park. I checked the time stamps on my photos and we were at our table with desserts by 9:27, taking photos in front of the castle at 10:15 and we left MK at 10:30. I would assume that the dessert party operates the same as EMH for DAH.
 
The difference between EMH and DAH though is that with EMH off site guests are not actively escorted out of the parks. You can still be there but you can't ride any rides. With DAH, cast members are actively looking for people without wristbands and directing them to the exit. So, I would not expect to be able to walk around the park at all after you finish with the dessert party. I don't think they will rush you out of the dessert party, but when are done eating, I would not be surprised if they escorted or directed you to the park exit.
 
This changes the subject a bit, but is HEA shown on Dec.30/31 for the early fireworks or Fantasy in the Sky for both time slots? We want to do the dessert party for sure but would like to know which show we’d be getting during the early time. We have a 2 yr. old and early is much better! :)
Thanks so much!
Ellen
 
This changes the subject a bit, but is HEA shown on Dec.30/31 for the early fireworks or Fantasy in the Sky for both time slots? We want to do the dessert party for sure but would like to know which show we’d be getting during the early time. We have a 2 yr. old and early is much better! :)
Thanks so much!
Ellen

For 2017 and 2018, both 6:30pm and 11:50pm on 12/30 & 12/31 were the Fantasy in the Sky show with a New Years countdown at the end.
 
I'm going to dessert party on the 3rd at the terrace. Says 815 reservation, what time do you think we should check in?

I was just able to snag a FP for Seven Dwarfs at 725, so want to make sure we get there in time.

My understanding is it's not projection heavy for the 4th of july fireworks, so maybe it's not the biggest deal to get the best table?
 
Last edited:

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top