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

[SaintsManiac]

I went out to the bathroom and grabbed a snack and went back in

 

[Abbey1]

If you wanted to ensure a spot at the railing, would you have to head to the viewing area almost immediately after the party begins?

 

[JayhawkFans]

Woo Hoo .. glad to learn of this watch party spot . DH surprised us with news that we DO get to return to WDW for the 10th year in a row. DD and I did the dessert party last Fall and want to experience it with DH in July - early August.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you wanted to ensure a spot at the railing, would you have to head to the viewing area almost immediately after the party begins?

IMHO, I think that would be overkill. Crowd behavior can be highly variable on any given night so it’s really hard to be totally specific, but you don’t see people really squatting that early just to get a spot either on the front of back rail. It’s a more casual pace.

 

[Araminta18]

do they normally release these at the 180+10 dates? or how far in advance do they release the dates normally?

 

[Peter Brown]

I have reservations for the Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing... Can I bring a tripod to the Plaza Viewing Area?

 

[Abbey1]

IMHO, I think that would be overkill. Crowd behavior can be highly variable on any given night so it’s really hard to be totally specific, but you don’t see people really squatting that early just to get a spot either on the front of back rail. It’s a more casual pace.

Great, thanks! We are considering booking this, but I’d really like to be at the railing (without waiting there from the start).

 

[mamasha]

IMHO, I think that would be overkill. Crowd behavior can be highly variable on any given night so it’s really hard to be totally specific, but you don’t see people really squatting that early just to get a spot either on the front of back rail. It’s a more casual pace.

Thanks GADisneydad for this awesome thread!!! HiroMYhero suggested I come over to read about the plaza viewing dessert party and I learned so much. We attended this past Sunday party. We checked in about 820 for 9 fireworks. They brought us to a nice table. I was surprised that there were chairs. For some reason I thought we’d have to stand at high tops. Maybe I got it confused with the party in Hollywood Studios. Anyway, most people were had already made their way to lawn so we had pretty much the dessert area to ourselves. My favorite was the cheesecake!
Omg the view from the plaza was dead center with no jockeying 15 minutes out. So I definitely recommend trying it if you haven’t done it. I took a spot back against rail but It was really weird because one half sat and other half stood????
We were really lucky because Sunday was our only mild night of the vacation. I stayed at the Polynesian so I had watched the fireworks almost every night from the resort prior to the party. I can honestly say you will be blown away when you see it from the plaza.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks GADisneydad for this awesome thread!!! HiroMYhero suggested I come over to read about the plaza viewing dessert party and I learned so much. We attended this past Sunday party. We checked in about 820 for 9 fireworks. They brought us to a nice table. I was surprised that there were chairs. For some reason I thought we’d have to stand at high tops. Maybe I got it confused with the party in Hollywood Studios. Anyway, most people were had already made their way to lawn so we had pretty much the dessert area to ourselves. My favorite was the cheesecake!
Omg the view from the plaza was dead center with no jockeying 15 minutes out. So I definitely recommend trying it if you haven’t done it. I took a spot back against rail but It was really weird because one half sat and other half stood????
We were really lucky because Sunday was our only mild night of the vacation. I stayed at the Polynesian so I had watched the fireworks almost every night from the resort prior to the party. I can honestly say you will be blown away when you see it from the plaza.

Thanks for the note and for the mini-review. Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[jaysmom4285]

I have reservations for the Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing... Can I bring a tripod to the Plaza Viewing Area?

I have to say that I haven't done this myself. But, in an earlier post in another thread about the plaza garden viewing area, a couple people said they used tripods and set them up against the back railing, so they wouldn't be in anyone's way. As I recall, no one objected.

 

[jaysmom4285]

If you wanted to ensure a spot at the railing, would you have to head to the viewing area almost immediately after the party begins?

I would agree that there's no need to go over that soon. From our experience, and from what others have said, the area isn't that crowded, and there's room to move around and find a good spot. Some stand at the front rail, and some sit at the front rail, so you could see over them. If you go over somewhat early - maybe 20-30 minutes - you should be able to get a good spot. And honestly it isn't necessary to stand at the front rail to see well. We often lean against the back railing. The fireworks and projections are high enough to see over anyone who is standing at the front rail. For children, it would be another story, but people are usually very good about letting children get up front.

 

[Dan Murphy]

it isn't necessary to stand at the front rail to see well. We often lean against the back railing.

Agreed. Most people on this thread, myself included, feel the back rail gives the very best viewing, adults and kids alike.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Back row life = best life.

 

[Doug5984]

If going with a toddler would it be better to do the garden viewing or the terrace seating. I’m ok being slightly off center, mainly want to make sure my daughter can see it without having to hold her the entire show.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

Time to guess the date booking opens.

I believe after careful consideration that booking will begin on Easter.

Thank you

 

[hiroMYhero]

If going with a toddler would it be better to do the garden viewing or the terrace seating. I’m ok being slightly off center, mainly want to make sure my daughter can see it without having to hold her the entire show.

Doug, you’ve been moved to the current MK dessert party thread with up to date info.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

Agreed. Most people on this thread, myself included, feel the back rail gives the very best viewing, adults and kids alike.

Don’t you chance a bunch of people standing in direct view of you, esp the really tall ones?

 

[Tall Todd]

Don’t you chance a bunch of people standing in direct view of you, esp the really tall ones?

This hasn't been my experience, but I'm 6'8''.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If going with a toddler would it be better to do the garden viewing or the terrace seating. I’m ok being slightly off center, mainly want to make sure my daughter can see it without having to hold her the entire show.

That’s a tough call. In the Plaza Garden, sometimes you get lucky and people stay seated but most of the time everyone stands. If standing, you’re more than likely going to need to pick her up so she can see.

When we took DD then 2 last summer, we sat at the back rail so I had something to ‘lean’ on and picked her up. It was fine, we weren’t blocking anyone, she could see, etc. Cons are I had to hold her for 18 minutes, and it was like 90 degrees and 100% humidity.

We did really enjoy having the grassy space to ‘run around’ before the show and let the kids get the wiggles out. It kept them busy until show time.

But if you’re at all concerned, go with the seated version. The angle is not as good and your view of the castle projections is generally inferior, but it can still be a good show from there too.

Personally, I’d go with the Plaza - but I could ultimately go either way.

Hope that helps!

 

[totallytigger]

I have reservations for the Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing... Can I bring a tripod to the Plaza Viewing Area?

Yes—my daughter did this in Jan. FYI though—people will stand in front of you—even if you ask them nicely to not block the camera. So keep this in mind when choosing a spot to set up.