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

[cakebaker]

Here now.MK is wall to wall people. When iasw has an hour wait, it’s packed. My check in was 8 for the after party, checked in at 7:45 and probably 20 people were already in. At 8, guessing maybe 100 with it filling fast. I’m very glad I did the after party!

 

[kat_lh]

We’re here too! Checked in for the after party about 8:10 and got a center back rail spot.

 

[kat_lh]

8:45 and the garden is pretty packed. But everyone (mostly) is sitting down.

Still better than all the chaos on the outside!

 

[cakebaker]

8:45 and the garden is pretty packed. But everyone (mostly) is sitting down.

Still better than all the chaos on the outside!

Agreed. We were on the left side in the seating area as you faced the castle and it seemed less full than the right side for some reason. My take away is, even with a double sold out party, the garden area is still comfortable with plenty of space. The MK was insanely crowded last night and this was a great way to get a break from the packed conditions. This is one ticket they are not over selling. I would however highly recommend the after party. Btw, I was the one with the child who refused to stop doing cartwheels until I threatened him with bodily harm. lol

 

[emilyhuff]

Question: Do they now serve the eggrolls and spinach dip at the Pre-fireworks dessert party? Is that new(er)? TIA!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Question: Do they now serve the eggrolls and spinach dip at the Pre-fireworks dessert party? Is that new(er)? TIA!

Yep - they are at the before party too. Started in May.

If I’m honest, the new “savory items” sounded better on paper than they were in person for my tastes, but many folks seem to like them.

 

[kat_lh]

Quick thoughts as we’re heading home today (sad face) but, this is one of the better values Disney offers if:

1. MK is super freaking crowded
2. You pick the after party and MK offers EMH or extended park hours after fireworks.

I don’t think it’s such a good value if the park isn’t crowded, if you do the before party on a sold out after party night or if you do the after party and MK closes soon after.

We happened to do the after party on a crazy crowded night and closed down MK at 1 am and it was a fantastic experience.

 

[1437disney]

Quick thoughts as we’re heading home today (sad face) but, this is one of the better values Disney offers if:

1. MK is super freaking crowded
2. You pick the after party and MK offers EMH or extended park hours after fireworks.

I don’t think it’s such a good value if the park isn’t crowded, if you do the before party on a sold out after party night or if you do the after party and MK closes soon after.

We happened to do the after party on a crazy crowded night and closed down MK at 1 am and it was a fantastic experience.

Is your opinion on the before party because of no good spots left? We are a party of 10 that booked the before party and both parties are all sold out. I am wondering if maybe a few of us should just not eat and hold spots in the viewing area. Although I know that will upset some people in our group. I just wish Disney used the other garden or a portion of it for the added numbers.

 

[jaysmom4285]

Cakebaker noted that, even with a double sold out party, the area had plenty of space. Unless it's super important that all ten of you be together in one group, I really don't think you'll have any problem getting a spot. Just about any spot gives you a good view, and there's usually room to adjust your location a bit if a topiary or something is in your way. Be sure to check in as early as is allowed, enjoy some desserts, and maybe go to the viewing area a bit early. I don't think you need to stress about this or have someone miss the desserts to hold down a patch of turf.

 

[kat_lh]

Is your opinion on the before party because of no good spots left? We are a party of 10 that booked the before party and both parties are all sold out. I am wondering if maybe a few of us should just not eat and hold spots in the viewing area. Although I know that will upset some people in our group. I just wish Disney used the other garden or a portion of it for the added numbers.

By 8:45, it was crowded and people were having trouble finding spots to sit. Which doesn’t matter much as everyone stood up when the show started.

Because of both parties being sold out, lots of ECVs were parked at the entrance to the garden which made the east side (closest to the restaurant) more crowded than the other side.

If you don’t mind stepping over and around people, you can probably find a spot for the ten of you mostly together.

But, just my opinion, if the park is open later that night, I’d switch to the after party because I know I’d be worried the whole before party about finding a spot.

 

[amiskell28]

I'm just glad I dropped the before party for the after party. I was really torn as it's an EMH night and I didn't like the idea of wasting EMH's on eating, but I'd rather do that than have to get there early and rush through dessert to go get a spot. I figure the half hour or so we'll spend after the fireworks at the dessert buffet will let the lines work through the closing rush that the popular rides always get. Fingers crossed that I bet right!

This is me, right now. We'll be at the MK on Wednesday, 2/6. So - theoretically, a bit "slower" of a time/date. There is EMH posted (but only from 8p-10p). I have the before party booked, mainly due to the reports on this thread.

And now there's an After Fireworks party, and I'm debating making the switch! We have BOG reservations at 4:25. The after party would give a bit more time for dinner to digest! And - from what I'm seeing here - folks are liking the after party better. Avoid the crowds leaving and eat desserts! And don't stress about getting a good spot!

Advice?

 

[dachsie]

This is me, right now. We'll be at the MK on Wednesday, 2/6. So - theoretically, a bit "slower" of a time/date. There is EMH posted (but only from 8p-10p). I have the before party booked, mainly due to the reports on this thread.

And now there's an After Fireworks party, and I'm debating making the switch! We have BOG reservations at 4:25. The after party would give a bit more time for dinner to digest! And - from what I'm seeing here - folks are liking the after party better. Avoid the crowds leaving and eat desserts! And don't stress about getting a good spot!

Advice?

After party all the way, particularly since you will have just eaten

 

[Lsdolphin]

Here now.MK is wall to wall people. When iasw has an hour wait, it’s packed. My check in was 8 for the after party, checked in at 7:45 and probably 20 people were already in. At 8, guessing maybe 100 with it filling fast. I’m very glad I did the after party!

Hmmm, TP has MK at a crowd level of 3 maybe they meant just during the day, but they have "resort-wide crowd a 4 out of 10.
Oops sorry I was looking at today...TP did predict yesterday to be level 3, but today they posted it was more like a level 6!!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hmmm, TP has MK at a crowd level of 3 maybe they meant just during the day, but they have "resort-wide crowd a 4 out of 10.
Oops sorry I was looking at today...TP did predict yesterday to be level 3, but today they posted it was more like a level 6!!!

I need to go back and check, but I was looking at TP earlier today and I thought I saw MK yesterday was predicted and 6 and they observed a 9. But maybe I read it wrong?

 

[Lsdolphin]

I need to go back and check, but I was looking at TP earlier today and I thought I saw MK yesterday was predicted and 6 and they observed a 9. But maybe I read it wrong?

No you're right! I just went back and looked and they predicted a 3 resort wide and it was a 6.

 

[1437disney]

By 8:45, it was crowded and people were having trouble finding spots to sit. Which doesn’t matter much as everyone stood up when the show started.

Because of both parties being sold out, lots of ECVs were parked at the entrance to the garden which made the east side (closest to the restaurant) more crowded than the other side.

If you don’t mind stepping over and around people, you can probably find a spot for the ten of you mostly together.

But, just my opinion, if the park is open later that night, I’d switch to the after party because I know I’d be worried the whole before party about finding a spot.

Thanks for the input! I keep checking for the after party, but it is sold out (and 10 is probably impossible to get if people do cancel). I am sure we will be fine, it is just me stressing since I raved about the party last year and talked everyone into doing it this year.

 

[CJN]

Because of both parties being sold out, lots of ECVs were parked at the entrance to the garden which made the east side (closest to the restaurant) more crowded than the other side.

I guess this is the part that has me a bit worried. We’ll have either a wheelchair or ECV. Lots of people seem to be saying there’s plenty of room once everybody stands up but until that time how do I maneuver in? Last time we did it I was able to park on the left side in the back and that was without going out early. Now it sounds like there could be somewhat of a traffic jam at the garden entrance.

 

[nekonekoneko]

.
I don’t think it’s such a good value if [...] you do the after party and MK closes soon after.

I'm curious to your reasoning on this. I booked the after-party on January 6, 2019, specifically because it's an 8:00 HEA and an 8:00 closing. Based on the historical hours on WDWInfo, the first full Sunday in January held onto those times, so I'm presuming this won't be any different. Basically, the hours are unlikely to change.

I wanted the after party so I can go to the dessert area and sit back while everyone else is leaving the park. This is also why I had asked, before, on how late I can check in. I didn't want to spend that last open hour eating while the wait times for attractions were shrinking.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm curious to your reasoning on this. I booked the after-party on January 6, 2019, specifically because it's an 8:00 HEA and an 8:00 closing. Based on the historical hours on WDWInfo, the first full Sunday in January held onto those times, so I'm presuming this won't be any different. Basically, the hours are unlikely to change.

I wanted the after party so I can go to the dessert area and sit back while everyone else is leaving the park. This is also why I had asked, before, on how late I can check in. I didn't want to spend that last open hour eating while the wait times for attractions were shrinking.

Just FYI, I think wdwinfo is innacurate on those hours (they sometimes do no reflect changes). The park closed at 9pm the first Sunday of Jan this year. Obviously TBD for 2019.

Regardless, your plan/motivations seem pretty legit to me.

 

[nekonekoneko]

Just FYI, I think wdwinfo is innacurate on those hours (they sometimes do no reflect changes). The park closed at 9pm the first Sunday of Jan this year. Obviously TBD for 2019.

Regardless, your plan/motivations seem pretty legit to me.

True. I did forget to see if they were updated hours. I double checked with touring plans, and for the last 5 years, that particular weekend in January was an 8:00 Wishes/HEA with a 9:00 closing, with once being an 8:00 closing.

But here's the scenario with such a short window between the fireworks and closing and choosing the before party. HEA is about 20 minutes, and by the time I fight going upstream into Tomorrowland or Fantasyland, how much time will actually be left to get on anything?