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

[nkereina]

Yes, there are a couple of "obstructions" (light poles, etc.) No, these really don't hinder your view of anything to the point where it's a true problem.

Agree with this. We were behind one of the Mickey pumpkins on the light pole but it was only a minor obstruction. Didn't detract from the view or experience.

I have to ask, I know you were along the back rail, but did the people not along the back stand up and rush to the front as HEA started? I was a little surprised by this because I had read prior reports where mostly everyone remained seated on the grass during HEA and were even yelling at the people who were standing. But in my experience, mostly everyone got up and stood. By standing, we were able to shift to the center and stand behind the crowd so we had some elbow room, but might have been nice to sit during it too.

 

[B. Shoe]

I have to ask, I know you were along the back rail, but did the people not along the back stand up and rush to the front as HEA started? I was a little surprised by this because I had read prior reports where mostly everyone remained seated on the grass during HEA and were even yelling at the people who were standing. But in my experience, mostly everyone got up and stood. By standing, we were able to shift to the center and stand behind the crowd so we had some elbow room, but might have been nice to sit during it too.

For the 10/22 fireworks, everyone mainly stood where they were seated in waiting. That seemed to be a wave of standing from the front of the garden to the back, and then you saw people shift around slightly. From the back rail, we comfortably had 5-6 feet of open air in front of us. I have also read those reports of where everyone sat, but I never anticipated it as something that would happen for our event. I told our friends on the rail, "No matter what, stay back against the rail. Things will shift a little, but we stay here."

In my one-time experience and opinion, I genuinely think sitting in the garden during the fireworks is probably not a fair expectation of the package. And if it is, opting for the Tomorrowland Terrace seated package is the way to go, instead. Is it possible to sit during HEA in the garden? Probably, and yes, it would be a great luxury. But you also need the rest of the garden crowd to play along, especially those up along the front rail. If they stand up, the rest of the garden does, also. On a busier night where it's likely sold out, I think that's a tough play.

 

[nkereina]

In my one-time experience and opinion, I genuinely think sitting in the garden during the fireworks is probably not a fair expectation of the package. And if it is, opting for the Tomorrowland Terrace seated package is the way to go, instead. Is it possible to sit during HEA in the garden? Probably, and yes, it would be a great luxury. But you also need the rest of the garden crowd to play along, especially those up along the front rail. If they stand up, the rest of the garden does, also. On a busier night where it's likely sold out, I think that's a tough play.

Agreed, and that had been my expectation all along until I read some reports here that most people remained seated! I never expected to sit on the grass and found it natural for people to stand, so its a head scratcher to me why some people experienced it mostly seated and witnessed people yelling at others who stood up.

 

[Toulouse]

I was a little surprised by this because I had read prior reports where mostly everyone remained seated on the grass during HEA and were even yelling at the people who were standing.

Same people who get angry when you stand at a rock concert, surely. It's 12 minutes long you lazy idiots.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Can anyone verify if there were Photopass Photographers out after the "after" dessert party? Would absolutely LOVE to get a photo leaving at 10 pm ish.
TIA

 

[dedesmith32]

Can anyone verify if there were Photopass Photographers out after the "after" dessert party? Would absolutely LOVE to get a photo leaving at 10 pm ish.
TIA

I'd love to know this too!

 

[nkereina]

Same people who get angry when you stand at a rock concert, surely. It's 12 minutes long you lazy idiots.

LOL... so true! To be clear, the report said that others around them were yelling at the standers, not the person who wrote the report. I'm guessing people come to the area and see everyone plopped down on the ground and assume that's how they're watching the show, and are bummed when people stand.

 

[TinkSassy]

Rain Question - right now the forecast is rain over my party (too early to be sure). What is the policy on this? If the fireworks don't happen is there any compensation or just desserts and you are out of luck?

 

[WaterLinds]

The official fine print policy is there is no compensation if there’s a rain cancellation, as you can still get dessert. I have also read accounts of rain delays—so often Florida rain is fleeting, if it happens to hit during HEA they might just shift the show timing a bit to see if it passes.

Fingers crossed it stays dry for you!

 

[jaysmom4285]

Can anyone verify if there were Photopass Photographers out after the "after" dessert party? Would absolutely LOVE to get a photo leaving at 10 pm ish.
TIA

There have been at the couple of parties we've attended, and I believe others have confirmed this.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Rain Question - right now the forecast is rain over my party (too early to be sure). What is the policy on this? If the fireworks don't happen is there any compensation or just desserts and you are out of luck?

Yeah, @WaterLinds pretty much nailed it.

HEA is almost (99.9%) never flat out cancelled. They'll run it hours later if needed, but it won't be cancelled baring some really bad set of weather circumstances.

With the Before/After party viewing in the garden, it's pretty much at your own risk with the weather.

Granted, if things are flat out horrible, hours and hours of delays, etc, Disney has a decent track record of wanting to make things right with guests so a conversation with guest relations might not be a terrible idea if you are inclined.

We've sat in the garden in our ponchos and wet bottoms before and just trucked on and tried to laugh about it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for the abundant recent reviews. You guys are rock stars... so helpful to see/read the current state of things with all three parties.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Agreed about what @GADisneyDad14 said,
it's a HUGE help to have a first hand report of any event!
I don't understand how people "do" Disney without being on the Dis!?!
Thanks guys!

 

[TinkSassy]

Yeah, @WaterLinds pretty much nailed it.

HEA is almost (99.9%) never flat out cancelled. They'll run it hours later if needed, but it won't be cancelled baring some really bad set of weather circumstances.

With the Before/After party viewing in the garden, it's pretty much at your own risk with the weather.

Granted, if things are flat out horrible, hours and hours of delays, etc, Disney has a decent track record of wanting to make things right with guests so a conversation with guest relations might not be a terrible idea if you are inclined.

We've sat in the garden in our ponchos and wet bottoms before and just trucked on and tried to laugh about it.

Thanks! I’ve actually had fireworks cancelled on two trips but this is my first party and poncho is already packed so fingers crossed

 

[qwerty2k]

Did this recently (late last week can’t remember the day off hand) and was a bit of a disappointed to be honest. It was much busier than I had anticipated with the garden view being pretty crowded, maybe due to my expectations reading some reviews that said they had room for their kids to run around etc. So maybe my expectations were wrong but I’m not sure it was worth the money as although it was good to get a good spot I didn’t feel that much less crowded than if I were standing outside of it.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I didn’t feel that much less crowded than if I were standing outside of it

Wow, that's a disappointment. Especially since there's quite the upcharge!
I wonder if this has to do with adding after parties...

 

[Cluelyss]

I’m not sure it was worth the money as although it was good to get a good spot I didn’t feel that much less crowded than if I were standing outside of it.

Just curious if you’ve ever actually stood inside the crowd on Main Street? I only ask because i used to think it didn’t look “that bad” until I did it once. And nope....I’ll skip the show before I ever do that again. The crush of people, pressing in on you from all sides, and if you so much as breathe that centimeter of space is immediately gobbled up by someone else. The garden will NEVER be that bad.

 

[KateMW]

Is this is the same dessert party as the Tomorrowland one during the party? Looking for info on that one but oh so confused!

 

[B. Shoe]

Is this is the same dessert party as the Tomorrowland one during the party? Looking for info on that one but oh so confused!

All of the Happily Ever After Dessert Party events begin at Tomorroland Terrace. If you purchase the Plaza Garden Viewing tickets, you’ll make your way to the reserved Garden area for HEA. If you purchase the Tomorrowland Terrace Viewing tickets, you’ll stay at Tomorrowland Terrace for HEA. (There are reserved seats for these tickets)

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

Plaza Garden Viewing info: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/d...d-terrace-fireworks-dessert-party-plaza-view/

Hope this helps!

 

[Raimiette]

I am attending the before (garden) party this Sunday and am a bit concerned crowd wise but as long as it's better than the hub mosh pit I'm good lol

I'll do a bit of a review once we get back to the resort.

I anticipate MK will be super busy that day due to Jersey week, veterans day holiday and limited firework days due to the x-mas parties.