only hope
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- Joined
- Jun 7, 2014
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We did the 7/3 before party with garden viewing. We’ve never done a dessert party before. This was a special splurge that won’t be happening again for many year as it’s so expensive.
I’ve been reading this thread for a long time to get an idea of what to expect, how it all works etc. The menu featured different desserts than the normal HEA party, unlike last years 4th of July according to posts here. The toffee cake, ice cream, cookies, brownies, s’mores station, beverages, and savory/fruit items were the same as what I’ve seen here. The frosting for the diy decorating was red white and blue. The strawberries were covered in white chocolate with red and blue colors. The rest of the dessert selections were Minnie edible cookie dough (which were amazing), pink push pop things (we couldn’t figure out what flavor it was), crunchy fresh cinnamon apples with vanilla topping, berry cake with blue icing, and some other cake. There may have been one other thing.
We arrived at 7:15 since there wasn’t really time to do anything else. There was already a huge line that wrapped around the island in front of the bathroom near the bypass entrance. They didn’t start checking people in until almost 7:45 but once they did the line moved quickly. Mom and I had separate reservations (as did the party ahead of us) which wasn’t an issue. Our very friendly cast member explained the food options and where to go after we were finished eating. We requested a table away from the irritating thumping dance music blaring from Main Street.
The line for the main buffet station was long for a few minutes after everyone had arrived, but there was no line for the toffee/ice cream/cookies.
A storm moved in a few minutes after we arrived and didn’t appear to be going away. We asked a cast member if we would be kicked out if it was still lightening when the fireworks went off and she said no, and that the fireworks would go off eventually even if they had to shorten the show.
We took our time eating and when we got up to leave around 9, there were only a few people left. By the time we actually walked out we were the last ones. Many people on here have mentioned taking food to go so we came prepared with a popcorn bucket. I didn’t notice anyone else taking food to go and wasn’t really sure if it was ok, but we grabbed 4 cookies, 2 brownies, and some of the crostini things and put them in the bucket at our table and no one said anything, if anyone noticed. Looking around at the number of empty plates on the other tables I could tell we didn’t eat nearly as much as most tables anyways- this was just the rest of our share that we were too full to eat
A cast member from the podium at the bottom of the ramp escorted us to the guard at the rope. The garden was pretty full, though about 75% of people were sitting. There were still several spots to choose from to sit down at the back- I didn’t check the front. We settled at the very back of the grass on the far left.We thought we were going to stay seated to watch the show, but when they announced it was about to start (after a 15mn delay) most people in front of us stood, so we did too. Our view was great. We could see all the fireworks and the ones behind us were centered. No one that I noticed held a kid or ipad up. If it had been projection-heavy HEA, I would have been annoyed by the light poles blocking part of the castle.
For the special 4th of July concert in the sky fireworks, it is worth the money. At 7:15 the hub was already nearly full. We have no interest in standing for in the same spot for two hours, let alone shoulder to shoulder with strangers in the heat, and especially not with music loud enough to give a headache (though the weather silenced the music around 8).
After the amazing fireworks were done, we went to Storybook Circus vis Tomorrowland and it didn’t take too long since we were on the edge of the crowd. I wouldn’t recommend trying to head any other way on nights like that. They did have an alternative exit open in Tomorrowland.
I’ve been reading this thread for a long time to get an idea of what to expect, how it all works etc. The menu featured different desserts than the normal HEA party, unlike last years 4th of July according to posts here. The toffee cake, ice cream, cookies, brownies, s’mores station, beverages, and savory/fruit items were the same as what I’ve seen here. The frosting for the diy decorating was red white and blue. The strawberries were covered in white chocolate with red and blue colors. The rest of the dessert selections were Minnie edible cookie dough (which were amazing), pink push pop things (we couldn’t figure out what flavor it was), crunchy fresh cinnamon apples with vanilla topping, berry cake with blue icing, and some other cake. There may have been one other thing.
We arrived at 7:15 since there wasn’t really time to do anything else. There was already a huge line that wrapped around the island in front of the bathroom near the bypass entrance. They didn’t start checking people in until almost 7:45 but once they did the line moved quickly. Mom and I had separate reservations (as did the party ahead of us) which wasn’t an issue. Our very friendly cast member explained the food options and where to go after we were finished eating. We requested a table away from the irritating thumping dance music blaring from Main Street.
The line for the main buffet station was long for a few minutes after everyone had arrived, but there was no line for the toffee/ice cream/cookies.
A storm moved in a few minutes after we arrived and didn’t appear to be going away. We asked a cast member if we would be kicked out if it was still lightening when the fireworks went off and she said no, and that the fireworks would go off eventually even if they had to shorten the show.
We took our time eating and when we got up to leave around 9, there were only a few people left. By the time we actually walked out we were the last ones. Many people on here have mentioned taking food to go so we came prepared with a popcorn bucket. I didn’t notice anyone else taking food to go and wasn’t really sure if it was ok, but we grabbed 4 cookies, 2 brownies, and some of the crostini things and put them in the bucket at our table and no one said anything, if anyone noticed. Looking around at the number of empty plates on the other tables I could tell we didn’t eat nearly as much as most tables anyways- this was just the rest of our share that we were too full to eat
A cast member from the podium at the bottom of the ramp escorted us to the guard at the rope. The garden was pretty full, though about 75% of people were sitting. There were still several spots to choose from to sit down at the back- I didn’t check the front. We settled at the very back of the grass on the far left.We thought we were going to stay seated to watch the show, but when they announced it was about to start (after a 15mn delay) most people in front of us stood, so we did too. Our view was great. We could see all the fireworks and the ones behind us were centered. No one that I noticed held a kid or ipad up. If it had been projection-heavy HEA, I would have been annoyed by the light poles blocking part of the castle.
For the special 4th of July concert in the sky fireworks, it is worth the money. At 7:15 the hub was already nearly full. We have no interest in standing for in the same spot for two hours, let alone shoulder to shoulder with strangers in the heat, and especially not with music loud enough to give a headache (though the weather silenced the music around 8).
After the amazing fireworks were done, we went to Storybook Circus vis Tomorrowland and it didn’t take too long since we were on the edge of the crowd. I wouldn’t recommend trying to head any other way on nights like that. They did have an alternative exit open in Tomorrowland.
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. Thank you!!!
