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.
 
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My DH has a tree nut & shellfish allergy. I checked off the little boxes when I made our 12/30 reservations, but do I need to call to add a note to the reservation about his allergies?

Also, how does it work on the day of? Is there someone we need to speak with when we arrive? TIA
 
My DH has a tree nut & shellfish allergy. I checked off the little boxes when I made our 12/30 reservations, but do I need to call to add a note to the reservation about his allergies?

Also, how does it work on the day of? Is there someone we need to speak with when we arrive? TIA

We have a gluten allergy and I only used the check boxes to note that. They had it noted on our reservation which was mentioned when we checked in and a special plate of food prepared for our person along with a list of what they could have on the buffet. Mention it at the check in podium if they don’t bring it up first. I do not believe you would need to call about it.
 
We have a gluten allergy and I only used the check boxes to note that. They had it noted on our reservation which was mentioned when we checked in and a special plate of food prepared for our person along with a list of what they could have on the buffet. Mention it at the check in podium if they don’t bring it up first. I do not believe you would need to call about it.
Thanks!
 


Did the party on the 4th. Very disappointed in the dessert selections. I’ve done this party 4 times and this was the first time I barely ate anything. I know we paid for the spot more than food this time, so I don’t want to complain to anyone at Disney. I just think they really didn’t care about quality that night. They did have iced coffee, so that was nice,

Thank goodness for the CM escort to the garden. We headed over at 8:45. It was insane getting over there. Felt like Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. Luckily it wasn’t crowded like that all day. I have to admit people on these boards scared me into thinking the 4th would be chaos all day. It was not.
 
We requested a table away from the irritating thumping dance music blaring from Main Street.

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).

Your reports of blaring music on Main Street during the lead up to the fireworks are concerning me. I have a son on the spectrum who can tolerate the fireworks as long as he has ear plugs to muffle it, but would be completely triggered by the music you describe for a prolonged period of time. Is the music a normal part of festivities on a typical evening or is this something that was just done as a special event for the holiday? Thanks for any input!!!
 
Your reports of blaring music on Main Street during the lead up to the fireworks are concerning me. I have a son on the spectrum who can tolerate the fireworks as long as he has ear plugs to muffle it, but would be completely triggered by the music you describe for a prolonged period of time. Is the music a normal part of festivities on a typical evening or is this something that was just done as a special event for the holiday? Thanks for any input!!!

The “dance party” setup is something done on 7/3-7/4 & 12/30-12/31.
 


It was so awful. My ears were ringing when we left.

Really? Just the type of music, volume? We’ve really enjoyed the ‘party’ vibe on 12/30 for the early show.

Depends on the playlist though - if they have the DJ set up on the castle stage trying to pump up the crowd with a bunch of techno-dance stuff, that does get old for me.

That’s one of the reasons I’m probably opting to avoid the Villains events this year. I’m ok with an MK party on special days, don’t really need that in an after hours context.

But anyways, hope you’re enjoying your trip.
 
Really? Just the type of music, volume? We’ve really enjoyed the ‘party’ vibe on 12/30 for the early show.

Depends on the playlist though - if they have the DJ set up on the castle stage trying to pump up the crowd with a bunch of techno-dance stuff, that does get old for me.

That’s one of the reasons I’m probably opting to avoid the Villains events this year. I’m ok with an MK party on special days, don’t really need that in an after hours context.

But anyways, hope you’re enjoying your trip.


Horrible remixes at a volume probably heard on the moon. It was my “get off my lawn” moment of the night. :rotfl2:

We are having a forced rest day thanks to lots of rain this evening. Still having a great time!
 
Glad I’m not the only one who hated the noise! I think it’s great they make an effort to keep the crowd entertained, but there’s two problems: at least on 7/3, it was literally loud enough to cause hearing loss, and the kind of music they were playing does not fit the old small town feel of Main St or the fantasy fairy tale theme of the castle. I don’t want to hear techno, Smash Mouth, etc in a setting like that. It ruins the immersion and brings the real world crashing back into what’s meant to be a different place. What’s wrong with playing classic original Disney tunes at a normal volume?
 
Horrible remixes at a volume probably heard on the moon. It was my “get off my lawn” moment of the night. :rotfl2:

We could hear word for word what music they were playing on the decking at Narcoossee's so I hate to think how bad it was actually in the park that night!
 
Hello all,

I am attending the HEA After party in August. I see many references on this thread to the "back rail". For my understanding: what does this refer to? What is the "back rail" and why is it the best place to stand?

Thank you very much!!
 
Hello all,

I am attending the HEA After party in August. I see many references on this thread to the "back rail". For my understanding: what does this refer to? What is the "back rail" and why is it the best place to stand?

Thank you very much!!

The garden is entirely fenced in. The reference to the back rail is the back fence furthest away from the Castle. It's nice because most people crowd to the front and also you can rest against the rail if you don't wish to sit on the ground.
 
Hello all,

I am attending the HEA After party in August. I see many references on this thread to the "back rail". For my understanding: what does this refer to? What is the "back rail" and why is it the best place to stand?

Thank you very much!!


https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...arty-parties-discussion.3604693/post-60646771
https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...arty-parties-discussion.3604693/post-60640504
https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...arty-parties-discussion.3604693/post-60678381
 
Check in was quick and we were escorted to the garden where we were able to relax for a while before the show. We got a space in front left by the rail. We met two really nice families from Hawaii (Aloha friends! If you're on here!) and enjoyed conversation until the show started.

I'm sorry if this is a bit late, but where is the Check-In for the "After" party? Is it also at Tomorrowland Terrace? I've booked the "After" party for August and want to make sure I know where to go. :teeth:
 
I'm sorry if this is a bit late, but where is the Check-In for the "After" party? Is it also at Tomorrowland Terrace? I've booked the "After" party for August and want to make sure I know where to go. :teeth:
Yes we did the after fireworks dessert party and we checked in at TT prior to fireworks and gave us wristbands for entering the garden. Then after the show we went to TT to eat.
 

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