We'll be at WL at that same time! Trying for the party on the 19th also...am thinking it will be the last one maybe. Then it's off to Vero Beach for us for 22nd - 27th.
I wouldn’t waste time on a dessert party for an exclusive party event. It takes a huge chunk of time out of your limited party time to check in and again to line up to get to the buffet and eat desserts (if they included spring rolls again I would change my mind). We watched the holiday fireworks (arrived after MVMCPs had ended) and got a great spot 40 mins before (we are a party of 5 with a double stroller). End of the hub, start of Main Street is a great view. Now if you’re traveling with young kids or older adults (drink alcohol) then it might be worth it.
I am traveling with an older adult who can't/wont stand for that long to wait for fireworks. Maybe we can find somewhere to sit behind the castle- people say there are good views from there.
In that case I would book the dessert party esp if you’re going during the holidays and you don’t have a large party. Do note that some tables have an even more obstructed view vs the video (watch more recent videos before you go because procedures change slightly if tables are first come first serve etc).
Like a couple of previous posters have stated, I wouldn't spend money on the dessert party for MVMCP, and this is from someone who always does it for HEA. I agree that the projections don't add that much to the show. We have been to multiple MVMCPs and have walked up and easily found a place on the hub a few minutes before the fireworks. It is not front and center, but you can walk up to the edge of the hub right before the fireworks start and have a good view of them.
Due to age and infirmities, seats are important for DH and me, so we’d probably do the dessert party, especially the after-party. I’d rather have an obstructed view of the castle projections than none at all. And we’ve watched fireworks from behind the castle, and I found I was swiveling my neck too much trying to see the ones that come up far behind Fantasyland as well as the ones that come up to the sides of Tomorrowland and Frontierland. No, I wasn’t satisfied just fixing my view onto one location or the other.
I know a lot of people recommend not doing the dessert party during a Christmas or Halloween party, but we actually love to do that! We do the seats and sweets party and love it. The nice thing about the seats and sweets one is once you get your table assignment, your table is reserved, so you can go back out to enjoy more of the party until the fireworks start. In the past we've gotten our table, then went out to watch the first parade go by and get some of the special party pictures on Main Street before heading back to get desserts and watch the show. Yes, it does take away some party time, but so does staking out a spot in front of the castle to watch the fireworks or the parade, so it's all about priorities. Plus being able to sit during the fireworks is really really nice!
That’s good to know. I didn’t know you could exit and come back at the treats and seats and the seat you get is reserved. In that case, you’re not wasting a lot of party time and if someone has mobility issues (or disabilities of any kind) it would definitely be worth it to reduce the stress of staking a spot.
That seems like such a good idea- get your seat then head out to watch the parade!
Yeah the parades can be pretty crowded. I will note when we watch the first parade after securing our table at the dessert party there are no front row seats left, but we're fine standing behind people to watch. If getting a good view of the parade is a must do we'll make sure to snag a parade spot for the second parade, usually over in Frontierland where it's typically less crowded.
Is the view from sitting at the table obstructed?
Unless you’d get the limited tables right next to the rail, it is obstructed. Most vloggers will have tables next to the rail. You won’t see the top of the fireworks, but I don’t think it detracts too much.
Thanks!
I edited my post to include another video which shows the other seats
