**Official** Star Wars at DHS, Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party/Galactic Nights/Launch Bay/JT

[cvjpirate]

So interesting. You do still get front of line access to the characters by wearing your lanyard even if you are not escorted by a guide or am I misunderstanding the procedure completely? Also, did you break away from the guides to meet BB8 before the party or does the tour give free time to do that then meet back up?

You get front of the line access with the characters (other than BB8) wearing your lanyard. The guides do not stay for the party, that is when they leave. I did the BB8 meet in the morning when I was doing other things that was not included with the tour.

 

[GoofysNCCrew]

Glad to hear FastPasser saw some changes from what I witnessed. I hope those parts are holding true for every tour night. I don't know what brought about the changes that you noted but I'm glad to hear them. This was a great dessert party and I was hopeful corrective changes would be made. I feel better for making my impressions known to Disney customer services and perhaps it was the numerous feedback from guests that prompted some change. One, not having the tour guides actually inside the party like they were on the night I attended sounds like it was helpful. I was pleased to hear the guides were not in the party (at least when you arrived, hopefully they never entered) and that the guides didn't call the group back together as they did to form the line behind the Stormtroopers. Both pluses.

Still hopeful they will address the early entry issue. I agree of course as I have said before, there is no need to hold everyone back while letting the tour into the party 15 minutes early. They could do like they do on nontour nights. When the party is ready allow early arrivers to enter the party. Since the tour arrives early they would be in that group. They would still get in before the bulk of the people arrived, have the same amount of time they were going to have anyway and everyone remains happy. I'm not surprised FastPasser didn't witness disgruntlement over tour group early entry, you wouldn't have on the evening I attended either. I certainly wasn't wearing it on my sleeve and I didn't see the other people I heard making comments about it at the start of the party I attended continuing to act disgruntled. All the negative feedback that evening seemed to be shared with the initial entrance CM and wasn't escalated.

 

[FoxC63]

I just wanted to chime in on the reported issues.
I sent an email last week, I was concerned as well since this was picked by my DD15 specifically for her Sweet 16 choice, because among other things, the thought of being escorted by stormtroppers sold her.
I didn't want to invest the $$ to feel less important since a tour is on our night.
I received a phone call yesterday from a wonderful CM, we actually spoke for 20 minutes. She even got on to this thread to read reports. She reassured me that they were making sure all were treated equally, and echoed everything FastPasser has been reporting.
I feel a lot better about going now, and she even offered me a few tips.
@FastPasser. thanks for always having fantastic info for us here at the Dis!! We will be there Friday July 14th, maybe we will see you!

What, really? What tips?

 

[FastPasser.]

I feel better for making my impressions known to Disney customer services

As you should be.

perhaps it was the numerous feedback from guests that prompted some change.

I'm very glad that you and others cared enough to let Disney know how you felt. That has to continue.

It's rare that I do any event twice in one week, but I'm very curious and decided to be there this Saturday night. I'm crossing my fingers that what I witnessed last night will be repeated.

 

[LvsTnk]

Thank you @FastPasser. so appreciative of all you do!

I feel much better having read all of this and excited to attend again in a few weeks.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

What, really? What tips?

Well, the only "tips" related to SW dessert party was the arriving 15 minutes early, which I have already read, and it may not help, and then she said not to go to the front of the viewing nor the far back, but to the side about mid way, opposite of side with trees-I took brief notes, lol, but I'm in bed so I don't have the exact words now. We talked about more than the SW dessert party, so she was giving me tips on other things I have planned as well. Very fun conversation.

I am curious if others who emailed their concerns got any feedback as well?? I was surprised I got a call and not just an emailed response...

 

[FoxC63]

Well, the only "tips" related to SW dessert party was the arriving 15 minutes early, which I have already read, and it may not help, and then she said not to go to the front of the viewing nor the far back, but to the side about mid way, opposite of side with trees-I took brief notes, lol, but I'm in bed so I don't have the exact words now. We talked about more than the SW dessert party, so she was giving me tips on other things I have planned as well. Very fun conversation.

I am curious if others who emailed their concerns got any feedback as well?? I was surprised I got a call and not just an emailed response...

Go to sleep! We'll all chat tomorrow!

 

[sunflowerblooms]

Thank you FastPasser for the update. This is welcome news.

I did write Disney a very nicely worded email outlining my concerns regarding the tour groups and the dessert party and I have not heard back. But it sounds Disney was listening and they are making some changes. Looking forward to our party in August.

 

[Roxyfire]

I wanted to do a little mini-report of our party experiences on a non-tour night. Because we had done one before, I didn't feel the need to check in early. Instead we walked over after finishing up a RnRC fastpass. We got to the party maybe around 5 minutes after the posted time. The crowd was still pretty light but most of the tables in the main area by the food were taken up, including the ones by the bench.

We ended up choosing the Jawas' area and that worked out really nicely as we got to watch a lot of fun interactions. We were the first ones up there so I asked the CM and he said that was a party area as well. The food was still nearby and it was full of shorter tables, too. It's probably not an ideal location for someone with a wheelchair in their party, but it's great for a family.

There's really plenty of time to get food, drinks, refills, and meet the characters before you're walked out. I did see some people leave early but I wasn't worried about getting "the best" spot out there so we walked over just behind the special family of the day. It is rather important to be near the stairs if you want to be close to the front. Otherwise you won't really see them all that well.

There was plenty of room in the viewing area, maybe the event was not sold out. The CMs did not offer to let the children sit up front, and there was only 1 or 2 small groups in the handicapped viewing area. Eventually my son just snuck up there anyway and stood near other kids who were supposed to be up there. I don't think they were really concerned about it as the show went on, they had to keep the path clear and eventually take down the ropes. Overall still a great experience, food was good once again, drinks were fine, and the show was amazing as usual.

 

[FastPasser.]

most of the tables in the main area by the food were taken up, including the ones by the bench.

Nice report, it reminds me that I forgot to mention that because they've switched to mostly shorter tables, the tables along where the benches are located in effect have seating.

We ended up choosing the Jawas' area and that worked out really nicely as we got to watch a lot of fun interactions.

IMO, that area is the best area because of the Jawas. It's also not like being in a black hole, which is how I describe the main party area.

 

[yulilin3]

Nice report, it reminds me that I forgot to mention that because they've switched to mostly shorter tables, the tables along where the benches are located in effect have seating.
IMO, that area is the best area because of the Jawas. It's also not like being in a black hole, which is how I describe the main party area.

getting back to the nights when there is a tour, couldn't you technically get there early and grab the tables outside the roped off area? with the benches along the wall, even if you are not with the tour? I haven't seen the dessert setup in a while and I'm not sure if it's the same as before.

 

[Roxyfire]

IMO, that area is the best area because of the Jawas. It's also not like being in a black hole, which is how I describe the main party area.

I'll agree with that description, it's very busy so with all the people squeezing in and around, it's great if you want to get a lot of food for multiple kids/family members but honestly I can't see standing there comfortably. I'm a little uneasy about that many people packed into a small space.

On the other hand, the jawas area can get backed up due to the bb8 meet but the CMs do a good job getting people inside the queue. Also it's a great way to keep an eye on the line so you can get in there while you have time. I watched the wait time go from 30 minutes and full of people to basically walk on but posted at 10 minute wait.

 

[NuJoy]

IMO, that area is the best area because of the Jawas. It's also not like being in a black hole, which is how I describe the main party area.

For the non-Star Wars fan, the black hole has a light at the end of its tunnel and someone, not saying who, likes to keep their focus there. It's the cocktail tower.

 

[dismom57]

getting back to the nights when there is a tour, couldn't you technically get there early and grab the tables outside the roped off area? with the benches along the wall, even if you are not with the tour? I haven't seen the dessert setup in a while and I'm not sure if it's the same as before.

We have been a number of times, last in May. The tables outside the rope were all tall (we are WC party), but yes savvy guests did stay there. The tour group seemed to enter from the other end of the setup (away from bar and near nutella). We had to wait until they had been in for their fifteen minutes until the ropes near the characters were dropped. Orange trimmed lanyards versus just black. That seemed a little sad for us waiting (we were not alone, there were many ordinary guests there). Previously we have all been let in once servers were happy with set up. The CM actually said we had to wait until the tour had their first food and drink.

 

[FastPasser.]

getting back to the nights when there is a tour, couldn't you technically get there early and grab the tables outside the roped off area? with the benches along the wall, even if you are not with the tour?

Good observation, and I'm guessing it is doable. I'm never in there around the time it opens because Disney has this silly policy of insisting that I do my job, which is outside the Launch Bay, so I'm not able to comment on what happens inside just before opening time, but dismom57 can.

The tables outside the rope were all tall (we are WC party), but yes savvy guests did stay there.

There were lower tables there the other night so you had pretty good seating on one side of the table. What I don't know is, is it set up that way every night.

On the other hand, the Jawas area can get backed up due to the bb8 meet but the CMs do a good job getting people inside the queue. Also it's a great way to keep an eye on the line so you can get in there while you have time. I watched the wait time go from 30 minutes and full of people to basically walk on but posted at 10 minute wait.

That's true, but I'd still opt for that area.

For the non-Star Wars fan, the black hole has a light at the end of its tunnel and someone, not saying who, likes to keep their focus there. It's the cocktail tower.

Too funny. We all have our priorities.

 

[Senk]

We did the dessert party Tuesday night. We got there about 15 mins early and were picked to be the family of the night. Since we were early we went to meet BB8. Then DS had to go to the restroom so we left and when we came back the doors had opened. We found a table tried a bunch of stuff and had some drinks. Sweets loving DD was all about the red pepper hummus surprisingly. We then went to meet the other characters and they had little to no lines. We got additional drinks before the lead out with the Storm Troopers which was fun. There were maybe 5 groups already in the roped off area. All of the kids got to sit in the front so they had a good view. I can see how adults may not have a great view if you are not near the front of the group though.

Overall I'm super happy with the decison to splurge on the party. Of course being picked as the family of the night made us feel special and made it exciting for the kids. There was no tour group last night. The bar tender poured strong. For Star Wars fans the show was great. Really impressed with it.

 

[FastPasser.]

were picked to be the family of the night. Of course being picked as the family of the night made us feel special and made it exciting for the kids.

The odds of being selected are about 1 out of 60, I'd say that's special.

The bar tender poured strong

Seems to be a common sentiment.

 

[GoofysNCCrew]

Interesting to read through some of the recent reviews about table placements and on tour nights where the tour enters the party, etc. The one consistent pattern seems to be some inconsistencies. Be prepared for variables, most minor I hope on the night you go. Does anyone know how often tour guides are rotated or party CMs? Just curious if there is some latitude in some of the practices.

 

[FastPasser.]

The one consistent pattern seems to be some inconsistencies.

Very true.

Does anyone know how often tour guides are rotated or party CMs? Just curious if there is some latitude in some of the practices.

I can't address the tour guides question, but I can certainly address the party CM question.

The department that puts on the parties is called Park Event Operations, aka PEO. They set up the venue, supply and serve the food & drinks and provide 3 CMs that while wearing Launch Bay costumes are not Launch Bay or DHS CMs. The 3 CMs check in guests, provide the Chewy steins, and facilitate the move to the viewing area. Most of the PEO event staff is different every night.

 

[JennLTX]

Guided Tour Report here!

We were there on Wednesday, June 7. I admit right off the bat I tried to get out of it because it was, again, pouring rain. No could do, so we soldiered on, and I'm SO glad because the rain cleared up shortly after the tour began. I'm wondering, though, if the weather DID affect the tour because it was somewhat different than described by other guests on this thread.

Order of events was (and I think I've got a couple of them mixed up):

• Path of the Jedi
• Darth Vader Meet & Greet (and he was GOOD; our pictures are HILARIOUS)
• March with the First Order (this was pretty awesome)
• Meet the Makers
• Dinner
• Jedi Training Academy
• Star Tours
• Dessert Party

I also admit at that point the rain had just plain gotten to me, and I started off the tour in a pretty grumpy state of mind. I feel WILDLY guilty because it ended up being a super time, and I did apologize to Josh, one of our two guides (the other was Freddy), and he couldn't have been nicer or more understanding about it. They both did a FANTASTIC job, and I'll be following up with an email to Guest Services about how much we enjoyed our afternoon / evening.

In conclusion, HIGHLY recommend.