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

[Ariel Wanna-be]

We attended the party last Friday night. I'm glad we did it, but we probably won't do it again, for many of the reasons that previous posters have stated. Here's a thumbnail review:

Pros:

• enthusiastic, courteous cast members (special kudos to the clean-up crew - they were so efficient at quickly clearing tables)
• the bar...I'm ashamed to admit how many Cosmic Citrus Twists I had. :/
• the selection of savory items and desserts was *much* better than the HEA party we had attended earlier in the week
• it was fun to watch the interaction of the Stormtroopers and Jawas with the guests
• the opportunity to meet the characters was great - we literally had one person in front of us to meet BB8
• walking out with the Stormtroopers was, in theory, quite cool* (*see below)
• the viewing area was nicely situated
• the Chewie stein is a cute souvenir (we wouldn't really use them, so we gave ours to some lightsaber-toting kiddos while leaving the park)
• the fireworks and show were fun and action-packed - we loved the laser and fire effects

Cons:

• I found the lack of tables disturbing...the price is significant enough that I should not have had to sit on the floor (I can deal with not having a chair, but a flat surface to hold a plate/drink is kind of a necessity, ya know?)
• way, way, WAY too crowded for my taste - I can't believe that they used to fit more people
• having to wait for the tour group (but thanks to the DIS I knew about this ahead of time...others waiting were quite unhappy)
• *as far as walking out with the Stormtroopers: I was not prepared for the amount of jostling/jockying that took place twenty minutes ahead of time to get a position by the stairs. We noticed a crowd gathering, so we went to stand at the foot of the stairs. There are three "bays" to the staircase, and a very nice (and patient) CM directed us to line up at the bottom of two of the bays (the third bay was kept open for people to pass through. However, I was not prepared for the brigade of stroller-pushing people starting to sidle up at the top of the stairs on the landing. (I'm not sure if they were directed to go there by the CMs (because of their strollers) or if they had just taken it upon themselves to circumvent the line.) As soon as the Stormtroopers arrived, those of us who had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs had to climb the stairs to get behind the Troopers. But most of the stroller brigade was able to slide in front of us (there were probably 15-20 people in that group) while we were climbing the stairs. So, most of the people who ended up right behind the Troopers were those people who had slimed up at the last minute. There was one particularly aggressive woman who had ended up right behind me who was using her (not empty) stroller as a battering ram. (She and I had a talk.) One of the primary reasons I booked this party was to avoid the "drama" of getting/defending a good spot for the fireworks, but I still found myself having to (theoretically) "fight" for a spot, and I had my ankle clipped as a bonus.

Overall, I'm glad we did it once, but it's not on the do-again list.

 

[dismom57]

We attended the party last Friday night. I'm glad we did it, but we probably won't do it again, for many of the reasons that previous posters have stated. Here's a thumbnail review:

Thank you for the words of wisdom, I have been known to enjoy a Galactic Punch or two. We are a WC party and this confirms my instincts to go out early to the viewing location. I take my little to go cup and leave before the Imperial hordes. The CM's manning the tape are always nice to spend time with.

Thinking our next visit in September will not be on a tour day. I did send a note to GS, voting on equal access and a different character mug.

 

[Chavaleh]

We tried to leave for the spot early and they wouldn't let us.

 

[FoxC63]

We attended the party last Friday night. I'm glad we did it, but we probably won't do it again, for many of the reasons that previous posters have stated. Here's a thumbnail review:

Pros:

• enthusiastic, courteous cast members (special kudos to the clean-up crew - they were so efficient at quickly clearing tables)
• the bar...I'm ashamed to admit how many Cosmic Citrus Twists I had. :/
• the selection of savory items and desserts was *much* better than the HEA party we had attended earlier in the week
• it was fun to watch the interaction of the Stormtroopers and Jawas with the guests
• the opportunity to meet the characters was great - we literally had one person in front of us to meet BB8
• walking out with the Stormtroopers was, in theory, quite cool* (*see below)
• the viewing area was nicely situated
• the Chewie stein is a cute souvenir (we wouldn't really use them, so we gave ours to some lightsaber-toting kiddos while leaving the park)
• the fireworks and show were fun and action-packed - we loved the laser and fire effects

Cons:

• I found the lack of tables disturbing...the price is significant enough that I should not have had to sit on the floor (I can deal with not having a chair, but a flat surface to hold a plate/drink is kind of a necessity, ya know?)
• way, way, WAY too crowded for my taste - I can't believe that they used to fit more people
• having to wait for the tour group (but thanks to the DIS I knew about this ahead of time...others waiting were quite unhappy)
• *as far as walking out with the Stormtroopers: I was not prepared for the amount of jostling/jockying that took place twenty minutes ahead of time to get a position by the stairs. We noticed a crowd gathering, so we went to stand at the foot of the stairs. There are three "bays" to the staircase, and a very nice (and patient) CM directed us to line up at the bottom of two of the bays (the third bay was kept open for people to pass through. However, I was not prepared for the brigade of stroller-pushing people starting to sidle up at the top of the stairs on the landing. (I'm not sure if they were directed to go there by the CMs (because of their strollers) or if they had just taken it upon themselves to circumvent the line.) As soon as the Stormtroopers arrived, those of us who had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs had to climb the stairs to get behind the Troopers. But most of the stroller brigade was able to slide in front of us (there were probably 15-20 people in that group) while we were climbing the stairs. So, most of the people who ended up right behind the Troopers were those people who had slimed up at the last minute. There was one particularly aggressive woman who had ended up right behind me who was using her (not empty) stroller as a battering ram. (She and I had a talk.) One of the primary reasons I booked this party was to avoid the "drama" of getting/defending a good spot for the fireworks, but I still found myself having to (theoretically) "fight" for a spot, and I had my ankle clipped as a bonus.

Overall, I'm glad we did it once, but it's not on the do-again list.

WOW!!! This is very helpful and informative - Thank You!

 

[FoxC63]

We tried to leave for the spot early and they wouldn't let us.

This is the first time I've ever read this happening. Yikes!

 

[Chavaleh]

This is the first time I've ever read this happening. Yikes!

We didn't press the issue but we were turned around and told we had to wait for the escort at the bottom of the stairs. Husband mentioned wanting to see the new projection show and the guy made a joke about how if we'd been on the GMR we'd seen it all already or something. *shrug*

 

[leiaorgana]

We tried to leave for the spot early and they wouldn't let us.

That's strange. We left the party about 8:45pm last Tuesday and nobody said anything to us. We went out through the Cantina area and went straight to the reserved area so we could watch the new show and be the first ones there.

 

[GoofysNCCrew]

We attended the party last Friday night. I'm glad we did it, but we probably won't do it again, for many of the reasons that previous posters have stated. Here's a thumbnail review:

Pros:

• enthusiastic, courteous cast members (special kudos to the clean-up crew - they were so efficient at quickly clearing tables)
• the bar...I'm ashamed to admit how many Cosmic Citrus Twists I had. :/
• the selection of savory items and desserts was *much* better than the HEA party we had attended earlier in the week
• it was fun to watch the interaction of the Stormtroopers and Jawas with the guests
• the opportunity to meet the characters was great - we literally had one person in front of us to meet BB8
• walking out with the Stormtroopers was, in theory, quite cool* (*see below)
• the viewing area was nicely situated
• the Chewie stein is a cute souvenir (we wouldn't really use them, so we gave ours to some lightsaber-toting kiddos while leaving the park)
• the fireworks and show were fun and action-packed - we loved the laser and fire effects

Cons:

• I found the lack of tables disturbing...the price is significant enough that I should not have had to sit on the floor (I can deal with not having a chair, but a flat surface to hold a plate/drink is kind of a necessity, ya know?)
• way, way, WAY too crowded for my taste - I can't believe that they used to fit more people
• having to wait for the tour group (but thanks to the DIS I knew about this ahead of time...others waiting were quite unhappy)
• *as far as walking out with the Stormtroopers: I was not prepared for the amount of jostling/jockying that took place twenty minutes ahead of time to get a position by the stairs. We noticed a crowd gathering, so we went to stand at the foot of the stairs. There are three "bays" to the staircase, and a very nice (and patient) CM directed us to line up at the bottom of two of the bays (the third bay was kept open for people to pass through. However, I was not prepared for the brigade of stroller-pushing people starting to sidle up at the top of the stairs on the landing. (I'm not sure if they were directed to go there by the CMs (because of their strollers) or if they had just taken it upon themselves to circumvent the line.) As soon as the Stormtroopers arrived, those of us who had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs had to climb the stairs to get behind the Troopers. But most of the stroller brigade was able to slide in front of us (there were probably 15-20 people in that group) while we were climbing the stairs. So, most of the people who ended up right behind the Troopers were those people who had slimed up at the last minute. There was one particularly aggressive woman who had ended up right behind me who was using her (not empty) stroller as a battering ram. (She and I had a talk.) One of the primary reasons I booked this party was to avoid the "drama" of getting/defending a good spot for the fireworks, but I still found myself having to (theoretically) "fight" for a spot, and I had my ankle clipped as a bonus.

Overall, I'm glad we did it once, but it's not on the do-again list.

...and while a few things were changed since the evening we attended the party on a tour night, not enough in my opinion has changed to make me return on a tour night.

Positive Changes:

• No reports lately of the tour guides entering the party area. This one change seems to be extremely helpful in keeping the tour group from having a herd mentality.
• Again related to the tour guides, no one calling the tour group together to line up first behind the stormtroopers. (The tour guides did this on the evening we attended)

Negatives remaining on the night of the tour:

• The size of the crowd at the party increases as the number of attendees is increased by 40 people (FastPasser provided figure)
• Continuing the practice of allowing the tour group to enter 15 minutes early. I know that doesn't effect everyone, but it effects a significant number and creates ill feelings from unaware guest right away. This practice should also be disclosed to guest booking on tour days. I have heard rationalization of why it is done, but having been there, the rationalization doesn't hold water by my and other guests observations.
• Lack of tables, but this again relates to the tour group getting in early, getting first and best access, and increasing capacity on those nights.

My opinion remains, this is a great dessert party that I would repeat, but only on nontour days. I think tour days should be priced lower for party only guest. If my only option was to attend on a tour day, I would pass.

 

[Felicis]

My opinion remains, this is a great dessert party that I would repeat, but only on nontour days. I think tour days should be priced lower for party only guest. If my only option was to attend on a tour day, I would pass.

how do you know if a party will have a tour?

 

[FastPasser.]

done it back when the entire party was outside -- a WAY BETTER experience, IMO.

By moving it indoors, it removed the weather cancelling the party issue and they were able to justify a higher price. I liked it much better when it was at Center Stage.

We always enjoyed it when it was a shop with animators, etc. In fact, I remember when it was a working studio, and you could walk through and watch the animators working.

It was a working animation studio, but it was tiny in comparison the the studio in CA and most of the work was for projects being done in CA. It wasn't that efficient. It was there mainly as an attraction. When the industry converted to Computer Animation, that studio no longer accurately represented the profession.

enthusiastic, courteous cast members

I must agree with this statement. I know, you're shocked.

special kudos to the clean-up crew - they were so efficient at quickly clearing tables

That's what they do, always very efficient. Wondering how you watched them because you should have left the area by then.

the price is significant enough that I should not have had to sit on the floor

Disney would disagree.

way, way, WAY too crowded for my taste - I can't believe that they used to fit more people

It didn't last long.

having to wait for the tour group

Agreed

I was not prepared for the brigade of stroller-pushing people starting to sidle up at the top of the stairs on the landing. (I'm not sure if they were directed to go there by the CMs (because of their strollers) or if they had just taken it upon themselves to circumvent the line.)

I don't understand because the policy has been that unless it's a sleeping child in the stroller or if they have a DAS tag, no strollers. They're supposed to be parked outside and retrived when they exit.

We tried to leave for the spot early and they wouldn't let us.

How did they prevent you from leaving?

We didn't press the issue but we were turned around and told we had to wait for the escort at the bottom of the stairs. Husband mentioned wanting to see the new projection show and the guy made a joke about how if we'd been on the GMR we'd seen it all already or something. *shrug*

That CM was misinformed and wrong. A problem is split responsibility. There are only three CMs working the party, the rest are Launch Bay CMs and have little to do with the actual party. The three party CMs are outside at the check-in podium and only come inside towards the end of the party in order to facilitate the escort to the viewing area.

That's strange. We left the party about 8:45pm last Tuesday and nobody said anything to us.

That's what's supposed to happen.

No reports lately of the tour guides entering the party area. no one calling the tour group together to line up first behind the stormtroopers. (The tour guides did this on the evening we attended)

That was a very short lived experiment, lucky you.

The size of the crowd at the party increases as the number of attendees is increased by 40 people (FastPasser provided figure)

I'd have to go back and check, but I believe, hope, what I said was that the overall size of the party remains the same whether there is a tour or not.

Continuing the practice of allowing the tour group to enter 15 minutes early.
the rationalization doesn't hold water by my and other guests observations.

Agreed, there's no reason for it. Hopefully the negative feedback will change the process.

how do you know if a party will have a tour?

Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I must agree with this statement. I know, you're shocked.

That's what they do, always very efficient. Wondering how you watched them because you should have left the area by then.
Maybe "clean-up" crew isn't the proper term...I was referring to the circulating CMs that went from table to table and cleaned up empty plates, cups, etc.
Disney would disagree.
Disney and I disagree on a lot of things these days. :/
It didn't last long.
I'm grateful.
Agreed

I don't understand because the policy has been that unless it's a sleeping child in the stroller or if they have a DAS tag, no strollers. They're supposed to be parked outside and retrived when they exit.
I'm not sure about the other strollers, but the one that clipped my ankle definitely had an awake child inside. There were probably 3 or 4 strollers and 15-20 people with them. Or maybe the stroller-less people weren't actually with the stroller people, maybe they were just up there to get a jump on everyone.

 

[FastPasser.]

Maybe "clean-up" crew isn't the proper term...I was referring to the circulating CMs that went from table to table and cleaned up empty plates, cups, etc

Ahh, the catering crew, they work very hard, I couldn't do it.

It's probably more than anyone wants to know, but the team that puts on the dessert parties at all the parks except MK, is made up of three elements. It starts with the Bus-men who set up the venue, the catering CMs who are responsible for the F&B and the flunky CMs who don't work hard at all, the three Event Guides. They check in and later schmooze with guests. Except for the equipment, everything else, including all the CMs are based out of Epcot.

I'm not sure about the other strollers, but the one that clipped my ankle definitely had an awake child inside. There were probably 3 or 4 strollers and 15-20 people with them. Or maybe the stroller-less people weren't actually with the stroller people, maybe they were just up there to get a jump on everyone.

Whoever the leader for the party was that night, it sounds like they weren't on top of things. It's always different depending on who's in charge.

 

[jlundeen]

So, I have seen repeatedly that party dates are not opened until only 2 months or so out. Hoping that October dates (and maybe November) gets released very soon!!! This waiting until the last minute to finalize plans is so over-rated!

 

[Disney & ME]

So the tours are really now four nights a week? Originally I thought it was posted that they were on Monday and Saturday. Now it seems that they are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday? Not many days left to do the party without the tour groups around.

 

[Disney & ME]

So, I have seen repeatedly that party dates are not opened until only 2 months or so out. Hoping that October dates (and maybe November) gets released very soon!!! This waiting until the last minute to finalize plans is so over-rated!

I totally agree! I am waiting to see if this event and the Highway in the Sky Dine Around will be offered in October. I am also waiting for F&W events to be announced. It is frustrating to be told to book dining 180 days out but then not have the dining options available. I am a wicked planner and this is really disrupting my process!

 

[FastPasser.]

Not many days left to do the party without the tour groups around.

If they'd discontinue the early entrance by the tour group, they'd be no difference between them and regular guests. Keep writing those letters requesting that they get in line with everyone else.

 

[yulilin3]

SWaGS is showing times for October 1 through 14th at 8:30pm 15th through 31st at 8pm. The dessert party should be released very soon

 

[Lesley Wake]

If they'd discontinue the early entrance by the tour group, they'd be no difference between them and regular guests. Keep writing those letters requesting that they get in line with everyone else.

Email written and sent off! Normally I don't write pre-complaints but if it helps change an annoying policy I will do it!

We are going in Sept on a Friday. No other day worked out for us that wouldn't be a tour day (especially with Rivers of Light not showing Tues/Thurs). I've already prepared myself that I probably won't get a table, at least not inside the food area, but if I hear the tours stop early entry I may show up earlier to get in line!

 

[Vickie1016]

Hi all - haven't posted much, but I have been reading along as our trip is fast approaching!! Thanks to everyone who has been posting reviews (and concerns) about the dessert party. to yulilin3 & fastpasser for your knowledge - greatly appreciated & it helped with the planning of our HS park days!

My family (and extended family) attended the dessert party last summer & I was on the fence about booking it again this year. But the thought of having to find a place early (in the heat & humidity) to watch the show made us decide to book again this year (the frozen nutella helped too...) I'll be sure to write a review when we return.

I am disappointed to learn that the tour group guests are allowed in earlier then the dessert party guests (we are booked for a Friday). I agree with others that the party should be opened to every paying guest at the same time.

Have a great summer everyone! Happy planning!

 

[dismom57]

So the tours are really now four nights a week? Originally I thought it was posted that they were on Monday and Saturday. Now it seems that they are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday? Not many days left to do the party without the tour groups around.

Oh darn I thought it was only Monday and Saturday. There goes my September Friday.