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

[jods]

I'd be upset if I paid extra for the exclusiveness of fast pass just to then show up and be told that not only do I not have exclusive access, I have to wait while another group gets 15 minutes head start to the first and best, which is what is happening in the party situation. I totally get why I can't be with the fast pass group if I have not secured access to that line as a stand-by guest. We are talking bait-and-switch; and that is the issue.

You said it so much better then I did. I think that's the part that's off putting to me. Its not the guests behaving badly, you can get that anywhere anytime. Its not really an exclusive event if you are secondary to the VIP tour, which it appears to be since you have to wait for them to enter and then exit to get their fireworks spot. I'm not concerned about getting drinks, desserts or a table. It's the having to wait for others. I'm curious to hear from others who attended on a tour day. That will help me decide.

 

[NuJoy]

EDIT TO ADD: Disney is still delivering what they promised, certain amount of time in the dessert party plus a reserved viewing area

By not disclosing the terms of a VIP tour's access to the party at the point of sale, Disney is luring guests to pay full price for an exclusive event that is not exclusive nor equal to what was advertised.

 

[NuJoy]

However, if we had not been first in line to the party and privy to first hand comments and procedure as the VIP tour entered; say if we had arrived late to the party, we probably wouldn't have known or felt the difference of the tour being there. We probably would have been like, Whoa, we should have gotten here earlier; that is, until we were put behind the tour to enter the viewing area.

 

[yulilin3]

By not disclosing the terms of a VIP tour's access to the party at the point of sale, Disney is luring guests to pay full price for an exclusive event that is not exclusive nor equal to what was advertised.

yeah I think we are going to have to agree to disagree on this point.
From the dessert party page on WDW:
The Dessert Party You’re Looking For!
Enjoy an out-of-this-world selection of desserts and specialty drinks—including alcoholic beverage options. Nibble on Darth Vader cupcakes as you take in an up-close view of the enthralling Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular fireworks show.

To remember the very unique evening for a long time (in a galaxy not so far, far away), you'll receive a souvenir stein featuring one of the most beloved Star Wars characters, Chewbacca.

The Force is strong with this one!
Know Before You Go
Please review this important information about this dining event.

• Check-in takes place in front of Star Wars Launch Bay, located in the Animation Courtyard.
• Dessert is served inside Star Wars Launch Bay. Guests will then be escorted to an outdoor VIP viewing section 15 minutes prior to the start of the show.
• Seating is not available. Wheelchairs and ECVs can be accommodated.
• Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. A valid form of government identification will be required to verify your age.
• Disney dining plan entitlements may not be redeemed for this event.
• Discounts or promotions are not valid for this event.
• Entertainment is subject to change or cancellation without notice.

First of all if you want to get technical: no where on this page does it say the word "exclusive event" even though it is exclusive to those paying since non paying people cannot attend. Again they are delivering on every single point advertised. I don't see any false advertisement or luring of guests...you decide if you want to do the party, the VIP tour or just grab a spot with the same prime viewing 2 hours in advance and wait out in the sun and heat

 

[NuJoy]

By technical, you mean legalistic. It's not about what Disney included in the advertisement. It's about what they excluded.

 

[jlundeen]

Using the FP vs Standby example, remember that the Tour group also gets to ride the Star Tours ride, and, (since I haven't taken the tour myself, I'm only guessing here), they in all likelihood get to go in ahead of the FP line up. It's the value that the tour delivers...like an express FP to rides, shows, and apparently the dessert party. If you can't do the dessert party and feel you are getting the value out of it while the tour group is there, you have the option of scheduling it for a night without the tour group. It may or may not work out for each person, but it is still an option for many.

EDITED TO ADD: Isn't this the way all the VIP tours work...you pay a lot more, and get 1st in line on the attractions?

 

[sunflowerblooms]

If you feel that having the VIP tour go in before you will negatively impact your experience, to the point where you feel less valued than go ahead and cancel, that's fine

That's great.
But I actually don't want to cancel. What I want to for Disney to solve this issue. It's not that I am planning on having a temper tantrum when I see people enter the dessert party ahead of me or head out to the fireworks viewing area ahead of me. I plan on enjoying the party. I booked the dessert party to celebrate my DDs Birthday on her actual birthday. This is the birthday splurge. And as I read the description" Guests will then be escorted to an outdoor VIP viewing section 15 minutes prior to the start of the show." it does not say on tour nights the tour will be escorted prior to the dessert party guests. It's a simple fix - end the tour at the dessert party entrance and everyone enters together. There done. Problem solved. I have already emailed Disney with my concerns. I have yet to hear back.

 

[yulilin3]

By technical, you mean legalistic. It's not about what Disney included in the advertisement. It's about what they excluded.

no by technically I meant technically, actually literally, you are getting everything they offer.

 

[yulilin3]

That's great.
But I actually don't want to cancel. What I want to for Disney to solve this issue. It's not that I am planning on having a temper tantrum when I see people enter the dessert party ahead of me or head out to the fireworks viewing area ahead of me. I plan on enjoying the party. I booked the dessert party to celebrate my DDs Birthday on her actual birthday. This is the birthday splurge. And as I read the description" Guests will then be escorted to an outdoor VIP viewing section 15 minutes prior to the start of the show." it does not say on tour nights the tour will be escorted prior to the dessert party guests. It's a simple fix - end the tour at the dessert party entrance and everyone enters together. There done. Problem solved. I have already emailed Disney with my concerns. I have yet to hear back.

please let us know when you do.
I am sure you and your family will have a blast at the party.

 

[cvjpirate]

I did the tour in may, they did not escort us to the viewing area before the others in the dessert party. I am unsure if that should have happen or not, just know it did not happen when I was there.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Using the FP vs Standby example, remember that the Tour group also gets to ride the Star Tours ride, and, (since I haven't taken the tour myself, I'm only guessing here), they in all likelihood get to go in ahead of the FP line up. It's the value that the tour delivers...like an express FP to rides, shows, and apparently the dessert party. If you can't do the dessert party and feel you are getting the value out of it while the tour group is there, you have the option of scheduling it for a night without the tour group. It may or may not work out for each person, but it is still an option for many.

EDITED TO ADD: Isn't this the way all the VIP tours work...you pay a lot more, and get 1st in line on the attractions?

Yes, attractions and such.

I'm trying to think of an exception but anything that I've been on that later combined with others it tended to be a "well, here we are - go have fun just like everyone else that you're joining!". Personally I do think this is an odd operational decision.

 

[jlundeen]

Yes, attractions and such.

I'm trying to think of an exception but anything that I've been on that later combined with others it tended to be a "well, here we are - go have fun just like everyone else that you're joining!". Personally I do think this is an odd operational decision.

Yeah, I agree and also agree that the tour should probably end at the entrance of the dessert party....I also agree that people will behave the way they behave - most are respectful of others, but alas, there sometimes seems to be some that are not...

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Honestly, if I paid for the dessert party and then was held aside as others got preferential access to the area that I didn't know anyone but the regular dessert party-goers had access to, I'd be annoyed.

Disney isn't technically promising that, but I don't think they're giving a clear picture of what to expect from the viewing area either.

Perhaps if on their site under the dessert party they also included the link to "further upgrade the experience" and link to the tour, or even something saying that the reserved area was shared between two groups, that would be more direct -- and more accurate. It might prevent people from feeling like they were misled somehow.

 

[FastPasser.]

Wow, this discussion has certainly taken a strange turn.

I have not been at the party in over a month, but my last time there, once the tour group entered, they were no longer a group. There were no tour guides in the party area and they did not enter the viewing area as a group before everyone else. Has it changed since then, according to GoofysNCCrew, it was different on the night they attended.

Is there a difference on a non tour night, if you enter after the 40th person as compared to entering after the 40 person tour group? Most guests check in after the party officially begins, so most guests are not aware of what has transpired before they check in. They have no clue whether or not a tour group has entered first as opposed to the same number of regular guests entering first.

I'll be there Monday night and as it turns out, one of the Disers who has posted on this thread will be there as well, so we'll get feedback from two very different vantage points.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Is there a difference on a non tour night, if you enter after the 40th person as compared to entering after the 40 person tour group?

I get what you're saying, but here's my 2 cents. When I did this party -- before the tour existed -- I made sure to be at the front of the line to get into the reserved area. That mattered to me. I don't book dessert parties for the desserts... I book them for the viewing area.

So if I got there, did that, and found that instead of being 1st in line I was 41st in line, YEAH -- I'd be annoyed.

Does that make sense?

I "don't have a dog in this fight" at this point...!! I've done the party and don't intend to do it again. Just sharing my 2 cents.

 

[FoxC63]

We'll be in HS on Friday, Oct. 27th and I'm hoping to pick up Star Wars outfits for Duffy and ShellieMay 17" bears where is the best place to pick these up? Thanks!

 

[FastPasser.]

So if I got there, did that, and found that instead of being 1st in line I was 41st in line, YEAH -- I'd be annoyed. Does that make sense?

It absolutely does make sense. The first 40 people in line on tour nights will be affected more so than the others because it was important to them that they got in first. I'd be ticked if I was one of them.

 

[yulilin3]

We'll be in HS on Friday, Oct. 27th and I'm hoping to pick up Star Wars outfits for Duffy and ShellieMay 17" bears where is the best place to pick these up? Thanks!

Sporadic sightings at Micke's of Hollywood, The Emporium MouseGears

 

[FoxC63]

Thank you! "But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!"

 

[FoxC63]

Really excited to meet the Star Wars Characters at HS too! Which ones have the best interactions? Would love to hear your thoughts!