Plaza Fireworks Dessert Party

[chloelovesdisney]

The dessert party says 6:45p and HEA is at 7:55p. Do most folks show up at the start time? Will they run out of desserts if we arrive later? We've never been to any of the dessert parties, I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done the Plaza viewing party 3 times. We tend to show up later to let the chaos at the buffet die down a little bit (and to get a table on the mid-mezzanine level above the terrace viewing guests). They've never run out of desserts, but they did run out of coffee cups once. I would just suggest eating fairly quickly and heading over to the viewing area. The last time we went, we went to the viewing area about 20 minutes prior to the show starting and the viewing area was already very full.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

The dessert party says 6:45p and HEA is at 7:55p. Do most folks show up at the start time? Will they run out of desserts if we arrive later? We've never been to any of the dessert parties, I'm not sure what to expect.

The last two times I did the party, we arrived at the time it says it starts.
The first time (last July), I was one of the first there. I got a great table right by the wall overlooking the garden area. I filled my plate once, took my time, filled another plate, took my time, and went over to the viewing area about 30 minutes before HEA started. There was plenty of room in the entire viewing area.
The second time, this past October, we were one of the last parties there, and everyone else had already been seated! We ended up getting seated in the section behind the terrace viewing area (which was nice IMO), and went to the terrace viewing buffet.
I have never seen them run out of treats at a dessert party. As soon as one tray starts running low, they swap it out. And those CMs work their tails off! When we left, there were still plenty of coffee cups (both ceramic and to-go), too.
And in my experiences, the garden viewing area never gets crowded. We stayed to the back the second time, and people were still able to lie down and there was no sense of being squished at all. It is the best way to watch HEA!

 

[gillep]

Last time we did the HEA party in January they started checking people in and leading them to tables at 6:15 even though the check in said 6:45. We checked in right at 6:45, got a drink and a couple desserts, and headed right down to the plaza to get a good viewing spot, we were one of the first groups in the Plaza as most were still enjoying the desserts. I have not seen them run out of desserts any time we have done the party but I have seen them run out of hot beverages on cold nights.

 

[VicarJT]

I don't think they ever run out of desserts. We like to sit and enjoy before heading out to the plaza to get our viewing spot. If the park is packed, we finish up earlier, but otherwise, one of the things we are paying for is the ability to sit and relax and then make a leisurely way to a great spot to watch the show rather than standing in one spot for an hour or more.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We went last summer, and they did not run out of desserts, but they were already out of fruit and cheese when we got there.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Thanks, I didn't realize there were spots to sit and eat the desserts. I'd really like some fruit and cheese, sounds like we'll plan to head there are the earlier side.

 

[kniquy]

We are doing this coming up in April and they way i see it is you are paying a lot so might as well make it enjoyable, show up shortly after opening time (for us 7:50) maybe miss most of the initial rush, take some time with the desserts and then head down after 8:40ish to stake out a spot. I feel that we are paying to have a non chaotic time for the fireworks, so waiting to go later, rushing through desserts and running off to the fireworks seems like you are missing out on any enjoyment.

 

[Araminta18]

they don't swap out the fruit and cheese trays? That's weird; i would have thought they'd keep everything fully stocked. Oh well, still excited to try this! (mostly for the reserved spot... )

 

[WedWayPilot]

When we went they ran out of the sparkling apple juice almost immediately.

 

[WaterLinds]

There's a huge thread in TPAS about the dessert party if you want to read more experiences. It seems like things vary a lot, mostly tied to overall crowd levels--busier times of year they're more likely to open up early, and therefore more likely to run out of things? Most people don't report any problems, and quite a few folks in that thread showed up toward the end and reported plenty of selection--but there have been exceptions.

 

[MermaidMommy]

We went in June, and they ran out of chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling apple cider by 8:15.

 

[stace1214]

They ran out of fruit, cheese and one of the desserts when we were there. When we go we like to go when it starts then get to the viewing area early and sit down near the front. With young kids, there's tons of room for them to run around before it gets crowded and so nice to just sit and relax for a few minutes.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Sounds like we will definitely plan to get there on time, it's our only MK day so was hoping to maximize our touring time but we also want to enjoy the party.

 

[brave321]

We went 12/30, a crazy busy night. They never ran out of anything and we were able to take our time. If you want you can ask for a to-go box! It wasn’t crowded in the plaza and people brought blankets to sit on. They did open about a half hour early so if you’re going to try to be one of the first people there, get there early. You don’t need to be in the front to be able to see the fireworks and projections so don’t feel the need to rush

 

[brandoko]

it honestly depends on the time of year you're going. If you're going during prime time summer months, I'd likely only stay at the dessert party for a short period and then head over to ensure you get an optimal viewing point. If you're not going during prime time months, you can take your time and htere will still be plenty of good spots available.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP, you probably saw this thread, but just in case: https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...ing-info-now-watching-for-5-28-dates.3604693/

It was from last May and on a 9PM HEA night, but I note the time at a few key points along the way.

I’m in the contrarian camp that doesn’t like to get to this on time. I see people line up well in advance of the published start time... not our style but to each their own. I admit our motivations are more for the reserved viewing than the desserts, so that factors into my opinion as well.

One important detail to watch - check the time for OUAT. If it’s before HEA, then you probably want to be more on time, eat, then be in the garden to watch that show (if so inclined). If it’s after HEA, then this will be n/a.

Have fun!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Thanks, we're going in a few weeks and OUAT is about an hour later. We'll probably try to stay in place pretty much, hopefully it doesn't get too mobbed at that point.