Originally, after the animated clips and music, the waiters came out carrying ice cream to make ice cream sundaes at your table. Gosh, people didn't think that was high class enough of a dessert. Mind you, they have all the dessert you could eat at every other meal (well, except breakfast).
So that stopped and they went to a sampler plate that had 3 or 4 different desserts. They still kept the parade of waiters following the show. Even Mickey, Goofy and Pluto came out, with some lighted outfits. Think Electrical Parade outfits - just less lights. Still I guess that people complained about the dessert - guess cause they didn't get to choose it.
Now, you choose the dessert just like any other restaurant on the ship and still the parade with no characters. Reason no characters was that they are always changing things. Gosh, it is changing, not always for the better.
The loud music - what are you talking about. Sure animated music plays throughout the meal and then during the animated clips.
AP is my favorite restaurant. Remember, the show only takes place during the regular rotation meal, not during theme nights. You may be in the restaurant more than once on the four or seven day cruises - but you will only see the show once.