So Dissapointed with Wishes Dessert Party

[Tinker'n'Fun]

OP, thanks for the info. We have it booked for July, and for now I am going to keep the reservation, but if there a few more reports like this one I may cancel it. We're on the DDx plan so we certainly don't need even MORE food.

I don't mind showing up at 8:30 or so for a 9 PM start, but there's no way I'm coming at 7:30 PM. Part of the attraction of this is the idea of not having to line up early for the parade and fireworks. So if I still have to line up, just in a different line, it's hard to see that this is a great benefit.

I can probably sit on the sidewalk at 7:30 PM for a good view of Tinkerbell.

As for people loading up their plates, if you pay that much and get only one crack at the desserts, then of course people are going to grab everything they can on their first trip so as not to be shut out of the stuff they really do want. If they made it clear the party ran until 10:30 or so and they'd keep bringing stuff out as needed, fewer people would feel the necessity to load up the truck on their first pass.

I have been 5 times. Getting there 20 minutes prior to the hour before the Wishes time is fine. Only once did the line move slowly for us. Never has there been a back-up in the line. There is usually 2 buffet lines, both with the same goodies. The drinks are on a totally separate table in the back. Food all 5 times were replenished up to around 10 minutes before Wishes. When we were there the only stollers even allowed inside were if the child was sleeping, so it looks as though they may have changed the rules.

Up against the wall you would not want a stroller or a wheelchair. It just isn't the best viewpoint for that situation, moving back one or two people would be more beneficial for the view. Those who can stand will begin around 15 minutes prior to the fireworks, but the fireworks are up so being back a bit will not ruin your view. The only time I would totally have someone get upfront is if they want to be right where Tinkerbelle comes down. If you plan to do this, check for the wire, and get up front a bit earlier.

You can tell the CM's not to take your plates during Wishes. This is a common problem. If your napkin is on or near your food (crumpled), they take the plate. We always make sure to tell the CM in our area to leave our plates. We have never had a problem.

They will keep out any desserts that were not taken even after Wishes. You may go and get anything that is left. You do not need to leave immediately and the drinks are still available. We always have a little plate and drink afterwards and wait for the crowds to leave. We chit-chat with the CM's. Never had a nasty one yet.

Photo-pass does get a bit congested. I would recommend getting your first plate, leaving it, then getting your photo's. I was there in February and we still had names on the tables and a friend was their more recently (April) and they did also. I think the OP really caught a bad day, maybe the printer was broke or someone printed the wrong days cards.

I admit this is expensive, but so is Disney. It is a special treat that our family finds to be the highlight of every trip. Even if we were only to get a small plate, it would still be okay with us. I guess it is how you look at it before you even enter that may help with your night. Not everything all the time is perfect. Mistakes may happen and maybe a plate of desserts may get spilled behind the scenes so you may not get that one. But if you just relax, the experience is really nice.

Some people say it is a must do "one" time, others don't want to pay the price for the service you get, and others like me who have a hard time with the crowds on Main Street wouldn't give it up for anything.

You can never please everyone. I really feel for the OP. I wish they could get a do-over to see what I enjoy.

Hope this helps someone who may be on the rope about the decision. If the price is going to upset you even before you walk in the door, it probably is not for you. Same thing if you expect perfection because you paid a certain amount. Lastly, we have never found the tables to be "extremely" close together, but just enough to have a conversation with your neighbors if you want. We always talk with people, but that is just how we are.

 

[lovebug33]

DH just reminded me that the CM at our place gave us napkins and a bag so we could take food home! We declined due to the fact that we wouldn't have eaten it. Don't cancel this because of one bad review. It seems like the OP had several problems on her trip and this could have just been an example of high expectations not able to be met. As I said before, it was the best 50 some bucks DH and I paid that entire trip!

 

[eliza61]

ok so heres what you do disnut....you have to get tough...lol..
Get there early, they say one hour before the fireworks but people started queing about an hour and 30 mins before...when you go up to get desserts, fill your plate to the brim of all your favorites ( know this sounds really greedy but its the only way your going to get to try all the good ones), if possible do another quick run to the dessert table...and at all costs....guard your food on your table!!!!!!!!!!!! always have someone at the table to watch they dont clear it away. At least we tried it once and found it wasnt for us...mabey you will like it...as I said just be on your guard for these things I mentioned and you should be fine. If you like chocolate stawberries make a bee line for those suckers straight away..they are the first to go!! Also..dont be scared to turn round and tell the people moving the tables to shut the heck up to you hear wishes! You go girl...get tough and you will be fine

Good advice but you know some thing pkbt, this is the type of thing that is turning me off of Disney. Every thing must be "planned" and "coordinated" to get enjoyment from. It's supposed to be a dessert party and you now have to do commando raids on the food to even partake.
I shouldn't need a detailed plan to enjoy dessert... JMO folks

 

[eliza61]

For me the dessert party was simply ok. It was 18 per person so for the 4 that was almost 80 bucks.

Pros:

Photopass photographer there to get nice pictures of the castle at night.
Own little area. We went during a crowded week so it was nice have the little area.

Cons:
1) Tables were absolutely packed together. every time we got up we were bumping into the tables around us and vice versa. tiny little round tables. It was 4 adults and no way were we comfortable.

2) Did not dim the lights on the upper level of the noodle station. Definitely took away from the enjoyment. I like how main street dimmed the lights but the noodle station has those bright florescent bulbs. ugh.

3) organization. the cms checking folks in was slow and flustered. This may have gotten better since we went to the very 3rd party so we just chalked it up to kinks needed to be worked out.

4) ok desserts. they were tasty but for the price. Now we go to main street bakery, get some toll house cookie sandwiches and enjoy wishes on main st.

 

[mcd2745]

Good advice but you know some thing pkbt, this is the type of thing that is turning me off of Disney. Every thing must be "planned" and "coordinated" to get enjoyment from. It's supposed to be a dessert party and you now have to do commando raids on the food to even partake.
I shouldn't need a detailed plan to enjoy dessert... JMO folks

Very hard to argue with any of that.


When we did the dessert party last year, we enjoyed it. There were no problems with lines, our seats, the desserts or drinks. I just don't think it's worth the price tag, though. I'm glad we've done it, and while I never say never, I doubt we'll do it again.

 

[NMAmy]

Good advice but you know some thing pkbt, this is the type of thing that is turning me off of Disney. Every thing must be "planned" and "coordinated" to get enjoyment from. It's supposed to be a dessert party and you now have to do commando raids on the food to even partake.
I shouldn't need a detailed plan to enjoy dessert... JMO folks

I think some people on these boards have a tendency to overplan everything to death.

We had a great time at the dessert party. My whole family declared it one of our best times at WDW. We arrived 15 minutes early, got our wrist bands, were seated right away and didn't have any kind of issues at all. The desserts and drinks were plentiful and lines were not overwhelming. We stayed afterward for half an hour to avoid the crowds leaving and didn't feel rushed at all. No one moved to the railing until the fireworks started.

And this was during spring break. It was great to have a quiet table from which to watch the fireworks. No uber-planning needed at all.

 

[doclegler]

I have to agree with the OP. We had a terrible time too. We did get there early, and had great seats, but it just wasn't worth the money and effort. The desserts were VERY average, and I'd much rather find a seat on Main Street for free.
Sorry to hear you had a tough time too. Its never much fun to waste time and money on something you are hoping is a wonderful experience.
I do have to add, we did a dessert buffet at Sea World a few years back and it was excellent! Top notch food, service and atmosphere. Disney should take some pointers.

 

[prttynpnk]

So here is a different opinion. This was DH and I's most memorable evening. It was packed and the line was long at times, but the food was always replenished. They told me that most nights, they throw food away because they can't keep it. I'm sorry about the stroller, but if everybody had brought strollers down to the railing, there wouldn't have been enough room for people to stand. We were lucky because we were in the front, being only two people, but the food was awesome, I didn't hear people moving around, and I didn't have to stand for two hours, waiting on the street for Wishes to start. It was definitely a highlight for us and we would go again!
Edited: Not negating your bad time, but to let people know that it isn't always that way!

We had exactly the same experience- in fact, one of the servers noticed my husbands particular interest in a certain dessert and brought him 2 more. If you have ressies- definitely go- it was a great evening for us.

 

[pktbMouse]

Good advice but you know some thing pkbt, this is the type of thing that is turning me off of Disney. Every thing must be "planned" and "coordinated" to get enjoyment from. It's supposed to be a dessert party and you now have to do commando raids on the food to even partake.
I shouldn't need a detailed plan to enjoy dessert... JMO folks

I totally agree Eliza...its sad what it has come to and its getting more and more frequent in Disney. On a lighter note..my hubby did joke with the table next to us and made me laugh, they had so much food on it he walked past and said to the family "is this the buffet table?. wheres the plates?" for some reason they didnt think it was funny but it cracked me up no end..lol
We will just chalk the whole thing up to experience and maybe try it again in a couple of years when my 2yr old is a bit older.

 

[TisBit]

On the stroller issue someone else mentioned...there was more than enough room at the rail.. the reason they gave was it was a safety issue! I have no idea why that would be but I did as I was told. I even asked if I could just wheel the stoller a bit closer but still well away from the rail so I could see the baby...but no. (I guess what peeved me even more was their attutude telling me..no sorry or nothing)

Actually it would be a safety issue and they would put that policy in place regardless of the crowd at the rail, simply because they don't want a CM trying to decide if it is safe or not. In the event of an emergency (fire, medical, etc) and people were to rush out of the way, the child would be in danger or it could prohibit someone from getting past the stroller. These are simple fire code/legal issues that come up and while you can site all sorts of examples that other things are just as or more unsafe, their legal would see this as a contentious issue.

As for the dessert party, I am glad I heard your review to keep me grounded. We plan on going in October just to experience it...my wife and I are going down and doing some different things we haven't done before. Hopefully we will have a better experience, but I have heard about the greediness on the food.

 

[dalt01]

speaking to the "loading up of plates and greediness"....i have never been in a buffet setting that did not have that........people are funny about food, if you do not believe me go to the supermarket and watch people move the box of whatever from the front and take the box in the back because they think it is fresher..................and by the way you do not get "just one crack at it" you can go back as long as it is up.........

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

We did this in September and thought it was totally worth it - not for the food but for the location and not having to be on Main St sitting on the ground, getting ran over by people.

Don't get me wrong, the desserts were great too. We are not huge eaters but we had a nice sample of what was offered. We went during a slower time but there were tons of CM's working, plenty of room to get around (we had our stroller - we were told that we couldn't keep our stroller at the table once the fireworks started so we wouldn't block the view - no prob, my DS woke up and we moved the stroller) and there was plenty of food. The photopass photographer was actually bored that night and he took tons of pictures for us.

Overall, great time. We will be doing it again in December.

 

[dalt01]

it was totally worth it - not for the food but for the location and not having to be on Main St sitting on the ground, getting ran over by people.

amen.........brothaaa

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I went to the party twice last year. The first time it wasn't called the Wishes DP (it was called the Fireworks Dessert Party) because it was during Summer Night-tastic.

Anyway, I liked in enough to do it a second time during my December trip.

Maybe I enjoyed it because I did not monitor what others were putting on their plate, and I was not there to gorge myself on dessert. I actually arrived late both times I believe, so no line to check-in, nor to get food from the stations. And the buffets were adequately re-stocked. I booked both parties within a few days of the booking windows opening, so I had front row seats both times, since I was one of the first people to book for my dates.

That being said, I really don't recall how much I paid and it wasn't that big a chunk out of my budget, so maybe I'd feel differently if were evaluating it for economic value.

 

[angiejg]

The dessert party was THE highlight of our trip last year. My kids absolutely loved filling their plates with the tiny treats. (So much that my daughter had a Valentine's Day dessert party just like Disney's. It was a big hit!) I booked the party again for our June trip. Everything is expensive at Disney. The cost does not bother me one bit. We are paying for the experience, location, and desserts. I don't worry about other people unless they are messing with me. My one concern is the clearing of the tables if you leave them, so we'll know not to do that this time. I think the party is a brilliant idea and a great time!!

 

[mommy2emmamaddie]

Are the tables pre-assigned before you arrive? Not on first in line basis?

We have tickets for June. We bought them the first day they were available for June...Now I'm hoping we won't be disappointed!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

Are the tables pre-assigned before you arrive? Not on first in line basis?

We have tickets for June. We bought them the first day they were available for June...Now I'm hoping we won't be disappointed!

Unless things have changed, tables are pre-assigned. Usually the people that book early, get the best table locations (or so I have heard).

 

[TisBit]

The dessert party was THE highlight of our trip last year. My kids absolutely loved filling their plates with the tiny treats. (So much that my daughter had a Valentine's Day dessert party just like Disney's. It was a big hit!) I booked the party again for our June trip. Everything is expensive at Disney. The cost does not bother me one bit. We are paying for the experience, location, and desserts. I don't worry about other people unless they are messing with me. My one concern is the clearing of the tables if you leave them, so we'll know not to do that this time. I think the party is a brilliant idea and a great time!!

I laugh everytime I read how they clear the tables too fast, usually people complain that the server didn't clear the table.

Unless things have changed, tables are pre-assigned. Usually the people that book early, get the best table locations (or so I have heard).

I like that they do this, but I bet everyone lines up early thinking they will get a front table

 

[ariel5884]

Definitely not worth the money! Save your money for a ts dinner.

 

[dalt01]

Are the tables pre-assigned before you arrive?

a name tag is on each table.........as in DALTON AND DEBRA SMITH.....and they take you to your table.