star wars galactic dessert party vs. disney after hours at AK

[bethmomoftwins]

Hi. We will be going 2/15-20. the plan is currently MK sat 1/2day & sun, DHS monday (presidents day), Epcot tuesday, DHS wednesday, leaving thursday afternoon. i've already booked all my fp's and dining reservations in the parks that we are in each day. im bringing my 15 yo son and his friend this trip and just me. We are not AK fans but might want to experience Avatar stuff during the after hours on 2/19 which is also our 2nd day at DHS. However, i currently have the dessert party booked that night 2/19 at 6:30. here's the thing- we wouldn't be able to see the star wars fireworks on the other DHS day monday 2/17 because we have dinner reservations at 7:30 which conflicts with fireworks at 8pm. (i'd really rather not give up my 50s prime time reservations this night! but i would based on what you all think.)

if i skip the dessert party (the boys don't know- i planned it as a surprise. i know they might be a little old for the star wars thing, but they automatically turn into 7 year olds at disney- part of the magic!!) and do the after hours at AK, do you think thats a better option than the dessert party? i tried to see if the dessert party was available on our other day in DHS but it wasn't. also, keep in mind that both DHS days we are going to be getting up at the crack of dawn (none of us are morning people. at all.) to get to DHS for the virtual queue for ROTR. so is that just waaaaay too long of a day? who knows when our ride time would be if we get into the virtual queue at all. so getting back to the hotel for a rest may not even be an option. thoughts?

 

[SamFaniam]

We really enjoyed the dessert party. Lots of good food and drink options and fun interactions with the stormtroopers. The lines to meet Chewie and BB8 were very short. The viewing area for the show is nice because it’s reserved, but it’s almost a little too close to really appreciate the show.

We have not done an after hours event at AK, yet, but do have a plan for our March trip. We love AK. We are hoping to arrive right at seven, and get in a ride on the Safari before enjoying all the evening events. We like Dinosaur and Everest, and are looking forward to seeing Pandora at night. The after hours events do include snacks like popcorn and ice cream, so that might be appealing to the kids.

I understand your concern about your Prime Time dinner reservation, is it possible to make that for lunch instead? I would not do a dinner there followed by the dessert party.

 

[yulilin3]

Hi. We will be going 2/15-20. the plan is currently MK sat 1/2day & sun, DHS monday (presidents day), Epcot tuesday, DHS wednesday, leaving thursday afternoon. i've already booked all my fp's and dining reservations in the parks that we are in each day. im bringing my 15 yo son and his friend this trip and just me. We are not AK fans but might want to experience Avatar stuff during the after hours on 2/19 which is also our 2nd day at DHS. However, i currently have the dessert party booked that night 2/19 at 6:30. here's the thing- we wouldn't be able to see the star wars fireworks on the other DHS day monday 2/17 because we have dinner reservations at 7:30 which conflicts with fireworks at 8pm. (i'd really rather not give up my 50s prime time reservations this night! but i would based on what you all think.)

if i skip the dessert party (the boys don't know- i planned it as a surprise. i know they might be a little old for the star wars thing, but they automatically turn into 7 year olds at disney- part of the magic!!) and do the after hours at AK, do you think thats a better option than the dessert party? i tried to see if the dessert party was available on our other day in DHS but it wasn't. also, keep in mind that both DHS days we are going to be getting up at the crack of dawn (none of us are morning people. at all.) to get to DHS for the virtual queue for ROTR. so is that just waaaaay too long of a day? who knows when our ride time would be if we get into the virtual queue at all. so getting back to the hotel for a rest may not even be an option. thoughts?

they are 2 very different offerings. When you say you are not AK fans, is there a specific reason?
Also keep in mind that the SWaGS is more of a projection/laser/fire show with some elements of fireworks
I love the dessert party, it's my favorite from all that are offered in terms of food and ambiance (46 year old SW fan here) but I have also done AK after hours and it can't be beat if all you want to do is ride the attractions with no wait

 

[bethmomoftwins]

they are 2 very different offerings. When you say you are not AK fans, is there a specific reason?
Also keep in mind that the SWaGS is more of a projection/laser/fire show with some elements of fireworks
I love the dessert party, it's my favorite from all that are offered in terms of food and ambiance (46 year old SW fan here) but I have also done AK after hours and it can't be beat if all you want to do is ride the attractions with no wait

I just never really loved AK. Too far, animals always asleep on the safari, walkways too crowded and not wide enough. Just not magical to me like the rest of the world.

I asked the boys (yes, had to ruin the surprise but wanted their input on what option they’d prefer) and I *think* we’re sticking with the dessert party. There’s a chance of like a 16-18 hour day - between getting up super early to get over to HS before opening to get on ROTR queue and then not knowing when our boarding group would be (assuming we get one). And then going to AK 9pm to midnight that might be a little much, even for me who regularly does opening to closing.

I guess there’s also the chance to buy tix to DAD at AK the night of if we feel up to it (after the dessert party) if there are still tickets available. I’m not sure if that’s an event that sells out like the dessert party does. Anyone know the last minute odds of getting tickets over presidents week?

 

[yulilin3]

I just never really loved AK. Too far, animals always asleep on the safari, walkways too crowded and not wide enough. Just not magical to me like the rest of the world.

I asked the boys (yes, had to ruin the surprise but wanted their input on what option they’d prefer) and I *think* we’re sticking with the dessert party. There’s a chance of like a 16-18 hour day - between getting up super early to get over to HS before opening to get on ROTR queue and then not knowing when our boarding group would be (assuming we get one). And then going to AK 9pm to midnight that might be a little much, even for me who regularly does opening to closing.

I guess there’s also the chance to buy tix to DAD at AK the night of if we feel up to it (after the dessert party) if there are still tickets available. I’m not sure if that’s an event that sells out like the dessert party does. Anyone know the last minute odds of getting tickets over presidents week?

Presidents week is busy but I have not heard of the event selling out.

 

[SamFaniam]

Anyone know the last minute odds of getting tickets over presidents week?

This thread has all the info. See #3 for previous dates. The DAH did sell out last year on the Tuesday of President's week.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-after-hours-animal-kingdom-faq-discussion-thread.3715424/

 

[upbeatred]

Well I might be in the minority, but I would skip the dessert party if you have dinner reservations. If you don't drink alcohol and you have eaten a big dinner the value is just not there. It is pretty easy to get a good spot for the show. Why don't you do something instead like let them build a droid or a light saber. I just don't think the dessert parties are a good value for the dollars. Animal Kingdom after dark is fun but I agree that is sounds like too long of a day.

 

[bethmomoftwins]

Well I might be in the minority, but I would skip the dessert party if you have dinner reservations. If you don't drink alcohol and you have eaten a big dinner the value is just not there. It is pretty easy to get a good spot for the show. Why don't you do something instead like let them build a droid or a light saber. I just don't think the dessert parties are a good value for the dollars. Animal Kingdom after dark is fun but I agree that is sounds like too long of a day.

i actually don't have dinner reservations the night of the dessert party. sorry if my post was unclear. i was saying that i do currently have 50s prime time reservations for monday and the dessert party vs. ak after hours day would be wednesday. if i decide to do the ak ad thing instead of the dessert party, i would cancel my monday 50s prime time reservation so we could see the sw show (since we'd miss it wednesday if we go to ak) and then make a 50's prime time reservation for lunch or dinner for wednesday and then go to ak. too many moving peices- my head hurts!!