Thoughts On HalloWishes Dessert Party?

[IceQueen182]

Hi all! I have been enjoying following all of the great tips and reports on the main MNSSHP thread and strategy thread. I've gotten some very helpful input on the main thread but since this is somewhat separate thought I'd start a new thread to ask people for their feedback on attending the HalloWishes Dessert Party this year. How has the food been? Have people found it to take up too much party time? Has it been hard to fit in a parade before the party? When have people checked in? Did you have parade viewing included or (like me) book too late to get it? Thoughts on terrace versus garden?

I'm taking my DD 6 on our first mother/daughter trip for our first MNSSHP October 5. We booked the HalloWishes Tomorrowland Terrace dessert party since trying the special snacks is a high priority for DD, but I'm considering canceling since it seems challenging to fit in the first parade.

Thanks for anyone's thoughts/reviews/feedback!

 

[gap2368]

I just did it and got the parade view with it ( Mickey made a mistake) I only had 10 minutes to eat desserts and had a tree blocking most of my view so I ended up going to the garden area. There is a second parade that you can see. The view was good I was not so cramped in like other were but not sure I would do this again ( Mickey paid for this for me). You really do not need to see th castle like HEA to enjoy the show so standing off to the side would be fine too.

 

[GillianP1301]

I enjoyed the Dessert Party. We had the parade viewing included (same error as pp noted) and honestly, that is probably one of the biggest advantages to the event for me. The desserts are very yummy and an excellent selection. I personally like the terrace seating and don't think the view is that bad at all. I really like knowing I have a place to sit and relax without stressing about fighting for a spot to view. That being said, it does take up a good chunk of party time, so you need to decide if it's a high enough priority for you. We have done 2 MNSSHP the last 2 years and each time done a dessert party for one of them, so I don't feel like the time is that much of an issue. But, if I were doing only 1 party, I'm not so sure I would bother with the dessert party.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We did the Plaza version on a MNSSHP night last year. I’m usually pro-dessert party in many circumstances, but this was one where I didn’t really walk away with a “worth it” feeling. Party time is so short as it is, the time dedicated to this took away from time we’d rather be doing other things. It was nice to take a break/have a reserved viewing spot, but it wasn’t ‘critical’ in my opinion.

For context, it was just me and one child and I find it easy enough to navigate the Hub around fireworks time with just two people.

Ultimately I think a lot of it is is how you like to do MNSSHPs. We are ride, treat line, parade, and fireworks folks, we don’t seek out the special characters.

Tough call though.

 

[0sw@ld]

We did the party last Monday on the terrace, but we were not the lucky few to get parade viewing. The desserts were good, not the best, but the view was excellent. We had some trees blocking the left and right from our table, however we were able to see all the fireworks and the castle projections. FYI, many of the tables against the railing were two tops.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We did the terrace party during the 8/24 party. It was me and DS10 and we LOVED it! We had the parade viewing which was amazing. If you don't have the viewing, you can still get a table at 8:45 pm, put a reserved sign on it and then head out to find a parade spot. The parade doesn't get to the train station area until about 9:35 pm, so I would suggest heading that way. When we went, we got our credentials at 4 pm at the terrace and then returned around 8:15 pm to get in line to get our table (you could get in line later, we just wanted to be one of the first ones in). At 8:45 pm, a CM escorted us in to get our table and placed a reserved sign on it. We got some desserts and then headed down Main St. at 9:15 pm. We were in front of the train station by the time Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps were doing their dance party and my DS10 joined in. After the parade, we went back to the terrace where our table was already reserved and had about 20 minutes to have some more food and beverages before the fireworks started. We loved the desserts and the special party beverages. If you think your DD could stay up for the second parade, you could still snag your table at 8:45 pm with a reserved sign, head out and do some more attractions and then get your parade spot after the dessert party.

 

[IceQueen182]

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and feedback on the HalloWishes Dessert Party. It sounds like a lot of fun...with some potentially challenging logistics! . I think we'll give it a try on 10/5. I'll report back with how it goes!

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I've never seen the value of the dessert parties. For $84 per person, I could eat a whole lot of desserts (although I'm not sure I could handle that much food!). And the parade and fireworks can be viewed for free, I have never had an issue finding room to watch. I think it is absurd that the dessert costs more than the halloween party ticket.

 

[SnowWhite2000]

FWIW, I have been hemming and hawing about this myself. I am attending MNSSHP on Friday, September 28. I will have two young kids with me, one who is somewhat bothered by really large crowds. Because I just wasn't sure whether the kids can make it until the 2nd parade, I was trying to fit in the first parade at 9:15 and the dessert party. We want to see the parade and the fireworks, and I thought getting out of the crowd and having seating for the fireworks (through the dessert party) would be helpful for the kids. However, based on the really helpful feedback here, I am much more aware now that the timing to do both the first parade and the dessert party is not great. I went ahead and booked the dessert party (obviously no parade viewing at this point) and figured we'd just see how this works. Our plan is to show up at the dessert party at 8:30-8:45, eat desserts until 9:15 (when the parade is just starting in Frontierland), leave and go out to the Hub, see if we can find a good enough spot for the parade. If not, we'll just do Tomorrowland and Fantasyland rides, go back to the dessert party by 10 and try to stay up for the 2nd parade. If we can see the first parade, all the better. We don't really care too much about the desserts, but 30 minutes may be too rushed even for us, I don't know. If anyone reading this sees an obvious problem with my plan, I'd be grateful to hear it. OP, if you'd like, since my party is the week prior to yours, I'd be happy to report back, if we do indeed try the plan as I have it now.

 

[IceQueen182]

FWIW, I have been hemming and hawing about this myself. I am attending MNSSHP on Friday, September 28. I will have two young kids with me, one who is somewhat bothered by really large crowds. Because I just wasn't sure whether the kids can make it until the 2nd parade, I was trying to fit in the first parade at 9:15 and the dessert party. We want to see the parade and the fireworks, and I thought getting out of the crowd and having seating for the fireworks (through the dessert party) would be helpful for the kids. However, based on the really helpful feedback here, I am much more aware now that the timing to do both the first parade and the dessert party is not great. I went ahead and booked the dessert party (obviously no parade viewing at this point) and figured we'd just see how this works. Our plan is to show up at the dessert party at 8:30-8:45, eat desserts until 9:15 (when the parade is just starting in Frontierland), leave and go out to the Hub, see if we can find a good enough spot for the parade. If not, we'll just do Tomorrowland and Fantasyland rides, go back to the dessert party by 10 and try to stay up for the 2nd parade. If we can see the first parade, all the better. We don't really care too much about the desserts, but 30 minutes may be too rushed even for us, I don't know. If anyone reading this sees an obvious problem with my plan, I'd be grateful to hear it. OP, if you'd like, since my party is the week prior to yours, I'd be happy to report back, if we do indeed try the plan as I have it now.

I'm in the same boat with wanting a place for my DD to sit and she's really excited for the desserts. I think our plan is to check in at 8:45, reserve a table on the terrace and grab some desserts until 9:05/9:10ish, and then try to run up towards the train station area to watch the parade, and get back to the party before the fireworks. For those with the parade viewing, getting back to the dessert party through the bypass sounds like a real perk!

The alternative option I've seen recommended is to check in for the dessert party/reserve a table, go straight to Frontierland to get a parade viewing spot, and then go straight to the dessert party after the parade passes (cutting behind the castle) to get desserts. I suppose for this option you wouldn't even necessarily need to check in first, but run the risk of not getting a table if you're doing the terrace party. The second parade would definitely make things easier to fit in but I'm also not sure we'll still be at the party for it.

I would LOVE to hear a report back about how it goes! I've become overly fixated with the logistics of this since, as PP said, it's a pricey add on.

 

[chuff88]

We did the terrace party during the 8/24 party. It was me and DS10 and we LOVED it! We had the parade viewing which was amazing. If you don't have the viewing, you can still get a table at 8:45 pm, put a reserved sign on it and then head out to find a parade spot. The parade doesn't get to the train station area until about 9:35 pm, so I would suggest heading that way. When we went, we got our credentials at 4 pm at the terrace and then returned around 8:15 pm to get in line to get our table (you could get in line later, we just wanted to be one of the first ones in). At 8:45 pm, a CM escorted us in to get our table and placed a reserved sign on it. We got some desserts and then headed down Main St. at 9:15 pm. We were in front of the train station by the time Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps were doing their dance party and my DS10 joined in. After the parade, we went back to the terrace where our table was already reserved and had about 20 minutes to have some more food and beverages before the fireworks started. We loved the desserts and the special party beverages. If you think your DD could stay up for the second parade, you could still snag your table at 8:45 pm with a reserved sign, head out and do some more attractions and then get your parade spot after the dessert party.

We have the parade viewing and are attending on 10/4, and this was very helpful. We have the Plaza Garden viewing, but I think we can also get our credentials early and we will probably follow the same plan do getting some desserts and then heading out to the parade. Did the horseman ride on your night? Did he come after the dance party?

 

[gap2368]

We have the parade viewing and are attending on 10/4, and this was very helpful. We have the Plaza Garden viewing, but I think we can also get our credentials early and we will probably follow the same plan do getting some desserts and then heading out to the parade. Did the horseman ride on your night? Did he come after the dance party?

The headless horseman comes before the zatopia (sp?) dance party. He will come maybe 5 minutes after he starts the parade

 

[Selket]

I've not done this party (I've only done the dessert Jingle Bam party at DHS) but I was watching a video on youtube from a vlogger - resortTV1 - you can find it if you look them up on YouTube under that name - it was posted Sept. 10th and about 20 mins into the video). After watching their experience at the dessert party, I could tell I'd enjoy it. I have no idea what version of the party they had (I think they also must have booked and been given parade viewing too - the mistake Disney made with some reservations - cause they mention watching the parade from a special spot).

I've been to MNSSHP several times (twice this year on our trip) and I think it all depends on what you want to do with your time but yeah, I could have fit this in - lol! It's also expensive - can't argue that - and between doing that or attending a 2nd party, I might choose going to a 2nd party (assuming that's an option).

I'll add that the one dessert party I've done, my son with severe food allergies was given a huge box of treats just for him - he got a lot of stuff so we were all happy with the food/desserts.

 

[Roxyfire]

We're a party of 2 doing the terrace version of the party on 10/4. Last year we did the Plaza version and it wasn't busy at all so I was sort of questioning my decision. Then I realized, why worry? It was a gift from my mother for my birthday and it was great to sit on the grass in the plaza garden and enjoy my favorite part of the party the fireworks. This year, she offered the same thing and I went for the terrace version.

I feel like it'll be beneficial for us for a few different reasons. One, I've had a lot of knee problems lately and they flare up quite a bit with all the walking. With the terrace version yes it's more expensive but I think it'll be worth it to rest/ice my knee. Secondly, I am a dessert person so this makes it easier to enjoy smaller versions of the special desserts I want to try. And finally, being a party of two we have a good chance of being at the rail so I plan to get there early to reserve our table, grab some drinks, then go see the tomorrowland stuff, like the dance party, for a bit. We did not book in time to get a spot for the parade but I was planning to see the later one anyway.

 

[IceQueen182]

Has anyone who booked the dessert party after parade viewing was removed still been offered parade viewing when they checked in? I've seen conflicting reports of this.

 

[SnowWhite2000]

Sorry for the delay. I had planned to write a full trip report but my family had some medical issues once we arrived back home. The bottom line for me was that our kids just could not stay up that late. I thought that might be an issue for us and I was right. We worked the plan just as I had arranged it. Arrived to check in roughly 8:35, had some desserts, walked out to the hub, found a viewing spot for the parade farther down Main Street a few rows back over by Crystal Arts about 15 minutes before the parade. The kids were just too tired to really enjoy it. And the view wasn't great. After the parade, walked back and got more desserts. Fireworks were awesome, kids really were wowed. Seating was really helpful, they would not have lasted in the crowd. Overall, and this is obviously not Disney's fault, we just weren't ready. Maybe when the kids get older and feel better staying up so late, these opportunities will seem more worth it. Hope you have a ton of fun tonight!

 

[IceQueen182]

Sorry for the delay. I had planned to write a full trip report but my family had some medical issues once we arrived back home. The bottom line for me was that our kids just could not stay up that late. I thought that might be an issue for us and I was right. We worked the plan just as I had arranged it. Arrived to check in roughly 8:35, had some desserts, walked out to the hub, found a viewing spot for the parade farther down Main Street a few rows back over by Crystal Arts about 15 minutes before the parade. The kids were just too tired to really enjoy it. And the view wasn't great. After the parade, walked back and got more desserts. Fireworks were awesome, kids really were wowed. Seating was really helpful, they would not have lasted in the crowd. Overall, and this is obviously not Disney's fault, we just weren't ready. Maybe when the kids get older and feel better staying up so late, these opportunities will seem more worth it. Hope you have a ton of fun tonight!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write an update! Hope all is well with your family. I’m going to follow the same game plan as you tonight (check in, eat, parade, back to sit for the fireworks) but my DD is yawning already so I have a feeling we may be in the same boat... Watching the second parade will never happen. I’ll report back!

 

[reluctantredhead]

Has anyone who booked the dessert party after parade viewing was removed still been offered parade viewing when they checked in? I've seen conflicting reports of this.

We attended the dessert party on 9/21 (party of 2), purchased our tickets after the parade viewing language was removed, and were not offered the parade viewing. I too had read that some people who purchased after the after the language removal were offered it, so I was hoping we'd get lucky too! But alas, no. I did notice that our dessert party definitely wasn't sold out, but forgot to check to see how full the parade viewing area looked.

 

[sjs314]

We attended the dessert party on 9/21 (party of 2), purchased our tickets after the parade viewing language was removed, and were not offered the parade viewing. I too had read that some people who purchased after the after the language removal were offered it, so I was hoping we'd get lucky too! But alas, no. I did notice that our dessert party definitely wasn't sold out, but forgot to check to see how full the parade viewing area looked.

I also have the party booked for just 2 of us and was wondering if you checked in early, I read you can as early as 4pm or did you wait until arriving at 8:45pm?

Also did you have a table by the rail?
TIA

 

[Roxyfire]

I also have the party booked for just 2 of us and was wondering if you checked in early, I read you can as early as 4pm or did you wait until arriving at 8:45pm?

Also did you have a table by the rail?
TIA

I can answer your question. We went this past thursday (10/4) and we checked in for the party at 5ish. We returned about 8:30 pm as she stated the seating was first come first served. A line formed as we got there and we were probably the 3rd or 4th party seated. We did not choose our seat, the hostess took us to one, but we did get one next to the rail in a great location. They placed a reserved sign on the table and we left to get on space mountain. When we returned, I noticed at least one party of 4 seated at the rail. I will say it's a bit cramped and I had a hard time going between our table and the desserts, many people at each table and were not keen to scoot in to let me past. That really was the only complaint I had. The terrace version seemed a lot more popular than the garden version. But I was very glad we had a nice seat to enjoy things, even if the fireworks are not "on center" they are still nice to enjoy. I do wish the music in that area was a bit louder and that they dimmed the lights but I guess they could not due to people moving about in the terrace.