Wishes dessert party and a wheelchair user

[joanchris]

We are going to Disney for my daughter's (the one who uses the chair) 21st bday. She cannot get out of her chair at all. I would love to do the wishes dessert party (even though she doesn't eat by mouth) for the view (and for us to be able to sit in chairs!), however, I have been reading on the boards that they have tables all pushed up to the railing and you could get a bad view and have to stand (not at the rail, as that is not allowed any longer).
So, my question is, has anyone been with a wheelchair/ecv since the change? Do they have assigned seating for wheelchair users who cannot stand to get a better view? I really want to make her trip as special as I can, a poor view of wishes wouldn't be special!

Thanks!

 

[gap2368]

I did it April 28 of this year for my bday I got it the day of the event I had some desserts and then when down to the old FP viewing area with about maybe 10-15 others ( they had half of the FP area for us so there was pretty of room I think anyone in a wheel chair could see easily that day

 

[joanchris]

I did it April 28 of this year for my bday I got it the day of the event I had some desserts and then when down to the old FP viewing area with about maybe 10-15 others ( they had half of the FP area for us so there was pretty of room I think anyone in a wheel chair could see easily that day

Since they recently stopped taking same day reservations for the dessert party, I am guessing that they stopped using that area. Anyone know if this is true? I'll ask this in the other main boards thread.

 

[gap2368]

Since they recently stopped taking same day reservations for the dessert party, I am guessing that they stopped using that area. Anyone know if this is true? I'll ask this in the other main boards thread.

Wow I know they just started taking same day did not know if they change it that quick I am going back in 11 days and can see

 

[buffettgirl]

I'm not sure when the change happened, but the last time I was there a family with a wheelchair was next to us. Our table was just back from the rail and within minutes people pushed and shoved their way in front and completely blocked the view of the person in the wheelchair. We had people's rear ends nearly resting on our table. It was such chaos and rudeness. I felt terrible for the person in the wheelchair.

 

[mamabunny]

We are going to Disney for my daughter's (the one who uses the chair) 21st bday. She cannot get out of her chair at all. I would love to do the wishes dessert party (even though she doesn't eat by mouth) for the view (and for us to be able to sit in chairs!), however, I have been reading on the boards that they have tables all pushed up to the railing and you could get a bad view and have to stand (not at the rail, as that is not allowed any longer).
So, my question is, has anyone been with a wheelchair/ecv since the change? Do they have assigned seating for wheelchair users who cannot stand to get a better view? I really want to make her trip as special as I can, a poor view of wishes wouldn't be special!

Thanks!

If she likes to ride the boats at WDW, there is a Pirates 'n Pals Dessert party/fireworks cruise that departs from the CR. Its one of our favorite things to do at WDW.

You have the pirate-themed dessert party (with a special guest appearance by Peter Pan's least favorite pirates!) and your pirate "host" who will go with you on the boat. You depart from the CR docks, and on the boat there's singing, and trivia games and you get a special up-close view of the EWP... and then you sail out into the Lagoon, and watch the fireworks (and listen to the soundtrack). It's Wishes - just with a very special view, and some extra pirate-y fun mixed in! When you get back to the docks, there is a special guest waiting for you!

Over at HS, the Star Wars Dessert Party is *awesome*, and they tend to put the HA tables right up front where you don't have to worry about the view being blocked. The desserts are Star Wars themed, and it really is one of the best fireworks show I have ever seen Disney do.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I will be interested to hear what responses you get. We go to Disneyland all the time. We have never seen WOC specifically because of the wheelchair issue. I honestly do not think it is worth it to see it at all. After hearing reports, I decided the while the desert party might make it better for everyone else in our party, my dd in the wheelchair still was not going to be able to see. THe best wheelchair night time experience we have found is PTN near small world. Same side of the street as small world. You can put the wheelchair in the second row and sit in front of it.

 

[dismom57]

I have done Dessert Party with DS in wheelchair, we have been a number of times with reserved seating away from rail. Lots of room, but very hard to see once people moved. We went once without assigned seating (surprise) but managed a table at the rail. There was no way a person in a chair could independently get out to get desserts, very crowded. But there was also no room for anyone to get in front of us for the fireworks. But the rail is at a bad height. I ended up cancelling our May reservation, and attending Illuminations and SW dessert parties. Both were very well organized for wheelchair parties (no seats for the rest of us, but what are you going to do LOL).

 

[j2thomason]

I was at the Wishes Dessert Party last Thursday night with my mom who is in a wheelchair and cannot get out to stand up and see the fireworks. We booked the dessert party just so she would have a view of all of the nighttime entertainment. We did get to use the FP viewing area on our trip at Christmas, which was provided a great view for her from the railing at the front. But since the FP viewing area was no longer available, we chose the dessert party. Then we heard that those who go to the dessert party can access The Plaza hub grass area which used to hold the FP viewing. We opted to skip trying to relocate her down to the hub grass, even though that is a better view. I was worried about fighting the crowd after the desserts to get her into the hub grass area and trying to get her a place at the front of the railing in the hub grass area so her view would not be obstructed. If anyone stands in front of her all she sees is their back, so we have to make sure there is nothing, or no one, in front of her. So we stayed in the dessert party area. We did secure a table by the railing. The tables are 3 rows deep, so you would need to arrive early to get a table by the railing in order to get one of the better views. We arrived at 8:05 for the 9:00 party. Even though we were sitting by the railing, our view of the castle was still obstructed by some trees. Also, all of the fireworks are off to the right of the castle from the dessert party viewing area. It was great to not be crowded and fighting for a spot, but the desserts are not great and the the view is much better from the hub grass area. Next time I think we will try to stake out a spot in the hub grass in front of Casey's, even though we might have to arrive 60-90 minutes beforehand. I just don't think it is worth the $60 per person price tag.

 

[joanchris]

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't sound like it's worth it for us. For her we'd really just be paying for the view, but if the view isn't even that great, and not guaranteed, I don't know why we'd do it.
Will consider the Star Wars dessert party if that continues into Sept when we will be going. THANKS

 

[TheRustyScupper]

? Do they have assigned seating for wheelchair users who cannot stand to get a better view?

You can always line-up at the party 1½-2 hours early to be first in lien to get a table at the rail, since no more assigned seating.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I think you can get so many better views if you're early enough without spending all that money on the dessert party. We haven't been since they put the price up by 50% and will likely not go again.

For example, everyone crowds round at the castle end of the hub for the fireworks and you can't move. However, I came back out so I was nearly at Main Street and drove my scooter right up to the low wall of one of the raised beds so that no-one could come and stand right in front of me. I got a great view from there: it was about 95% unobstructed which was good enough for me.