Wishes Dessert Party - Dissapointing

[Dug720]

OP mentioned their daughter was in school (they drove in after school) so obviously no older than school aged. My only point was, clearly kids where there, OP took their own kid for goodness sakes. Even if they are in HS, they are a kid.

Ah. I missed that point. Unless of course the daughter is a teacher...

 

[AngiTN]

Ah. I missed that point. Unless of course the daughter is a teacher...

You have a very good point. I hadn't considered that. I stand to be corrected there, if that is the case.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I do think the OP was more put off by such bad behavior of the kids there.. Playing with food...touching it and putting back... If I saw that I would be saying something very loudly to the child, his parents and asking the CM to remove it from the table. That is not ok-nor would it be if a child walked up to my plate and touched the food.

 

[IrishNYC]

I'm shocked that you were surprised that people brought their children to a party that you brought your child to.

 

[IrishNYC]

Oh look....

Marketing as Enchanted and Romantic Evening pacakage for newlyweds and couples.



http://www.themainstreetmouse.com/2...ance-wishes-dessert-party-packages-announced/

The dessert party isn't described as romantic, even in this non-Disney marketing piece. But again, if you thought it was romantic, why did you bring your daughter?

 

[Dug720]

You have a very good point. I hadn't considered that. I stand to be corrected there, if that is the case.

It only occurred to me because I am a teacher. No worries!

 

[ShellieMimi]

Ah. I missed that point. Unless of course the daughter is a teacher...

Her daughter is a teen.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/dining-for-4-teen-girls.3576731/

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I agree that in its current incarnation, this party is a disappointment (post-reserved-seating). Not sure why one would expect this to be adult-centric, though.

I will say that I have also wished more than once that when children are being truly inappropriate in some way that impacts others guests (hands all through the cherry bowl, for instance) that a CM would say something. Not much to ask. They would in any other establishment I've been in (e.g. buffet at a hotel or the like). I hear all kinds of excuses on DIS about this, but I don't think Disney has a legitimate reason NOT to protect food safety, for instance. Just not ok. Sorry!

 

[kittyab]

We did the Star Wars Desert Party, and was disappointed as well.

 

[ShellieMimi]

I agree that in its current incarnation, this party is a disappointment (post-reserved-seating). Not sure why one would expect this to be adult-centric, though.

I will say that I have also wished more than once that when children are being truly inappropriate in some way that impacts others guests (hands all through the cherry bowl, for instance) that a CM would say something. Not much to ask. They would in any other establishment I've been in (e.g. buffet at a hotel or the like). I hear all kinds of excuses on DIS about this, but I don't think Disney has a legitimate reason NOT to protect food safety, for instance. Just not ok. Sorry!

There is no excuse that I will believe, really, other than that it must impact them financially in some way - not wanting to change out the compromised food all the time because $, not wanting to staff the area with more CMs because $, not wanting to field lawsuits from parents who claim little Nevaeh was emotionally traumatized by being reprimanded when they encourage her to have a free spirit at home, etc.

I have decided to find the humor in situations like the time I watched a little boy fingerpaint with the mashed potatoes... find the humor, and then not eat the mashed potatoes.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

find the humor, and then not eat the mashed potatoes.

The 2nd part of that statement is the most important...

 

[tigerlilly]

Thank you for the information you posted as it gives me food for thought for our upcoming trip...which is the reason I visit and read these boards. Positive and negative reviews, hearing what others expectations are and how they were met is a valuable tool for people who are planning a trip for the first time or for the first time in 12 years (like myself). I am sorry you did not have a good time and I too would have been upset if there was bad behavior. I understand being disappointed in something you clearly had higher expectations for.
We are going for our DD 21st Bday and I have tempered our expectations to basically have no expectations lol!
I hope you have a great day on Saturday with the teens you are taking!

 

[danielocha30]

I'm just curious why you didn't check on the many websites that have reviews about this? internet is full of pictures and reviews that describe your experience, is bad idea to go to such a expensive event blindly.

 

[Lisa F]

I'm wondering if maybe the Star Wars Dessert Party might have fewer children? What do you guys think?

Planning a trip for Spring 2018 with Hubby and was hoping for more of a relaxed/adult atmosphere.

They don't have fewer kids, but they have enough booze you won't care

 

[GADisneyDad14]

They don't have fewer kids, but they have enough booze you won't care

I second this post!

 

[Lisa F]

I did this party in December during MVMCP. I waffled a lot about doing it but ended up being glad I did.

The things the OP has correct:
the tables are rather close together. We did this with a bunch of DIS friends and had several tables together so we didn't mind squishing toward the middle (we'd met up a bunch of times before this and were very friendly) but it could be a bit off putting with strangers.
it is dark with those little candles on the tables
the food is mediocre and it is served buffet style
the fireworks view, while off center, was better than I expected, or maybe it was just such a relief to be able to sit there with tired kid leaning on me rather than standing with tired kid leaning on me. It was a nice experience to snuggle up and watch there and it might be worth it on very crowded nights.

that said the party dessert parties also come with parade viewing, which was phenomenal. I'm not sure I'd think it was worth it without that piece of it. I agree the experience is overall mediocre and the CMs do seem to be clueless about what is going on and how to direct people and how to deal with people who want to bully their way in etcetc. It is not the best run disney thing I have been to. I couldn't tell you how many other kids there were there, none of them were really misbehaving but I will say when I made one last trip to the buffet at the end it was a pretty big mess with what was left. No idea if that was adults or kids.

The star wars part wasn't happening but we went to the jingle bell jingle bam party which is essentially the same thing. It was nice, more low key, the viewing area is superior for that show (and star wars too) to the viewing area at tomorrowland terrace. There is free flowing alcohol and some savory options. I regretted I did not show up hungry whereas I didn't care I didn't show up hungry at the MK one. I did not see kids misbehaving here at all and the CMs who ran this seemed to be a well oiled machine with no confusion. This group has their stuff down, it was so well organized. That was not the sense at the MK, which was more chaotic.

Personally if I was going to do one of the two again I'd pick the HS version. They just seem to really have it down there, or after your third cocktail you don't notice

 

[punkin712]

I'm wondering if maybe the Star Wars Dessert Party might have fewer children? What do you guys think?

Planning a trip for Spring 2018 with Hubby and was hoping for more of a relaxed/adult atmosphere.

I haven't been to it, but California Grill has a Fireworks dessert party now. Check out Josh's review on easywdw.com. Sounds like the food offerings could have been more robust, but part of the price tag includes wine, beer, etc. I assume there would be fewer kids at something like this, but you never know!

 

[DisBabe94]

I haven't been to it, but California Grill has a Fireworks dessert party now. Check out Josh's review on easywdw.com. Sounds like the food offerings could have been more robust, but part of the price tag includes wine, beer, etc. I assume there would be fewer kids at something like this, but you never know!

Wow I hadn't seen this!! Looks amazing! Thanks for the heads up

 

[rg35]

Why do people think it is exclusively the CMs responsibility to correct the wrong behavior of a child? If I am somewhere and children are misbehaving and it is having a negative impact on my family's experience and/or that of others, then I will say something to the child myself.

There's that old saying "it takes a village"...but I think people are too afraid about getting into arguments with other parents these days and just steer clear.

 

[LiveYourLife]

.

I really thought this event would have been more special and have had some sort of ambiance. Its basically the same loud crazy environment as the Starlight Cafe, just with table clothes and a fake candle. No "party" whatsoever, so music, no nothing really...

I was actually surprised at how many kids were in attendance. Yes, I know it is Disney, but it is on the higher end of the price spectrum. I thought the ambiance was more geared towards couples, a bit more romantic or sophisticated. Kids were running rampant all over and putting their hands on food that they shouldn't be touching. The dessert was like 3 day old miniature cupcakes and other mediocre items. The ice cream stand the CM put in 2 scoops and I watched a dad (while CM watched) allow two small kids waste half the toppings and stick bare hands on all the cherries. The kids were frustrated cause the toppings "wouldn't stay in top."

The CM really had no clue. As I checked in a CM came up to the one I was speaking to and complaining that another CM didn't seat guest and was telling them to sit where they want so they were freaking out cause they had the less expensive ticket option (plaza view) and these guests went to the tables that were more expensive that didn't get moved to the plaza. And those tables were sold out (I kept checking). I saw CM talking bad about each other and pretty much talking about guests when they left to go to the dessert bar.

The dessert bar is just laid out in a buffet style arrangements and kids were just running grabbing or putting back whatever. When I returned from the restroom I noticed the CM put a new table out that had some fruit, cheese, and crackers. I was waiting to get some and my daughter asked why I was gone so long... well cause kids were playing... building cheese castles or pyramids with massive amounts of cheese on their plates while others were waiting. Other kids were grabbing the cheese with their hands. Some kids who didn't have the skills to barely use forks, parents were holding up the line thinking it's cute for their kids to use the tongs while other guests waited.

Really, the atmosphere was like the dreaded Golden Corral.

My daughter did like the Wishes fireworks. We haven't watched them from inside MK in a few years. The plaza viewing isn't that special. Yes, it's a great view, but you can get the same view by arriving early enough to pick your spot in front of the plaza viewing area.

We actually only went there for the dessert party. My daughter had school yesterday so we drove there after school, got in a few rides, dessert party, a few more rides, then left with the insane crowd that took forever to get to our car.

Every time I called, I was asked what we were celebrating. I told them every time it was my daughter's birthday. Not one person told her happy birthday or at check-in for the dessert party, they didn't ask us what we were celebrating. We went ON her actual birth DATE, so that was disappointing. Not a huge deal, but Disney CM have done better in the past.

Crowds were very heavy. I am told they will be worse Saturday. I am taking a few teens on Saturday anyways. We will NOT attend the dessert party ever again nor would I ever recommend it. For the price, it is so not worth it.

Also, all three bathrooms I used at Disney were a total mess. They were not Disney clean at all. More like McDonald's at a random highway exit. The floors were nasty like they cleaned with nasty hair, dirty water in addition to the tissue spread everywhere. Even the one inside the dessert party event area.

I am curious, do folks use the Disney Dining Plan credits for the Dessert Party? I have never used the dining plan.

Now I am headed to work (got home after midnight because it took so long to get out the park).

Sorry you were disappointed OP.