Wishes Dessert Party - No more assigned seating

[Tigger1989]

Are there still tables and chairs with pre-assigned seating for the Wishes Dessert Party?

I went to the new dessert party last summer and the tables were pre-assigned. I would like to take my family again this summer. I was just wondering if anything has changed since we went last August.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Much like HDDR and Luau, seating is assigned by time/date you made the ressie.

 

[eastendlights]

Someone just posted yesterday that they went on 1/16 and the seating was not assigned.

Quote below.

 

[eastendlights]

This is my first post (though I'm long time lurker!), but I thought it would be worthwhile to break my usual "silence" to share a bit of info from a very recent dessert party. After all, I've learned soooooooo much helpful information here, the least I can do is pass a bit on . . .

My family and I attended the Wishes dessert party on January 16, 2016. We had done the old version in the past and I was very interested to see what the "new and improved" version at double the price would include. Plus, I thought it was worth a try since I was a bit nervous about the crowd levels which were predicted to be a 10 due to the MLK holiday. As others have said the tablecloths, lanterns on the tables and plastic flute of sparking cider were nice touches that added to the atmosphere. I also noticed that the buffet had a few savory items like cheese and crackers added in addition to the desserts. However, there were two MAJOR differences from what we experienced in the past . . .

1. The tables were positioned RIGHT next to the rail and EXTREMELY close together such that it would be physically impossible for anyone to go stand at the rail (or in front of any other tables) to improve their view of the fireworks. In fact, the tables were so close together that it was a bit treacherous to get in and out of the seats to go to the buffet without bumping the folks at the table beside you. When we went in the past, almost everyone ate desserts at their table and then got up and stood at the rail when the fireworks started. With the way the tables are positioned this is no longer possible and, depending on where your table happens to be, could be a real positive or negative. We happened to have a table very close to the front and a great view right from our seats, so it worked out well for us. I loved being able to sit and enjoy the fireworks! However, others who were further back might have seen this as a negative as their view was probably not nearly as good.

2. The tables were not pre-assigned. When we went in the past, tables were assigned at the time of booking and you were escorted to your assigned table which was marked with a place card for your party. At the party we just attended, the tables were not assigned in advance so you just had to wander around and pick whatever table happened to be unoccupied when you arrived. I hated this change as it seemed to introduce some stress into what was previously a stress-free way to see the fireworks. That said, our party of three arrived a few minutes after 9:00 and we did snag a good table (one of a very few that remained). We actually saw a long line of folks queuing up for the dessert party about 30 minutes before it opened and at the time I thought that was bizarre as, in the past, there was really no advantage to being one of the first to arrive. That's no longer the case. If you decide to go for it, you may want to make a point to check-in extra early so you'll have your choice of tables.

Obviously, YMMV, but that was our experience when we attended about ten days ago. Hope that's helpful!

 

[GillianP1301]

Someone just posted yesterday that they went on 1/16 and the seating was not assigned.

Quote below.

I'm not loving that change at all. I can see how it makes it easier for them to not have to prepare seating arrangements, but it takes a lot away from the draw of that dessert party (for me). If I wanted to line up early for a good spot, I would just line up for a spot in the park. I go to that dessert party for the relaxation aspect as much as I do for the desserts.

 

[Tigger1989]

Someone just posted yesterday that they went on 1/16 and the seating was not assigned.

Quote below.

This is disappointing news. I have been to the dessert party several times. Last July the price doubled. When I just booked it for this summer it had gone up another $10 and now they are taking away the assigned seating??

The main reason I enjoyed the party was knowing that I didn't have to wait in another line or crowd of people to watch the fireworks. I'm not sure I am willing to pay the extra money if the seating is no longer assigned.

 

[Tigger1989]

Much like HDDR and Luau, seating is assigned by time/date you made the ressie.

I really hope this is correct and that the seating is still assigned according to when the reservation was booked.

 

[Aggiegrl]

We went on NYE. Seating was not assigned. There were many more tables than the last time we went (10/2014). The extra tables were empty, but they were a huge negative. With more tables, it was harder to maneuver and there was less space by the rail. We ended up having to stand by the buffet tables and we couldn't hear the music.

We won't ever do this party again. I ate at Crystal Palace last week, and their desserts were far superior AND we got a meal too for roughly the same price.

 

[gorjus121]

First year I reserved within minutes of it becoming available. Great table for 6 close to the railing. No complaints. But last year we were seated in the back towards the desert displays. 8 people at the same size table that four people were at next to us. We could barely move our chairs we were so tightly arranged with other tables. Again I reserved as soon as the date became available, first time slot. i think your party size might impact the table you end up with as well. Loved it our first year, they had the photographers back then. We are skipping it this year.

 

[Regan117]

This is disappointing. I don't want to line up early to get a good seat, especially at that price. I'd rather just use a fast pass and watch from the park, where it's a better view. I book the party to cut down on stress and not have to be squished in...

I have this reserved for next Monday (2/1) so I will report on afterwards.

We did the Hallowishes dessert party in September 2015 and it was assigned seating. Bummer.

 

[Tigger1989]

I have this reserved for next Monday (2/1) so I will report on afterwards.

I am looking forward to your report!! Thanks for the information!

 

[Regan117]

I am looking forward to your report!! Thanks for the information!

No problem

 

[albertamom]

This is disappointing. I don't want to line up early to get a good seat, especially at that price. I'd rather just use a fast pass and watch from the park, where it's a better view. I book the party to cut down on stress and not have to be squished in...

I have this reserved for next Monday (2/1) so I will report on afterwards.

We did the Hallowishes dessert party in September 2015 and it was assigned seating. Bummer.

I, too, am really looking forward to your report. We have this booked for our arrival day on our very first trip to WDW. I have been excitedly looking forward to it, but I hate the sound of these changes. I don't want to be uncomfortably crammed in, don't want to have to line up early to get a good table, and really, really don't want to have a blocked view.

 

[Regan117]

I, too, am really looking forward to your report. We have this booked for our arrival day on our very first trip to WDW. I have been excitedly looking forward to it, but I hate the sound of these changes. I don't want to be uncomfortably crammed in, don't want to have to line up early to get a good table, and really, really don't want to have a blocked view.

I very much agree. I'm choosing not to cancel just because I am curious if these changes are permanent, and then I know not to book it again. But since we don't even eat much of the desserts - mostly just coffee - and only book this to have stress-free Wishes viewing, it's super disappointing.

I will report in next Monday night.

 

[Bellabully]

Following along too. Have done this in the past, booked as soon as opened and got great seats. I hope seating is still assigned, if not, will not book again. Thank you for reporting back after 2/1.

 

[Aggiegrl]

Also, if they enhanced the desserts, I couldn't tell. The "character cupcakes" we're mini cupcakes with a picture of Olaf on top and a set of tink wings. Walmart has better decorated cupcakes. There was a cheese and fruit plate with grapes, dried fruit, Colby-Jack and Swiss cheese cubes, and some crackers. Nothing fancier like blue cheese, Brie, etc.

There weren't even cookies. Still only vanilla ice cream. It was quite disappointing to walk past people eating desserts outside the Plaza that were better than our dessert party desserts.

I hate to be so negative, but after spending similar (or less) for Boma and Crystal Palace, who both had better desserts, AND being unable to hear the fireworks music, I can't help but feel ripped off.

 

[MrsHammer]

Did everyone have to stay sitting at their tables during the fireworks? I don't see how that could work because of the roof/overhang. Were people complaining? We have this booked for April and now I'm worried that my 9yr old won't be able to see.

Thanks

 

[Aggiegrl]

Did everyone have to stay sitting at their tables during the fireworks? I don't see how that could work because of the roof/overhang. Were people complaining? We have this booked for April and now I'm worried that my 9yr old won't be able to see.

Thanks

No. As you are seated you are told to move to the rail to view the fireworks and chairs are not allowed (they were good at policing this). However, at our party, people starting staking out their rail spot about 30-45 minutes before the castle projection show.

At one time, there were less tables, and none in the little "v" in the seating area that sticks out. That was the area we stood in in the past. Even if you didn't have a front rail location, the overhang is less there. This time there was a 6' or so gap and then the tables started, so that location held far less people.

We have small children and don't want to hold down a spot for an hour. That's why we booked this. At about 5 minutes before the projection show, the only decent spot left that had a good view and wasn't packed tight was down by the dessert tables, where we couldn't hear the music.

To me, the whole point of this party is to have a good viewing spot without fighting a crowd and without waiting forever. We did not find this to be the case this year.

Were people complaining? Not overly so. The others near us were pretty disappointed that they couldn't hear the music. The table next to us wasn't impressed with the desserts, a sentiment I second. Would it kill them to add a freezer of Mickey Bars? Maybe some cookies? How about something special like churros or a Dole Whip machine?

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

I will definitely be disappointed if there is no more assigned seats - I agree with others, I do this so I don't have to stand in line. I'll be interested to hear your report Regan117. The other thread also said that standing at the rail was no longer allowed so I'll be curious to see if that is true as well. The only time people didn't stand at the rail is once when it was raining during the show. It worked out great for us because we had a table right in front next to the rail. I'd rather spend my money on a fireworks cruise if all of this is true.

 

[gailinroch]

I'm also grateful that you are going and reporting on this Regan117. We are booked for it on March 1, but depending on your report, maybe we'll cancel. For the money they are charging, at the least, I'd expect a pleasant, stress free time. If it's still like how it's being reported lately, I'd feel very ripped off.