Wishes Dessert Party - No more assigned seating

[krisinparis]

Also tuning in to hear your report!

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

We went on NYE. Seating was not assigned.

Strange, we were there NYE-Eve and our seating WAS assigned! We were escorted to our table and had a "toast" with the young lady who walked us to our assigned seats.

There was also plenty of room to stand.

Much to my surprise there were lots of empty tables.

FwIW, the party was a dud. We'll never do it again.

We were so excited to have a palace away from the crowds to sit and relax while we waited for Fantasy in the Sky. That did happen – I was so glad we had those seats! The bad part was the actual dessert aspect of the party. I was aware that recently the price doubled for the party, so I was hopeful that the experience would be enhanced – at least better than it’s Frozen counterpart we experienced in the summer– but again, I was left disappointed. Florida had some record high December temperatures during our trip and it ruined the food. The crackers were soggy, the cheese was sweating, as were the rest of the desserts. I was also disappointed at the drink selection. For the price we paid there should have been bottled beverages offered (like at the Frozen dessert party). To us, the Florida water has a bad taste, and I could even taste it through the iced tea. Overall, the value was in having a semi-private area to relax while waiting for the fireworks, the dessert aspect was lacking for sure. As for service, there was none. All night long our dirty plates and cups piled up on our table. There were at least 6 cast members at the hostess table chatting away all night, never bothering to take away plates and cups.

 

[North of Mouse]

IMO, was a rip off in the beginning - now with the price increase, and decrease in offerings, it is almost laughable how bad a rip off it is - can't see good, and 'still' have to 'stand' to view the fireworks? No way!

 

[goofy4prez]

IMO, was a rip off in the beginning - now with the price increase, and decrease in offerings, it is almost laughable how bad a rip off it is - can't see good, and 'still' have to 'stand' to view the fireworks? No way!

I didn't think it was a very good value when it was $25, but I was willing to pay it for a few "average" desserts and an area away from all the pushing and shoving. Now that it's $50 plus tax for the same dog gone thing... Oh wait, sparkling apple juice, a table cloth and a center piece add value to the increased price... I'm not snorting that pixie dust up my nose. Like you, I'll pass.

 

[JustMeFran]

We went on 16 January, also. I enjoyed it! I think it was worth the money to be away from the crowds, for sure!
There were no assigned seating. We were supposed to check in at 9:10, but we got there early (8:40ish) and were let right in. The Castmember checked us in ad another took us down the ramp who handed us off to another one who seated us at the next open table. Second row of seats, great view. Yes, they were packed in, but even me being "Pooh" sized I did not find it uncomfortable to move around. We could see part of the Main St Electrical Parade. The Celebrate the Magic projection show was the 1 down side I had to it. There were some small tress in the way, ad since it is not a straight on view to the castle we were not able to get the full effect.

The view of the Castle and Parade





Buffets

 

[Regan117]

We are at the dessert party right now. No reserved seating and the tables were all against the rails. So if you don't show up early you don't get a good table. Also they started letting people in at 6:42, and it is supposed to start at 7.

Several larger parties had to rearrange tables in order to have enough seats and the tables are VERY CLOSE together.

 

[porschegrl]

We are at the dessert party right now. No reserved seating and the tables were all against the rails. So if you don't show up early you don't get a good table. Also they started letting people in at 6:42, and it is supposed to start at 7.

Several larger parties had to rearrange tables in order to have enough seats and the tables are VERY CLOSE together.

Are there still tables back under the overhang? Or have they maybe crowded all the tables forward into the more open space? I'm wondering how the people at tables toward the back can even see the fireworks.

 

[Tigger1989]

We are at the dessert party right now. No reserved seating and the tables were all against the rails. So if you don't show up early you don't get a good table. Also they started letting people in at 6:42, and it is supposed to start at 7.

Several larger parties had to rearrange tables in order to have enough seats and the tables are VERY CLOSE together.

Thank you so much for reporting. I am so disappointed that the seating is not assigned. Any chance that you asked why it was no longer assigned?

Does everyone still have a good view of the fireworks or are the people who got there late stuck in the back without a good view??

 

[kboo]

Following- how many rows of tables? (i.e. if you were "last row", how is the view?) we booked it for 3/1, I think, and now I'm wondering if I might as well cancel and use a FP.

 

[FireCaptainDan]

We are at the dessert party right now. No reserved seating and the tables were all against the rails. So if you don't show up early you don't get a good table. Also they started letting people in at 6:42, and it is supposed to start at 7.

Several larger parties had to rearrange tables in order to have enough seats and the tables are VERY CLOSE together.

Regan,
Forgive me for my confusion. You stated no "reserved" seating, but is it "assigned"? Meaning, are people being led to a specific table by a CM or is it a free for all where people are scampering past each other to get a good table?
FYI, we called DVC member services tonight for clarification and they stated seating is "assigned".

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Sigh. I have a party of 11 booked.

Why did they change assigned tables? It is the reason we aren't doing Illuminations at all. I hate scrambling and getting there early. Rushing from dinner is NOT appealing at all!! A relaxed seat was the whole point.

There is nothing else to recommend it.

So glad I saw this post.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I've done it in the past and thought the desserts were meh, view meh but liked just walking in and sitting.

Disney does not care about its repeat guests. Only the newcomers who don't know this is a terrible value.

 

[albertamom]

We are at the dessert party right now. No reserved seating and the tables were all against the rails. So if you don't show up early you don't get a good table. Also they started letting people in at 6:42, and it is supposed to start at 7.

Several larger parties had to rearrange tables in order to have enough seats and the tables are VERY CLOSE together.

If they were letting people in at 6:42, what time are the fireworks? 8:00? Were there a lot of people in line already at 6:42? Our fireworks are at 10:00, and I'm wondering what time we should show up.

 

[aaarcher86]

If they were letting people in at 6:42, what time are the fireworks? 8:00? Were there a lot of people in line already at 6:42? Our fireworks are at 10:00, and I'm wondering what time we should show up.

An hour before. Fireworks are earlier this time of year.

 

[albertamom]

An hour before. Fireworks are earlier this time of year.

Great! Thank you!

 

[goofy4prez]

Sigh. I have a party of 11 booked.

Why did they change assigned tables? It is the reason we aren't doing Illuminations at all. I hate scrambling and getting there early. Rushing from dinner is NOT appealing at all!! A relaxed seat was the whole point.

There is nothing else to recommend it.

So glad I saw this post.

I'm with you 100%... I wouldn't have paid $50 for this thing to begin with, but it would be a cold day in... Umm, there is no way I would pay this kind of money to line up a couple of hours early in a line to get a table. If there was any appeal to this thing it was knowing that you could walk up to the entrance and have a CM escort you to a table with your name already on it without having to wait in a line to get a favorable seat. Perhaps later in the year Disney will come out with it's new and improved Wishes Dessert party with assigned seating for the low price of $75. LOL

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm with you 100%... I wouldn't have paid $50 for this thing to begin with, but it would be a cold day in... Umm, there is no way I would pay this kind of money to line up a couple of hours early in a line to get a table. If there was any appeal to this thing it was knowing that you could walk up to the entrance and have a CM escort you to a table with your name already on it without having to wait in a line to get a favorable seat. Perhaps later in the year Disney will come out with it's new and improved Wishes Dessert party with assigned seating for the low price of $75. LOL

Don't give them any ideas!!!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I'm an advocate of WDP. However I am bagging it to try the cruise instead if I don't get assigned seating. It's the reason we choose it. Illuminations is ok without seats because it's all wide open. The Terrace roof makes us want seating.

 

[Kewz1]

I'm glad I found this thread. We were planning on doing this in August but I'm not sure it's worth the $$ now.

Kristen

 

[MaryKatesMom]

What is the cancellation policy?