Wishes Dessert Party or IllumiNations Dessert

[Mom2OakandEm]

Which would you do and why? Help me decide. We haven't done either.

 

[cakebaker]

We have not done Wishes, but we will on our next trip. We did do Illuminations and did not like it.

Illuminations offers only bar height tables, no seating. We were there 15-20 minutes before they opened the area and were only 2-3 parties behind in line when they did. There was a crazy rush to get inside and a push to grab the few tables that are at the railing. Even as close to the front as we were, with a toddler with us, the front tables were all grabbed. We wanted the view more than a table, so we ended up sitting on the ground trying to juggle food, drinks and toddler in a pretty dark area. It was not worth the money to us, especially when we don't usually have much trouble getting a nice viewing spot on our own. As far as the food offerings- they were fine, nothing I'd note as exceptional, but there were good. But the desserts really aren't our priority, it's the experience that matters to us.

I have no personal experience with the Wishes buffet, but I know in general, the crowds for Wishes are much pushier and honestly- rude. We've had some bad experiences there, but we want a decent spot to see the show and fireworks so we're going to try the buffet. We're booked under the old price though and that makes a big difference in what we're willing to risk. I'm sure there are others that will post that have had experience with it as I only know what I've read on these boards.

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

LOL, I was just mentioning in another thread how disappointed I was in the Wishes Desert party. The deserts were not good IMO, coffee was cold and not enough of it, the presentation got pretty disgusting from people and kids grabbing things by the time I got into the party, the wait to get in was 20 min. Then you still have to go stand during the show in a crowd up at the railing to see the show. I for one hated it, especially at the price they charge. I have not done the Illuminations one so I can't say anything about it but I don't see how it would be much different. I am sure others like it, so maybe listen to them.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Wishes party has seating but recently nearly doubled in price. Illuminations, smaller and no seating.

 

[becd]

Wow, this is all disappointing. I had been planning on trying one of these but now am seriously thinking twice about it. We did the Dessert "party" at DLR for Fantastic and thought it was perfect so I was hopeful WDW would be even better.

 

[Kbee]

We enjoy the Wishes party, but not sure I'd do it next time if it truly doubled in price.

 

[cakebaker]

Wow, this is all disappointing. I had been planning on trying one of these but now am seriously thinking twice about it. We did the Dessert "party" at DLR for Fantastic and thought it was perfect so I was hopeful WDW would be even better.

We went to DLR years ago when they had a dessert buffet that was on the balcony of Walt's apartment. It was pricey and only seated about 14 people at the time. Incredibly difficult to snag a reservation, but we were staying at the GC and the concierge booked it for us. It was the most amazing time we've ever had, but sadly they did away with it. I think DLR is so much smaller that it's easier to do more intimate events like that one.

I'd give it some time for other people to post. I've read many positive reports on Wishes and Illuminations. You're bound to hear very different opinions. As far as illuminations, had it not been for no seating, we would've been happy with it. Honestly, I'm not surprised they raised the price of Wishes. I never could figure out why Illuminations was ever twice the price. Supposedly they are upgrading the desserts and adding different beverages, but there's no one yet who can give a first hand report on the new version.

 

[jthornton94]

We have done Wishes at the cheaper price, and are doing it again in May. I think the old price is fair for what you receive. I did not find the railing to be crowded, especially in comparison to standing along Main Street with strollers and rude people who show up at the start and block your view. I don't think I would pay for the Illuminations package though, even with sparkling wine. For $69 on Star Wars weekend I get fireworks with alcohol and desserts, and private parade seating with drinks and snacks and a bonus fast pass to one of the Star Wars shows. That I am doing.

 

[rlduvall]

Honestly, I'm not surprised they raised the price of Wishes. I never could figure out why Illuminations was ever twice the price.

Because of the unlimited champagne, most likely - even though I heard it wasn't very good. Wishes Dessert Party does not have any alcohol.

 

[cakebaker]

Because of the unlimited champagne, most likely - even though I heard it wasn't very good. Wishes Dessert Party does not have any alcohol.

I suppose if you can drink $25 worth in an hour or so, it's worth the extra money. We did try a couple of things, but I don't like the taste of any champagne- no matter how "good" it is.

 

[rlduvall]

I suppose if you can drink $25 worth in an hour or so, it's worth the extra money. We did try a couple of things, but I don't like the taste of any champagne- no matter how "good" it is.

I agree with you, totally. I don't mind paying a little more than I should for a nice experience, but the no seating is why I have never been enticed into this event.

 

[racefans44]

I did the Wishes Dessert Party last May and I'm booked again for this May, at the reduced cost. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it at the reduced cost. I'm not sure about the changes, so I don't know about the value of the "New and Improved" Wishes Dessert party. There was a small crowd at the railing, but it was manageable and the desserts were really good. There was a wide variety of desserts available, but the drink selections were very limited, as I recall. It is nice to have your own table, and the tables are reserved, so there's no mad scramble to get the good tables.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We really like the Wishes Dessert Party, just not sure about the new price (recently just went from $27 to $49 pp!). It has tables and chairs although you have to stand at the rail for the fireworks. No alcohol.

The Illuminations Party has no seats for the entire thing but has alcohol. People enjoy that one too, it's just not for us.

 

[RebelHawk]

My wife and I booked an Illuminations Dessert Party last year and was very disappointed. We ended up going on a rainy day and that actually worked out for the best. We were able to go to Odyssey Pavillon and eat mediocre desserts and CHEAP champagne and prosecco. We did have seating in the Odyssey so were able to relax for a bit before the fireworks. We were then escorted to the reserved seating area to enjoy the show (with a couple glasses of 'to go' prosecco as we left the Pavillon).

I think that if you are going during a peak time of the year it might be nice to have an optimum viewing area to watch Illuminations from. If you are going during a non peak time then you can save the money and just grab a spot somewhere along the lagoon for the show.

 

[soniam]

We have done both. Wishes in 3/15 and Illuminations in 7/14. We preferred Illuminations. To see the castle show or fireworks at Wishes, you have to stand right at the railing. The roof blocks a large portion of the view, especially if it's raining. People started hording spots at the railing very early. They were even eating their desserts at the railing. People were generally grumpy, *****y, and rude. The CMs were friendly but harried and busy. The desserts were pretty but very sweet. No Mickey bars just vanilla ice cream and toppings. DS9 liked the Wishes desserts better. We had to wait 20 minutes to get in. You also miss MSEP. For the money, I would rather find a spot ~20min before and eat a treat from the candy store. We don't wait more than 30min for a spot for any parade or fireworks and usually find a decent spot. This may change with the newly expanded Wishes FP+ areas. I don't regret doing it, but once was enough.

We walked right into the Illiminations party. The CMs were extraordinarily friendly, as well as the other guests. No seats but you didn't need to move from your table to see. Our table was next to a railing, so we leaned on it. DS sat on the ground some too. The champagne was not Dom Perignon, but it was fine. The prosecco was fine but not as good. The dessert choices were fewer, but they were more upscale, including flambéed donuts & churros. They also had an ice cream cart with Mickey bars. The view was excellent. It was just a really nice time. We would possibly do it again.

 

[Jhondy210]

We did the Wishes party back February '14. That trip was my husbands first time back at WDW since he was a child. We loved the Wishes party. We had good seats and the deserts were ok. My husband loved the chocolate covered strawberries. When the fireworks started everyone moved to the railing and we had a good vie of the fireworks away from crowds of people…which is the sole reason that I had booked it. We did not have any rude people at the party and there was plenty of deserts for everyone, so no fighting over deserts. My husband asked if we were going to do the wishes party again…I am unsure if we will do to the hike in price but my husband still seems to want to do it again even though I told him the new price.