Wishes FP+ or Wishes Dessert Party

[Tex]

In August, I have a FP+ for wishes and the Wishes Dessert Party booked. Which one is better? We have done the Wishes FP+ and loved sitting on the grass, and felt like the view was adequate. We have never been able to book Wishes Dessert Party as it has always been sold out. We go to WDW every year and we have 4 kids 9,11, 13 and 14.

 

[Robo]

In August, I have a FP+ for wishes and the Wishes Dessert Party booked. Which one is better? We have done the Wishes FP+ and loved sitting on the grass, and felt like the view was adequate. We have never been able to book Wishes Dessert Party as it has always been sold out. We go to WDW every year and we have 4 kids 9,11, 13 and 14.

If you have not been to MK in the last 3-4 months, you may not know that the former off-center "Rose Garden" Wishes FP area is gone.
And, while there is no longer any actual grass in the either of the new Wishes FP+ areas there IS "AstroTurf" on the ground.
Some guests report that they need to stand to see see Wishes (and/or "Celebrate the Magic" from most places inside the reserved areas.)
The two new Wishes FP+ viewing areas can be seen on my map below.

If you don't mind spending the money for the Dessert Party, the views are OK.
(They are similar to the views from the former off-center "Rose Garden" Wishes FP area.)
However, you will very likely have to stand to see Wishes (and "Celebrate the Magic") from the railing at the Dessert Party area. Very few guests can sit at their tables to see the show.

---------------------
Below is a "work-in-progress" of my overview of the new Hub. Some of the "outer" sidewalks shown have not been built yet. Some of the unfinished areas have since been finished. The original photo is by Scott Keating, posted on WDWMagic.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would save your money and do the FP+. The new location has a better view of the castle and fireworks. IMHO, the dessert party is a massive waste of money. If you want a snack while watching Wishes, grab some drinks, ice cream, a cupcake on Main St. and you'll have the great FP+ view, your snacks and money left in your pocket!

 

[Tink415]

The FP+ is free and wishes dessert party is $50+ per adult so totally different!! I've done the FP+ in the new area, it was good although I would like to have a seat better. The new dessert party is too expensive for me, I'll still do it once in awhile as a special treat tho!

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

If you are trying to get in to the dessert party, just keep trying. We were told it was sold out as well. We continued to call everyday (early morning & late afternoon). After a couple of months of trying, we were finally able to a reservation. People cancel and that leaves an opening. You just have to keep trying. We enjoyed it.

 

[Tex]

Thanks for the replies. I do have the dessert party booked already. I didn't know it had changed names and was searching everyday for the "terrace dessert party" to open past 7/4. Then I searched this board and discovered the name change. I was so bummed. I really wanted the dessert party for our last night, but I got it anyway, surprising... Anyway, I have the FP+ too. the last time we visited WDW was June 2014, so we have been since the rose garden is no long let the FP + viewing area. Last year we grabbed a snack and watched the show with the FP. We LOVED it! It as a great way to end the trip. I Think doing the FP + again will be fine. And memorable enough. I don't think the dessert party is necessary.

 

[Tex]

*havent been

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We go to the DP every trip. It's more expensive now but every paid event is at Disney. Watching wishes by staking a claim or fp+ isn't for us. We are too lazy and love treats to much to pass up fireworks and chocolate covered strawberries.

 

[Robo]

*havent been

You can EDIT an existing post.
Just open your post and look to the lower left below the post.

Click on "Edit."
Make your changes, the click on "Save Changes" in the lower right of the box.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We did the dessert party a couple years ago--at the old price!!--and really enjoyed it. However, there's no way I can justify the price being double with no real added features. Yes, a couple extra desserts. Not worth it!!! We're going to try the FP+ for it this year. For your group of 6, you're talking $300!!! For that price, grab some special treats for everybody and head to the FP area.

 

[CAS239]

The desert party price is absurd imo. You're essentially only paying for the deserts. I would never pay that much to just eat some desert treats I could get outside the park for a fraction of the cost.

If you don't feel like spending that much money on deserts, then the FP is fine enough. With the FP you can sit on the turf (we prefer the back so we can lean on the fence. You'll stand if near the front), you'll be more center to the castle than the desert party, and best of all it's at no extra charge.

The only downside is if you're wanting to get a 4th FP and so on. It works out well for us because we'll do one park in the morning with no FP's, back to hotel, then to MK in the evening with FP's set up either before or after wishes.

 

[puffinp51]

We just returned two weeks ago and we did both. I would do both again as they offer different experiences. That said, I paid the "old price" for the DP so I'm not sure it would be worth the extra $$. We did have the chocolate strawberries and ice cream which they said were to be some of the new desserts that will be added later when the price goes up - the strawberries were awesome! Many of the desserts were delicious but some were soggy due to the humidity. But the views were great and having the music piped in was really nice. For the FP+ Wishes there are the two areas as Robo's map shows - I was told if you have people in your party that want a better view of Tinkerbell flying to choose the east side, for better fireworks viewing choose the west side. We chose west and were able to walk in with just a few minutes before the castle show and had a great view!

Hope you have a magical trip!

 

[senadler]

We did the dessert party a couple years ago--at the old price!!--and really enjoyed it. However, there's no way I can justify the price being double with no real added features. Yes, a couple extra desserts. Not worth it!!! We're going to try the FP+ for it this year. For your group of 6, you're talking $300!!! For that price, grab some special treats for everybody and head to the FP area.

We are a group of six and feel exactly the same way. We are going to get a FP+ on our first night since we will only have a couple hours in the park anyway.

 

[Robo]

I was told if you have people in your party that want a better view of Tinkerbell flying to choose the east side, for better fireworks viewing choose the west side. We chose west and were able to walk in with just a few minutes before the castle show and had a great view!

I don't know who told you that, but there is very little difference in seeing Tink from either FP viewing area.
She is certainly 100% in view from either side.
You would be, maybe, 50+ feet closer to "her" on the east side, but being closer for the Tink in this show is not necessarily "better."

And, as far as the fireworks go, there would be so little difference in the two FP area angles that it would be virtually a tie as to which to experience.

 

[puffinp51]

I don't know who told you that, but there is very little difference in seeing Tink from either FP viewing area.
She is certainly 100% in view from either side.
You would be, maybe, 50+ feet closer to "her" on the east side, but being closer for the Tink in this show is not necessarily "better."

And, as far as the fireworks go, there would be so little difference in the two FP area angles that it would be virtually a tie as to which to experience.

The CM's at the Wishes FP+. Guess I assumed they would know.

 

[ELSA711]

Anyone with experience at dessert party with little kids?
Currently Wishes is scheduled for 8pm that evening which is ideal but if they move Wishes to 9pm or 10pm, my kids may not make it and honestly the price had me choking this weekend but I really wanted to do this for years.
Not sure how often they change hours between now and fall but just thinking.

 

[ruthies12]

My kids loved it last time. The only thing I am doing different on our next trip is not planning a sit down dinner that evening. Last time we did an early dinner at BOG at 4 pm and I thought that would be enough time, but we were stll too stuffed to enjoy our desserts at 8 pm. This time we are doing a 1 pm CRT lunch, then I will just feed my kids a small snack at dinner time and we will then be doing the WDP as our dinner, especially since they are adding the cheese and crackers.

Ive never done the FP+ for wishes so can't do a comparison and I don't know about schedule changes so can't help there.

 

[ELSA711]

My kids loved it last time. The only thing I am doing different on our next trip is not planning a sit down dinner that evening. Last time we did an early dinner at BOG at 4 pm and I thought that would be enough time, but we were stll too stuffed to enjoy our desserts at 8 pm. This time we are doing a 1 pm CRT lunch, then I will just feed my kids a small snack at dinner time and we will then be doing the WDP as our dinner, especially since they are adding the cheese and crackers.

Ive never done the FP+ for wishes so can't do a comparison and I don't know about schedule changes so can't help there.

Thanks much! We did FP+ for wishes last October and I know they moved the location, seems better to me for a quicker park exit but I as mommy always wanted to do this and it's my splurge for me. But 3 kids 10- not sure others will appreciate me there

 

[ruthies12]

OH I wouldn't worry about your kids being noisy! Mine were 5 and 10 months last time we went and will be 2 and just turning 7 on our next trip. There were a lot of other kids there. It isn't really a quiet table service meal type of setting, I think the open terrace being outdoorsy lends it to more of a quick service type of setting feeling if that makes sense.

Thanks much! We did FP+ for wishes last October and I know they moved the location, seems better to me for a quicker park exit but I as mommy always wanted to do this and it's my splurge for me. But 3 kids 10- not sure others will appreciate me there