WOC - Dessert Package - Convince Me

[Frozen2014]

I keep going back and forth about WOC - Dining Package , Fast Pass or Dessert Package.
My 2 kids and I are between 4'8" and 5'2" and my husband is over 6'.

How much better is the dessert package? I know that you get a seat, but

• can you still see no matter where you table is located?
• are you too far or is the overall view good?
• do you still need to show up early to get a good table?
• does it also come with bread or just dessert and cheese?

My biggest issue is the cost - not alone but the fact that we also have a character meal and Fantasmic Dining Package...plus Disney is only part of a 10 day trip.

I have to admit that having a seat is nice and not stressing about getting a good spot if we can see. Having said that, we have 2 nights we could try for FastPass and we're coming last week in August when crowds "should be" less (or just go with dining package but I don't see the big advantage of dining over FastPass as you still have to arrive 1.5 hrs early and could have an issue either way of having someone tall infront of you).

Convince me. Is the Dessert Package that much better?

 

[22Tink]

I love the dessert package. My DDs and I did it last year and are booked to do it again next Monday. You do get a bread basket in addition to your dessert plate, it has a few breadsticks and other assorted bread options. We showed up about 30 minutes early and got a front row high top table but I honestly think any table would be fine. Here are a few photos from our experience last year.

ETA having a seat to relax in for the show and not having to fight the crowds for a good spot is the huge selling point here. Definitely worth the splurge for us!

 

[gardenrooms]

Wow, that looks awesome and you look like you are having fun. Is this one of those activities you have to be on the phone at 8a.m. 60 days out? (We used to do the balcony Fantasmic! dessert - I always got in, but I had to be on the phone as soon as the lines opened as they would sell out the first hour or less and your seat was based on order of reservation. Of course, that was a very small area and it was an amazing bargain, but still this looks so worth it.)

 

[Frozen2014]

22Tink, thank you so much for sharing. Pictures look great. In the first picture you show, are the people there from one of the standing sections (blue or dining)? Thank you for confirming about how early you came (arriving 30 minutes early isn't so bad) and that bread is included. Those drinks look funky too. I think if we went with dessert package then we'd have a late lunch or snack and make the dessert package our pseudo dinner too. Have an awesome time on Monday! Would love to hear about your experience this time too.

gardenrooms, I just did a booking for 4 to hold the spot...and our booking is about 3.5 weeks out. Not sure if it makes a difference though for the time of year. I'm sure others can chime in.

 

[mommy2mrb]

We have done the dining package twice in the past and are looking forward to going to the dessert party on our trip in September.
For us having a table and chairs to sit at and enjoy the show is more than worth the extra $$ and not having to stake out a spot early and sit on the ground waiting, especially after a long day in the parks with tired feet!

 

[22Tink]

Wow, that looks awesome and you look like you are having fun. Is this one of those activities you have to be on the phone at 8a.m. 60 days out? (We used to do the balcony Fantasmic! dessert - I always got in, but I had to be on the phone as soon as the lines opened as they would sell out the first hour or less and your seat was based on order of reservation. Of course, that was a very small area and it was an amazing bargain, but still this looks so worth it.)

I booked online both times. You can't book through the app but you can book on the website at 60 days out. Our night still isn't sold out and I'm there in a week so I don't think it typically sells out quickly. It's worth the splurge for sure!

 

[22Tink]

22Tink, thank you so much for sharing. Pictures look great. In the first picture you show, are the people there from one of the standing sections (blue or dining)? Thank you for confirming about how early you came (arriving 30 minutes early isn't so bad) and that bread is included. Those drinks look funky too. I think if we went with dessert package then we'd have a late lunch or snack and make the dessert package our pseudo dinner too. Have an awesome time on Monday! Would love to hear about your experience this time too.

gardenrooms, I just did a booking for 4 to hold the spot...and our booking is about 3.5 weeks out. Not sure if it makes a difference though for the time of year. I'm sure others can chime in.

Yes, the people in front are in one of the standing viewing areas. The dessert party is in the back (the entrance is near the Little Mermaid ride) and elevated above the sections in front if I remember correctly. We tried checking in earlier but they kept chasing us away. When we got there 30 minutes ahead there was a line but the tables are all decent I think. They asked us if we wanted high top or regular and I'm glad we chose high top.

 

[22Tink]

We have done the dining package twice in the past and are looking forward to going to the dessert party on our trip in September.
For us having a table and chairs to sit at and enjoy the show is more than worth the extra $$ and not having to stake out a spot early and sit on the ground waiting, especially after a long day in the parks with tired feet!

It's so worth it!! Enjoy!

 

[mommy2mrb]

It's so worth it!! Enjoy!

Thanks! We can't wait!

 

[fly girl]

Dessert package ... DO IT! You won't be disappointed.

I'm 5'1" my dd is 4'6", any other way we are straining to see without big, bulbous heads blocking our view. We did CC WOC dining package and dd had a very hard time viewing the show.

We were the last ones to arrive at the dessert party (had RSR FP) I'm guessing we had the "worst" seats. They were still FABULOUS! It was high top, back row on far left hand side. We were next to wheelchairs and scooters. We could see perfectly, and if the heads seated in front of us did block, we could have easily moved our chairs.

You get bread with the cheese!



Go for it and have fun!

 

[gottalovepluto]

...I have to admit that having a seat is nice and not stressing about getting a good spot if we can see. Having said that, we have 2 nights we could try for FastPass and we're coming last week in August when crowds "should be" less (or just go with dining package but I don't see the big advantage of dining over FastPass as you still have to arrive 1.5 hrs early and could have an issue either way of having someone tall infront of you).

Convince me. Is the Dessert Package that much better?

You could end up with a partially obstructed view if you're at a low table. It happens, the view is still ok but not as great as if you're at a high top. Also, when I was there last Nov there were 2 rows of high tops so some people were at a high top with a high top in front of them. The show is huge so you still see it but it is not a 100% unobstructed view in those instances.

I always recommend people do this but I don't recommend you try it. Honestly from what you've said you don't want to do it and I would never try to convince someone to do something this expensive when their heart is NOT into it. That's ok, it's not a splurge for everyone. And it is definitely not a splurge for someone just as happy to get there 1.5 hours early and stand mashed in with the other crowds (because IMHO the food is awful). My recommendation for you is to get your FPs the first night of your trip, get there your 1.5 hours early and see if you enjoy it. If it works check WOC off your list, if you arrive and you're just like "Aw, heck no!" go online (or guest services in park can probably help as well) and book WOC dessert party for the next night.

 

[jina]

We last saw WOC in May 2015. Has it changed at all? We are going to DL in Oct and doing a halloween party one night but am not sure if we would be up for WOC our other night we plan to be at the parks at night. Last time we did the CC dining package and did get there 1.5 hrs early to get a good spot. The first time we went in '13 we just did fastpass, got there super early and was miserable trying to find/keep a decent spot. Would much prefer a guaranteed seat but not if it's the same show we already saw. Dessert party definitely sounds like they way to go if you want to see WOC.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you for the replies. Really appreciate it. So basically if we have a choice, we should go for 'high top'. Not even sure what that means but will remember the key word. Good to know too as we would probably go for 'front row seats', which I'm guessing these are not and maybe raised?

fly girl...that really helps put it in perspective as we're similar heights.

gottalovepluto...that's a good idea with FP...and obviously the dessert party doesn't sell out then. To clarify, It's not that my heart isn't in it as I really only hear good things. My main hesitation is the cost....cause we have 2 other pricey meals plus 4 day park hopper + 5 days in LA including a day at Universal. So realistically it adds up. But then again...DH and I both work and we work for reasons like this..to enjoy life with our kids. And I think sitting after a day would be a treat (and I'm not thrilled with waiting 1.5 hrs). On the flip side...I suppose one reason to lean to FastPass or Dining package is that we often like sitting upfront for shows (but without getting wet!)...so not sure if dessert package is too far back?

 

[Frozen2014]

PS - One more question...the show that night is at 8:15pm and the dessert package reservation is 7:30pm. So when people say they got there 30 minutes early, does that mean arrive at 7pm (30 minutes before reservation) or the 7:30pm time (which is actually 45 min before the show)?

 

[22Tink]

PS - One more question...the show that night is at 8:15pm and the dessert package reservation is 7:30pm. So when people say they got there 30 minutes early, does that mean arrive at 7pm (30 minutes before reservation) or the 7:30pm time (which is actually 45 min before the show)?

30 min before your reservation time. Dont shortchange yourself on your time in the dessert party! You want the full time to enjoy your food and drinks because once the show starts they don't come to your table.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thank you for the replies. Really appreciate it. So basically if we have a choice, we should go for 'high top'. Not even sure what that means but will remember the key word. Good to know too as we would probably go for 'front row seats', which I'm guessing these are not and maybe raised?

fly girl...that really helps put it in perspective as we're similar heights.

gottalovepluto...that's a good idea with FP...and obviously the dessert party doesn't sell out then. To clarify, It's not that my heart isn't in it as I really only hear good things. My main hesitation is the cost....cause we have 2 other pricey meals plus 4 day park hopper + 5 days in LA including a day at Universal. So realistically it adds up. But then again...DH and I both work and we work for reasons like this..to enjoy life with our kids. And I think sitting after a day would be a treat (and I'm not thrilled with waiting 1.5 hrs). On the flip side...I suppose one reason to lean to FastPass or Dining package is that we often like sitting upfront for shows (but without getting wet!)...so not sure if dessert package is too far back?

We found it close enough without getting wet. Front at WOC will get you wet. FWIW the show is really quite big. The above pictures are good to get a feel for how far away you are but as I said it's a BIG show Good luck with your decision, sounds like you're planning a big trip out here!

 

[gottalovepluto]

PS - One more question...the show that night is at 8:15pm and the dessert package reservation is 7:30pm. So when people say they got there 30 minutes early, does that mean arrive at 7pm (30 minutes before reservation) or the 7:30pm time (which is actually 45 min before the show)?

7pm. People will start lining up for the dessert party like half an hour before it seats in order to get the "good" tables. We arrived 15 mins before seating (read: not the show) started and lucked into a great table but the party was only half full that night & we were amongst the last to be seated. (We didn't really care about the best seats at that point because it's entirely possible we spent spent the previous 2 hours eating & drinking at Carthay...)

 

[GenGen22]

We contemplated the same as you due to the cost. We did this a few weeks ago and loved it. I liked that I could sit and enjoy the show without having people pushing and shoving and having to try and see the show. The view was fabulous!! My DD21 wants to do this every time. I told her its more of a once and awhile splurge type of thing. We were there an hour before and got a great seat. I highly recommend it. Its a really nice way to relax.

 

[luulu1999]

I have been wanting to so the dessert party and havent been able to but for our trip next summer I am making it happen!! I am gonna start getting 100 gift cards from Bjs and collect them for the dessert party and F! Dinner i cant wait

 

[Frozen2014]

30 min before your reservation time. Dont shortchange yourself on your time in the dessert party! You want the full time to enjoy your food and drinks because once the show starts they don't come to your table.

Ah ok. That makes total sense. I thought the desserts was given out during the show but if you have that first, then you want to enjoy. Thanks for explaining.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm convinced. What's $400 more right? (We're Canadian so its more for us). I do like the idea of having a seat and not having to fight with others to get a rail spot. I mentioned to our kids and my son's face lit up...think he heard the word 'dessert' and that was the seller. This is probably our only DL trip so we'll add to the memories.