WoC Dessert Party - bit of critisicm

We were asked at that point as well. After we got down to the area. I also wanted to say, if you are choosing between this and a WOC meal, I do think this in infinitely better. Not even a contest.
 
OP brings up a great question for all of us..... do we HAVE to stand in a line for 2 hours to get a table? Or is it already set up who sits where? I am HOPING they assign tables ahead of time, as our party is large..... and I too won't want to pay $$$ to stand for 2 hours waiting, the allure of this is the idea of a shorter wait,and a place to sit. The kids on shoulders in front, well,maybe if OP and others send in a complaint to Disney, they may rearrange crowds directly in front..... but otherwise I would guess there's no way to prevent that

When we went in September our table was already assigned. We were a party of 9 and they lead us to the only tables that had 4 chairs at one and 5 chairs at the other. Seems like we arrived about 15 minutes before the assigned time. We had no trouble seeing anything, we were at a high table but I think the small tables in front of us would have been the same. There were a few people with kids on their shoulders way down front but it didn't bother our view, if it had, we would have just rearranged our chairs a little to look around them. There is enough room at your table that you can kind of reposition chairs if you need to. Even if we had to have the worst table there, I would still do it and still not wait in line to get my seat, as you said the allure of this is not having to wait and having a chair for those tired feet. I thought all the tables looked like they had a great view and don't think there is any reason to try and find the best table there and wait for 2 hours to get it.

My kids thought maybe they assigned tables they way they were reserved because they thought we had the best table and we were middle of the line to get seated so they thought maybe I reserved first. Truth is, we just got what we got and thought it was wonderful!
 
We were asked whether we wanted high or low at the podium, and then our waiter asked if we had a preference of where we sat, so it definitely wasn't pre-assigned when we were there in June. That said, we were a party of 2, so maybe they are assigning larger parties since they can't just go anywhere.

People did start lining up pretty early for ours. We passed the line while walking to get some of the boardwalk rides in before they closed. We got back maybe a 20-30 minutes ahead of the seating time and were fairly far back in the line. There were plenty of seats when we got to the front though. As a matter of fact, we had really good seats (2nd row of tall seats) that were fairly centrally located, and the seat immediately to our left wasn't filled until the last minute. There were people in front of us, but they didn't block our view in any way.

I would say that if someone is really, really dead set on sitting in a particular place or kind of seat, they need to get there earlier than someone who is willing to sit anywhere. You've pre-paid, so you're going to get a seat.
 
OP brings up a great question for all of us..... do we HAVE to stand in a line for 2 hours to get a table? Or is it already set up who sits where? I am HOPING they assign tables ahead of time, as our party is large..... and I too won't want to pay $$$ to stand for 2 hours waiting, the allure of this is the idea of a shorter wait,and a place to sit. The kids on shoulders in front, well,maybe if OP and others send in a complaint to Disney, they may rearrange crowds directly in front..... but otherwise I would guess there's no way to prevent that
I walked past the line at 8.15 last Saturday night and kept walking , I did 2 rides and headed back at 9.05. It took about 10 mins to get thru the line ( I was 2nd last ) - I was seated at table 16 with 2 other ladies had a great view so no I don't think there is a need to line up so early
 

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cool! so were tables already assigned?

When I went (Friday, 9/30) tables were not pre-assigned. A CM walked down the line with a tablet & gave you your choice of available tables, so those in line first got first choice.
 
I went a few weeks ago and everyone lined up very early. I wound up waiting for about the same amount of time as I had for a meal package in the past, so I don't think this really cuts down on waiting time unless you truly don't care what table you get, in which case you can get there at the last minute. I think we waited for about an hour and we were about halfway back in the line. When I did the meal package a couple of years ago, we had to wait but we got a front row spot and could see everything. With the dessert party, we had a far inferior view. The water surface was blocked (which I think would be true for any of the tables and isn't a huge deal), but also the projections were blocked by the table in front of us. I feel they should make more of an effort to ensure a good view from all tables for the price they are charging. From my table (a high top behind another high top) the entire center was blocked and we only had a good view of the sides. From what I've heard I think most tables have a good view, but we had bad luck even getting in line early. Granted, I'm short and the people at the table in front of us were tall.
 
When I went (Friday, 9/30) tables were not pre-assigned. A CM walked down the line with a tablet & gave you your choice of available tables, so those in line first got first choice.
Interesting. I was there just the day before you, on Thursday, and this didn't happen. Once you got to the front of the line, you were given a choice of high or low table, but not a specific table, and no one walked the line with a tablet. I think it must depend on the CM's running the line that night.
 
I went a few weeks ago and everyone lined up very early. I wound up waiting for about the same amount of time as I had for a meal package in the past, so I don't think this really cuts down on waiting time unless you truly don't care what table you get, in which case you can get there at the last minute. I think we waited for about an hour and we were about halfway back in the line. When I did the meal package a couple of years ago, we had to wait but we got a front row spot and could see everything. With the dessert party, we had a far inferior view. The water surface was blocked (which I think would be true for any of the tables and isn't a huge deal), but also the projections were blocked by the table in front of us. I feel they should make more of an effort to ensure a good view from all tables for the price they are charging. From my table (a high top behind another high top) the entire center was blocked and we only had a good view of the sides. From what I've heard I think most tables have a good view, but we had bad luck even getting in line early. Granted, I'm short and the people at the table in front of us were tall.
Oh, no !!!! Sorry you had a bad view. You should send a comment to Disney of your disappointment. Feedback from guests is how Disney learns how to improve things. That's too much money to have a blocked view.

Our group of 10 had pre-assigned seats and we were told we could request something different if we wanted. We had tall chairs/tables, front row, far left. We were towards the front of the line, so if we were further back at check in and others were already seated I don't think we would've been given that choice to change the seating arrangement. For us luckily the seating worked great as we had children and adults in our group.
 
Ugh, I can't imagine paying $79 for a $3 worth of food and Disney's most underwhelming (terrible, really) show in decades. Total ripoff.
 
We were asked at that point as well. After we got down to the area. I also wanted to say, if you are choosing between this and a WOC meal, I do think this in infinitely better. Not even a contest.

I dont know-I was able to see in my Dining package viewing area and I only got there 1 hour before the show. This means I had a shorter time standing in line and -I had an unimpeded view.
 
We went last Thursday. So a super crowded time. We did line up early (maybe 20 minutes before the call time) but we didn't intend to. Little mermaid was down and that gave us the extra time. We had a front row low table. True if there was something going on directly on top of the water, we couldn't see it. But I didn't realize we might have missed something until this thread (and I am still not convinced I did). We had an already tall guy put his pretty big kid on his shoulders and one of our stranger table mates went and complained to a waiter and the waiter made him take the kid down. Being at a high top would have solved that problem but I wanted my feet on the ground. My mother thought it was the best part of the entire trip. (She paid). I thought is was cool and one of the better parts of our trip (which wasn't that great because it was crazy crowded) but I wouldn't do it twice I don't think. More importantly, there is no way in HECK I would see it any other way. It is simply not worth it to stand like cattle waiting for slaughter in that crowd for the amount of time those people had to stand. There was literally no room between people and I could see the pushing and shoving going on. It was nuts. Truth be told, I don't think DLR was prepared for last weeks crowds and didn't really have hours and staffing set appropriately.

I was there Thursday too! I saw that interaction when the person got up to complain about the kid. I was the table directly behind it so I presume right behind you too!!
 
We just did the dessert party a couple of weeks ago. The reason I decided to comment is about lining up early... I don't know why people do it! That's precisely one of the reasons we booked it--so that we didn't have to waste time in line. And we didn't. We were riding Toy Story Mania right up until the last moment. We showed up about 30 minutes before the show started, which is when they start checking people in. We were at the "end of the line," so I could tell that people had been there waiting for some time. I'm not sure why! There didn't seem to be any advantage to it really, other than wasting time. So even though "everyone does it," I got the feeling it was a lot like EVERYONE crowds up to the gate at airports as soon as they call the first group. Relax. We'll all have a seat.

As far as the view, I can't speak to that. We had a great view, but were not at one of the lower tables. We were at a high top table with a row of high top tables in front of us. We could see without obstruction, but we're also grown adults and not children.

As far as sharing the tables with others, I understand the awkwardness that might come with that. We were a party of two and we were prepared to share, as it does state that when you book it. We lucked out though and it wasn't a crowded party, so we had the whole table to ourselves.

This. I have no idea why people line up early. THERE IS NO NEED TO. You paid for a seat, they don't overbook it, you are going to be seated.

Sorry to hear people had obstructed views at the low tables! I hadn't heard much of those experiences. We sat at a high top. DH and I shared a table with another party of two, a mom and her adult daughter. It was fine, we said "Hi" and exchanged pleasantries about where we were from, and the rest was each to our own conversations.

We showed up at the prescribed 30 minutes before, and although the line was long, we didn't have to wait too long before being seated. They asked us where we wanted to sit, and we picked a high top at the railing.

The fruit, cheese and dessert plates are very generous, and there's a bread basket as well.

Here's some pictures from our experience: we were seated at the table with the lady in pink. One director's chair is right at the railing, the second one is directly behind and a little to the side.
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Because we're gluten free, they brought us each a plate with extra fruit and cheese, plus another plate with gluten free desserts on it. That's the blue cocktail, we were offered two each (or champagne), plus water bottles, soft drinks, coffee or hot chocolate. Kids around us were getting the awesome light up souvenir cups.

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I will add, my party consisted of me, my DH, DS (6) and DD (2), and I was very surprised that they served my DD her own plate of dessert and the light up cup, even though we hadn't paid for her. (The cup was filled with a Shirley Temple, if anyone's curious). I had previously read that children under 3 would have to share off our plates and wouldn't receive the cup, so I was really happy about that! For me, it made up for the impeded view :)
 
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We didn't show up super early, either. I mean, I think we lined up at 7:15? I can't remember. We had an excellent view. Wish I got pictures when the show was actually happening but I was too busy enjoying it! We all loved and will do it again!!
 
wow..... I guess I'm wondering about the tables thing..... are there really bad views in this area? I had thought from all the praise that every table would work out fine.... I want more reviews from various tables ! I would realy hate to be the one in my group who convinced everyone to shell out the big bucks for this,and have it be not worth it. I know the desserts are only ok, but aren't we paying for the seat/table low wait experience? I am getting anxious now....
 
wow..... I guess I'm wondering about the tables thing..... are there really bad views in this area? I had thought from all the praise that every table would work out fine.... I want more reviews from various tables ! I would realy hate to be the one in my group who convinced everyone to shell out the big bucks for this,and have it be not worth it. I know the desserts are only ok, but aren't we paying for the seat/table low wait experience? I am getting anxious now....
I think the potential of a "bad seat" is rare, it's also very subjective. is there potential of a small child blocking a small portion of your view? Sure. But in my opinion, it doesn't take away from the amazingness that is WOC, and the opportunity to seat comfortably with your friends and family and drink hot coco and chit chat and nibble on goodies. And contrary to what you may have heard, you do not need to wait for an hour for your seat. Get there at your check in time (7:30 for an 8:15, for instance) and ENJOY :-)
 
I think the potential of a "bad seat" is rare, it's also very subjective. is there potential of a small child blocking a small portion of your view? Sure. But in my opinion, it doesn't take away from the amazingness that is WOC, and the opportunity to seat comfortably with your friends and family and drink hot coco and chit chat and nibble on goodies. And contrary to what you may have heard, you do not need to wait for an hour for your seat. Get there at your check in time (7:30 for an 8:15, for instance) and ENJOY :-)
Thank you..... it gets nerve wracking as a newbie,reading things on the dis.... now I know why folks get this way over on the WDW boards,it can start to sound unappealing without really experiencing it!
 
I will add, my party consisted of me, my DH, DS (6) and DD (2), and I was very surprised that they served my DD her own plate of dessert and the light up cup, even though we hadn't paid for her. (The cup was filled with a Shirley Temple, if anyone's curious). I had previously read that children under 3 would have to share off our plates and wouldn't receive the cup, so I was really happy about that! For me, it made up for the impeded view :)

This was our experience as well, when we brought our 2 year old son.
 
Does anyone have any pictures of the seating? I am curious to see what the chairs look like since I'm a larger person. Thanks.
 
Does anyone have any pictures of the seating? I am curious to see what the chairs look like since I'm a larger person. Thanks.
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