WOC Dining Package vs Dessert Party

[SothrnChic]

We are heading to DL at the beginning of Oct and our reservations times just opened. I know I want to do one of the two packages but I am really torn between which one to do. We are already doing the Cafe Orleans Fantastic Package on Sunday night. I would love to be able to do the dessert party since it includes seats for the party, but I also want to make sure that I am not over spending before we even get there. If I get the Dining Package, how long before the show do we need to get in line in order to get a decent view. Our party includes three adults and a 5 year old. I want to make sure that he is able to actually see the show. Which one should I do??

 

[onlyoneash]

If you can splurge, the dessert party.

For us: we have three kids that are younger and will not appreciate the cost or seat of the dessert party. They will be running around no matter what.

We are doing WOC lunch at Wine Country. It's $35 for adults and $25? for kids. We wanted to eat there anyways, so figured, why not? Hopefully we can get a good spot upfront!

 

[MikeRx]

The Dessert Party is the only way you can guarantee a spot for your 5 year old to actually see the show. Even if you arrive early for the dining area you may have a child hoisted on shoulders in the section in front of you. For us it's more about the relaxed, seated view of one of our favorite shows. We are gluten free and they accommodate us exceptionally well each time. We typically do the DP on the last night of our visit as it's a fun splurge. We will be there for the 5th time on Sunday!

Mike

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I've done both and actually went back and did the dessert party a second time. No need to line up for the dessert party, every seat is great. Have a late , big lunch or maybe a light dinner and the cheese, breadstick and fruit make for a great light dinner. The desserts are amazing and they can give you a box to have the leftovers later. Your five year old will love it.....it is worth every penny
The dining package was a disaster for us and not worth the money at all. It was hot, crowded and my daughter couldn't see a thing. Neither could I actually.
Just my opinion of course, my friend loved the dining package

 

[Geemo]

We are heading to DL at the beginning of Oct and our reservations times just opened. I know I want to do one of the two packages but I am really torn between which one to do. We are already doing the Cafe Orleans Fantastic Package on Sunday night. I would love to be able to do the dessert party since it includes seats for the party, but I also want to make sure that I am not over spending before we even get there. If I get the Dining Package, how long before the show do we need to get in line in order to get a decent view. Our party includes three adults and a 5 year old. I want to make sure that he is able to actually see the show. Which one should I do??

We'll be going to a WOC Dessert Party as well.

We have done the free FP many times for WOC.
Get in line early. This will help when CM's begin to let people into the viewing area.

Have you been before? If not you'll need to get hints as to how to get a good spot for your group and the 5 year old.

 

[SothrnChic]

I've done both and actually went back and did the dessert party a second time. No need to line up for the dessert party, every seat is great. Have a late , big lunch or maybe a light dinner and the cheese, breadstick and fruit make for a great light dinner. The desserts are amazing and they can give you a box to have the leftovers later. Your five year old will love it.....it is worth every penny
The dining package was a disaster for us and not worth the money at all. It was hot, crowded and my daughter couldn't see a thing. Neither could I actually.
Just my opinion of course, my friend loved the dining package

Thanks so much!! This is what I needed to hear!

 

[22Tink]

Dessert party, hands down. We've done the WCT dinner package and it was fine but you still have to fight the crowds for a good spot in the viewing area and you have to stand. We've done the dessert party twice and loved it both times. It's the only way I ever want to watch WOC!!

 

[SothrnChic]

Dessert party, hands down. We've done the WCT dinner package and it was fine but you still have to fight the crowds for a good spot in the viewing area and you have to stand. We've done the dessert party twice and loved it both times. It's the only way I ever want to watch WOC!!

Just booked the dessert party for Oct. 2!! Can't wait!! We are only there for three days and I don't want to battle (or waste precious park time) to get a good spot.

 

[22Tink]

Just booked the dessert party for Oct. 2!! Can't wait!! We are only there for three days and I don't want to battle (or waste precious park time) to get a good spot.

Enjoy it!! It's the best way to watch WOC!!!

 

[MacMama0930]

Done the DP 3 times. Hands down, the best way to experience the show.

 

[MikeRx]

Just booked the dessert party for Oct. 2!! Can't wait!! We are only there for three days and I don't want to battle (or waste precious park time) to get a good spot.

Great choice! You won't be disappointed. We do an 11:30am WCT lunch and get pizza/salad in the evening to tide us over until the DP. It's our regular pattern and works for us. There are no bad seats at the DP from our multiple experiences; however we prefer the high-top tables vs the lower ones.
If you do choose to wait in the DP line someone can take your 5yo to the Little Mermaid or Mater's ride to keep him occupied until you are seated while the others stay in line.
Have a great time!
Mike

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We've done all 3 options and enjoyed them all because they all offer different views. The Dessert Party is a luxury -- having a seat and wait service is great. But the view is further back, so if you want the up-close-and-immersive view, then your choice is either the Dining Package (WCT or Ariel's) or a free FP. For the Dining Packages, our favorite is CCR with a spot on the railing or at the top of the steps (second show is always less crowded). I'm short, so having a clear view is a priority. We make sure to be in line at least 60 minutes before the area opens. So far we've always had great viewing. With the free FPs, we invest between 60-90 minutes before the show to get good spots in the wet zone or up on a railing. So far, so good. With that said, all viewing options come with risks. Even with the Dessert Party, some people have posted that guests in the area in front put older kids on their shoulders and blocked part of the view. So there is no perfect area, free or paid. But, on the whole, it comes down to whether you want to pay, whether you want to sit or stand, and how much time you're willing to invest in waiting for your spot. Once you decide what will work best for your family, go for it and enjoy the show!

 

[LittleFlounder]

We just did the dining package on Tuesday and it was wonderful! We ate at Ariel's Grotto...great meal!! We lined up an hour before. A CM lets you onto a holding area at the top of the stairs and then let's you out to your reserved viewing area 45 mins before the show. We got to stand right up at the rail! (And definitely got wet!!) I would for sure do the dining package again!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have done the WOC Dessert party about 4 times now, last about 2 weeks ago and would never do it any other way. Have not tried the dinner. Met a very nice couple there from Bowling Green Kentucky there and made it evern better. THEY TALKED, there was two of us. Service was EXCELLENT. Over the top.

 

[kirstie101]

We have done both and enjoyed both. But if you can swing it, the dessert party is the way to go. DS is 6 and had never been awake for WOC so I splurged on the dessert party this trip. My kids had an amazing view of the show which was my top priority. They loved sitting in the seats, really loved their glowing cups they were given and felt so spoiled. Actually we all did. It was amazing to not have to stand. Our view was great. Our server was fantastic! She was so much fun and so friendly and the kids loved chatting with her, as did we. The desserts and cheeses were great. We took more than half of it back to our hotel and snacked on it over the course of a few days as it was simply too much food. I loved showing up 30 minutes before the show started!

We did the WCT dining package a few years ago and also were happy. The food was good and the viewing area was less crowded than the normal viewing area. We had a great view as we were some of the first ones in the viewing area so we went to the top of the steps. Though obviously we still had to stand for the show and we had to line up much earlier than we did for the dessert party. I would do this again if I was planning on a nice meal in the parks anyway and I wanted a decent view of the show. In all fairness though I still dont know that my 6 year old would have been able to see too well. The dessert party is definitely the way to go for a better view.

 

[casagray]

A slightly different take on this - with the caveat that I have NOT attended the dessert party.

Personally, I'd go for a meal over dessert, for two reasons ... one is the cost of the dessert party (yikes!) which I think is way over the top. The second is way more personal, becuase someone in my family is lactose intolerant, and I'm on a no/low carb doctor ordered diet (no fruit even), so I have no idea what they'd serve either of us. At a sit down meal it's easier to get something that works for us.

As I said, it's a personal preference!