World of color dessert party/how does it work with the show

[AmazonMama]

Today I surprised my college age son and his girlfriend with a Christmas trip to DLR. (He knows; she won't until Christmas morning.) After having Christmas morning with us, they will fly out on Christmas afternoon and be able to enjoy the park for 3 days with the Disney Plus free day package (pay for two get one day free)...so they'll arrive to the parks around 6 pm and do Christmas evening until close, and then have two full days in the parks before returning home to us for the rest of their college break. (Yeah, DH and I wanted to go too, but we have other Christmas obligations and relatives to attend to!) So, he is thrilled, but I'm just now looking at available dining on Christmas night. Of course most things in the parks are already fully booked. However, there is still availability for the WOC dessert party.

My questions are: There are two parties available, one at 8 and one at 930. I'm leaning toward the 930 reservation for sure. But, it appears the party is before the show, so the 930 reservation will be for the 1030 show. Do you have to arrive AT 930--or can you get there at say 10? Is it a buffet, or do they bring you a basket of things? It said there was grapes and a seletion of cheese which could easily be dinner for these guys with a couple sweet treats after.

How is the view/seating and where is it? How is the actual holiday WOC show itself? We saw the original WOC when it first opened when my kids were little, around 10/11 years old, and they weren't impressed and we've never seen it again. But part of the misery was standing around waiting; it is boring and uncomfortable. I'd guess a holiday show, with a seat, with an adult bevvy and some cheese, and some adult patience, might go over a LOT better this time!

Finally, I already booked their park tickets and they are park hoppers but I picked DL for the "starter" park on Christmas day, because I know they'll want to go to Disneyland first but I don't think that matters since the park identification is for before 11 am and they won't arrive until around 6 pm. However, just confirming they won't have any trouble getting into DCA at 9 pm on a hopper that is listed as Disneyland first, will they? They will definitely go into Disneyland first when they get there, just to see the castle and main street etc even if they don't go on any rides that night. But if I buy this package I need to guarantee they can get into DCA.

I'd appreciate any and all advice before I shell out the $89 pp. THANK YOU!

 

[Mle8308]

Can't really answer your questions because I am a DL novice and would love to go again. So, if you would like to adopt another child, I am here for it! Hope they have a great time!

 

[disneychrista]

The biggest thing you & your son should be aware of is that as a party of 2 they will share a table with another party of 2. I also don't think the small amount of grapes and cheese with crackers could make a meal but with the addition of the other desserts will be very filling. I ended up taking half of the desserts back to the hotel with me when I did.

They could likely show up at 10pm with no issues. Though people show up at 8pm to check in for the 1030 show so they can pre-select certain tables. I think all the tables will give you a good view and there is nothing like being able to sit for the show instead of having to stand for 90+ minutes.

 

[AmazonMama]

The biggest thing you & your son should be aware of is that as a party of 2 they will share a table with another party of 2. I also don't think the small amount of grapes and cheese with crackers could make a meal but with the addition of the other desserts will be very filling. I ended up taking half of the desserts back to the hotel with me when I did.

They could likely show up at 10pm with no issues. Though people show up at 8pm to check in for the 1030 show so they can pre-select certain tables. I think all the tables will give you a good view and there is nothing like being able to sit for the show instead of having to stand for 90+ minutes.

Thank you! Good to know about the seating and that it's a bit first come, first serve. As for the food, it will be later in the evening and I'm sure they'll have something to snack on before that time. For a Christmas evening wrap up I think a lot of desserts sounds fantastic to celebrate an awesome day. I did understand from my research that they may share a table with others, that's no big deal at all.

Is it a portioned amount of treats (ie a basket) for each person, so you get one of this and one of that? Or can you pick what you want? In addition, I assume they can order the adult beverage of their choice from a selection?

Where are these seating areas located? I've not been in that area for a number of years so I can't quite picture it.

 

[foolish_mortals]

Checkout this thread for info about the tables and locations. It also has pictures of the dessert plate. It varies per season but only slightly (still usually some cakes, cookies, cheese, and fruit, but flavors vary)

https://www.disboards.com/threads/woc-dessert-party-table-with-pictures-of-view.3930746/

In summary they are just behind the standing viewing area and in front of Ariel's but closer to the bridge.

The desserts are pre-portioned and they do get to chose two adult beverages from the short list provided (also in that thread and varies a little every season)

 

[disneychrista]

Thank you! Good to know about the seating and that it's a bit first come, first serve. As for the food, it will be later in the evening and I'm sure they'll have something to snack on before that time. For a Christmas evening wrap up I think a lot of desserts sounds fantastic to celebrate an awesome day. I did understand from my research that they may share a table with others, that's no big deal at all.

Is it a portioned amount of treats (ie a basket) for each person, so you get one of this and one of that? Or can you pick what you want? In addition, I assume they can order the adult beverage of their choice from a selection?

Where are these seating areas located? I've not been in that area for a number of years so I can't quite picture it.

The desserts come pre-plated with each person getting their own plate. The area is to the left of the main viewing section. Check in is by the Eureka water wheel near Grizzly River Run. Also note they can check in and then go do other things and return at 10pm.

 

[AmazonMama]

Thanks for all the additional information!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Since they will only have a few hours in the park that evening I wonder if the dessert party is the way to go. One of the greatest things about the dessert party is sitting down and resting your feet after a long day in the parks!

 

[StarlitNight05]

Disneyland has this annoying thing where they hold back reservations for parties of 2. For our trip earlier this month, I had to book for 3 and then modify the party size in the app (I also *think* you can just let the host/ess know it'll be a smaller party with no penalty).

That said, I just searched for Christmas availability with a party of 3 and saw a 7:20pm Carthay Circle Lounge reservation. That may be a fun alternative. I would keep checking too, as people are always cancelling. Hope they have a great time!

 

[disneychrista]

Disneyland has this annoying thing where they hold back reservations for parties of 2. For our trip earlier this month, I had to book for 3 and then modify the party size in the app (I also *think* you can just let the host/ess know it'll be a smaller party with no penalty).

That said, I just searched for Christmas availability with a party of 3 and saw a 7:20pm Carthay Circle Lounge reservation. That may be a fun alternative. I would keep checking too, as people are always cancelling. Hope they have a great time!

This doesn't seem to be an issue for the Dessert Party as they combine parties at a single table. It is an issue at places like Carthay, Blue Bayou and other premium dining experiences. I do agree it is annoying. I was able to book 2 for the dessert party and Carnation Cafe but had to book for 3 for the RBT premium Fantasmic dining.

 

[AmazonMama]

Since they will only have a few hours in the park that evening I wonder if the dessert party is the way to go. One of the greatest things about the dessert party is sitting down and resting your feet after a long day in the parks!

This is a fantastic point. After looking at all the details people gave me (including the link to the more descriptive pages of desserts available and seating selections) I think I'll keep an eye out for other options. Thank you!

 

[AmazonMama]

This doesn't seem to be an issue for the Dessert Party as they combine parties at a single table. It is an issue at places like Carthay, Blue Bayou and other premium dining experiences. I do agree it is annoying. I was able to book 2 for the dessert party and Carnation Cafe but had to book for 3 for the RBT premium Fantasmic dining.

I forgot about this trick. Will search for other availability in dining for 3!!! Thank you!

 

[BK2014]

We just did the WOC dessert party a week ago. We did the 8pm party for the 9pm show. They started checking people in at 7pm at the check in location. We were first in line and were able to request a specific table. They then gave us a wristband and told us to return closer to 8pm when they would walk us over to the party areas. We were a party of 2 and sat with another couple. The desserts were fine, nothing to write home about. We think they should just be brought out in containers that you can take with you, rather than on plates since it seemed most people asked for to-go containers. We were very glad to have a seat while the dinner package people had to stand for quite a while before the show even started.