I am looking at booking one of the dessert parties on our last evening in the parks. The day I am looking at is Saturday December 8th the park closes at 9pm. With Fireworks scheduled at 9pm Am I missing that there is extra hours that evening or do I assume they will extend the park hours.

With the After Fireworks Dessert party how does it work if the park is closing right after fireworks?

FWIW, very high probability those hours will change. That equivalent Saturday in 2017 had 8am-12am hours and a 9pm HEA.

So, you (likely) don’t need to worry about it.

But to answer your question, we don’t really know what happens with the After Party when fireworks are at closing time since we haven’t seen one yet. Presumably it’ll be run the same way, it’s just the park is closed at that point. MK closing is sort of like a “slow unloading” vs a “get out” type of situation. Some Main Street shops remain open, plenty of people still meandering about. They’ll eventually do the Kiss Goodnight, often well after the closing hour... then it’s time to get out. :-)
 
Sorry for the delay, but wanted to say thank you for posting your experience with the After Party. Hard to tell from your panorama, but looks like you enjoyed a back rail spot too?

Anyway, thanks again!

yeah, i didn't realize the panorama would get squished when I tried to post it here. Oops! We really did enjoy our spot on the back rail, so I appreciate everyone here telling us it was a good spot because I would have tried to get up front! We didn't find it over crowded at all back there, and honestly, we probably could have just stayed seated if we weren't that interested in the projections. We were well over arms length away from anyone on all sides.
 
Can you guys confirm that if I book the "Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing" I'm booking the correct one? I believe it's the most popular one, where you eat desserts beforehand then go out to the plaza (and snag a spot near the back rail :smooth:) and watch with the best view (as opposed to the party where you stay at Tomorrowland Terrace). I was very confused about this at one point, and although I'm pretty sure I've figured it out, I want to be sure before I spend my $$$. Thanks!
 
Can you guys confirm that if I book the "Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing" I'm booking the correct one? I believe it's the most popular one, where you eat desserts beforehand then go out to the plaza (and snag a spot near the back rail :smooth:) and watch with the best view (as opposed to the party where you stay at Tomorrowland Terrace). I was very confused about this at one point, and although I'm pretty sure I've figured it out, I want to be sure before I spend my $$$. Thanks!
You are correct. Plaza Garden is out in an open area, where you stand and watch fireworks. It's a much better view (in most people's opinions) than the Terrace party.
 


Hi, Can anyone confirm if the chocolate covered strawberries are available at all three dessert parties? That is my daughter's favorite part, and I would like to try the after party, but can't seem to figure out if the strawberries are offered at that one. Thanks!
 
So after obsessing over which dessert party to keep (I had both before and after booked), I have decided to attend the After Fireworks party so that my daughter and I can relax and enjoy our desserts as the mass exodus is happening on Main Street.

Now the refund from the other party can go in the Disney spending money fund! So either way, the mouse gets my hard earned cash lol
 


We had a GREAT view of the show on the terrace, and there is a sense of calm and solace being able to sit in chairs while the chaos ensues all around you...

That's so good to hear! We are doing the terrace 8/1 with 7 people.
 
So after obsessing over which dessert party to keep (I had both before and after booked), I have decided to attend the After Fireworks party so that my daughter and I can relax and enjoy our desserts as the mass exodus is happening on Main Street.

Now the refund from the other party can go in the Disney spending money fund! So either way, the mouse gets my hard earned cash lol

Just as a side note - if you attend the before dessert party you can still avoid the mass exodus. Just hang out in the reserved area for a bit while the tsunami of humanity rolls down Main Street. Most people will leave the area, but you're free to stay and relax. Once the departing crowd has thinned out a bit, you can leave without fighting massive crowds. We do this all the time.
 
Just my 2 cents, we have done Terrace view party 2 times and have it scheduled for 7/3. The view of the fireworks and projections is great. It is very relaxing and worth the extra cost. Why we do it is my husband has some back injuries from days in law enforcement and is extremely difficult to sit on ground for him.
I will post review after trip. Thank you to everyone for posting!
 
Just as a side note - if you attend the before dessert party you can still avoid the mass exodus. Just hang out in the reserved area for a bit while the tsunami of humanity rolls down Main Street. Most people will leave the area, but you're free to stay and relax. Once the departing crowd has thinned out a bit, you can leave without fighting massive crowds. We do this all the time.

Yeah every other year I would just park my happy butt in a bench and watch the insanity. But I think it will be kind of neat to be above the chaos this time, if that makes sense lol
 
It absolutely does make sense. And you'll get to eat desserts in comfort while watching the crowds depart! I just wanted to be sure that others are aware that the before HEA party also gives you a way to stay in a quiet area after the fireworks and avoid the mass exodus.
 
Dessert party from Tomorrowland Terrace tonight (6/19) was lovely! We arrived at 7:50. There were 2 podiums and 2 lines, one on the right for guests with a garden view time of 7:45. Most of those guests had already checked in when we arrived, with a few checking in on that side and going right in to a separate dessert party as we arrived.

We got in the line on the left. There were probably about 40 people already in line. At 8 pm, they started checking guests in and seating everyone on the lower terrace. Most tables were right up against the railing.

We checked in, got wristbands, and were given an overview of the food & beverage offerings before being shown to a table at the railing with a nice view of the castle.

Our teens grabbed food and then went to ride the PeopleMover before HEA started. While they were gone, our host offered to take our picture. A Photopass photographer also came around twice.

The show was great. Food was plentiful... Plenty of my favorite chocolate covered strawberries right up until the end! A centered view from the garden would have been better & some of the lower projections were hard to see. On the upside, Tink flew right at us at the end of the show.

Overall, I loved the relaxed feeling of being shown to our table & staying there for the show without having to “stake out a spot.”

We went straight to Buzz afterward which was practically a walk on. When we cut back thru the terrace afterward, the “After” party crowd was dining at the terrace behind where we sat. There were seriously like 4 families there that I could see, very uncrowded with lots of extra tables.

Hope this review is helpful! I wanted to post while the details were still fresh to hopefully help someone else. The info here has really helped me!
 
Dessert party from Tomorrowland Terrace tonight (6/19) was lovely! We arrived at 7:50. There were 2 podiums and 2 lines, one on the right for guests with a garden view time of 7:45. Most of those guests had already checked in when we arrived, with a few checking in on that side and going right in to a separate dessert party as we arrived.

We got in the line on the left. There were probably about 40 people already in line. At 8 pm, they started checking guests in and seating everyone on the lower terrace. Most tables were right up against the railing.

We checked in, got wristbands, and were given an overview of the food & beverage offerings before being shown to a table at the railing with a nice view of the castle.

Our teens grabbed food and then went to ride the PeopleMover before HEA started. While they were gone, our host offered to take our picture. A Photopass photographer also came around twice.

The show was great. Food was plentiful... Plenty of my favorite chocolate covered strawberries right up until the end! A centered view from the garden would have been better & some of the lower projections were hard to see. On the upside, Tink flew right at us at the end of the show.

Overall, I loved the relaxed feeling of being shown to our table & staying there for the show without having to “stake out a spot.”

We went straight to Buzz afterward which was practically a walk on. When we cut back thru the terrace afterward, the “After” party crowd was dining at the terrace behind where we sat. There were seriously like 4 families there that I could see, very uncrowded with lots of extra tables.

Hope this review is helpful! I wanted to post while the details were still fresh to hopefully help someone else. The info here has really helped me!
Thank you for your review. I had the before party booked but switched to the after party so that we will not be rushing our desserts. It is our daughter's birthday celebration and we're eating appetizers and entres at BOG at 4pm so will definitely be ready for some desserts after HEA. Sounds like we may have a quiet time at the party!
 
Dessert party from Tomorrowland Terrace tonight (6/19) was lovely! We arrived at 7:50. There were 2 podiums and 2 lines, one on the right for guests with a garden view time of 7:45. Most of those guests had already checked in when we arrived, with a few checking in on that side and going right in to a separate dessert party as we arrived.

We got in the line on the left. There were probably about 40 people already in line. At 8 pm, they started checking guests in and seating everyone on the lower terrace. Most tables were right up against the railing.

We checked in, got wristbands, and were given an overview of the food & beverage offerings before being shown to a table at the railing with a nice view of the castle.

Our teens grabbed food and then went to ride the PeopleMover before HEA started. While they were gone, our host offered to take our picture. A Photopass photographer also came around twice.

The show was great. Food was plentiful... Plenty of my favorite chocolate covered strawberries right up until the end! A centered view from the garden would have been better & some of the lower projections were hard to see. On the upside, Tink flew right at us at the end of the show.

Overall, I loved the relaxed feeling of being shown to our table & staying there for the show without having to “stake out a spot.”

We went straight to Buzz afterward which was practically a walk on. When we cut back thru the terrace afterward, the “After” party crowd was dining at the terrace behind where we sat. There were seriously like 4 families there that I could see, very uncrowded with lots of extra tables.

Hope this review is helpful! I wanted to post while the details were still fresh to hopefully help someone else. The info here has really helped me!

Thank you for the review! We are scheduled for the Terrace tomorrow night. Can you tell me if the new dessert menu extended to the Terrace? Dips, egg rolls and the Ooey Gooey? I'm sooo happy strawberries are still part of the menu.

Thanks so much and glad you had a wonderful time. Sitting down is one of the draws for the fireworks for us. It's one of the reasons we never did EPCOT but I'm reading it has tables now!
 
It's one of the reasons we never did EPCOT but I'm reading it has tables now!

Just confirming that the FEA/Illuminations dessert party does in fact have all tables. :thumbsup2

Although FYI, unlike the MK party, smaller groups often have to share tables. For example, in Feb DW and I were at a table with another two-some and a single. In April we had our kids with us (party of 4) and had our own table. At first the shared table thing was a bit odd - the tables are kind of small and intimate. But, we ended up chatting it up with our table-mates and had a great evening.

I only mention this because if you're a smaller party and don't like shared arrangements, it might not be the best event for you.
 
Does anyone know if the Dessert party is worth it during the Christmas party? I see it is offered, but after paying all that extra for the Christmas party, is it worth paying even more for a dessert party for reserved viewing? Do the Christmas parties get that crowded? Thanks!

I had one booked and ended up canceling because I realized that I was not going to have enough time to stake out a spot on Main Street for the 8:00 pm MVMCP parade.

My daughter is confused as to why we can’t just keep both reservations and gorge ourselves before AND after the fireworks lol

I like how your daughter thinks! LoL
 
I am thinking about booking the Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing for 8/22/18 (which is a late night EMH, with MK open for resort guests until 11), but I have a few questions. I know the answers are probably buried here, within 136 pages, so I'm hoping someone will help me out with some answers!

>> Is this a pre-paid event? If so and your plans change, can you get a refund?
>> I know this is standing-only for the fireworks, but are there tables available for eating, or is this strictly standing-only?
>> Are you allowed to take your desserts into the viewing area? Can you go back for a little nosh after the fireworks show?
>> MUST one have a MDE account to book this?
>> Does anyone know if they are offering savory treats at this, or just at the after-event?
>> Fireworks are at 9pm. If we check in to the party at 7:30, can we leave to ride something and then come back, or are you "in" once you are "in?"

I think that's it. It seems like a lot of money for dessert, especially as I am not a huge dessert eater, but if we can get egg rolls and such also, we'll probably do it. Thanks for your help!
 
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Dessert party from Tomorrowland Terrace tonight (6/19) was lovely! We arrived at 7:50. There were 2 podiums and 2 lines, one on the right for guests with a garden view time of 7:45. Most of those guests had already checked in when we arrived, with a few checking in on that side and going right in to a separate dessert party as we arrived.

We got in the line on the left. There were probably about 40 people already in line. At 8 pm, they started checking guests in and seating everyone on the lower terrace. Most tables were right up against the railing.
e!

In your opinion, do you think al the tales had a good view?

I'm getting inside am onto out and im afraid if I book it now i'll get stuck in a table with a less then stellar view.
 

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