MK "Happily Ever After" Dessert Party (Parties) Discussion

[Jpmoore]

D8 and I did the party last Saturday night. While we were shown to a table our group of 2 did not share a table with anyone else. My only issue was that when we went out about a half hour before we were in front of the VIP area and could see perfectly. Right after the show started a probably 7 foot basketball player VIP was escorted and came up with his kid on his shoulders and stood right in front of us. Myself and the mom standing next to me went crazy because our view was entirely blocked. The first quarter of the show was then spent with us trying to get the attention of a CM. One finally escorted us and anyone else who wanted too to the VIP area. I guess they can't tell a VIP to not do something?!? It worked out but was a wrinkle I didn't see coming. Guess something to keep in mind as possibility.

What is the VIP area? I only know about the special viewing area for party goers.

 

[kmc8826]

What is the VIP area? I only know about the special viewing area for party goers.

The area for the party goers is the Plaza Garden on the grass and is fenced in (as you can see from the pictures). D8 and I were at the front of the area up against the railing. The VIP area is a roped off area directly in front of part of the Plaza Garden. When we lined up there about half hour before there were only 2 Disney CM's in there. Gradually as the party time approached it filled up with more people. This did not directly affect us in the Garden area as there is a slight incline. The issue arose when the huge guy with the kid on his shoulders arrived and stood right there. Like I said, Disney made it right but it was still disappointing. I have the party booked for my family of 5 in November, and am now a little uncertain of where exactly to stand before the party starts. My husband doesn't do crowds and my other 2 girls really want to see the show so I think it is still "worth it." I freely acknowledge it was a bit of an abnormality what we experienced, and for that reason I almost hesitated to post but I figured it doesn't hurt for people to be aware of the possibility (however remote).

 

[SaintsManiac]

Who qualifies for the VIP area?

 

[kmc8826]

Who qualifies for the VIP area?

I really have no idea; other than people who can pay. I assume it was people taking part in this. I did see more people with the lanyards and the tour guide this trip than I have in the past.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/vip-tour-services/

 

[GADisneyDad14]

They had that 'VIP' area set up when we did the dessert party on 7/2. It was as @kmc8826 described.... it's not a part of the Plaza Garden area.... it's a small roped off area on the walkway in front of the Plaza Garden. On my night it could have held maybe a dozen people... so not that big. I suspect this can change depending on who they expect.

If the VIP area wasn't there, there would be people there anyway, so it's not a setup that creates some new visual barrier - unless they happen to be super-tall VIPs!

Note that VIPs could be anyone.... real VIPs of WDW, people who have paid for the VIP tour guides, etc.

Last note, on my night only 3-4 people showed up in the VIP area... it was actually kind of nice because it left a visual "gap" right in front of us which made for better viewing of the very bottom of the castle.

 

[cwis]

We were at the dessert party tonight, it was such a disappointement. We knew by all your reviews that we should not expect the desserts to be good, but we didn't expect them to be *that* bad. (Except for the macarons, which by some unforeseen miracle, were okay.)

I tried to make my own sundae about 45 minutes before the show started, and asked for whipped cream. “Sorry, we're run out of that.” Huh, it's not like if that's the first time there's dessert party, don't they know how to plan about it? Or maybe make some more if they run out? If even whipped cream is outside the Chef's abilities, that would explain a LOT about the quality of the buffet.

As far as the viewing area is concerned, we'd chosen Plaza Gardens viewing and were really satisfied about it. This is virtually in front of the castle. We were HEA first timers and could enjoy the show fully. We were escorted there swiftly when we were ready, and were told we could get out and back in if required.

To sum up, we were really impressed with the hard work of all the teams that worked together to make this possible. The preparation is incredible (you hardly see it if you don't look for it, but as the show approaches, several different paths are being used to route guests around the restaurant and the viewing area). In addition to Guest Flow, there are also a lot of CMs from the restaurant (greeters at the podium, people that escort you to your table, to the viewing area). Obviously, THIS is what you pay for the event. I'm not even sure the cost of it covers the cost of all the human effort. I would probably have liked the event more if Disney's charged the same rate, without the dessert, as I would not have felt I had been ripped off. Or, maybe charged more, with signature/upscale desserts. Not sure this fits Disney's agenda, though.

 

[martymcflyy85]

If anyone has a video of what it looks like on the Terrace viewing let me know. All I've seen on youtube are videos of the plaza viewing. Thanks

 

[Dan Murphy]

If anyone has a video of what it looks like on the Terrace viewing let me know. All I've seen on youtube are videos of the plaza viewing. Thanks

This should be from the terrace.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would probably have liked the event more if Disney's charged the same rate, without the dessert, as I would not have felt I had been ripped off. Or, maybe charged more, with signature/upscale desserts. Not sure this fits Disney's agenda, though.

I agree, you need to not look at it as a dessert party at all. Just focus on the value of the viewing area to your group. We found it to be very worth it once we let the idea go of getting any value out of the actual desserts.

 

[AaronInWI]

On a semi-related question, at what time does the upper terrace reopen for non-dessert party guests? It used to be a tradition of ours to grab a sundae from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor 5-10 minutes prior to Wishes, and take it to the upper terrace and watch what we could of the show from there while we ate. We were disappointed in February to see this area blocked off when we walked past it around 8:00. We didn't think to go back and check closer to showtime to see if it had reopened or not.

Sorry if this has been answered already, but I didn't see it when I skimmed the 12 pages.

 

[cwis]

On a semi-related question, at what time does the upper terrace reopen for non-dessert party guests? It used to be a tradition of ours to grab a sundae from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor 5-10 minutes prior to Wishes, and take it to the upper terrace and watch what we could of the show from there while we ate. We were disappointed in February to see this area blocked off when we walked past it around 8:00. We didn't think to go back and check closer to showtime to see if it had reopened or not.

Sorry if this has been answered already, but I didn't see it when I skimmed the 12 pages.

Yesterday, the upper terrace was opened after HEA ended.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

i booked the end of Jan today!

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Thank you! Great detailed review for all of the Disney over analytical types!!!

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Like me! I tend to way over think this WDW vacation.

 

[AaronInWI]

Yesterday, the upper terrace was opened after HEA ended.

Thank you, and drats! If this is the case the next time we go as well, we'll have to figure out a plan B. At least we know so we can plan for it.

 

[vinotinto]

They had that 'VIP' area set up when we did the dessert party on 7/2. It was as @kmc8826 described.... it's not a part of the Plaza Garden area.... it's a small roped off area on the walkway in front of the Plaza Garden. On my night it could have held maybe a dozen people... so not that big. I suspect this can change depending on who they expect.

If the VIP area wasn't there, there would be people there anyway, so it's not a setup that creates some new visual barrier - unless they happen to be super-tall VIPs!

Note that VIPs could be anyone.... real VIPs of WDW, people who have paid for the VIP tour guides, etc.

Last note, on my night only 3-4 people showed up in the VIP area... it was actually kind of nice because it left a visual "gap" right in front of us which made for better viewing of the very bottom of the castle.

Crud, I thought the walkway in front of the Plaza Garden used to be left open.

Also, the party I booked is sold out for the Plaza Garden (Saturday of Labor Day weekend). Has anyone been to a sold out party and is there enough space for everyone? I booked it cause, we'll, I'm 5'0 on a good day, and my 10-year old DD is short too, so I figured we need all the help we can get to view the fireworks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Crud, I thought the walkway in front of the Plaza Garden used to be left open.

Also, the party I booked is sold out for the Plaza Garden (Saturday of Labor Day weekend). Has anyone been to a sold out party and is there enough space for everyone? I booked it cause, we'll, I'm 5'0 on a good day, and my 10-year old DD is short too, so I figured we need all the help we can get to view the fireworks!

The walkway is partially left open. They put a tape line down the middle, the part closest to the Plaza Garden is walkway, the other part is available to anyone (except for that VIP square). Note that procedures can change but this was how it was 7/2. This is not a terrible setup as it does keep people from being directly in front of the Plaza Garden area, creating just enough view angle.

I don't know for sure but I'm pretty sure that party I went to in my pics (which was the second night of HEA in May) had to be close to selling out, if it wasn't. There was enough space and still a bit to move around if needed during the show. Not a ton of space mind you, but enough to shift if you needed to adjust your view slightly.

Despite your size (hope you don't mind me saying that), I still tend to think this is among the best viewing options outside of camping out in a primo spot for an hour+ in advance.

 

[MyHappyPlace17]

This may not be the best place to bring this up, and it may have been discussed already elsewhere, but does anyone think the dreamlights on the castle will affect the HEA projection quality?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This may not be the best place to bring this up, and it may have been discussed already elsewhere, but does anyone think the dreamlights on the castle will affect the HEA projection quality?

You know what, I've had this same thought before. I remember watching the castle projection show last December (I guess it was OUAT, or maybe the prior one if it hadn't changed yet, can't remember) and it really seemed the projections weren't as crisp with those light nets all over pretty much most of the projection surfaces. I wasn't really sure if this was my eyes playing tricks on me or it was legit? To be fair I was pretty close up on that particular night.

I assume we'll see the lights going up in Octoberish like always. But at least you're not the only one who has thought about this.

 

[MyHappyPlace17]

Glad I wasn't the only one!