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

[HappyGrape]

were people standing or sitting? would a child be able to see?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I guess we will keep our before party for now. Waiting to hear more reviews.

 

[DWeav]

Regarding the before party, plaza garden viewing. Are you allowed to take any desserts with you to the garden area?

 

[djc9699]

Regarding the before party, plaza garden viewing. Are you allowed to take any desserts with you to the garden area?

We have done three parties and we have taken water with us and my granddaughter took a few strawberries and cookies last time. My son then went and bought popcorn and pretzels before the show as no one really cared for the deserts. We have the 3rd of July booked and I am hoping we can spend more time with the deserts and that they are better before heading to the viewing area since those fireworks won't require as good a view of the castle.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Regarding the before party, plaza garden viewing. Are you allowed to take any desserts with you to the garden area?

Yes

 

[tiffne]

I’m feeling the same way, too, which is disappointing because I was really looking forward to it. We are booked for June 24th so I have a few weeks to figure it out.

We are scheduled for that night too. As of right now there are 49+ spaces available for both the before and after parties so hopefully nothing will be sold out. I briefly considered switching to the after party because we have a 6:20 BOG ADR but I don't think my in-laws who are joining us will be up for sticking around for desserts after the fireworks. They are going to want to book it out of there.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I posted about this earlier, but didn't get any replies. I think that when they added the after party, they might have changed the terrace view as well, so I'm hoping that someone might give us some feedback of how it's working now. The website says the following : "This sensational celebration starts at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant with a tempting array of freshly prepared desserts plus a variety of seasonal fruits and cheeses. As showtime approaches, you’ll be escorted to your seats on the patio of Tomorrowland Terrace. Then, just sit back and relax—and watch in amazement as the skies ignite and Cinderella Castle glows with enchanting illuminations."

That’s either a bad cut/paste job on the website, or they are tweaking the format a bit there too. If it is a format change, it just went into effect yesterday so we’ll need to see some more on the ground reports come in to know for sure. Historically, the Terrace version doesn’t get a ton of chatter around the DIS, mainly due to its small guest count.

 

[athyng]

We have a reservation for the garden party for Saturday night. I will post a review when I get a chance after. As I get claustrophobic in big crowds, I hope this is still worth the heafty price tag.

 

[Cluelyss]

We have the before party booked for the first time on June 14th and I have to say I’m disappointed they are in the same viewing area. Having to rush through some very expensive desserts just to try and get a decent spot in the garden doesn’t sit well with me.

**ok, so now that I got that out of my system, let’s talk worse case scenario. Is there truly a “bad” spot in there? If the garden all of a sudden has twice the amount of people, are we back to feeling like we are in the hub or isn’t it that bad? Just trying to get a feel for the space. We did the hub a few years ago and I really don’t want to deal with that feeling in the garden that I’m paying a lot of money for.

Having done the garden party several times, I can honestly say that even if the crowd was doubled, it would still be 100x better than being on Main Street or in the hub.

Yes, I loved that we could sit in the garden, and that my kids could run around before the show, but I’ll happily stand with a foot between me and my neighbor vs being crammed in like a sardine. There’s still value for us here.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Having done the garden party several times, I can honestly say that even if the crowd was doubled, it would still be 100x better than being on Main Street or in the hub.

Yes, I loved that we could sit in the garden, and that my kids could run around before the show, but I’ll happily stand with a foot between me and my neighbor vs being crammed in like a sardine. There’s still value for us here.

Yep after seeing Main St the Tuesday before Thanksgiving I do agree with that. If it became as crowded as that it would lose ALL value.

 

[Luna81]

I think we will still do it. But I also think we will still plan to just chill with the food as long as we can and head out last minute.

We saw HEA on opening night and got our spot at like 5pm or so. Hah. It was amazing but I’m good with squeezing in a few minutes before start. As long as they are good about getting us to the garden.

 

[GirlDreamer]

That’s either a bad cut/paste job on the website, or they are tweaking the format a bit there too. If it is a format change, it just went into effect yesterday so we’ll need to see some more on the ground reports come in to know for sure. Historically, the Terrace version doesn’t get a ton of chatter around the DIS, mainly due to its small guest count.

I could imagine them doing it to sell more tickets for the terrace view, as if we don't eat at the terrace, they won't need the tables along the railing and they would be able to cram in a lot more people to view from there. I booked the terrace view, not only to watch the fireworks from the terrace though, but for the convenience of sitting at the table there and relax and enjoy some desserts before the fireworks starts. If they've actually changed it and we would eat and we'd have to move after eating the desserts anyway, then I might as well change my booking to the garden view where you get a more centered view of the castle. Unless future reports say the garden area gets too crowded with the new after party that is.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I think it is a shame to hear that both party groups, before and after will share the same space in the garden. We thought it was pretty full when we went on May 17th, a Thursday night. I would have thought Disney would use the other side.

We got to the party entrance for the food at about 7:35, waited a few minutes until we were checked in. There was plenty of variety in the little desserts, ice cream, cookies , brownies and such. I enjoyed them but you certainly are not eating your $ worth, you cant eat that much. I would prefer more savory treats like at some of the other parties.

We took our time to go over to the garden, one of the last few people, and it had space but the "prime" spots were gone. We wandered around and worked our way to about where we wanted to be. We were toward the left and mid point in depth. Everyone stood when it got close to show time. People had lay out there ponchos on the ground to sit beforehand which made it seem a bit more crowded than it really was. There was far more room in the garden area than on the street or hub area, that was full. But to double the amount of people in there would make it very, very full. Not quite center hub full, but I don't think everyone could sit until showtime.

We payed $59 pp, for 4 of us. I don't see us doing it again at the $69 price tag,or even the $59, unless it is a peak season trip(Christmas, Easter..) which we have yet to ever do. I enjoyed the new show however, impressive display on the castle, like the songs...but I don't like that unless you are right up in the hub you miss most of it. Same with the new DHS star wars/jingle shows.

 

[kat_lh]

I could imagine them doing it to sell more tickets for the terrace view, as if we don't eat at the terrace, they won't need the tables along the railing and they would be able to cram in a lot more people to view from there. I booked the terrace view, not only to watch the fireworks from the terrace though, but for the convenience of sitting at the table there and relax and enjoy some desserts before the fireworks starts. If they've actually changed it and we would eat and we'd have to move after eating the desserts anyway, then I might as well change my booking to the garden view where you get a more centered view of the castle. Unless future reports say the garden area gets too crowded with the new after party that is.

There wouldn't be a reason to charge more for the Terrace party if you weren't seated through the fireworks though, right? I'll drop this in a heartbeat if all the parties share the same eating space.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

I've decided to cancel. Too much hurley burley for me for a hefty price tag.

 

[FastPasser.]

I saw nothing at the viewing area last night that would make me not go or cancel.

 

[IrishNYC]

There is still a decent amount of room in the garden and if people weren’t sprawled put there would be even more

Being able to sprawl and relax is part of the appeal to my booking the party. I'm short and claustrophobic. My 8 year old is way shorter. I booked this so I wouldn't get ragey when some idiot decided to shove their way in front of my short kid so she can't see.

Thanks for all the feedback. I think a lot of people are jumping the gun here.

In reality, was tonight’s showing any different than any other night? Doesn’t seem so from what I’m reading. People are just going slightly crazy. I was under the assumption EVERY spot is good in the garden, so what does it matter what time someone goes there

It seems it was the same tonight as other nights. Yes more people went down earlier but that’s because they were worried about a spot, when in reality they should get one no problem, even if going 10 mins before.

This very well might change as the summer crowds come in though so I won’t even remotely think of canceling or changing until I see some late June and July reviews, since I’m going in August

I hope for the best.

I'm also hoping for the best for our night in September. We shall see.

I saw nothing at the viewing area last night that would make me not go or cancel.

Let's hope!

 

[zebrastreyepz]

I saw nothing at the viewing area last night that would make me not go or cancel.

That's good for someone who has a frame of reference.

I do not.

I've never done the dessert parties and all my experiences anywhere near the hub for HEA and afterwards have been almost traumatic.

I booked the party with the previous desserts in mind and a certain mindset based on what was said here about what it would be like.

That has changed since I booked and I don't have a long time to wait and see how things go as my cancellation window is looming.

Still looking forward to the SW party very much.

 

[GirlDreamer]

There wouldn't be a reason to charge more for the Terrace party if you weren't seated through the fireworks though, right? I'll drop this in a heartbeat if all the parties share the same eating space.

From how it's worded on the website, it's definitely going to be seats, but they wouldn't need the tables anymore if the desserts part is in a different area. I imagine they'll probably have long rows of chairs facing the railings so you just sit and watch or something.

 

[FastPasser.]

Still looking forward to the SW party very much.

When are you going?