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

[GADisneyDad14]

Any first hand experiences with December 30th party? I'm considering the 5:00 plaza, but then have no idea what do with dinner... was thinking about an early night so we would be geared up for all day at EPCOT on the 31st. My ADR day is tomorrow so I have to think fast!

DS and I did the 12/30/17, early fireworks Plaza Garden viewing party. Great time! The early show in some ways sort of feels like an afterthought, but it was perfect for us since I didn’t want to be out super late (was resting up for the next night).

MK ‘felt’ like a really crowded HEA to me for the early show. I was glad to have the garden viewing.

Great vibe in the MK (they switch to a more party soundtrack in the Hub vs traditional music) - DS used the space in the garden for his own personal dance party.

I’m more than likely going to do the early show Plaza Garden viewing again this year. It made our plans so much easier not having to spend much time planning/thinking about where we’d be for fireworks time.

 

[flipflopmom]

DS and I did the 12/30/17, early fireworks Plaza Garden viewing party. Great time! The early show in some ways sort of feels like an afterthought, but it was perfect for us since I didn’t want to be out super late (was resting up for the next night).

MK ‘felt’ like a really crowded HEA to me for the early show. I was glad to have the garden viewing.

Great vibe in the MK (they switch to a more party soundtrack in the Hub vs traditional music) - DS used the space in the garden for his own personal dance party.

I’m more than likely going to do the early show Plaza Garden viewing again this year. It made our plans so much easier not having to spend much time planning/thinking about where we’d be for fireworks time.

Thanks so much! Sounds like a winner!

 

[CamperMouse]

We will be there during this time. Can I book it if my 180 days starts on Saturday?

 

[McKelly]

Some noteworthy news. 12/31 is 190 days out and I was just checking the website. If you're in a +10 window, 12/30 and 12/31 are bookable.

This is practically unheard of - often those special nights are added later and we all spend days/hours watching and waiting.

Current dessert party ADR times look like:

View attachment 332382

Last year, 12/30 & 12/31 fireworks were 6:30 pm and 11:50 pm. These ADR times seems to suggest a similar schedule this year.

Same as last year, same price as a standard night party.

For the New Years crowd - time to start planning!

THANKS for posting this! I wasn't even looking to book this at 5:00 this morning! I had no idea it would even be available at 180 days.

 

[mlnbabies]

I'm thinking of doing the After the fireworks dessert party on July 17. I'm not very familiar with the tomorrowland terrace or the garden. Will it be hard to get back to the terrace after the fireworks (will be be going against the crowd). We have a BOG adr at 6:00 so I'm trying to decide if we are going to want to eat desserts after a big meal. Has anyone done both? I'm thinking if we do the after party, that gives us a little more time for the food to settle.

We did the after party on 6-20. As soon as the fireworks were over, we left the viewing area and went to the left toward the terrace. It wasn't too hard to get across. the check in desk was on the right hand side of the walk way.

 

[gap2368]

So I am doing one of the first MNSSHP in September ( I forgot my date) any way on the website when I booked the party it also had something else listed I did not look too much into this as I thought it was just saying you need a special ticket and a few even things turns out Disney had on their website that not only do we get the dessert party but also a special parade viewing spot they apparently did not mean to have this add because I got a phone call today saying they were sorry for the confusion but since they messed up they would honor the parade reserved spot. so if anyone else has a desserty party for the september one you might be getting a phone call

 

[dizneeat]

So I am doing one of the first MNSSHP in September ( I forgot my date) any way on the website when I booked the party it also had something else listed I did not look too much into this as I thought it was just saying you need a special ticket and a few even things turns out Disney had on their website that not only do we get the dessert party but also a special parade viewing spot they apparently did not mean to have this add because I got a phone call today saying they were sorry for the confusion but since they messed up they would honor the parade reserved spot. so if anyone else has a desserty party for the september one you might be getting a phone call

Interesting, thanks for posting! We are booked for the dessert party Sept. 3 and I wrote to Guest Services asking about that, but haven't heard back yet. Don't think they will call us here in Austria.

 

[lauris87]

For those who have done the BEFORE party....what is it like after the show as far as trying to get out and go on more rides? I'm assuming tomorrowland is the best bet to get to. Is it crazy?? I can't decide between the before or after party.....

 

[glvsav37]

For those who have done the BEFORE party....what is it like after the show as far as trying to get out and go on more rides? I'm assuming tomorrowland is the best bet to get to. Is it crazy?? I can't decide between the before or after party.....

thats where we usually go.....trying to cross over to the other side of the park is just not possible. Even up through the walkways along side the castle is very hard. Plan on doing something in TMWL and then loop around through fantasyland.

 

[disny_luvr]

I I posted my review last night on the dessert party I attended yesterday. Here are two pictures I took. The first shows the garden just before the show. The second one shows how everyone stood up and moved forward as the show was starting, leaving a nice, open space for my family.

 

[glvsav37]

I think the last few posts and pictures have confirmed it, I'm going to try the garden party. We've done the plaza a few times (before the garden was an option and you could stand at the rails) and I think there is a better shot at getting a good view in the garden then rolling the dice with the tables in the plaza.

 

[gap2368]

Interesting, thanks for posting! We are booked for the dessert party Sept. 3 and I wrote to Guest Services asking about that, but haven't heard back yet. Don't think they will call us here in Austria.

I think I am doing the September 7 and just got the phone call today I would guess they will do the same thing for you if you also had the parade viewing area or when you get to Disney you could stop by GR and ask them. I plane to do this as I am not sure where the parade viewing area is or what parade it is for.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So I am doing one of the first MNSSHP in September ( I forgot my date) any way on the website when I booked the party it also had something else listed I did not look too much into this as I thought it was just saying you need a special ticket and a few even things turns out Disney had on their website that not only do we get the dessert party but also a special parade viewing spot they apparently did not mean to have this add because I got a phone call today saying they were sorry for the confusion but since they messed up they would honor the parade reserved spot. so if anyone else has a desserty party for the september one you might be getting a phone call

I think I am doing the September 7 and just got the phone call today I would guess they will do the same thing for you if you also had the parade viewing area or when you get to Disney you could stop by GR and ask them. I plane to do this as I am not sure where the parade viewing area is or what parade it is for.

Be glad you have missed the last 30 pages and 1,000 posts on the MNSSHP thread on this topic! (Although some of which I contributed to, full disclosure!)

But yes, the gist for those that don’t follow all of the details...

When MNSSHP dessert party dates became bookable the website had language indicating reserved parade viewing was included. Parade viewing was included with the Terrace Viewing Party in 2016 but not 2017. The website had this parade viewing info for at least a few weeks.

Disney eventually removed the parade viewing language from the website, causing confusion.

Disney is now reaching out to anyone who booked prior to 6/18 when the website contained the incorrect information about parade viewing and letting them know they’ll still honor the parade viewing. But, it is only for those who booked pre-6/18 when the information was inaccurate.

You can check-in starting at 4:30pm to get parade viewing credentials and specific viewing location information.

Viewing is for the first parade, but they do not know what time that parade will be (has not been finalized yet). Last year the first parade was 9:15pm but prior years it was 8:30pm. Many have discussed the potential tight (to borderline impossible) timeframe between parade and fireworks (which is probably ultimately why they did away with parade viewing last year in the first place).

Anyway - sorry - long post!

 

[chuff88]

Be glad you have missed the last 30 pages and 1,000 posts on the MNSSHP thread on this topic! (Although some of which I contributed to, full disclosure!)

But yes, the gist for those that don’t follow all of the details...

When MNSSHP dessert party dates became bookable the Terrace Viewing Party (not the Plaza Garden Viewing Party) website had language indicating reserved parade viewing was included. Parade viewing was included with the Terrace Viewing Party in 2016 but not 2017. The website had this parade viewing info for at least a few weeks.

Disney eventually removed the parade viewing language from the website, causing confusion.

Disney is now reaching out to anyone who booked prior to 6/18 when the website contained the incorrect information about parade viewing and letting them know they’ll still honor the parade viewing. But, it is only for those who booked pre-6/18 when the information was inaccurate.

You can check-in starting at 4:30pm to get parade viewing credentials and specific viewing location information.

Viewing is for the first parade, but they do not know what time that parade will be (has not been finalized yet). Last year the first parade was 9:15pm but prior years it was 8:30pm. Many have discussed the potential tight (to borderline impossible) timeframe between parade and fireworks (which is probably ultimately why they did away with parade viewing last year in the first place).

Anyway - sorry - long post!

Just to clarify, I have the Plaza Garden Hallowishes party booked and they are also honoring parade viewing for people who booked that party prior to 6/18. The language indicating parade viewing for this group was not as strong, but there were parts in the "Know Before You Go" section that indicated parade viewing was available.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just to clarify, I have the Plaza Garden Hallowishes party booked and they are also honoring parade viewing for people who booked that party prior to 6/18. The language indicating parade viewing for this group was not as strong, but there were parts in the "Know Before You Go" section that indicated parade viewing was available.

Ha, yes, I just caught up on another new 5 pages of the MNSSHP thread to see that!

 

[BraveEeyore]

Some noteworthy news. 12/31 is 190 days out and I was just checking the website. If you're in a +10 window, 12/30 and 12/31 are bookable.

This is practically unheard of - often those special nights are added later and we all spend days/hours watching and waiting.

Current dessert party ADR times look like:

View attachment 332382

Last year, 12/30 & 12/31 fireworks were 6:30 pm and 11:50 pm. These ADR times seems to suggest a similar schedule this year.

Same as last year, same price as a standard night party.

For the New Years crowd - time to start planning!

I booked the 31, late show, yesterday!!! So excited

 

[Lsdolphin]

We attended "Before" HEA dessert Party last night (6/24). The thunder storms cleared out just in time for the area to dry off. In spite of the weather it looked like everyone made the party as the dessert seating area was packed with maybe one or two empty tables. The small water bottles were great to have and their was a great choice of desserts. We especially enjoyed the fruit and cheese platters. I did ask if I could have a box to take some desserts to the viewing area and I was told "no" and given a small plastic plate instead. No problem since I had brought my own container anyway, I just asked to see if they would give me anything.
We entered garden area around 8:15 and there were quite a few people there who were sitting on spread out ponchos and some people already standing at front railing. The "highly recommended" (by dis-board) back left corner facing the castle was empty. The area all around was full of people mostly sitting on ground but the space directly in front of us remained empty until just before the fireworks. The garden appeared packed but then when the fireworks began most people stood up and their really was plenty of space.

In spite of weather and crowd concerns both the dessert and viewing aspects of entire experience were great and we would definitely do this party again!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just wanted to take a quick second and thank the MANY DISers who have stopped by recently to share their thoughts/experiences on recent dessert parties. They are incredibly helpful to all of us!

A huge !!!

Post #1 has been updated with the latest review links.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I'm thinking of doing the After the fireworks dessert party on July 17. I'm not very familiar with the tomorrowland terrace or the garden. Will it be hard to get back to the terrace after the fireworks (will be be going against the crowd). We have a BOG adr at 6:00 so I'm trying to decide if we are going to want to eat desserts after a big meal. Has anyone done both? I'm thinking if we do the after party, that gives us a little more time for the food to settle.

With fireworks at 9:15, that means you'll be eating desserts around 9:35-9:40ish - to me that's a reasonable time between dinner and a sweat treat to top off the night (although highly personal I guess).

It's reasonably easy to get from the Plaza back to the Tomorrowland Terrace after the show. Not sure how they're handling it - whether you are on your own or you're escorted - but it's kind of with the flow and not terribly far.

We will be there during this time. Can I book it if my 180 days starts on Saturday?

180 days from Saturday is 12/27/2018. Your +10 booking window should include 12/30 & 12/31.

 

[haileymarie92]

Just booked the Garden before show dessert party for our trip in September. We only have 1 MK day (plus a MNSSHP) so we are excited to have a guaranteed spot for HEA. Plus yummy snacks!