Talk to me about dessert viewing parties.... worth it?

[FastPasser.]

I never felt that any dessert party was worth it. I was amazed and glad that a lot of people felt otherwise because as a CM that worked in the department that put them on, I enjoyed hosting them at Epcot and DHS.

 

[kiddywhompus]

We just got back from WDW Christmas week. We had a dessert party on December 21st, and the park was packed. This was a splurge for our family, but I am so glad we did it! I find most of the value is the space, so it depends on how busy the parks are. The desserts are good, beer and wine, cocoa and juices....the kids loved it! We had the plaza view and couldn't have been happier. There was enough room for people to lay down for a quick nap before the fireworks, and during the show, small kids were able to twirl and dance without bumping into people. I also appreciated when a dad put his son on his shoulders, a CM quickly came over and told him kids could not sit on shoulders! We had a great view.
It was strange to look beyond the rod iron fence into the crowds, who at times were unable to move because it was so packed. The one down side is that it will take a little while to get out, due to the density of the crowd outside of the plaza.

 

[Sakura1017]

For the fireworks party I see you can do 3 different options. The pre-and post party have plaza viewing while the during is seats from Tomorrowland. Do they put everyone that is in in pre and post party in the same viewing section in plaza? Or do they split it based on sides? How are the crowd levels if booking a fireworks party?

If you choose the Tomorrowland seats, are you still able to see the castle projections?

 

[Sakura1017]

I snagged a table at Casey's Corner and had a great view of the castle/fireworks. I purchased snacks and saved a few hundred bucks. The Cast members kept people from stopping in the walkway, so we had an unblocked view.

What time were you able to score a table? Would cast members kick you out if you were sitting there and didn't have any snacks?

 

[jaysmom4285]

For the fireworks party I see you can do 3 different options. The pre-and post party have plaza viewing while the during is seats from Tomorrowland. Do they put everyone that is in in pre and post party in the same viewing section in plaza? Or do they split it based on sides? How are the crowd levels if booking a fireworks party?

If you choose the Tomorrowland seats, are you still able to see the castle projections?

If you look at the 11th post on this thread, from dizneyfamof4, there's a picture of the view of the castle from the Tomorrowland Terrace. You can see that you're at quite an angle from the castle, which is partially obscured by trees and bushes. I haven't watched the show from there, but I would imagine that the projections would be difficult to see, at least as they are meant to be seen from the front. The fireworks would be pretty well visible, but they are set up to frame the castle from a front on view. You will see them, but they won't have quite the same effect.

Edited to add - the pre and post party people are in the same viewing section at the same time, no separation. There's more discussion on the first page about relative crowd levels inside the party viewing area vs. viewing from outside that area.

 

[abonomo]

Hello! I have done both the pre and post dessert party with hub seating and to my family it is "worth it". Yes, they do seat both the pre and post dessert party patrons in the same area at the hub. But we have always gotten there early and it's never terribly crowded and there is always room. Personally, I prefer the post party. With the pre-dessert party, I was always worried and rushing to get down to the hub to "get a spot". And while I am not a night person by any means, I really enjoyed the leisurely pace of the post party. Plus, you don't leave with the crowd of people exiting Magic Kingdom after the fireworks. Another plus, there are bathrooms right there and it's easy to get in and out of the hub area with the wristband they give you. Is it worth it for the food - to us, no. The food was great - we just couldn't eat enough! But is it worth it for the view, ease and space. For our family, totally.

 

[LMB1419]

I had no idea this was a thing! I am definitely checking into this!

 

[iloveftwilderness]

What time were you able to score a table? Would cast members kick you out if you were sitting there and didn't have any snacks?

I sat down about 20 minutes before, and no the cast members don't kick you out.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I would also look into other options. Depending on your situation, what type of experience you would prefer or work best for you. I've done the dessert and viewings in both area also. But for the money > go eat at Contempary 's Californian grille or enter Bar and get seating. at least your cost is going toward a nice dinner and view. At fireworks time your escorted to the outdoor viewing area with music piped in and it gives you a really spectacular view. 2nd favorite option is having a MKV room in Contempary, turn the tv to the firework station and go out on your balcony. You can also take a walk or monorail to Contempary and go out on the 4th floor balcony but view is partially obstructed by monorail. Better yet is finding one of the side staircase landings with a view, but no music. Less favorites would be Poly beach or GF dock area or beach. They are ground level and Poly is way farther than you would think making castle very small. GF is a side type view. There is also the "boat cruises". We signed up had a pontoon cruise in the lake and then he parked and we had snacks and music on the pontoon for the fireworks. Yes many of these are pricey but your getting wayyyyyyyyyyyyy more than the dessert party. My sis is allergic to chocolate and after several exhausting phone calls and conversations > the food was so not worth it. And still you would hope people would all work together so everyone can see in the garden or seating area but that is certainly not always the case. unfortunately. Yes, it always a big decision but way your options and price. I got really tired of waiting forever in front of castle thinking we will just wait it out for this spot and have a one time great view. Wrong after hours waiting the the show beginning people sprang to their feet and the tall family in front of me puts kids on shoulders so they can see perfectly. Unfortunately i'm 5' on a good day and was the worse view ever. We tried to move around gave up and headed to a less dense crowd area for a view I could of had anywhere. But, terriffic when it works

 

[MinnierellaMama]

Just my personal opinion but I would forgo the MK fireworks altogether and do one of the shows at the other parks if that’s an option. I have a 6 year old that really struggled with noise sensitivity when she was younger (even with headphones) so we we would always watch the shows from a pretty large distance (boardwalk area for Epcot, etc.) Just this last year, her sensitivity has eased so we stayed a little longer at MK to try and watch the show and do some rides in the event it was a bust. The show was fine but super crowded even in the party areas on the lawn. The biggest thing for us was leaving the park — I’ve never seen such crowds. The monorail was down so everyone was either ferry or bus and it was a complete wall to wall zoo. Those crowds alone and we said we would just skip the MK ones moving forward and stick to the shows at the other parks. The fireworks and party, in my opinion, weren’t worth the extra cost and hassle.

 

[shystalips]

It was worth it a few times when it was around $30 pp for me. At these prices, no way unless it is an extremely busy week like the holidays.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My 12 yr old is crowd averse and anxious, thinking this might be a god option to see fireworks/shows without worrying about being crowded. Is it worth it?

IMO, in general, no.

If the parks are too crowded to feel comfortable, it is possible to watch the fireworks outside the park. Now it isn't quite the same views, but IMO, the worst part of the fireworks crowd is often what happens when fireworks are over. AFTER the fireworks, there is the mob of people moving about the hub then exiting the park. Best to avoid the whole mess.

If you want to be out of crowds, and not pay an arm and a leg, then anyone can watch them from the Contemporary. Another option is the TTC. (not perfect, but not crowded either). Simply exit the park before they even start, and you won't have to fight the crowds to exit the park. (Alternately, you can stay late in the park.)

Where are you staying? If at a deluxe, consider the Contemporary.

For a more premium view, staying at the hotel (tower, park view), might be one option, comfortably watching from your balcony.

Another option is to dine at Cali Grill, also a bit $$ these days, but IMO, that is more worth the money, assuming you can snag a table at the correct time. You want your ADR to be about 30 min before they start if possible. (I have not booked the most recent version of Cali, so they might have fixed times).

Another dinner with a nice view is Narcoosees. Some 'Ohana tables have a view, but not all do.

Ultimately though...if you pay for a party you will be stuck with paying for it, even if it is still too crowded for your 12 year old. Whereas, watching from the CR or TTC is free and painless.

 

[raidermatt]

My 12 yr old is crowd averse and anxious, thinking this might be a god option to see fireworks/shows without worrying about being crowded. Is it worth it?

Is it worth it for the food? Not even close.

Is it worth it to avoid crowds in your situation, absolutely, assuming it is important to you to see the fireworks on/near Main St. Otherwise you will most definitely have to deal with crowds, while waiting for the show, during the show, and especially after the show.

I hate being packed in with crowds and trying to maneuver through them. I wouldn't call it anxiety, but even so I find the parties worth it for that reason alone. The desserts are a bonus.

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

We have done the party about a half a dozen times. Worth every penny if you ask me. We call it the "chardonnay party". We go, we have some cheese and pita chips or whatever they have, a couple of desserts, we have about 3 glasses of wine, wait right until 10 minutes before the fireworks start and get our escort to the viewing area. No waiting sitting on the cement or the grass. We too like to hang out at the back rail.

 

[nurseberta]

We have done the party about a half a dozen times. Worth every penny if you ask me. We call it the "chardonnay party". We go, we have some cheese and pita chips or whatever they have, a couple of desserts, we have about 3 glasses of wine, wait right until 10 minutes before the fireworks start and get our escort to the viewing area. No waiting sitting on the cement or the grass. We too like to hang out at the back rail.

Thanks for all the feedback! Def going to try the afterparty!! will report back! it will be nice to be on Main street once and experience it! Then I can decide if it's something I would repeat!! plan is to hit Tomorrowland while the crowds disperse!!

 

[RedStars]

We have done the party about a half a dozen times. Worth every penny if you ask me. We call it the "chardonnay party". We go, we have some cheese and pita chips or whatever they have, a couple of desserts, we have about 3 glasses of wine, wait right until 10 minutes before the fireworks start and get our escort to the viewing area. No waiting sitting on the cement or the grass. We too like to hang out at the back rail.

Asking as someone who is 5'2"...how's the view from the back rail?

I like the idea of snacks and wine before the fireworks and then hanging towards the back but I'm short so I'm wondering if it makes more sense to book post-fireworks party so I can get a good spot beforehand. If only they served wine and cheese in the viewing spot...

If it matters, we're considering doing a fireworks dessert party on a night with EEH so we would stay in the park for rides after.

 

[jaysmom4285]

Asking as someone who is 5'2"...how's the view from the back rail?

I like the idea of snacks and wine before the fireworks and then hanging towards the back but I'm short so I'm wondering if it makes more sense to book post-fireworks party so I can get a good spot beforehand. If only they served wine and cheese in the viewing spot...

If it matters, we're considering doing a fireworks dessert party on a night with EEH so we would stay in the park for rides after.

I'm admittedly taller than that by several inches, but I don't think you'll have any problem. The castle is elevated from where you're standing, and you can see it and the projections over people's heads. The annoying thing is if someone right in front of you puts a child on their shoulders, but that is discouraged, and some CMs will ask that the child be put down. I think the view from the back rail is very good. Most of the people will instinctively move forward when the show starts, and that leaves a fair amount of space in the back. You can't exactly sit on the rail, but you can rest against it enough to take some of the load off.

 

[meganamariab]

Asking as someone who is 5'2"...how's the view from the back rail?

I like the idea of snacks and wine before the fireworks and then hanging towards the back but I'm short so I'm wondering if it makes more sense to book post-fireworks party so I can get a good spot beforehand. If only they served wine and cheese in the viewing spot...

If it matters, we're considering doing a fireworks dessert party on a night with EEH so we would stay in the park for rides after.

I am 5'4 and we sat at the very back on the rail & I saw everything perfectly!

 

[bluedolphin32]

For the fireworks party I see you can do 3 different options. The pre-and post party have plaza viewing while the during is seats from Tomorrowland. Do they put everyone that is in in pre and post party in the same viewing section in plaza? Or do they split it based on sides? How are the crowd levels if booking a fireworks party?

If you choose the Tomorrowland seats, are you still able to see the castle projections?

They pre-post viewing area is shared. This is one reason I plan to do the post party next time. Gives you time to get to the viewing area first. I felt rushed getting desserts beforehand last time to get to the viewing area. Still not as crowded as the hub, but they sell as many tickets as they can to the dessert parties these days.

What time were you able to score a table? Would cast members kick you out if you were sitting there and didn't have any snacks?

I don't know when people start staking out these tables for fireworks, but we grabbed dinner at Casey's around 6 on our last visit. There were no tables available for people coming out with their food. Lots of people saving tables or not eating. It took us 15 minutes to finally get a standing table and our food was no longer hot. It was frustrating. I wish they could enforce that the tables are for people who are eating, at least around meal time.

 

[Disturbia]

FYI on 12/30 and 12/31 the Poly beach is reserved for resort guests only (need wristbands). Also, the boat transportation closes at around 11pm for the 360 fireworks.

https://wdwnt.com/2021/12/disneys-p...years-eve-beach-party-with-fireworks-viewing/