Too bad the fireworks receptions are horrible now.

[Mrs.AMC]

I find it quite interesting you say "now" because I thought they were always exactly like they are now. As in, I've done them since 2008 and did one in 2022. There is no difference in them.
They've never been great. It's a very poor way to see fireworks. I never do it if it's the only way we have to see the fireworks. We do it for other reasons, never just to see fireworks.
I never suggest it for seeing fireworks. Maybe the garden version of the event but never the seated one. Even seats on the rails is mediocre view, at best

 

[Mrs.AMC]

They have been doing this for many years. We went in 2015 (my DD was in DCP so I took her) and we were first in line. We still were sat towards the back. They said that is how they do it, they assign in order of when you booked and based on party size. This is something I think is standard for things like this, Hoop Dee Doo etc. I'm surprised you could move to the railing, I've heard from others that they were told to stay in their seats.

I do agree with you that the event has gotten more expensive with less food offerings and if you had bad audio that is a problem as well. We went about 4 years ago to the Garden party and I said then never again. We loved the garden view but felt the food offering was no where near what we had previously.

Def share your comments with WDW, they need to hear where they are dropping the ball.

We attended the event, seated version, on July 5th 2022
Seats were NOT assigned.
We were escorted in and told to pick our table, and at that time a reserved sign was placed on it
We have attended other nights on other years and it was assigned.
So it is not consistent clearly.

However, one thing that is consistent, even at the rail, you can't see well. Never have been able to. Seeing how they have had the same view since the event began I don't see how complaining is going to change that. The view is what the view is. Poor. They really have no where else to hold it.

 

[mrp4352]

I think it depends on why you're booking it. The garden view seats are prime real estate, and you get to roll in 15 minutes before the show starts rather than an hour. The assigned seating at the dessert portion also doesn't really matter since you're not watching the show.

We purposefully did the desserts after the fireworks in July because both parties share the same real estate for the fireworks. The garden area was full 30 minutes prior to the fireworks. We were glad we had gotten there 45 minutes early to ensure a spot along the back fence to lean. I will say - about 5-10 minutes before the show, the crowds pushed towards the front and there was suddenly much more space, but if you need to be able to lean against a fence, you still have to get there very early.

 

[bluedolphin32]

I keep debating keeping or cancelling our dessert party for November (garden view, not treats and seats) and this is now having me lean toward canceling. Heh...

If you are doing it for the seating, keep it. If you are doing it for the food, cancel it. Think of it as a priority seating ticket (for the garden viewing only) with some treats thrown in as a thank you.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

If you are doing it for the seating, keep it. If you are doing it for the food, cancel it. Think of it as a priority seating ticket (for the garden viewing only) with some treats thrown in as a thank you.

Or if you are doing it to have a good view of fireworks with a bit of elbow room that you don't have to stake out well in advance, keep it
The food is just a slight bonus. The desserts are ok. But not a reason to book it for sure.

 

[Scalemaster34]

In the past the Fireworks show was just a Fireworks show.... this was actually were we liked to watch Fireworks - before their was a desert party. But today much of the "show" is in the projections on the Castle, and the Tomorrowland Terrace area doesn't offer a good view of that part of the "show". For what it's worth.... they ought to do the party on the Liberty Belle, around the back side of the island it might offer a great view of the Fireworks portion of the show. Throw in some Character onboard...

 

[Mousetopia]

Actually, for Hoop Dee Doo you could always choose a certain section of the room when booking, so you didn't have to be stuck in the back.

While this is correct, there are 3 categories(sections). Within each category they seat based on who reserved first and number in party. So within your category if you are last to book you may be at the back of that section.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I agree the PP's who preferred the Illuminations and Star Wars. The Garden View I book only fireworks and castle view. I can't stand for long periods.

I did it the beggining of the month and next day cancelled my second reservertion for later in the week. The food had only cheese as a savory and and the desserts were Sam's club quality. The viewing area was packed and unfortunately, the family of 5 behind me was quite active to be as nice a possible. Completely invaded my personal space. Little girl was blowing bubble into my face. The parents KNEW she was doing it, kept saying "If you keep blowing bubbles in peoples faces I'm taking it" It is more than just annoying. My glasses were terrible spotted.

It is all over the boards and the reviews that the Fireworks viewing in the seated section is terrible.

 

[raidermatt]

The views of the fireworks from the seated section are fine. Off center, but fine. The projections are various levels of obstructed depending on your exact vantage point. The desserts have most certainly gone downhill, and frankly, there are often people taking more advantage of the included wine than they should.

The only reason I have still been willing to do it is the fact I hate, and I mean absolutely hate, standing shoulder to shoulder in crowds waiting for a show, and then dealing with the mad rush the second the lights come back up. But it is most definitely getting harder to justify.

 

[DeeCee735]

Our first trip back to the parks since 2019. Wanted to celebrate by purchasing tickets to the fireworks reception at about $115.00 per person. Showed up early as suggested only to find our seats were in the back and "were assigned ahead of time." Got no explanation why and why we couldn't move up. The viewing sucked since they have moved the tables back since re it had rained earlier but not in the forecast for the remainder of the evening.

Time for show, I moved up to the railing and then found that the sound was abysmal. Couldn't hear the music or any dialog. I maybe can excuse the lousy seats but why can't they provide some decent speakers? We spend over $450 for the four of us in our party. I knew we wouldn't see all the projections, etc., but thought at least we could hear the music.

Definitely not worth the money. This wasn't our first time buying tickets there but will most certainly be the last. Felt ripped off.

You did get ripped off. In comparison to the past fireworks dessert parties, these are shameful. When we did them back in the near beginning, not only was the cost $50 a person (which seems more than enough considering the options are not that good and the humidity melts everything) but the seats were great AND there was a photographer present to take your pics with the castle in the back. Do they still do that?

I do know this, Chapek will keep raising the prices as long as people pay. Unfortunately people coming for the first time or coming back after a few years, don’t know these things are going to suck because the price tag suggests excellence. And anything less than excellent for $115 pp is unacceptable.

Jmho
Dee

 

[Scalemaster34]

The only reason I have still been willing to do it is the fact I hate, and I mean absolutely hate, standing shoulder to shoulder in crowds waiting for a show, and then dealing with the mad rush the second the lights come back up. But it is most definitely getting harder to justify.

Why I watch Fireworks from back at the rear of the park, no crowds or mad rush.... of costs. Can find a nice seat withing 10 Mins of the Fireworks, right after picking up a snack. You don't get the projection, which is a big part of the show.... so not really an option for those visiting for the first time ever or first time in years. But it fits how we do Disney, which is usually only doing MK Fireworks on nights there are EEH.

 

[klmall]

We did the Star Wars Spectacular dessert party back in April 2017. Food was excellent and included many non-dessert items and great beverages. I think the cost was around $85. But the CMs were late in escorting us to the Fireworks viewing area (with no seating) and DH on his ECV couldn't see much at all especially when a couple with their 'overgrown' pre-schooler riding on dad's shoulders and waving his light saber the entire show squeezed in front of us with mom loudly filming the entire thing. (I felt like asking the mom to send us a copy of her video since her DH/son were so much in the way.) We were so tightly crammed in we could barely move. We would have been better off just arriving early and finding places behind the walkway line (but in front of the dessert party viewing area). DH was not happy to say the least for the price we paid. I did get some decent projection pics though by gently forcing my way to the right of this family.

In November 2019 I booked an MK dessert party (forgot name) that included good desserts and several savory items in Tomorrowland Terrace (no reserved seats) and being escorted to the Plaza Garden to view the fireworks. The offerings were excellent and $84 didn't seem too bad. There was plenty of space to spread out and I just leaned against the back fence and enjoyed the show. Sometimes people would get in my way but it wasn't really a problem. Here's a couple pics from that night.

It's such a shame that the food quality has deteriorated as well as the viewing situation. Needless to say we aren't booking any dessert parties this upcoming trip!

 

[DeeCee735]

Glad your experiences were mostly good. I just think $85 (plus tax I’m guessing) commands excellence, as it wasn’t a sit down meal or anything
Iike that. However, I know me…and if my grandkids want to do it one day, I’ll probably cave and pay the price!

Dee

 

[gorkt]

Geez I am starting to rethink buying dessert party tickets. We have always enjoyed them in the past, but it seems like the experience has degraded significantly.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

We did the Star Wars Spectacular dessert party back in April 2017. Food was excellent and included many non-dessert items and great beverages. I think the cost was around $85. But the CMs were late in escorting us to the Fireworks viewing area (with no seating) and DH on his ECV couldn't see much at all especially when a couple with their 'overgrown' pre-schooler riding on dad's shoulders and waving his light saber the entire show squeezed in front of us with mom loudly filming the entire thing. (I felt like asking the mom to send us a copy of her video since her DH/son were so much in the way.) We were so tightly crammed in we could barely move. We would have been better off just arriving early and finding places behind the walkway line (but in front of the dessert party viewing area). DH was not happy to say the least for the price we paid. I did get some decent projection pics though by gently forcing my way to the right of this family.

In November 2019 I booked an MK dessert party (forgot name) that included good desserts and several savory items in Tomorrowland Terrace (no reserved seats) and being escorted to the Plaza Garden to view the fireworks. The offerings were excellent and $84 didn't seem too bad. There was plenty of space to spread out and I just leaned against the back fence and enjoyed the show. Sometimes people would get in my way but it wasn't really a problem. Here's a couple pics from that night.

It's such a shame that the food quality has deteriorated as well as the viewing situation. Needless to say we aren't booking any dessert parties this upcoming trip!

No viewing situation has changed at any dessert party.
The garden viewing is exactly the same as it's always been.
The seated viewing is exactly as it's always been.
Food offerings change all the time, yes. Some say it's worse, some say it's not. That's a matter of personal preference. Considering we thought the savory offerings were awful it doesn't matter that they are gone, as one example. Others liked them and think the loss of them are a downgrade.

 

[DeeCee735]

No viewing situation has changed at any dessert party.
The garden viewing is exactly the same as it's always been.
The seated viewing is exactly as it's always been.
Food offerings change all the time, yes. Some say it's worse, some say it's not. That's a matter of personal preference. Considering we thought the savory offerings were awful it doesn't matter that they are gone, as one example. Others liked them and think the loss of them are a downgrade.

The price changed. It went up up up and up. I remember the $25 days, $55 dollar days, $85 ish days and now I hear it’s $119?! For dessert and not too bad view….I understand many enjoy this and I’m happy to hear that, but for us, not in our wheelhouse for that amount of money.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

The price changed. It went up up up and up. I remember the $25 days, $55 dollar days, $85 ish days and now I hear it’s $119?! For dessert and not too bad view….I understand many enjoy this and I’m happy to hear that, but for us, not in our wheelhouse for that amount of money.

Ok. But, I never said anything about the price.
My comment was that the viewing location hasn't changed. It's the same as it's been since it started. The person I quoted specifically said

It's such a shame that the food quality has deteriorated as well as the viewing situation.

So that's what I was addressing.
That and deteriorated or changed, is a matter of perspective. The desserts have been pretty much the same since the beginning and since we felt the savory options were awful the loss of them was no loss. So even that wasn't really a difference. Heck, I like there's fresh fruit now.
But price, don't think you'll find a word in my post about price. I'm positive you won't. I didn't address it so not sure what you quoted me for

 

[Anna131517]

We’ve done the garden view desert party twice now, just for the ability to be in a less crowded area to see the fireworks. We never eat the food or drinks because we’re not hungry at that time of night. For us it has been worth it.

 

[RoseGold]

And they cut off the alcohol before the fireworks even ended. Wouldn't do it again or recommend, unless this is such a small amount of money to you that you don't even care.

 

[jdrasin]

Reading these comments on prices, I'm kinda in shock. I am a family of 4 (as I think is the average), so this would be $500 for a little convenience and some cheap desert. It's not even about being able to afford or not, that is just mind-boggling pricing.
But, if they are selling out, then more power to them.

Joseph