Hello everyone! I'd said earlier on the thread that I would report back with my experience after we returned home, so here I am!
we did the dessert party on 7/15, and it was our first time at the party, so I have no frame of reference regarding the other one!
My pictures aren't a whole lot different than anyone else's, except I took about a million of the castle and fireworks more than the desserts!
I will have the pictures up on my trip report in a couple of days
We were one of the first people in line waiting, maybe 10 people ahead of us? It does look very pretty on the Terrace, with the sunset glowing in the distance, and the lanterns glowing on the tables. There's a nice atmosphere. You are greeted by the party CMs, offered a glass of sparkling cider, and taken to your table. I'm easy to please, because I LOVED seeing the little card with our name on it at the table. We were dead center in front of the castle.
This is taken from my seat, but off to the side a bit, because the ice cream guy was also in front of our table.
The desserts were good, not spectacular, but I wasn't expecting them to be. To be honest, I appreciated that they weren't crazy heavy, since the hour was growing late and the day had been so warm. Eating rich desserts at 930pm on a 90 degree July day in central Florida just seems like a recipe for disaster, LOL.
My kids enjoyed the ice cream sundae cart, but DH and I didn't have any.
The only thing that I was disappointed about was that it still seemed crowded to me. Granted, it was MUCH better than being out in the crowd on Main Street or in the FP area, but I felt like we still had to fight a little for our spots at the railing once Wishes began. We went to the railing when the first people started stirring and moving up there, so I thought we'd be safe, but slowly our area began to shrink, and before we knew it, the boys were at the railing and DH and I had to stand behind them. It didn't diminish our view that much, but it was still irritating, mostly because it was adults, not kids, doing the shoving.
The view of Tink making her flight from the castle was perfect, and the fireworks were beautiful.
Now, for the big question...would we book it again?
Maybe.
I'm going to be honest with you, the cost is a non-issue for us. Not because we're loaded, but because it was paid for so long ago, that it just wasn't even on our minds. Was it pricey at the time of payment? Yes. But, again,it was paid for months ago. It will not enhance your enjoyment of a thing to sit and think about what it costs. If I did that, I'm not sure I could enjoy anything. I hate spending money, and it annoys my husband to no end, so this is the word of a cheapskate (although I don't clutch the wallet so tightly at Disney!)
Was it worth it?
To us, sure! At least for a one time experience. It was nice not being crushed to death by the crowds on main street and feeling not-so-magical-feelings for the other people around us. The most I felt at the party was mild irritation, mostly at myself, for not holding my ground at the rail, LOL!! Elbows out!!
I loved seeing the faces of everyone as they watched the fireworks and listened to the music (and to those of you who asked if the sound was brought in, I honestly could not tell you. I could hear everything perfectly, and was too in the moment to notice if it was coming from a speaker or just loud enough from the castle...I suspect it was a speaker on the terrace, because it was loud and clear)
If you have any specific questions, I'll answer as best I can, and like I said, I'll have more photos in my trip report, but they're mostly of fireworks and the dessert buffet, which are pretty much the same as the ones that have already been posted.
I hope this was helpful to someone!!
