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

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you! I've read this alot... back left of the plaza. Can I assume that means as you are facing the castle, correct? Doing the After Party on 2/6 - first time ever seeing any fireworks at WDW!

Yes - THANK YOU, I meant castle above... not garden. I will go edit that.

Back, left (if facing the castle).

Hope you have a good experience - come back and let us know how it goes, if you think about it. Always good to hear fresh perspectives/experiences.

 

[amiskell28]

Yes - THANK YOU, I meant castle above... not garden. I will go edit that.

Back, left (if facing the castle).

Hope you have a good experience - come back and let us know how it goes, if you think about it. Always good to hear fresh perspectives/experiences.

Lol - good, didnt realize it was a mistake and thought I just read it wrong!

I certainly will come back with my experience!! Well.... maybe AFTER the Disney Depression is over...

 

[QueenElinor]

We were at the Terrace Party on the 26th and arrived about a half an hour earlier. Once we checked in, we were bought to our table.

When I last went in late fall, I arrived about 45 minutes before reservation time, and there were already about 12 people in line ahead of me. The CM who escorted me gave me a choice of table. At that time, most tables were open. Some CMs will ask if you have a table preference, while others will just show you to a table.

Besides the seating, the other major difference between the parties is that the Tomorrowland Terrace party guests receive the bag of chocolates as a thank you gift.

Were you guys able to leave and come back again? TBH, arriving that far ahead of time for something one has paid to reserve seems a bit antithetical to the whole point of the party.

 

[Lease257]

I just booked for March 1. It’s a Friday. Check in time says 6:30pm. I was really debating doing a party but MK closes at 8 that night so I figured it’s better than camping out for hours wasting park time trying to get a good spot on our last night in Disney. What time do you think the fireworks start on an 8:00 closing time? Or do you think the park hours will be updated?

6:30 was also the only available time that night. Is that bc after dessert wasn’t offered? Or it’s sold out?

 

[jaysmom4285]

I believe check in time is always an hour and a half before the fireworks, which are usually at MK closing time, and both the before and after dessert parties have the same check in time. If check in is at 6:30, the fireworks will be at 8. The after party people can stake out a good spot in the viewing area early if they want to, and the before party people can do the desserts first and go to the viewing area when they choose. We've done the before party a few times and have never found the need to go there early and spend a lot of time holding down a spot. There's always a place to stand, with ample personal space around you, and the view is perfect from wherever you are. In fact, we usually go over about ten minutes before the fireworks, preferring to linger over desserts and enjoy sitting for as long as possible. So, IMHO, there's no need to camp out for a viewing spot super early, unless it's really important for you to be in a particular place.

 

[shoreward]

When I last went in late fall, I arrived about 45 minutes before reservation time, and there were already about 12 people in line ahead of me. The CM who escorted me gave me a choice of table. At that time, most tables were open. Some CMs will ask if you have a table preference, while others will just show you to a table.

Were you guys able to leave and come back again? TBH, arriving that far ahead of time for something one has paid to reserve seems a bit antithetical to the whole point of the party.

You are given a band, so you can come and go. Once you are seated at your table, there is a reserved sign placed there, so nobody else can be assigned that table, even if you are not sitting there, at the time.
The reason for arriving early is to get the best choice of table, as the tables are first come, first served.
Last time I went, I saw a table with two glasses of sparkling cider, but nobody sitting there for most of the night. There was not anyone else who attempted to move there.

 

[smarrelly]

First post! Please help a newbie out. We've got reservations for the Plaza Garden viewing at 6:30, with fireworks starting at 8. I think I've read that I can check in, get a band and then come and go. I have a 6 and 7 year old who I don't think will be entertained enough to hang out from 6:30 to 8 so what's my best strategy? Should we check in at 6:30 and leave? Can we just show up at 7:30? I'm not worried about a table but the kids will revolt if the desserts are gone! Is there any reason to come early and if so, any recommendations on things to do between check in and the show starting? This is our second trip but it'll be our first time seeing any of the Disney fireworks. My kids just don't like to stay up late so this is our one "late" night. Thanks!!

 

[jaysmom4285]

You don't say if you're doing the before or after party. I'm assuming before, since you're concerned about desserts being gone if you show up at 7:30. From my experience and what others have said, the desserts are kept well stocked, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. Perhaps you could check in early (we often check in around 7 and are let in at 7:10) so you can be sure you have first crack at the desserts, and enjoy those with your kids for a while, and then leave to do something else. You'll be given a wristband, so you're free to come and go. Or you could wait to check in until 7:15 or 7:30, whatever you feel will give you enough time to have some desserts, and go over to the viewing area just before 8. There will be plenty of places to stand, even if you go that late. As I noted in a previous post, DH and I see no need to go to the viewing area an hour or more in advance to stake out a spot, since you can get a good view from anywhere.

 

[smarrelly]

You don't say if you're doing the before or after party. I'm assuming before, since you're concerned about desserts being gone if you show up at 7:30. From my experience and what others have said, the desserts are kept well stocked, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. Perhaps you could check in early (we often check in around 7 and are let in at 7:10) so you can be sure you have first crack at the desserts, and enjoy those with your kids for a while, and then leave to do something else. You'll be given a wristband, so you're free to come and go. Or you could wait to check in until 7:15 or 7:30, whatever you feel will give you enough time to have some desserts, and go over to the viewing area just before 8. There will be plenty of places to stand, even if you go that late. As I noted in a previous post, DH and I see no need to go to the viewing area an hour or more in advance to stake out a spot, since you can get a good view from anywhere.

Thanks! We have no plans after. Just heading back to hotel. We'll be in park that day from 1 - fireworks. I think our last fastpass window ends at 4:45. Sounds like we can just show up when we're ready and enjoy. Thanks again!

 

[QueenElinor]

You are given a band, so you can come and go. Once you are seated at your table, there is a reserved sign placed there, so nobody else can be assigned that table, even if you are not sitting there, at the time.
The reason for arriving early is to get the best choice of table, as the tables are first come, first served.
Last time I went, I saw a table with two glasses of sparkling cider, but nobody sitting there for most of the night. There was not anyone else who attempted to move there.

Thank you! That's what I was hoping.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Booked for July 4th (before party). I am still in shock that the dates were released this early and it wasn't sold out!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Booked for July 4th (before party). I am still in shock that the dates were released this early and it wasn't sold out!

Same thing happened with 12/30-31. Catches everyone off guard when actually released at 180!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Same thing happened with 12/30-31. Catches everyone off guard when actually released at 180!

I was so prepared to wait for May!!

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Booked for July 4th (before party). I am still in shock that the dates were released this early and it wasn't sold out!

I booked the July 3rd party at 6am at 180+3. I was scared it was already sold out!

It stunk that my 180 day was jan 1st!

 

[sunshine girl]

I booked the plaza garden before party for Thursday 1/31 and I am second guessing everything!

What I really want is a comfortable spot for all 7 of us to view the fireworks together. We're probably not going to eat many desserts anyway... the adults in my group are not big fans of sugary desserts. We have 4 adults and 3 kids age 15, 12 and 9.

I was hoping we could pop over to the desserts around 7:30, get a quick snack, and then walk over to the fireworks about 10 minutes beforehand. Fireworks are at 8pm. (Can we take desserts with us to the plaza viewing area?)

OR maybe I should do the after party? We are staying at AKL and will be taking a bus that day. I have no idea what to expect with the AKL buses immediately post-fireworks (the park closes at 8), and I wonder if it's better just to do the after-party and avoid the initial bus lines, or if the lines will only get worse if we wait and do desserts afterwards???

We're staying AKL club level which ALSO has snacks out until 10pm, so if we wait too long in the park, we might miss the club level snacks. Not a huge deal but a consideration.

DECISIONS ARE HARD!

 

[Araminta18]

I was hoping we could pop over to the desserts around 7:30, get a quick snack, and then walk over to the fireworks about 10 minutes beforehand. Fireworks are at 8pm. (Can we take desserts with us to the plaza viewing area?)

You can definitely take desserts over to the garden: we did when we had the plaza garden before party in September. We asked the CMs for to go boxes and cups and brought those over, but there were lots of the actual plates stacked on top of the trash can in the garden, so some people were just bringing over snacks on the plates.

 

[elgerber]

I booked the plaza garden before party for Thursday 1/31 and I am second guessing everything!

What I really want is a comfortable spot for all 7 of us to view the fireworks together. We're probably not going to eat many desserts anyway... the adults in my group are not big fans of sugary desserts. We have 4 adults and 3 kids age 15, 12 and 9.

I was hoping we could pop over to the desserts around 7:30, get a quick snack, and then walk over to the fireworks about 10 minutes beforehand. Fireworks are at 8pm. (Can we take desserts with us to the plaza viewing area?)

OR maybe I should do the after party? We are staying at AKL and will be taking a bus that day. I have no idea what to expect with the AKL buses immediately post-fireworks (the park closes at 8), and I wonder if it's better just to do the after-party and avoid the initial bus lines, or if the lines will only get worse if we wait and do desserts afterwards???

We're staying AKL club level which ALSO has snacks out until 10pm, so if we wait too long in the park, we might miss the club level snacks. Not a huge deal but a consideration.

DECISIONS ARE HARD!

Personally I would do the after and let the bus lines die down. Worked really well for us.

 

[sunshine girl]

Personally I would do the after and let the bus lines die down. Worked really well for us.

What time did you finally leave the park after the after-party? And how long was your wait for a bus at that point? Thanks in advance!

 

[Lisa F]

First post! Please help a newbie out. We've got reservations for the Plaza Garden viewing at 6:30, with fireworks starting at 8. I think I've read that I can check in, get a band and then come and go. I have a 6 and 7 year old who I don't think will be entertained enough to hang out from 6:30 to 8 so what's my best strategy? Should we check in at 6:30 and leave? Can we just show up at 7:30? I'm not worried about a table but the kids will revolt if the desserts are gone! Is there any reason to come early and if so, any recommendations on things to do between check in and the show starting? This is our second trip but it'll be our first time seeing any of the Disney fireworks. My kids just don't like to stay up late so this is our one "late" night. Thanks!!

On my last trip my son was 9 when we did this party so not MUCH difference

What i'd do is show up at check in time and let them enjoy the desserts at their own pace and then head over to the plaza. There will be room for them to move around a bit, if you have more than one adult one can take them to the bathroom (the ill-timed potty request is my child's specialty and i'm a single mom so it can be a real problem) and just kind of chill before the show without being packed in. I found after a long park day by that time of night my son really just wanted to sit and relax for a bit. It was well received downtime.

 

[amiskell28]

I booked the plaza garden before party for Thursday 1/31 and I am second guessing everything!

What I really want is a comfortable spot for all 7 of us to view the fireworks together. We're probably not going to eat many desserts anyway... the adults in my group are not big fans of sugary desserts. We have 4 adults and 3 kids age 15, 12 and 9.

I was hoping we could pop over to the desserts around 7:30, get a quick snack, and then walk over to the fireworks about 10 minutes beforehand. Fireworks are at 8pm. (Can we take desserts with us to the plaza viewing area?)

OR maybe I should do the after party? We are staying at AKL and will be taking a bus that day. I have no idea what to expect with the AKL buses immediately post-fireworks (the park closes at 8), and I wonder if it's better just to do the after-party and avoid the initial bus lines, or if the lines will only get worse if we wait and do desserts afterwards???

We're staying AKL club level which ALSO has snacks out until 10pm, so if we wait too long in the park, we might miss the club level snacks. Not a huge deal but a consideration.

DECISIONS ARE HARD!

So - I initially booked the Before Party. I called and had it changed to the After Party. My decision was like this:

1. We have dinner at 4:15. Probably won't be hungry for desserts that soon.
2. I'd be eating desserts and worrying about getting a "good spot" in the plaza, so I'd probably rush us through the desserts.
3. I figure we'll probably have to hang around a bit after the fireworks anyway while the masses head out - might as well be eating.
4. Helps us miss the initial crowds heading out (although we're staying at the Poly, so will have less of a commute than you).

You might want to consider Uber for afterwards.... the convenience may be worth it. Just a thought.