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

[kmc8826]

I have a dumb question about the tables.

DS and I did this party a few weeks and really enjoyed it. When we arrived around 7:45, we were escorted to a table with a pretty blue tablecloth and a Reserved sign on it, by the edge of the dessert party seating. Once we sat, they removed the little placard. From reading other posts, it seems this was an anomaly since usually you have to pick your own seat and claim it...and no tablecloths? It’s a small detail, but I’m trying to figure out if this was the norm (where they seat you) or if you are usually supposed to find your own seating and claim it...?

We did it in August and they showed the two of us to a table. Pretty sure there were tablecloths. We do it with the 5 of us next week and I will report back if our experience is different than in August.

 

[KdKyA]

How crowded wil a sold out Garden Plaza Dessert Party viewing be? We are going Dec. 1st and it looks like only seats for 2 are available. Will we be crowded out in the Plaza? The whole point in getting this reservation is to not have to save seats for hours on end. Thanks

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I have a dumb question about the tables.

DS and I did this party a few weeks and really enjoyed it. When we arrived around 7:45, we were escorted to a table with a pretty blue tablecloth and a Reserved sign on it, by the edge of the dessert party seating. Once we sat, they removed the little placard. From reading other posts, it seems this was an anomaly since usually you have to pick your own seat and claim it...and no tablecloths? It’s a small detail, but I’m trying to figure out if this was the norm (where they seat you) or if you are usually supposed to find your own seating and claim it...?

Did you do the Plaza Garden or Tomorrowland Terrace version?

 

[pangyal]

Did you do the Plaza Garden or Tomorrowland Terrace version?

We did the Plaza Garden version, I apologize for not clarifying that on the first round!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

How crowded wil a sold out Garden Plaza Dessert Party viewing be? We are going Dec. 1st and it looks like only seats for 2 are available. Will we be crowded out in the Plaza? The whole point in getting this reservation is to not have to save seats for hours on end. Thanks

Obviously ‘crowded’ is subjective, but I don’t think even a sold out party is going to really feel much different than the reports you tend to see around here. My posts on page 1 of this thread were from a sold out party. The plaza garden does tend to fill in, but it’s not “shoulder to shoulder” tight like it is in the Hub.

Hope that helps.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We did the Plaza Garden version, I apologize for not clarifying that on the first round!

Well, both have blue tablecloths. I don’t remember reserved signs, but I may have not noticed or they might have tinkered with the procedure? I’ve done a couple of parties this year... at the first they escorted us to the table area and said we could sit wherever we wanted. At the second, we were escorted to a specific table, although she did ask “will this work?” The second party did seem to me like they were organizing the table seating more than the first, which was more of a free for all.

That doesn’t really answer your question (sorry!) but maybe it helps.

 

[aviva5675]

We did the Plaza viewing party last night. A few thoughts: we got there super early- 7pm. Right away to me it was a little unlear where to go. The Tomorrowland viewing is on the left, and the Plaza viewing is on the right- in a raised area, past the podium. We finally went up to the podium to ask the guy what to do. He was new at the podium but checked us in right away and gave us our bracelets. I asked where do we go when its time to sit down and he said- back here. Which made no sense, since everyone else was in line checking in-so we go back to podium for seating? Actually, no. We stood off to the side and waited til about 730, at which point they were taking checking in people right inside the eating area. So we joined in and were shown inside= taken around the food/drink area and shown what was available, and then taken to our table.

By chance that was right at the railing with a bit of a view of the castle. They were doing taping that day so we actually saw some projections and even a fireworks part before the real show actually started. For whoever asked- the tables had table cloths, ours (a 2 top) was really long and I kept almost tripping on it.

We were then let go to do whatever eating we wanted. The mini desserts were good- maybe 10 different choices, ice cream, design your own cookie, cheeses, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold beverages. We were done eating by 750.

I had asked the guy when to go to the viewing area, he said 850. To myself I said, no way that is happening. At 8pm we were led into the viewing area by a cm and went right to the back fence, dead on the castle. I had read about leaning on fence and good viewing. This proved to be true. I actually sat down til about 855 and could probably have watched the Fireworks while seated. It was not what I would call crowded in our area at all. Had at least 8 feet of space all around.

After the show we left out the same entrance to viewing area and were shown by a cm to the back of Main St walking area, which was fantastic, since it avoided the millions on Main St. It comes out pretty close to the plaza/ tree area and we were able to leave really quickly. Had parked at Contemporary (for dinner) and walked back. That part was great.

Worth it? It was nice having reserved, great viewing area. Had never been inside MK for the Fireworks show before, so this was good. For the dessert part? Not a chance- there is no way you can eat basically $50 worth of tiny desserts without making yourself puke. Glad we did it, in Plaza viewing. Wont again. I can see where the Tomorr. land viewing would be blocked by the trees.

 

[Surgie2]

We have a 5:30 reservation at CG on a Saturday night in January and tickets to HEA dessert party Garden Plaza viewing. @GADisneyDad14 I think you said you arrived around 8:15? We don't care about the desserts so is our timetable doable...leisurely dinner then drive to MK and get to viewing area? I'm assuming we can't leave our car at Contemporary after dinner.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Thank you for the nice detailed review. We are doing it this Tuesday for the MVMCP fireworks. Not sure how different that will be.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We have a 5:30 reservation at CG on a Saturday night in January and tickets to HEA dessert party Garden Plaza viewing. @GADisneyDad14 I think you said you arrived around 8:15? We don't care about the desserts so is our timetable doable...leisurely dinner then drive to MK and get to viewing area? I'm assuming we can't leave our car at Contemporary after dinner.

Someone will correct me if I’m wrong but I think the time limit to park at a resort with an ADR is three hours?

If this were me, I’d valet at CR ($25 + tip) so you can leave your car after dinner and can just walk right over to MK. Then when you leave MK that night it’s a quick walk back to CR as well.

I read about people that go well in advance of the dessert party start time but to me that’s overkill for our particular style. When we’ve done the dessert party, our preference is to get there 8:15+. We aren’t that into the desserts (not because they are bad, just don’t care for the sugar bomb) so usually just sit for a few minutes to relax, maybe grab a cup of coffee and a bite or two, bathroom break, then go out to the Plaza.

I will concede this plan is probably a bit rushed for many folks, but it works for us since we don’t like to waste a lot of time just waiting around.

Hope that helps!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you for the nice detailed review. We are doing it this Tuesday for the MVMCP fireworks. Not sure how different that will be.

Would love to hear your feedback on doing the dessert party on a MVMCP night when you get back. We did a dessert party during MNSSHP earlier this year so just curious to compare thoughts.

Have y’all have fun!

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Would love to hear your feedback on doing the dessert party on a MVMCP night when you get back. We did a dessert party during MNSSHP earlier this year so just curious to compare thoughts.

Have y’all have fun!

I have done the desert party before - in 2010 (it's actually where I proposed to my wife). However, I have never done MVMCP. I will try to remember to post a review!

 

[goofy4tink]

We did the Plaza viewing Dessert Party Sat night. We were told to arrive at 7:30, so we did. It was somewhat confusing as there were two podiums. But, someone in front of us in line asked a CM...the line to the left was for the non-Plaza people, the line to the right was for the plaza viewing people. We were about 10 people back in the line. We were checked in and immediately shown to a table. There were long black tablecloths on each table, with colored lights on each top. The desserts were plentiful and good, as were the beverages. My dd's biggest issue was that when she went to get ice cream, they were out of whipped cream....after about 15 mins! That seemed a bit silly. We noticed that by 8:10 there was no place to sit. I had been advised to get over to the viewing area around 8:15-8:20. We had been instructed to just go to the podium when we were ready to leave and we would be walked over. So, we headed out around 8:15. The CM was waiting for part of another party to get back from the ladies room. As soon as that person joined us, we walked over to the viewing area. My dd and I took spots under a tree, by the back railing. We were able to sit down and relax prior to the start. There was a sizable crowd there, but plenty of room. We had a terrific view of the Castle and the show. Yes, we did have one of the light poles in our view but it wasn't bad.
Right after the show, CMs walked people out the backstage exit area if they wanted to leave the park.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Can anyone tell me the best strategy for heading to Frontierland after HEA? MK closes at midnight and we'd like to get a couple of last rides in, as it's our final MK night.

 

[buzznina]

We did the Plaza viewing party last night. A few thoughts: we got there super early- 7pm. Right away to me it was a little unlear where to go. The Tomorrowland viewing is on the left, and the Plaza viewing is on the right- in a raised area, past the podium. We finally went up to the podium to ask the guy what to do. He was new at the podium but checked us in right away and gave us our bracelets. I asked where do we go when its time to sit down and he said- back here. Which made no sense, since everyone else was in line checking in-so we go back to podium for seating? Actually, no. We stood off to the side and waited til about 730, at which point they were taking checking in people right inside the eating area. So we joined in and were shown inside= taken around the food/drink area and shown what was available, and then taken to our table.

By chance that was right at the railing with a bit of a view of the castle. They were doing taping that day so we actually saw some projections and even a fireworks part before the real show actually started. For whoever asked- the tables had table cloths, ours (a 2 top) was really long and I kept almost tripping on it.

We were then let go to do whatever eating we wanted. The mini desserts were good- maybe 10 different choices, ice cream, design your own cookie, cheeses, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cold beverages. We were done eating by 750.

I had asked the guy when to go to the viewing area, he said 850. To myself I said, no way that is happening. At 8pm we were led into the viewing area by a cm and went right to the back fence, dead on the castle. I had read about leaning on fence and good viewing. This proved to be true. I actually sat down til about 855 and could probably have watched the Fireworks while seated. It was not what I would call crowded in our area at all. Had at least 8 feet of space all around.

After the show we left out the same entrance to viewing area and were shown by a cm to the back of Main St walking area, which was fantastic, since it avoided the millions on Main St. It comes out pretty close to the plaza/ tree area and we were able to leave really quickly. Had parked at Contemporary (for dinner) and walked back. That part was great.

Worth it? It was nice having reserved, great viewing area. Had never been inside MK for the Fireworks show before, so this was good. For the dessert part? Not a chance- there is no way you can eat basically $50 worth of tiny desserts without making yourself puke. Glad we did it, in Plaza viewing. Wont again. I can see where the Tomorr. land viewing would be blocked by the trees.

Like you we are also 1 and done. Like you said it was nice but thats about it. After we did this, DW and I decided we would rather spend the $$ on souvenirs or just save it

 

[buzznina]

Can anyone tell me the best strategy for heading to Frontierland after HEA? MK closes at midnight and we'd like to get a couple of last rides in, as it's out final MK night.

We would go through Adventure Land, you can either go all the way through AL or (what we do) you can cut through the little passage by the Magic Carpet ride.

 

[Dan Murphy]

We would go through Adventure Land, you can either go all the way through AL or (what we do) you can cut through the little passage by the Magic Carpet ride.

Agreed, good plan.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Thank you!

 

[buzznina]

Agreed, good plan.

Who needs a "stinkin" map. Sort of scary, as soon as I read the message I posted my answer without even thinking about it, yet I have issues remembering important stuff

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Can anyone tell me the best strategy for heading to Frontierland after HEA? MK closes at midnight and we'd like to get a couple of last rides in, as it's our final MK night.

Having done this, I’d suggest - if your schedule allows - to relax and let the hub clear out a bit. Just pop a squat on the grass and enjoy the castle, lights, and music for 5-10 minutes.

Getting across the hub right after HEA is like swimming upstream in a raging river. It’s a giant mass of humanity that isn’t going anywhere quickly. Folks are mostly heading out, so trying to “cross” to get to Frontierland is somewhat against traffic and is a bit of a pain.

To me, it’s one of those crazy Disney moments where you seriously start to question your entire decision-making process leading up to that very moment. But ultimately you just have to grab you kids hands, smile, and march on.

Good luck!