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

[ArielSRL]

Nope, for some reason MK doesn't use "Park Event Ops", aka PEO, to do their parties. That's the group that does all the parties and special events at the other three parks.

Interesting. Thanks for the reply!

 

[jaysmom4285]

We did the plaza garden dessert party on 12/6. I wanted to see HEA but knew what the crowds would be like on a non-MVMCP day, and we had done the same dessert party last year when it was Wishes, so I knew what to expect. Our reservations said 7:45 (for 9 PM fireworks). We went to the check-in spot at Tomorrowland Terrace around 7:15. They were lining people up separately, with terrace viewing people on the left and plaza viewing people on the right. We were let in around 7:30 and were among the first 15 or so for the plaza viewing group. The terrace viewing people were taken directly to the lower level, and we were escorted by a CM up a ramp that went off to the right behind the check in desk. All of our desserts and drinks were on the upper level, as was all of the plaza view seating. We were seated by the rail and told to enjoy the refreshments for as long as we liked and that we could tell a CM whenever we were ready to go to the viewing area. The desserts (which included cheese, crackers and fruit) were plentiful and were replenished regularly as long as we were there. I wish I had thought to take pictures, but alas I didn't. We took our time with the desserts, which included an ice cream sundae station, and went back for more whenever we liked. I think we decided to go to the viewing area around 8:40, and a CM escorted us. The area was probably a little more full than it had been last year, but it was by no definition crowded. Some people were sitting or reclining on the turf, and kids had enough space to run around. Most people opted to stand when HEA started, and many were standing along the front rail. The castle is elevated enough so that there is no problem seeing over the head of anyone in front of you. I love seeing HEA this way. It is $59 a head, and there's probably no way that most people could reasonably eat $59 worth of dessert. But I regard it more as spending money get an excellent, uncrowded and comfortable place to watch HEA without having to stake out a spot hours in advance and be jammed in a crowd, with a dessert buffet thrown in. It works for us.

 

[CanuckGirl78]

I love seeing HEA this way. It is $59 a head, and there's probably no way that most people could reasonably eat $59 worth of dessert. But I regard it more as spending money get an excellent, uncrowded and comfortable place to watch HEA without having to stake out a spot hours in advance and be jammed in a crowd, with a dessert buffet thrown in. It works for us.

I'm so glad to hear this. I just booked this for my family (2 adults, 5yo, and a 2yo) for 12/20 as someone just cancelled their reservation. I have been reading all 25 pages of this thread to make sure the $150 (plus crappy Cdn dollar exchange rate!) to see whether it was worth it as I heard the food is not great. But with that night being just 1 of 2 non-MVMCP nights, I expect the Hub to be packed like sardines because everyone will be coming to watch HEA and for the EMH hours after. To avoid all the elbows, guests being rude, allowing our kids to get up and not worrying about them getting trampled, and to allow us to end the day on a positive note, i think it's worth the cost.
...although I don't think I'll tell my DH we're paying for it and let him just think it's part of our dining plan!

 

[Dan Murphy]

although I don't think I'll tell my DH we're paying for it and let him just think it's part of our dining plan!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

...although I don't think I'll tell my DH we're paying for it and let him just think it's part of our dining plan!

I may or may not have utilized similar strategies in the past.

 

[CanuckGirl78]

I may or may not have utilized similar strategies in the past.

Lol, i’m glad I’m not the only one! It’s all part of keeping the peace in the marriage, right??

 

[emilymad]

We did the HEA Plaza viewing dessert party 2 nights ago. We booked it primarily for the viewing area as we had yet to see HEA. We lined up around 7pm for a 7:45pm reservation. There was a long line of people behind us. They started checking us in around 7:20. The CM helped you find a table which was very helpful in keeping everyone organized.

The food was fine and what we expected. There was fruit and cheese but no crackers. The macaroons are identical to the ones you can buy at Trader Joes. We like them so that was fine but nothing special. Our issue was that they did not replenish items and when they did they were very slow. The CM's seemed very stressed and there didn't seem to be enough CM's to go around. They were very slow to refill the drinks. The did refill the water bottles but slowly. We appreciated the actual water bottles as thee desserts made you thirsty. The real issue was that they didn't refill the coffee and hot chocolate. It was a really cold night and these were in high demand. We heard numerous guests complain about this. It isn't very good coffee or hot chocolate but everyone should be able to have some.

The viewing area was pretty full. There wasn't room for people to sit down for the show. We had plenty of room to stand without being cramped though. The show was great and we were glad to be in the viewing area. We won't do this event again though. It was mediocre at best and really not worth the money. We did the JBJB dessert party the next night and it blew this party away.

 

[musika]

We booked for 4/13/18 based on this thread! DH is not a great fan of crowds, and seeing the fireworks at least once is a must-do on my list, so I think it's a good compromise.

 

[Madteaparty001]

Did the party on December 11th, arrived at 7:42 for 7:45 check-in (wanted to be earlier but the SM fp line took forever). Waited in line to be checked in for about 10 minutes, don't know why it took so long, there was only about 4 families in front of us. I would call the desserts average tasting, not great but not bad. No crackers only fruit and cheese for non-dessert options. DH said they were actively refilling things but by 8:20 things were running out for the night. We asked for a to go box which they gave without issue and we made our way to the garden area.

The entire party seemed to be cramming themselves into the left side (side closest to Casey's) so we sat against the back on the right where kids were litterally doing cartwheels in all the space. With how crowded it was in the hub I was very happy with the party overall as I viewed it as reserved seating with some snacks thrown in.

 

[poodledogs55]

Hi All,
Quick question, it looks like OUAT has been added before HEA. Will I be able to see both from the reserved area with my dessert party ticket? Thanks!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hi All,
Quick question, it looks like OUAT has been added before HEA. Will I be able to see both from the reserved area with my dessert party ticket? Thanks!

You should be, just move over to the Plaza Garden before OUAT starts. You get double the entertainment!

Just for others reading, OUAT isn’t always before HEA, sometimes it’s after. Make sure to check the Times Guide for your nights to double check the time, if OUAT is important to you.

 

[poodledogs55]

You should be, just move over to the Plaza Garden before OUAT starts. You get double the entertainment!

Just for others reading, OUAT isn’t always before HEA, sometimes it’s after. Make sure to check the Times Guide for your nights to double check the time, if OUAT is important to you.

Great, thank you so much!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Just caved and booked the plaza view for January 14

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just caved and booked the plaza view for January 14

Caved? Yes, I'm sure it was a mighty struggle!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Does anyone know if the times change when they extend hours? They extended the MK hours to midnight after I booked. Will they push back the reservations/HEA time?

 

[ArielSRL]

Does anyone know if the times change when they extend hours? They extended the MK hours to midnight after I booked. Will they push back the reservations/HEA time?

They did not in June when they extended some days to 11pm.

 

[SaintsManiac]

They did not in June when they extended some days to 11pm.

Thank you. I hope they leave it at 8pm.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does anyone know if the times change when they extend hours? They extended the MK hours to midnight after I booked. Will they push back the reservations/HEA time?

Agree with @ArielSRL, while possible, it’s not likely that they’ll change HEA hours. Generally speaking, once the dessert parties become bookable, you’ll rarely see a fireworks time change.

 

[Elle23]

I’m here waiting for the fireworks, wondering how many other DISers there are with me along the back rail.

 

[CinderellaDream]

I’m here waiting for the fireworks, wondering how many other DISers there are with me along the back rail.

I’m sitting on the back rail right now too!! Can’t wait for HEA to begin!