When the summer opened, all the dates had spots open except for July 3rd and 4th and September 17th (for what ever reason).

I see the same thing over on the CL area. Sounds like they might not be offering any preferred viewing at all. Did the seated party ever open?
 
I see the same thing over on the CL area. Sounds like they might not be offering any preferred viewing at all. Did the seated party ever open?

Not totally sure about this, but I seem to recalll that both dessert parties eventually became available last 7/3 and 7/4, but I don’t think it was until pretty darn close to the date.
 
Not totally sure about this, but I seem to recalll that both dessert parties eventually became available last 7/3 and 7/4, but I don’t think it was until pretty darn close to the date.

It's an interesting dilemma. I wouldn't try the 3rd without the desert party. I thought I could hedge my bets by going CL, but the word from the resorts board is that folks are being told the CL viewing area won't be there the 3rd or the 4th. And others are being told that the decision hasn't exactly been made yet. They still have Poly CL rooms available for the 30-3rd, but I'm sure no one in my party wants to stake out a spot for two hours, and seems kind of silly to be at MK on the 3rd and not watch the holiday fireworks (plus, the 3rd is an EMH night which I think will end up being a 1 am close).

They don't make it easy, do they?
 
I see the same thing over on the CL area. Sounds like they might not be offering any preferred viewing at all. Did the seated party ever open?
Based on my daily stalking, neither party has opened any tables for those three dates(July 3, 4, and sept 17) yet
 


When we were in Disney over the 4th a few years ago, we did the dessert party on the 3rd and it only became available to book around Memorial Day.
 
Did they have Holiday Wishes from the 22nd-27th? That would be the time I would be there.

Last year, Holiday Wishes only ran on Christmas Party nights. Unlike prior years, they only ran HEA on non-party nights around Christmas/New Years this year. So whenever the Christmas Party dates stopped, it was HEA from there on out.
 


Last year, Holiday Wishes only ran on Christmas Party nights. Unlike prior years, they only ran HEA on non-party nights around Christmas/New Years this year. So whenever the Christmas Party dates stopped, it was HEA from there on out.

Bummer! I hope they will bring Holiday Wishes or a Holiday version of HEA for Christmas. Maybe I should consider a dessert party for Holiday Bam at HS than.
 
Based on my daily stalking, neither party has opened any tables for those three dates(July 3, 4, and sept 17) yet

So I get why the parties on July 3 & 4 haven’t opened but why the Sept 17 one?? Any speculation? Need something to fill my time while I wait...
 
So I get why the parties on July 3 & 4 haven’t opened but why the Sept 17 one?? Any speculation? Need something to fill my time while I wait...

That one is a head scratcher. I assume maybe a CM or private event of some sort, but who knows.
 
The SS CM I talked to this morning said she thought the 3rd and 4th would open in mid May. She confirmed no MK CL viewing area for those dates.
 
That one is a head scratcher. I assume maybe a CM or private event of some sort, but who knows.
I thought so too, but it makes no sense to me why they would show 9/17 in blue on the website instead of just not offering the party that night at all. My other thought was maybe they're considering an hours change...but why that random Monday in September?
 
We have the garden view party booked for May 24th. HEA is at 9:15 and OUAT is at 10:00. Did the castle projection show used to be before the fireworks? It looks like we won't get to see OUAT as part of the dessert party?
 
We have the garden view party booked for May 24th. HEA is at 9:15 and OUAT is at 10:00. Did the castle projection show used to be before the fireworks? It looks like we won't get to see OUAT as part of the dessert party?
Sometimes it’s before and sometimes it’s after. You can stay in the Plaza garden for OUAT rather than joining the massive crowd headed for the park exit after HEA.
 
My daughter (7 years old) and I did the HEA Dessert Party with Plaza Garden viewing last Tuesday night (4/10/18) and I am glad to share our experience. There were heavy thunderstorms and torrential rains earlier in the day, but the weather was very pleasant by the time evening rolled around. My daughter and I had been at MK from 7:30 AM until about 5 PM that day, then went back to the motel for some rest before returning for the party. We got to Tomorrowland Terrace a little after 7:30 PM and expected to wait until closer to 7:45 to be allowed inside, but we were seated right away. We were among the first seated, but there were a few others who had come earlier, and all of the desserts and drinks were ready and open. There was a great variety of dessert offerings, as well as fruits, cheeses, etc. My daughter loved the table where she could decorate her own cupcakes, brownies, cookies, rice krispy treats, etc. She was also excited to be able to make her own sundae, complete with lots of Mickey shaped sprinkles. We pigged out until about 8:15 or so, at which point we were stuffed and wanted to go stake out our spot for the fireworks.

Once we were ready, one of the CMs escorted us down to the Plaza Garden area reserved for HEA Dessert Party guests. Since the show was still 40 minutes from beginning, we had our pick of where to sit. We chose a spot right in the front of the plaza garden basically in the center with minimal obstructions in our view between us and the castle. Within a few minutes other guests starting sitting around us or finding other spots. We had a fabulous view of both the castle projections and the fireworks without even needing to stand. HEA is a wonderful show (even better than Wishes, IMO) and this was truly the best vantage I have ever had.

Overall, the HEA Dessert Party with Plaza Garden viewing was a really nice experience and I would definitely recommend it to others and will consider doing it again on a future trip. I thought it was worth the money to have such a great dessert spread, drinks, and a reserved prime spot for HEA. I'm happy to provide more information or answer questions if anyone has any.

Below are some photos I took from our viewing location without even standing up.

IMG_20180410_211322185 by Greg Lembrich, on Flickr

IMG_20180410_211122856 by Greg Lembrich, on Flickr
 
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Sometimes it’s before and sometimes it’s after. You can stay in the Plaza garden for OUAT rather than joining the massive crowd headed for the park exit after HEA.

Yes. No one was rushing us out of the Plaza Garden and you can easily stick around to have a prime view of Once Upon A Time if you want. My daughter wanted to ride Space Mountain instead, so we headed over to Tomorrowland after HEA, but many others just stayed where they were and planned to enjoy OUAT. If OUAT is first, they will let you go in early if you want, and will let you stay if it is after.
 
Looking to book the Plaza Garden party. I don't see an option to pay with gift cards. Only debit/credit card. Am I missing it or should I call to have them apply my gift cards?
 
I just booked HEA Dessert Party with Plaza Garden viewing. I'm a WDW vet, but I always said I'd never do a dessert party, since, while I enjoy a dessert, I can't bring myself to eat a plate full of dessert and the cost was shockingly high. However, in two weeks I am taking my 70 year old mom, who hasn't been to WDW in over 30 years. She will like it, and she will appreciate not having to stake out a spot and stand for an hour+ to get an ok view. I've had bad luck with hard-ticket events. The only time I did the Christmas Party, it rained half way through the event and my kids got cold, tired and wet, so we left. I said, Never again. I'm eating my words, and hoping for good weather! I saw the show for the first time in November and just loved it!

Looking to book the Plaza Garden party. I don't see an option to pay with gift cards. Only debit/credit card. Am I missing it or should I call to have them apply my gift cards?
While I didn't use gift cards, MDE wouldn't let me book it without canceling a dinner reservation, and it was generally glitchy, so I did call Disney Dining and they booked it over the phone using my Disney Visa. She said you can cancel for a refund up to five days before.
 
Looking to book the Plaza Garden party. I don't see an option to pay with gift cards. Only debit/credit card. Am I missing it or should I call to have them apply my gift cards?
Be extremely cautious with this option, if you end up having to cancel your trip or someone drops out the refunded money will go back to the form of payment, so if you pay with gift cards make sure you keep them and attach a note saying what you bought with them just in case you need a refund.
 

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