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

[jaysmom4285]

I truly think you won't regret it, especially since there are so few non-party nights to see HEA, as I know from going in early December. Those nights are mobbed almost beyond human endurance. I consider the money well spent for a relatively uncrowded and near perfect viewing spot, with desserts thrown in as a bonus.

 

[dbrad]

Thanks! We plan on waiting until the last few minutes to head over and was worried about it being packed. If the one last night had room we should be good in August!

We did the after-party on July 1st and had no problem getting a space for 9 people 10 minutes before the fireworks started. We didn't check in earlier, so at 9:00 we were checking in at Tomorrowland Terrace and were quickly escorted over to the viewing area. We were able to find 2 separate spaces in the grass that could accommodate the 9 of us without having anyone move over or inconvenience anyone. Worked perfectly for us since we had limited time in MK and wanted to ride as much as we could prior to the fireworks.

 

[jacksmommy]

I went back and forth a lot before our trip if I should cancel our HEA Garden View Dessert Party. Well We went on June 19th and they said they expected 300 people between the before and after parties, I have heard others say this # so guessing it was sold out. The Happily Ever After Dessert Party is totally worth it, I cried a few times!!! We checked in at 7:30 and there was a line to check in, they werealready letting people into the dessert party. I went out to the garden at 8:15, because I wanted a specific spot, but there was plenty of room for everyone. I picked out a spot close to Main Street with a great view between one of the little planters and a light post. I did take our stroller and some towels that I put on the ground to help hold our space and cushion my bottom while I waited. My younger two danced around and played in the open area. My husband came down with my oldest around 8:45, since he has back issues. I am glad we all didn't wait until then to come down. The fact that my girls could dance around, clapping and actually could see the fireworks and the castle in full view made it worth every cent. Our view was perfect! It was a truly magical experience and not worrying about a spot was sooo wonderful. My girls actually thanked me several times...on our last trip they cried because they couldn't see the show. If you can afford it totally do it.

We were at the same party and my kiddos loved the freedom to run around with other kids in the garden!

 

[MinnieMSue]

We went to the before garden party on July 6 and it was lovely. We weren’t really in the mood for desserts so we just ate some spinach dip (which my daughter loved and I don’t like cold) and some cheeseburger egg rolls. We checked in at 7:30 and ate (party start was supposed to be 7:45). We left at 8 and were second family in garden. We sat on back rail behind a round fence encircling a tree. People came and mostly went to the middle and front. The back rail did eventually fill up. The garden area was not crowded at all. Before party seemed full - no idea how many for after party. As said previously everyone moved up to the front to watch the fireworks. We could have sat and seen just fine but I have a terrible back so I stood most of the time leaning against the rail and during the fireworks. The family beside us was going to move up but I encouraged them to stay back too and they were pleased with the view. It started to rain just before he fireworks. The smoke engulfed the castle and for a period no one could see the projections but it was still a great show. This is the one party we probably will do next year. If I was returning for July 4 I would do the Epcot one again because nothing beats that show but we won’t be back at the same time.(we don’t particularky like the frozen ride but the food was pretty good at that party) We aren’t huge Star Wars fans so we don’t feel the need to repeat that party - but it had the best food. For now we are dessert parties out lol!

 

[jcemom]

Does anyone have a recent review of the party, gluten free? I'm wondering if there is anything I can eat since they added appetizers / snacks. Even before reports varied from some people being given a plate of very nice cakes and desserts, to other people given pre packaged brownies and cookies. I'm hesitant to pay so much if all I'm going to get is a chocolate chip cookie.

 

[Physics Guy]

I am vegan (medical) and this is what they brought. The chef who brought it said it was all vegan and I *think* I remember him also saying it was gluten free, but don't quote me on that. He brought a similar plate to others around the seating area. It was a lot, and I didn't finish it all. They wouldn't provide me with anything to take it to the viewing area so I had to venture out to find a container. This was July 4 and it was a madhouse walking out and about before the fireworks to get something to take the remaining food. I eventually made it to Cosmic Ray's where they gave me take-out boxes and a bag. (Not sure if the gummies had gelatin, most of the bags of gummies they sell in the parks do, and I've seen chefs overlook that on their vegan watch list, but luckily gelatin doesn't cause me issues)

Getting back, well, that was a whole different story. They closed some pathways and others were only one-way AWAY from the hub so I had to work my way around the top of the hub back into the dessert party, a very long ordeal. So I would suggest bringing your own containers if you don't think you'll eat a lot.

All in all, definitely worth the roomy viewing area for July 4, and even though we had a rain delay, it was a fantastic time.

 

[jcemom]

Thank you! I will make sure to bring along a container! =)

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We went to the before garden party on July 6 and it was lovely. We weren’t really in the mood for desserts so we just ate some spinach dip (which my daughter loved and I don’t like cold) and some cheeseburger egg rolls. We checked in at 7:30 and ate (party start was supposed to be 7:45). We left at 8 and were second family in garden. We sat on back rail behind a round fence encircling a tree. People came and mostly went to the middle and front. The back rail did eventually fill up. The garden area was not crowded at all. Before party seemed full - no idea how many for after party. As said previously everyone moved up to the front to watch the fireworks. We could have sat and seen just fine but I have a terrible back so I stood most of the time leaning against the rail and during the fireworks. The family beside us was going to move up but I encouraged them to stay back too and they were pleased with the view. It started to rain just before he fireworks. The smoke engulfed the castle and for a period no one could see the projections but it was still a great show. This is the one party we probably will do next year. If I was returning for July 4 I would do the Epcot one again because nothing beats that show but we won’t be back at the same time.(we don’t particularky like the frozen ride but the food was pretty good at that party) We aren’t huge Star Wars fans so we don’t feel the need to repeat that party - but it had the best food. For now we are dessert parties out lol!

We were there for the after party on this same day. The smoke was weird!

We did not think the garden area was too full. We didn't move into place until the 5-minute announcement was made, and at that time had no trouble finding a spot with a great view and a bit of rail to lean on.

We did the party this same week last year. We did not arrive right at the beginning of the party, and when we did arrive, there was no more fruit or cheese, and the desserts were starting to look picked over. Had we wanted to go back for seconds, we would have been out of luck as they were not replenishing anything. They were out of sparkling cider when we got there too.

This year, there were not many groups at the after party, and there was plenty of everything. DH was happy to get some fruit. I was happy to get to try the cheeseburger eggrolls. The chocolate covered strawberries were made with perfectly ripe strawberries. The pineapple thing was my favorite though.

As others have said, I pay for this for reserved seating for the fireworks, and that did not disappoint. I had thought we'd do it just once (last year when HEA was so new and the hub was even more crowded than it is now), but DH really wanted to do it again this year.

If you love fireworks, I definitely recommend this splurge for seeing HEA for the first time.

 

[joyjoy]

I started with this thread and got to part where they announced the new "after" party and everyone was wondering if the after party folks were going to be in the same place as the before party people. I made a reservation for the before party before the announcement and decided to wait to see what the experience was. Now I started back on the thread and see that indeed, the two parties share the space, but I don't see any comments on whether the after party people, who go in first, have a negative impact on the before party goers as far as space goes. I'm sure the comments are there, I just didn't quickly find them. So. Does the viewing area fill up with After Party Peeps before the Before Party Peeps have a chance to go in? Thanks!
ETA: Our party is for Sept 2nd, the sunday before Labor Day

 

[deedubb]

I started with this thread and got to part where they announced the new "after" party and everyone was wondering if the after party folks were going to be in the same place as the before party people. I made a reservation for the before party before the announcement and decided to wait to see what the experience was. Now I started back on the thread and see that indeed, the two parties share the space, but I don't see any comments on whether the after party people, who go in first, have a negative impact on the before party goers as far as space goes. I'm sure the comments are there, I just didn't quickly find them. So. Does the viewing area fill up with After Party Peeps before the Before Party Peeps have a chance to go in? Thanks!
ETA: Our party is for Sept 2nd, the sunday before Labor Day

Here is a review with pics that addresses your question:

https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/r...arty-at-magic-kingdom-for-happily-ever-after/

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I started with this thread and got to part where they announced the new "after" party and everyone was wondering if the after party folks were going to be in the same place as the before party people. I made a reservation for the before party before the announcement and decided to wait to see what the experience was. Now I started back on the thread and see that indeed, the two parties share the space, but I don't see any comments on whether the after party people, who go in first, have a negative impact on the before party goers as far as space goes. I'm sure the comments are there, I just didn't quickly find them. So. Does the viewing area fill up with After Party Peeps before the Before Party Peeps have a chance to go in? Thanks!
ETA: Our party is for Sept 2nd, the sunday before Labor Day

FYI, the review links on Post 1 are in date order and there’s a note marking pre and post After Party dates.

Reading through the posts you can get a general sense of typical conditions, people’s experiences, perceptions, etc so far since introduction of the After Party.

To me at least (having read nearly every post in this thread), comments and pics seem mostly status quo so far. Although I am curious just how well the After Party is selling.

 

[StarShine3]

FYI, the review links on Post 1 are in date order and there’s a note marking pre and post After Party dates.

Hello GADisneyDad!
Could my after party review for July 3rd be linked to the reviews on post 1? It is post 2877.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hello GADisneyDad!
Could my after party review for July 3rd be linked to the reviews on post 1? It is post 2877.

Yes, of course. We just got back from WDW and I was on a DIS hiatus, so I’m 10+ days behind in reading / updating the thread.

Give me a day or two and I’ll catch up.

 

[StarShine3]

Yes, of course. We just got back from WDW and I was on a DIS hiatus, so I’m 10+ days behind in reading / updating the thread.

Give me a day or two and I’ll catch up.

Of course! Did you see me in the parks? I was the one in the Disney rain poncho .

 

[dachsie]

I've been collecting Disney gift cards. Can I use them to purchase a dessert party?

 

[Cluelyss]

I've been collecting Disney gift cards. Can I use them to purchase a dessert party?

Yes, but you must call in to do so.

 

[areno79]

I've been collecting Disney gift cards. Can I use them to purchase a dessert party?

If you have more than 1 gift card to pay, you'll have to first combine the balances on the disneygiftcard website into 1 card (the max is $1000 on one card.) I just did the same thing last week when I booked the SW dessert party and I could only use 1 gift card when I called.

 

[dachsie]

Yes, but you must call in to do so.

If you have more than 1 gift card to pay, you'll have to first combine the balances on the disneygiftcard website into 1 card (the max is $1000 on one card.) I just did the same thing last week when I booked the SW dessert party and I could only use 1 gift card when I called.

I went ahead and tried this morning in my second of 3 calls to get the CP package. I used 2 $25 cards and the balance on my Disney Visa. No problems.

 

[lvloopingbag]

If you've done the After Party on a non-EMH night, was Main Street relatively quiet by the time you were done? Did they kick you out at a certain time? Thanks!

 

[dachsie]

I guess I forgot to say I booked the after party on Sept 22