I'm usually very familiar with Disney Park terminology, but over the past few weeks I've seen a phrase repeated that I'm unfamiliar with: "Disney World Dessert Party." What exactly is a Disney World Dessert Party? I found myself wondering – so, naturally, I set out on an adventure on the internet to find out what the problem was.
The short answer is, they're awesome. That's it. Or at least, they sound pretty incredible because, I mean... they involve fireworks. They involve Disney. They involve desserts . Not to love all kinds of things?
I can't say for sure how long dessert parties have been going on, but they seem to have exploded recently; reviews in 2017 seemed to focus on only three or four parties, but these days, there are almost three times that number to choose from. In fact, two of them – the After-Fireworks Dessert Party and the River of Lights Dessert Party – were added to the list in May and August respectively. Currently, they also appear to be exclusive to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Disneyland in Anaheim, California does have one, but it closed in 2018 for renovations—which means if you want to experience a Disney Dessert Party, you'll have to go to Florida.
Whether a dessert party is worth it depends on how much stock you invest in sweets and showmanship—but to help you decide, here's what they include:
What exactly is a Disney World Dessert Party?
Basically, they're a variation on dinner and a show, except instead of dinner, it's dessert. First, guests enjoy a buffet of desserts and other snacks; then, they are escorted to a prime, reserved viewing spot for one of the resort's nightly shows. The details vary for each particular party - sometimes desserts are served at a restaurant within the park, while other times they are served in an area of the park specifically set aside for party purposes; most often, dessert is served first, Then watch the show, although sometimes the order of the two events can be reversed; sometimes the parties have themes; some of these bars serve alcohol to adults but others don't; heck, for some of them the venue even Probably a ship rather than land. Additionally, some parties offer additional rewards, such as VIP access to specific rides or souvenir drink glasses.
There are also usually several different options for the same dessert party, often based on where the show is being viewed. For example, when it comes to the Fireworks Dessert Party, which features the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show (and now the Happily Ever After show), you can choose from the Fireworks Dessert Party at the Plaza Garden or the Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace: The first party has a VIP standing room to watch the fireworks, while the second party offers VIP seating on the Tomorrowland Terrace to watch the fireworks. Prices vary between the two - the Plaza Garden Viewing package is $69 per adult and $41 per child between 3 and 9 years old, while the Tomorrowland Terrace package is $84 per adult and $50 for children.
However, no matter how the details change, there are always two constant themes at every dessert party: sweets and the VIP viewing experience of popular nightly shows.
How many different dessert parties are there?
The exact number almost always changes as new parties join and others drop out, but right now there are about 11:
- Two of them are the different fireworks dessert parties at the Magic Kingdom that I’ve already mentioned;
- Two of them are seasonal variations of the same package ( the Happy HalloWishes Dessert Party will be held on select nights during Halloween, and the Holiday Wishes Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party will begin at the start of the winter holidays);
- A post-fireworks dessert party with fireworks first and then a dessert buffet instead of the other way around;
- The Ferrytale Dessert and Fireworks Cruise and the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Tour both take place in the water rather than staying on land;
- The Rivers of Light Dessert Party allows guests to enjoy Animal Kingdom’s Rivers of Light show;
- Fantastic! Desserts and a VIP viewing experience come with a small box of to-go treats and special seats to Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios! exhibit;
- The " Frozen Ever After Sparkling Dessert Party" begins with a "Frozen "-themed dessert buffet, then heads to Epcot's prime seating area to watch the light show. Afterwards, guests can also ride the "Frozen " in the Norway pavilion of the World Showcase amusement rides;
- Last but not least, the Star Wars: Galactic Spectacles Dessert Party starts with an array of Star Wars -themed desserts and ends with the Star Wars : Galactic Spectacles and Disney Movie Magic show at Hollywood Studios.
What types of desserts do they serve?
It varies depending on the party you attend; however, I think there are more amazing options for themed parties. For example, the regular Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party features chocolate-covered strawberries, ice cream, marshmallows, classic Disney character-themed desserts, as well as sparkling cider, hot chocolate, lemonade, coffee and tea; meanwhile, the Frozen Ever After Sparkle The glowing dessert party features items including Kristoff’s Kansekake Almond Cookies, Troll Rock Crispy Lollipops, Elsa’s Blue Velvet Cupcakes and Olaf’s Warm Double Chocolate Sheep "Mushroom Pudding Cake" and many others. I don't know about you, but I find the idea of Elsa-approved blue velvet cupcakes more exciting than chocolate-covered strawberries - which is really saying something considering that, under normal circumstances, I love chocolate-covered strawberries.
According to a recent post on the Disney Parks Blog and some comments circulating elsewhere on the internet, the Star Wars -themed dessert party also features some pretty spectacular treats — think Darth Vader and BB-8 cupcakes and " Blue Milk Pudding" This is probably the most inspired Star Wars dessert I've ever encountered. You also get a Chewbacca-head beer mug as a souvenir, which you can fill with an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice. By the way, the cocktail selection includes something called "Swamp Milk," which again I think is genius, according to WDW Prep, which is made with vodka, melon liqueur, and vanilla syrup. Half and half. I guess it tastes a bit like an alcoholic version of melon-flavored bubble tea.
Are they worth it?
Cost for Fantasmic is $39 for adults and $14 for children! Dessert Party The Tomorrowland Terrace version of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party is $84 for adults and $50 for children; however, in general, most packages are priced around $79 for adults and $47 for children. (All of this is in addition to regular park admission, by the way.) Whether the price is worth it depends on how important each element of the party is to you, individually or together:
If having VIP seats to the fireworks, Fantasmic!, or any other nightly show is important to you, then maybe it's worth it; but if not, maybe not. If you find the dessert buffet very appealing, then maybe it's worth it; if not, maybe not. If riding the Frozen ride made you happy after the show, maybe it was worth it; if not, maybe not. If any of these things don't really do it for you individually, but taken together it looks like a good idea, maybe it's worth it; if not, maybe not. If you're planning on going to Disney World on one of the busiest days of the year, and you have your heart set on seeing a very popular show, well... maybe it's worth it, hands down.
Ultimately, you have to weigh the pros and cons yourself and see where you land. If you decide to add an activity to your Disney vacation, you can reserve tickets through the various activities pages on the Disney World website. Good luck!
