To celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary and the debut of the all-new nighttime fireworks spectacular Disney Enchantment, Disney brought back not just one, but 5 different fireworks dessert parties to enjoy the show!
Keep reading if you want to learn more about the dessert party options and read my full review of my recent pre-party experience.
Overview
If you are considering one of the new Enchantment Dessert Party options at Magic Kingdom, keep reading. I recently attended the Fireworks Pre-Party and I’m hoping my honest review will help you decide if this is the right event for you and your family / friends.
There are several dessert party options taking place in or around Magic Kingdom. If you choose one of the dessert party options inside Magic Kingdom, please do keep in mind that Guests will need both theme park admission tickets and Disney Park Pass reservations along with the dessert party reservation if you choose the Pre-Party, Treats & Seats or the After-Party.
Be mindful if you plan on hopping from another park to the Magic Kingdom for the party. As we approach the busy holiday season, be cautious. Parks do sometimes fill to capacity at times. If you have don’t have a Magic Kingdom park reservation for that day and the park is filled to capacity (which is very rare), an Enchantment dessert party reservation alone will not get you into the park. My suggestion is to be mindful of the crowd levels throughout the day if you plan to park hop. If it’s busy, do it sooner rather than later.
Dessert Party Options
So what are the options if thinking about a dessert party at Magic Kingdom?
There are three in-park parties taking place at the Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland, an amazing upscale option at the Contemporary and a Fireworks Dessert Cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Here is more information on each of these options:
Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors and Fireworks at Disney’s Contemporary ResortÂ
An elevated cocktail hour, magnificent views and fancy dining are all part of this extraordinary experience.Â
Price: $129 per personÂ
There is a dress code for this one – click on the link above for more information.
Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Pre-Party
50th Anniversary-themed desserts, including chocolate-dipped strawberries, butterscotch pudding and a variety of cheeses. Drink selections will also be available, including an assortment of beer and wine for Guests ages 21 and over.
Price:Â $99 per adult (ages 10 and up); $59 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included
Theme Park Admission and Reservation required.
Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats
50th Anniversary-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef, including chocolate-dipped strawberries, butterscotch pudding and a variety of cheeses. Drink selections will also be available, including an assortment of beer and wine for Guests ages 21 and over.
Price:Â $114 per adult (ages 10 and up); $69 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included
Theme Park Admission and Reservation required.
Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment After-Party
50th Anniversary-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef, including chocolate-dipped strawberries, butterscotch pudding and a variety of cheese. Drink selections will also be available, including an assortment of beer and wine for Guests ages 21 and over.
Price:Â $99 per adult (ages 10 and up); $59 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included
Theme Park Admission and Reservation required.
Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
Sweeten your night at a party featuring dream-come-true desserts and dazzling water views of the fireworks from Magic Kingdom park.
Price: Takes place on select Wednesday and Saturday nights beginning September 18, 2021.
Admission is $99 for adults and $69 for children ages 3 to 9 (tax and gratuity included) and even includes a special takeaway surprise.
Check-In Process
It was pretty simple to check-in. Since there are multiple party options, there are several check-in tables located along the corridor in the Tomorrowland Terrace dining area. Enter from either side and find the table designated for your reserved dessert party.
When booking your reservation, it notes to be at check-in approximately 45 minutes before the start of the party. Since the pre-party started at 6:30pm, we made sure to be there by 5:45pm (we were actually there even earlier).
They were right on time, checking Guests in about 5:45pm. We were given a wristband and asked to wait in line. They officially opened around 6:00pm (30 minutes before the actual start of the party).
Moral of the story: Be there early! This allows you more time to sit, relax and enjoy the treats and drinks before moving to the hub for your spot to watch the show.
Menu Options
Keep in mind this is a dessert party – so the focus is on sweets. There were some fruit options and some cheese & crackers to balance the sweets, but if you have a sweet tooth this is definitely for you.
And even though the party falls right around dinner time, this will not suffice for dinner (at least not by my standards). My recommendation is to have something solid to eat earlier in the day, or mobile order something to grab after the fireworks. The show lasts approximately 20 minutes. You can mobile order something for dinner to pickup between 8:40 and 9:00 pm (assuming the fireworks are at 8:00 pm). Give yourself a bit of time to walk to the Quick Service location. The crowds are heavy leaving the hub after the fireworks, you’ll need time.
Dessert Options
- Assorted Cheese & Crackers
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- Tres Leche (Coconut Cake soaked with Four Milk Mixture)
- Devil’s Chocolate Pudding (Chocolate Filing, Crumble Brownie, Milk Chocolate, Whipped Cream)
- Butterscotch Pudding with Caramel Popcorn
- Firehouse Doughnuts (Ricotta Doughnuts rolled in Cinnamon Sugar served with a Strawberry topping)
- Chilling Chamber Pop (Vanilla Crumbs, Caramel Buttercream, and Graham Cracker Crumbs)
- Chocolate Silk Pie (Chocolate Tart Shell, Chocolate Filling, Whipped Cream, and Chocolate Shavings)
- Oreo Cheesecake Mouse (topped with Crumble)
Drink Options
- Red Wine (Red Blend)
- White Wine selections (Chardonnay, Moscato d’Asti)
- Beer options (Bud Light, Blue Moon)
- Sparkling Wine (Cuvee Cava)
- Non-alcoholic options (Ice Tea, Milk, POG juice, Water, Lemonade)
- Coffee and Tea
My Review
So is the dessert party worth it? That actually all depends on what you want to get out of it.
The short of it is if you are looking to save time and not have to secure a location 2+ hours ahead of Enchantment, then yes, it’s worth it. The dessert party allows you a bit of time to relax, eat and have a few cocktails before making your way to the hub for the fireworks.
But, if you are there for the actual desserts and drinks, eh there are far better choices elsewhere. Save your money. Tickets for the pre-dessert party are $99 per adult and $59 per child. That can add up for a family of four or six. It may not be worth it.
Truthfully if the ticket price was $50, I’d do it again. At $99, I’ll pass. One time is enough for me to experience it.
The Cast Members were amazing, as they usually are. Every single one of them were absolutely delightful and they were all so excited Guests were there to experience the dessert party. When the evening started, each family was guided by a Cast Member to their special reserved table. You are seated with your own party, not with other Guests. Once seated, they explained what food and drink options were available as well as what time we should plan to make our way to the hub to watch the fireworks.
TIP: The fireworks start at 8:00 pm, start to make your way to the hub by 7:15 pm. Even though you will be in a reserved section, you still want to get a prime spot to view the fireworks. If the fireworks start at a different time on the night you attend, estimate 45 minutes before start time to head to the hub.
I will give props to the buffet, the presentation was stellar. Everything looked festive, colorful, fresh, enticing and ready to eat and drink! The selections were bountiful and there was plenty to go around. Lines did get very long for the buffet, but there were 2 long tables set up, so it moved pretty quickly. The Cast Members continuously replenished the desserts, so there wasn’t a chance anything would run out. You can revisit the buffet as many times as you’d like, there is no limit.
I think one of the biggest downsides to the dessert party (aside from the fact that the desserts themselves aren’t that great), is that there isn’t a lot of time to enjoy all the things. It feels a little rushed. Even with opening 30 minutes before the noted time, you have to plan to make your way to the hub around 7:15 pm (or 45 minutes before fireworks start time). That only allows a little over an hour. Seems like enough time, but time moves quickly.
One other quick mention, because you are standing in the Plaza Garden east viewing area (the grassy section in front of the Plaza Inn), there are many quite a few light structures directly in your viewpoint (some lamp posts, some lights used for the projections / lighting during the show). Personally, it didn’t bother me, but it might some. You are standing a little off-center of the Castle and there are a few obstructions, so if video or pictures are important to you, you may not find this location ideal.
Overall, as I mentioned in the beginning, if you are trying to pack a lot into your day and waiting 2+ hours for Enchantment for a good view isn’t an option then this might be great for you. Otherwise, personally I feel like there are better ways to spending $99 / $59, and potentially even find a great viewing spot last minute without having to wait super long!
