Are you familiar the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party? Even if you haven’t personally attended one, you may already be aware that Magic Kingdom guests can reserve a party that offers a specific spot for viewing the park’s nighttime fireworks spectacular, Wishes, while being treated to a dessert buffet at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant.
©Disney
Well, for parties beginning October 1st, guests will be able to take their pick between two different versions of this experience.
First is the Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace. Prior to the fireworks, guests will go to Tomorowland Terrace Restaurant and enjoy a buffet of desserts including chocolate-dipped strawberries, Disney-themed cupcakes, and ice cream along with fruits, cheeses, and beverages (including the opportunity to raise a sparkling cider toast).
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant sign
Then, just before the fireworks begin, guests will be escorted to seats on the Tomorrowland Terrace patio to view the spectacular. The price is $79 per adult and $47 for children ages 3 to 9 and separate admission to Magic Kingdom is also required. Reservations are available online, or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
The second option is the Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing. Guests share in the same dessert buffet at Tomorrowland Terrace, then are escorted to a reserved area in the Plaza Garden for priority viewing of the fireworks. (FYI — this is where the Wishes FastPass VIP viewing used to be.)
Wishes Fireworks Spectacular
Please note that guests participating in the Plaza Garden Viewing experience will be standing for the fireworks, according to Disney. But when we were there for a FastPass viewing location, a lot of folks did sit down during the fireworks. You just don’t have an actual seat like you do with the other package. The price is $59 per adult and $35 for children ages 3 to 9 (and again, separate admission to Magic Kingdom is required). Reservations for this experience are also available via its own webpage, or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
Our Thoughts Between the Two?
So, remember, if you are planning on booking a Dessert Party for your viewing of Wishes, you’ll need to do a little homework first to decide which of the two experiences works best for your group! Having been in both viewing locations, the $20 difference in price really does boil down to just having a physical seat and a roof over your head (in case it starts to rain). The view from the Gardens is actually better since it’s more head-on to the castle. You get all the same food with both packages.
What do you think of these updates to the Wishes Dessert Parties? Please let us know with a comment!
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Thanks so much for this post! We had all but given up on ever getting to go to the dessert party and I was able to make reservations through the link for our next trip!
Wow, I wish I had this information a couple of weeks ago when I made reservations for an upcoming trip. When I made them I was not given a choice but automatically given the Terrace, which comes to an additional 80 bucks. Wow, wow, wow.
If you went with the garden-view option (a view I would personally prefer), any idea if you would have seating at least while you’re eating your desserts? I don’t mind standing for the fireworks, but if there is no seating for the entire time leading up to that point, it might change my mind.
Thanks for the update. I made my reservation in May and was a bit perplexed when asked if we wanted the Terrace or the Garden. This explains it all now. We must have the Terrace, as my elderly mother needs an actual chair. When they moved this to the usual 180 day availability a couple of years ago, we missed it and my mother had to try to get up and down from the curb, which was a nightmare. I’m curious what options exist for people like her. She’d not frail enough to need a scooter, but also can’t stand for long period or get up and down from the ground. (Any thoughts?)
Of course I also remember when we first started going to this reception before the pre-select FastPasses and the cost was only $27pp….
i don’t know about the grass viewing, but just did the terrace dessert party on Monday. it was the finale to a 6 day trip and it was perfect. Cast members were kind and it was so relaxing to not have to fight a crowd, carry a 6 year old, etc. We were good and hungry after a really early dinner and were kindly seated right at the railing beneath tink’s path.
The only note i would make is that it is not a great view of the celebration light show images
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In 2012 our trip to WDW coincided with Tropical Storm Debby. Unless there is lightning in the area, the fireworks will “fly”. It was nice to be undercover at the Tomorrowland Terrace. It was also nice to have a chair to sit in. And since my mom was a diabetic, the chef had made special desserts just for her.
It sounds like it is another overpriced option being offered to park visitors. Why is the Disney Company ignoring Walt’s wishes of creating an experience affordable to all, not a select few who can afford the extras at very inflated prices.
I’m glad they have this option! We have done this dessert party every year on our trip and this past summer was disappointed for the first time because they moved the tables closer to the rails so you could only see the fireworks from your table, which in out case, was impeded by the roof, so we could only see half of the fireworks and had to literally duck down, head resting on the table to see the rest!! Will definitely be choosing the garden viewing area next time!
Our time is limited in DW.
We have tickets to Micks Very Merry Christmas. Can we make reservations at the Tomorrowland Restaurant as well. We will be in the park at 5pm til closing.
Thank you
Lisa Doti
Lisa — I’m not sure which restaurant you’re talking about, but you should be able to make reservations for any restaurant that’s open, and that still has tables available. I would suggest a call to 407-WDW-DINE to determine your options. Good luck!
I was wondering, for those who remain on the terrace, can you continue to munch on the desserts all through the fireworks, or is the food “ended” by the time the fireworks start? If so, that is a feature those going to the plaza viewing will not get. Not sure it is worth the 20.00 or not. I am also interested in hearing if you can “sit” while you eat the desserts, before they “escort” you to the plaza view area… thanks
So we just did the dessert party 2 wks ago. I was not happy with it unfortunately. They allow people to stand in front of the plaza viewing area it obstructs views of the castle. With the new firework show the castle is important part of the show. I feel they shouldn’t allow people to stand in the cross st right I front of the garden viewing area.