Editor’s Note: During this season’s Flurry of Fun at Walt Disney World’s Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular lights up the skies with festive fireworks set to holiday music and projections. But how does it stand up to Magic Kingdom’s holiday dessert party? Guest author, DFB Reader Mark Roberts, chimes in with a helpful review.

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Dessert Party

First, it is important to know that everything is being evaluated in light of the dessert party at the Tomorrowland Terrace during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that we attended the night before. The holiday version of Wishes is simply stunning and everything about that dessert party was equal to the fireworks show. We had a fabulous time. Unfortunately, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam! doesn’t measure up to its cousin over in the Magic Kingdom.

Dessert Party Atmosphere

For starters, the Bam! dessert party is hurried.  We were supposed to check in at 7:30 p.m. for the 8:30 p.m. show. Over in MK you can be a little late and not worry about it because you eat on the Terrace and watch (in a nice chair – remember that – it’s important later) the fireworks from the Terrace. If you are late, that just means less time to grab some food before the show starts.

Not so over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We arrived about 7:35 p.m. in the front alcove area of Grauman’s Chinese Theater (right where the entrance to the Great Movie Ride was).  It was roped off and there were tables and a dessert buffet set up. But as soon as we were checked in and given a credential we were told that at 8:00 p.m. we would have to move because we were in a fireworks landing zone! That gave the evening a rushed feel, because — well — we were rushed!

We quickly filled a plate with some chips and spinach artichoke dip while we reconnoitered the situation. There were two long dessert tables (with identical choices) filled with tiny cheesecake bites, cookies, a Yule log (dark chocolate), and more. Fresh fruit awaited a helping of chocolate fondue and the bread pudding was simmering at the end of the table. That was all great to see and it was all delicious. [Read more…]