Wishes Dessert Party moves to the Hub - the real reason why Wishes FP+ Went Away

[wdwmagic]

Am I the only one who thinks Plaza Gardens is a more preferable viewing location than the Terrace? Why are they making it seem like those who make advanced reservations get "preference" to remain at the Terrace?

There is a choice, advance reservations guests can opt for the gardens viewing spot.

 

[wdwfan757]

I said it doesn't have an impact on my experience. Wishes from the hub is nothing but a recipe for a stiff neck. I prefer it from further back on Main Street (or Frontierland if I want to avoid the crowds). I never watched it from the hub pre-FP+ and I never thought it was worth the use of a FP+ once that was introduced.

But all the people that DID use fastpass to watch it will now be dislocated around the hub. A giant chunk of prime real estate is now useless for all non-paying people. Those people have to go somewhere. It's going to impact everyone

 

[GhostHost1000]

I think Disney actually should be doing that, but this doesn't accomplish it. If they want to manage crowds with price, they need to do it with admission prices. Things like this don't do anything to reduce crowds, they just segregate them.

The problem with expansion is that demand always circles back to the Magic Kingdom, specifically the hub and Fantasyland. So they'd be able to handle bigger crowds in total, but those bigger crowds are still going to congregate in the same places they do today.

Good point. This may be why we are beginning to see fantasyland type attractions now being built elsewhere too (Epcot)

 

[ford91exploder]

So, in essence, you can pay for the FastPass reservation and get some Golden Corral-caliber desserts for free.

FFS. Just when you think they've bottomed out...

Disney just keeps digging.

 

[Lirael]

Disney just keeps digging.

They think they're digging for gold but most can see it's their own grave

 

[pax_65]

People will defend this, wait for it.

Many people have no concept of how things used to be a few years ago, where the marketing slogan was something like "Your Pass is Your Ticket to the Magic", because it gave you total access to everything the parks had to provide. Then, on top of that, you'd have completely unexpected "Magical Moments" from happy cast members that would totally exceed your expectations - for no additional charge of course.

Things have fallen a LONG way from those great days.

 

[wdizneew]

Many people have no concept of how things used to be a few years ago, where the marketing slogan was something like "Your Pass is Your Ticket to the Magic", because it gave you total access to everything the parks had to provide. Then, on top of that, you'd have completely unexpected "Magical Moments" from happy cast members that would totally exceed your expectations - for no additional charge of course.

Things have fallen a LONG way from those great days.

The funny thing is that Disney started with ride tickets that gave you access to specific attractions in the park and it looks like we're on our way back to that lol

The way I see it now lol
E ticket = Disney After Hours
A ticket = Regular park admission

 

[ToTBellHop]

I am trying to imagine how this will work for the actual dessert party. Now there will be hundreds of people in the Tomorrowland Terrace trying to get desserts? Where will all of the people who plan to view the fireworks from the garden viewing area eat? Seating was traditionally reserved for those at the Dessert Party. Will those who pre-reserve still get to sit at a table? And will they now have hoards of others standing over them, spilling their desserts? What a freakin mess.

No more Wishes Dessert Party for me. It's a pity--to me it was a real gem in the past. Now it costs a helluva lot more AND will be over-crowded. Boo.

 

[glvsav37]

I have a really bad feeling that this is going to be SOP for any "in-demad' events like the new Frozen ride and such. It will be stand-by, limited FPs and a special "Magic Pass" avail for purchase that will let you skip ahead of the FP people (if they even offer FPs).

after sleeping on it, my only silver lining to this, is that the people who pay for a dessert party are those that book them in advance. I don't see an average guest walking up to the booth and dropping $200+ (family of 4) for something that night. So as someone that usually books these at least 1x trip, and consider the costs part of my vacation costs, I may roll the dice and see about a same-day ticket.

Being they have changed the table seating system and location on the terrace, I think you may be better off in the hub, lots more elbow space.

 

[wdwmagic]

I am trying to imagine how this will work for the actual dessert party. Now there will be hundreds of people in the Tomorrowland Terrace trying to get desserts? Where will all of the people who plan to view the fireworks from the garden viewing area eat? Seating was traditionally reserved for those at the Dessert Party. Will those who pre-reserve still get to sit at a table? And will they now have hoards of others standing over them, spilling their desserts? What a freakin mess.

No more Wishes Dessert Party for me. It's a pity--to me it was a real gem in the past. Now it costs a helluva lot more AND will be over-crowded. Boo.

I was wondering the same. Maybe they will use the side across the walkway that has no view of the castle. They can eat there, then move to the plaza gardens for viewing.

 

[Rickster7]

They have to pay for that fake grass somehow.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I was wondering the same. Maybe they will use the side across the walkway that has no view of the castle. They can eat there, then move to the plaza gardens for viewing.

If that is the case, they really should rename this new grouping and move check-in or people will be terribly confused. The existing check-in line can barely manage the guests they have.

Also struggling to imagine the orderly movement of several hundred guests from the Tomorrowland Terrace to the viewing spot 15 min before Wishes. Surely guests with this new package will pay less since they will have less time at the dessert party.

 

[wdwmagic]

Surely guests with this new package will pay less since they will have less time at the dessert party.

Same price.

 

[Nubs70]

How are they going to keep the paid area sequestered from the hoards of riff raff assembling in the steerage sections of the hub?

Barbed wire, claymores, Gandolf?

 

[DznyGrlSD]

How are they going to keep the paid area sequestered from the hoards of riff raff assembling in the steerage sections of the hub?

Barbed wire, claymores, Gandolf?

Electric fence.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Same price.

Wow. Guests tonight who booked the party 180 days ago and have been unable to cancel without penalty since last Thursday will be in for a rude awakening.

I find it more difficult with each passing day to avoid shaking my head in disgust at what is happening in the parks.

 

[glvsav37]

How are they going to keep the paid area sequestered from the hoards of riff raff assembling in the steerage sections of the hub?

Barbed wire, claymores, Gandolf?

why would it matter...they already have your money...deal with it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

why would it matter...they already have your money...deal with it.

It matters because fist fights are unenjoyable and will occur if this is not properly managed. Crowd management right before the fireworks is difficult as it is. Now they will need to escort several hundred guests down toward the hub (and half of them across Main Street) right before the fireworks. It's hard enough to keep a family of four together when walking during that time, let alone a group of this size. This will impact both the guests paying for the party and regular day-guests ("steerage" as Georgie and Chappie call us) trying to view the fireworks from the area around Casey's.

 

[glvsav37]

It matters because fist fights are unenjoyable and will occur if this is not properly managed. Crowd management right before the fireworks is difficult as it is. Now they will need to escort several hundred guests down toward the hub (and half of them across Main Street) right before the fireworks. It's hard enough to keep a family of four together when walking during that time, let alone a group of this size. This will impact both the guests paying for the party and regular day-guests ("steerage" as Georgie and Chappie call us) trying to view the fireworks from the area around Casey's.

I meant that post to be from an Disney Exec mind when planning this crud. Get your money and sort it out later.

I hear you. I love the party, but glad I canceled it (before I knew about this) b/c I can only imagine the crowd control chaos. I've said before, When people ask me when I booked these parties and why I would pay to be away from everyone else on Main st, I say "because its still cheaper then bail."

 

[sporadic]

It matters because fist fights are unenjoyable and will occur if this is not properly managed. Crowd management right before the fireworks is difficult as it is. Now they will need to escort several hundred guests down toward the hub (and half of them across Main Street) right before the fireworks. It's hard enough to keep a family of four together when walking during that time, let alone a group of this size. This will impact both the guests paying for the party and regular day-guests ("steerage" as Georgie and Chappie call us) trying to view the fireworks from the area around Casey's.

Next event will be a popcorn party at Casey's just to watch it all go down. I'd pay $20 to sit and watch that.